KASU's Bluegrass Monday presents the Muellers on May 11

May 6, 2009 -- Please note: KASU’s Bluegrass Monday concerts are typically held on the fourth Monday night of the month; however, due to the Memorial Day holiday falling on the fourth Monday in May, the May concert will be held on the second Monday of the month. The regular schedule will resume in June.

The Muellers will perform a concert of bluegrass music on Monday, May 11, at 7 PM at Atkins Celebration Hall, 101 South Pruett Street, in downtown Paragould, Arkansas. The performance is part of the Bluegrass Monday concert series presented by KASU 91.9 FM. KASU will literally "pass the hat" to collect money to pay the group.  The suggested donation is $5 per person.

Based in Maine with family roots in Missouri, the Muellers are a family band who travels across the country performing traditional bluegrass and gospel music. Dad Curt plays banjo, and mom Karen plays bass, and they are joined on stage by five of their seven children, ranging in age from 23 to 7. Curt Mueller is a native of Saint Louis, and Karen Mueller was raised in Poplar Bluff, Mo. Karen also attended Arkansas State University-Jonesboro.



In 2004, the family won the prestigious Youth In Bluegrass contest held each year at Silver Dollar City in Branson, Mo. They were the subject of a documentary film, "Talent To Burn," that examined their development as musicians and the impact that playing music has had on their lives. The Muellers have also recorded four CDs. More information about the group, including samples of their music and videos of their performances, is available at http://www.muellerfamilymusic.com/.

The Mueller family features outstanding vocal harmonies and instrumental prowess that is amazing given the young age of the children. Also noteworthy is that four of the children play fiddle, and the band’s performances include unique triple and quadruple-fiddle arrangements of classic bluegrass songs.

The Mueller children include 16-year-old Laurah, who primarily plays mandolin but also plays harmony fiddle. Thirteen-year-old Sarah is a featured fiddle soloist who does some of the musical arrangements for the band. Ten-year-old John plays guitar and fiddle, and he is known for his high tenor voice, that draws comparisons to bluegrass singers who are much older and more experienced in performing in this style of music. Seven-year-old George plays fiddle and mandolin and loves to sing with his older brother John in the "brother duet" style that is common in bluegrass music.

The oldest Mueller child touring with the group is Tom, who plays guitar and mandolin.  The group performs original songs by Tom, and in addition to bluegrass, he is also an accomplished player of jazz and classical music.

Prior to the concert by the Muellers at 7 p.m., area bluegrass musicians are invited to come to Atkins Celebration Hall beginning at 5 p.m. for an open jam session.  Musicians are asked to bring only acoustic instruments and to play only bluegrass music.  he jam sessions will end promptly at 6:45 p.m., just before the beginning of the concert.

Simply Delicious Catering will provide a country-style buffet meal beginning at 5 p.m. for a cost of $10, including tax and a drink. Seating at the venue is either at tables or in auditorium-style seating.

Bluegrass Monday concerts are typically held on the fourth Monday night of each month; however, due to the Memorial Day holiday in the month of May, this month’s concert is being held on the second Monday of the month. These concerts are presented with support from the Posey Peddler, the Northeast Arkansas Bluegrass Association and KASU.

KASU 91.9 FM is the 100,000 watt public broadcasting service of Arkansas StFor more information, contact KASU program director Marty Scarbrough (mscarbro@astate.edu),  or call (870) 972-2367.ate University-Jonesboro.
 

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