49th Ann Arbor Folk Fest opening night concert

Premium tickets ($136.50 and up) include a tax deductible donation to The Ark – more info here!

The Ark and Bank of Ann Arbor are excited to announce the lineup for the Ann Arbor Folk Fest at Hill Auditorium. The festival is The Ark’s largest annual fundraiser and delivers the full spectrum of “Ark music,” presenting a taste of what’s happening on the leading edge of acoustic music while delving into the very heart of folk and roots traditions. Friday night features a new format with a later start, and a concert length performance from Michigan’s own Greensky Bluegrass with special guest, the legendary Junior Brown.

Known for their dazzling live performances and relentless touring schedule, Kalamazoo’s Greensky Bluegrass — Anders Beck [dobro], Michael Arlen Bont [banjo], Dave Bruzza [guitar], Mike Devol [upright bass], and Paul Hoffman [Mandolin] — are connected through a deep bond, just as they are seasoned road warriors, they’re a band of brothers who have seen each other through decades of ups and downs, personal and collective highlights, and the moments when life turns it all upside down. These are real people having real experiences. As with traditional bluegrass, they write about their own contemporary day-to-day happenings, emotions, and experiences in the modern world.

The band has earned critical acclaim from Billboard, Parade, NPR, and Rolling Stone who hailed them as “representing the genre for a whole new generation.” The band embraces tradition while ushering bluegrass forward on their eighth full-length offering, Stress Dreams. “Greensky is and always has been very unique in our world,” observes Paul. “We put our love, energy, and focus into what we appreciate about our music. We come together as a band in a way that’s organic. We take a lot of pride in how we grow and challenge each other too. We’re maturing together. I think we get more Greensky all of the time.”

With his unique voice, more unique song writing, and even more unique double necked “Guit-Steel” guitar, there has absolutely never been anyone like Junior Brown. He’s an American Original. He’s a one-man musical hot fusion machine! People call him a cross between Jimi Hendrix and Ernest Tubb. But there’s a lot more to say about Junior Brown. There’s the fact that he’s just about the best surf guitarist around, for example. Or that he’s a wonderful composer of traditional country songs, the kind in which each outrageous pun leads you deeper into an emotional blind alley. An Ark favorite for over 2 decades, before taking a breather from touring the last few years, Junior Brown and his powerhouse band know how to bring the party – and we couldn’t be more delighted to have them join us for the Friday night show!

Opening the evening is Junior Brown. With his unique voice, more unique song writing, and even more unique double necked “Guit-Steel” guitar, there has absolutely never been anyone like Junior Brown. He’s a one-man musical hot fusion machine! People call him a cross between Jimi Hendrix and Ernest Tubb. But there’s a lot more to say about Junior Brown. There’s the fact that he’s just about the best surf guitarist around, for example. Or that he’s a wonderful composer of traditional country songs, the kind in which each outrageous pun leads you deeper into an emotional blind alley. Seeing Junior live is a definite must, so GUIT WITH IT ’cause he’s AN AMERICAN ORIGINAL and an absolute legend! Come check out the performer voted #1 House Rocker by the readers of Guitar Player – we are delighted to welcome Junior Brown and his legendary band to open this year’s Ann Arbor Folk Festival.