By: Rick Zigler—
The Muncie Three Trails Music Series returns in 2017 with another stellar line-up of critically acclaimed national recording artists who will perform in a series of four FREE concerts at Canan Commons in downtown Muncie. All shows begin at 7 PM. Complete information on the series and all artists, including songs and videos, can be found at www.munciethreetrails.com.
Celebrated soul-blues singer Bettye Lavette will kick things off on Sat., July 8th. Ms. Lavette’s career spans from the early sixties to the present day. She is:
- A 3-time Grammy nominee
- a W.C. Handy award winner of the Rhythm & Blues Foundation’s prestigious Pioneer award
- recipient of numerous Blues Music awards, including Best Soul Blues Female Artist in 2016.
Muncie native Jennie Devoe will open the show.
Bettye Lavette
Bluegrass “supergroup” The Earls of Leicester featuring Jerry Douglas will perform on Friday, August 4th. Douglas put the Earls together in 2014 as a tribute to the sounds and stylings of Lester Flatt and Earl Scruggs. Their eponymous debut won the Grammy for Bluegrass Album of The Year. They have also won statues from the International Bluegrass Music Association for:
- Entertainers of the Year (2015 and 2016)
- Instrumental Group of the Year
- Album of the Year
- Dobro Player of the Year (Jerry Douglas)
- Male Vocalist of the Year (Shawn Camp)
- Banjo Player of the Year (Charlie Cushman)
- Bass Player of the Year (Barry Bales).
Indianapolis’ Flatland Harmony Experiment will be the opening act.
The Earls of Leicester featuring Jerry Douglas
All-female Mariachi band Flor de Toloache will bring their world music stylings to Canan Commons on Saturday, August 26th. They have performed on world-renowned stages throughout Europe and the U.S., including touring as opener for Black Keys’ singer/guitarist Dan Auerbach’s new band, The Arcs. Flor De Toloache are:
- Latin Grammy nominees
- Pioneers in updating Mariachi music for contemporary audiences
- Live performers who have garnered lavish praise from publications such as: Rolling Stone, Billboard, New Yorker, GQ, New York Times, and the Wall Street Journal.
Michael Isla, Latin classical guitarist, will open for the band.
Flor de Toloache
Rounder Records recording artist Pokey Lafarge and his band will close the series on Saturday, Sept. 23rd. In 2016, they attracted the biggest crowd in Muncie Three Trails history so we felt we needed to bring them back for an encore performance. Their eclectic mix of early jazz, hot swing, ragtime, country blues, folk, and Americana is featured on their new album Manic Revelations. Mr. Lafarge and his band:
- record for Rounder Records, the premier American roots record label
- are two-time winners of the Best Americana Album award bestowed by the Independent Music Awards
- have garnered praise from everyone from David Letterman to former White Stripes’ leader Jack White, who originally signed them to his Third Man Records label.
Frank Lee and Allie Burbrink will open.
Pokey Lafarge
The Muncie Three Trails Music Series is a non-profit partnership between Muncie Downtown Development Partnership, Muncie Arts and Culture Council, and Rick Zeigler, series founder and organizer. The mission of the series is to bring critically acclaimed, national recording artists to perform at Canan Commons, Muncie’s premier outdoor performance venue, located in the heart of Downtown Muncie. A second mission is to promote the many recreational, artistic, and cultural attractions located along, or in close proximity to, Canan Commons and Muncie’s popular “Three Trails” — The White River Greenway, Cardinal Greenway, and Muncie Arts and Culture Trail. We hope attendees will heed our slogan, “Explore the Trails, Enjoy the Music.”
