Cherryholmes brings an edge to MusicFest

Jere Cherryholmes thumps out a bass line Saturday night in Wartrace. (T-G Photo by John Philleo) [Order this photo]

Cherryholmes closed out this year's Wartrace MusicFest in style Saturday night, earning two standing ovations from the crowd following a highly energetic performance.

It was the second year in a row for the family band, which headlined Friday night at last year's event.

The six-member group, which consists of father, mother, two sons and two daughters, has had a busy schedule in the meantime.

"We bought a house, finally," said father, band leader, bus driver and stand-up bassist Jere Cherryholmes. "That's probably one of the biggest changes, is that we've moved out of the bus."

But musically, they've done a lot in the past year, too. They put out their third record, "Don't Believe," and were nominated for their third and fourth Grammy awards.

The band has continued to play regularly at performing arts centers and theaters in the U.S. and in Europe, and remains a regular act at the Grand Ole Opry, where they've played more than 50 times in the past 3 1/2 years, according to Jere.

"That's a real honor," he said, adding that he likes the Wartrace MusicFest because of its diversity.

"One of the nice things about this festival is that there are a lot of different kinds of music genres represented, so we've been able to spread out a little bit musically."

In addition to bluegrass, the band also plays swing, old-time and what Jere describes as "edgy" music.

"Instead of sticking to a strictly bluegrass format, we can play some of the stuff we play at the performing arts centers."

A Celtic influence also plays a big part in their music, and in their stage presence: At one point the whole band, except for Jere, danced an Irish step dance together while not missing a note.

Rebekah Cunningham, 14, of Madison, Ala., relaxes at the Wartrace MusicFest Saturday evening with her grandparents, Ray and Janie Brady, of Tullahoma, and her sisters, Anna, 10, and Ariel, 9. (T-G Photo by John Philleo) [Click to enlarge] [Order this photo]

Also in the past year, the band had a selection of its songs scored for symphony, and has played along with the Organ Symphony in Portland, Ore., and the Kansas City Symphony. The group has three dates scheduled to play with the Nashville Symphony at the Schermerhorn in April 2010.

"It just sounds so exciting to hear all the instruments back there playing with you," he said.

Cherryholmes' next major venue will be at Bonnaroo in Manchester, which begins June 11.

He said there has been no indication of whether Cherryholmes will be back in Wartrace next year, but that the band would highly consider coming back if offered a slot.

"The Gallagher folks are as nice as you can get," he said. "We appreciate Don letting us be a part of it, because we like to reach people everywhere."

Younger audience

That "edgy" music, as Jere refers to it, is a fast-paced sound reminiscent of Nickel Creek.

"Some of it lends itself to younger ears, and it's always our hope to attract younger fans," he said, though that is not necessarily a goal of the music in and of itself.

"You can definitely see the influence of the younger writers," he said. The four Cherryholmes children are aged 16-25, according to the band's website, and the youngest member, Molly, debuted on the Grand Ole Opry at age 7.

Another band that was at the festival seeks more overtly to convert youngsters to bluegrass music -- The Doerfels. Another family band, The Doerfels range in age from 13 to 20. They worked some contemporary rock songs by Green Day and The Killers into their set Saturday night.

"We like to play music from our generation to help get kids into bluegrass," said lead singer and fiddle player Kimberly, 19. Like Molly Cherryholmes, she started making music at an early age.

"I got a fiddle for my birthday when I was 9," she said.

The band's tactics may have worked to attract one young listener. Rebekah Cunningham, 14, bought a Doerfels CD after the band performed. Rebekah was visiting her grandparents, Ray and Janie Brady, in Tullahoma, with two of her sisters, Anna and Ariel.

"I listen to some Green Day," she said after the Doerfels performed -- her favorite band of the night.

"I like their energy and the music that they chose," she said.

She had never heard of The Doerfels before her grandparents told her about them, but she liked the music and was looking forward to hearing Cherryholmes.

"It's all been really fun," she said.