Prince Frederick, MD — October 17, 2024 — Bluegrass music enthusiasts in Southern Maryland are in for a treat as the highly regarded Larry Stephenson Band headlines the second concert in the Southern Maryland Bluegrass at the Elks Series on Sunday, November 17. The event will be held at the Calvert Elks Lodge #2620, with the show beginning at 2:00 p.m. and doors opening at noon.
The Larry Stephenson Band, known for their impeccable high lead and tenor vocals, has been entertaining audiences for 35 years. Their career has included performances at prestigious venues such as the Grand Ole Opry, as well as appearances on RFD-TV, and headlining Bluegrass festivals and concerts across the United States and Canada. Larry Stephenson, who leads the band, is a member of the Virginia Country Music Hall of Fame and a five-time winner of the Society for the Preservation of Bluegrass Music in America (SPBGMA) Male Vocalist of the Year award. In 2018, he was inducted into the SPBGMA Hall of Greats, solidifying his legacy in the genre.
The band is well-loved in Southern Maryland, particularly because of Stephenson’s connections to the King George area of Virginia. The group records under Stephenson’s family-owned record label, Whysper Dream Music, and has earned numerous International Bluegrass Music Association (IBMA) and SPBGMA nominations and awards over the years. Their signature sound, marked by Stephenson’s distinct tenor voice, has made them a fan favorite in the region.
The Southern Maryland Bluegrass at the Elks Series, organized by local Bluegrass enthusiast Jay Armsworthy, aims to bring nationally recognized Bluegrass artists to the area. Armsworthy’s efforts have transformed the Calvert Elks Lodge into the home of Bluegrass music in Southern Maryland, attracting top talent from across the country.
Upcoming Performances in the Series
Following the Larry Stephenson Band’s performance, the series will continue on December 15 with Joe Mullins and the Radio Ramblers, known for their traditional Bluegrass sound. The new year will kick off with a special appearance by the “Queen of Bluegrass,” Rhonda Vincent and the Rage, who will bring their celebrated Nashville sound to the stage on January 12, 2025.
Other highlights in the series include the Lonesome River Band on February 9, 2025, a double-header in March featuring the mournful tones of the Junior Sisk Band on March 2, and singer-songwriter Donna Ulisse, making her first appearance in the series on March 23. The concert series will conclude with a performance by Missy Raines and her band Alleghany on April 13. Raines, a ten-time award winner for Bass Player of the Year in Bluegrass music, promises to close out the series on a high note.
Event Information
All concerts in the series begin at 2:00 p.m., with doors opening at noon. Tickets are priced at $23 per person, and children under 12 are admitted free with a paid adult. Food will be available for purchase from noon until 2:00 p.m. at each show.
To purchase tickets or find more information about the series, visit www.somdbluegrass.com or call 301-737-3004. The Calvert Elks Lodge #2620 is located at 1015 Dares Beach Road in Prince Frederick, Maryland.
