International Acts to Appear at ROMP

4 p.m. – Hamilton County Bluegrass Band
Friday June 27 at the Bluegrass Museum

Formed in the 1960s in New Zealand, as Alan Rhodes and Paul Trenwith tried to emulate Lester Flatt and Earl Scruggs, the Hamilton County Bluegrass Band has evolved over the past four decades into an internationally popular Bluegrass Band.

The Hamilton County Bluegrass Band was the first to popularize bluegrass music in New Zealand and broadcast its music on the TV show Country Touch from 1968 to 1970.

With a distinct sound that eventually crossed the ocean to the U.S., the band became the first and only New Zealand group to perform at the Grand Ole Opry in Nashville, Tenn.

Over the years, the Hamilton County Bluegrass Band performed with Slim Dusty, Julie Felix and Bill Monroe.

By 1975, after several tours, TV appearances and albums, band members decided to take a break. But in 1994 the majority of the original members reunited for a new album, Encore and have been touring Europe and the U.S. since.

Current members include Alan Rhodes, Paul Trenwith, Dave Calder, Colleen Bain Trenwith and Tim Trenwith.


Saturday June 28 at Yellow Creek Park
1:30 p.m. – G2 Bluegrass Band

In Sweden, 2005, five friends jammed bluegrass just for fun. But during their jam, they realized they were creating something more than just a friendly weekend of music.
After a few months of developing their sound, the five guys formed G2.

Bluegrass arrived in Sweden in the 1960s and 70s. So performing the music of their fathers, G2 is Sweden’s second generation of bluegrass.

Only a few years old, G2 won the award for Number One European Bluegrass Band at EWOB, held by the European Bluegrass Music Association in Holland, May, 2007.

Members include Christoffer Olsson (guitar), Erik Igelström (mandolin), Jens Koch (banjo), Jimmy Sunnerbrandt (bass) and Tobias Strömberg (dobro).

Each member grew up listening to and playing bluegrass, influenced by Earl Skruggs, Jerry Douglas, Stanely Brothers, JD Crowe, Sam Bush and Ricky Skaggs.


3:30 p.m. – Red Wine

One of the premier bluegrass bands in Europe, Red Wine blends bluegrass with an Italian flavor. Touring since 1978, Red Wine has performed across Europe and the U.S. in major international festivals and venues.

Red Wine has also been featured on many TV and radio broadcasts.

The Italian take on bluegrass includes traditional string music with unique melodies, harmonies and some Italian lyrics, such as the song “Il cielo d’Irlanda.”

Members include Silvio Ferretti on banjo, guitar, dobro and harmony vocals; Martino Coppo on mandolin and lead vocals; Luca Bartolini on guitar and harmony vocals; and Stefano Cavallo on bass and harmony vocals.

Members have performed music in many capacities and genres with such msuciians as Tony Trischka and Barbara Lamb, Beppe Gambetta, the Kathy Chiavola Band, Paolo Bonfanti, Freewheelin’ and many more.

Reprinted with permission from the Messenger-Inquirer