Monroe Crossing Returns To KASU's Bluegrass Monday, Jan. 27
JONESBORO – Monroe Crossing will perform a concert of bluegrass music at 7 p.m. on Monday, Jan. 27, at the Collins Theatre, 120 West Emerson Street, in Paragould.
Named in honor of the creator of bluegrass music, Bill Monroe, the band Monroe Crossing plays traditional bluegrass music, gospel songs, original melodies, and their own unique arrangements of songs that originated in a style of music other than bluegrass such as classic country music or rock-and-roll.
In their over 20–year career, the group has performed over 2,500 shows at bluegrass festivals, churches and venues across the country. In addition to touring across the United States, the band has also toured through Canada, Europe and Southeast Asia.
Monroe Crossing has recorded 17 CDs and has produced a concert DVD. A CD, including music recorded live at past Bluegrass Monday performances, was released by the band in 2015.
Based in Minnesota, Monroe Crossing is the only bluegrass band ever to be named “Artist of the Year” (2004) by the Minnesota Music Academy. The group has also been inducted into the Minnesota Music Hall of Fame and has received numerous awards from the Minnesota Bluegrass and Old-Time Music Association. In both 2007 and in 2014, the band received the prestigious invitation to appear at the official showcase concert at the International Bluegrass Music Association’s annual convention.
Lisa Fuglie is a founding member of Monroe Crossing. She plays fiddle, guitar and mandolin, plus she is a featured lead vocalist for the group. In addition, she received a Folk Arts Apprenticeship Grant from the Minnesota State Arts Board to study fiddle with Bill Hinkley, an acclaimed musician from Minnesota.
Matt Thompson of Mankato, Minn., plays mandolin and fiddle, and he is also a founding member of the group. He is a past winner of the “Mandolin Player of the Year” award given by the Minnesota Bluegrass and Old-Time Music Association. Plus, he serves as emcee for the band during their concerts. Thompson has played bluegrass music in many bands over the past 30 years.
Mark Anderson plays bass in the group. Anderson is known for the energy and humor he brings to Monroe Crossing’s live performances. He is also a founding member of the band, and he has written original songs for the band which appear on their CDs. When not on the road with Monroe Crossing, Mark and his wife, Lisa Fuglie, also perform as the duo Our Date Night.
Derek Johnson sings and plays guitar. Prior to joining Monroe Crossing in 2011, Johnson co-founded the High 48s Bluegrass Band, a group which released four CDs, toured nationwide, and won the prestigious Rocky Grass Bluegrass Band Competition in 2008.
Graham Sones plays banjo for the band. He’s played Earl Scruggs-style banjo licks for over four decades. In addition to multiple stints playing in Monroe Crossing, he has also worked with the bands DriveTime, No Grass Limit and the Tony Rook Band.
The concert is part of the Bluegrass Monday concert series presented by KASU 91.9 FM. Tickets are $10 per person, payable by cash at the door the night of the concert. Children aged 18 and under are admitted for free.
Advance tickets can be purchased at www.kasu.org/tickets. All ticket proceeds go to the musicians, compensating them for their performance.
Groups of eight or more may request reserved seating by contacting KASU’s Marty Scarbrough. Otherwise, the theatre doors open at 6 p.m., and seating is first-come, first-served.
Acoustic musicians are invited to participate in a bluegrass music jam session to begin at 5 p.m. in the Joe Wessell Building which is adjacent to the Collins Theatre. A section of seats in the theatre will be reserved for jammers and their guests so that they can play until the concert start time.
The Bluegrass Monday concert series is a non-profit presentation of KASU-FM, providing music fans with an affordable and outstanding evening of family-friendly entertainment. These concerts are held on the fourth Monday night of each month.
These concerts are presented with support from sponsors, including the Paragould Advertising & Promotion Commission, Affordable Medical, Bibb Chiropractic Center, Gardner-Milner Law Firm, the Posey Peddler, Hyde Park Café, Holiday Inn Express and Suites of Paragould, and KASU.
KASU is the public media service of Arkansas State University in Jonesboro broadcasting at 91.9 FM and streaming on a variety of online platforms. For more information, contact KASU Program Director Marty Scarbrough at mscarbro@AState.edu or 870-972-2367. Additional information is also available on the Bluegrass Monday Facebook page.
Monroe Crossing (L-R) Mark Anderson, Matt Thompson, Lisa Fuglie, Derek Johnson and Graham Sones
