The Southern Maryland Bluegrass Concert Series continues its 2024-2025 season with a performance by Donna Ulisse and The Poor Mountain Boys on Sunday, March 23, at the Calvert Elks Lodge in Prince Frederick. Hosted by Jay Armsworthy, the show is part of a season that has showcased some of the most prominent female vocalists and instrumentalists in bluegrass music.
Ulisse, known for her songwriting prowess and rich, expressive voice, transitioned from country music to bluegrass, where she has firmly established herself as a leading figure in the genre. She began her career as an Atlantic Records country artist in the early 1990s, releasing the critically acclaimed album Trouble at the Door and appearing on national television programs like Hee Haw, Nashville Now, and Crook & Chase.
Her journey into bluegrass took a personal turn when her husband, Rick Stanley, a relative of the legendary Stanley Brothers, introduced her to the bluegrass community. Their wedding reception was even kicked off by Ralph Stanley and The Clinch Mountain Boys performing “Little Maggie.” Since then, Donna and Rick have traveled the country writing songs and performing together, bound by their shared love of mountain music.
Ulisse’s songwriting skills have made a lasting impact on the bluegrass and acoustic music world. Her single “It Could Have Been the Mandolin,” from the album Hard Cry Moon, held the No. 1 spot on the Bluegrass Unlimited chart for two consecutive months in 2016, while the album itself reached No. 1 on the Roots Music Report chart. That same year, she was named the International Bluegrass Music Association’s (IBMA) Songwriter of the Year. She continued her streak in 2017 when her song “I Am a Drifter,” recorded by Volume Five, won IBMA’s Song of the Year award.
Her success has continued, with the Society for the Preservation of Bluegrass Music of America (SPBGMA) recognizing her as Songwriter of the Year in 2018 and 2022, as well as Female Vocalist of the Year in 2022. In 2019, she signed with Billy Blue Records, where she has collaborated with bluegrass legend Doyle Lawson on multiple projects, including Time for Love and Livin’ Large. Her upcoming album, Mountain Lily, marks her fourth production with Lawson and her 14th overall.
Ulisse’s work has been recorded by some of the biggest names in bluegrass, including Doyle Lawson, Claire Lynch, Darin and Brooke Aldridge, Larry Stephenson, Alan Bibey, and The Grascals. The Del McCoury Band also included one of her songs on their Grammy-winning album Streets of Baltimore.
Beyond recording and performing, Ulisse is passionate about mentoring up-and-coming songwriters. She and her husband, Rick Stanley, host exclusive songwriting workshops at their home, Wee Farm, where aspiring writers can refine their craft alongside experienced professionals.
The March 23 performance will begin at 2 p.m., with doors opening at noon. Tickets are $23 per person, with children under 12 admitted free with a paying adult. Food, including hamburgers and hot dogs, will be available for purchase from noon until 2 p.m., courtesy of the Calvert Elks Lodge. Tickets will be available at the door, but attendees who prefer to purchase in advance can do so at www.somdbluegrass.com or by calling 301-737-3004.
The concert series will conclude with a performance by 10-time IBMA Bass Player of the Year Missy Raines and her band Alleghany. The Southern Maryland Bluegrass Concert Series is sponsored in part by Bluegrass Country Radio.
