Archbold, OH (October 5, 2021) – Kentucky is known as the birthplace of bluegrass music, but Ohio played a major role in establishing it as a worldwide phenomenon.
Industrial Strength Bluegrass: An Evening With Joe Mullins and The Radio Ramblers will explore and celebrate Ohio’s bluegrass music legacy October 21, at Founder’s Hall at Sauder Village.
Industrial Strength Bluegrass is the story of bluegrass’ transformation from a music to a movement, carried by people from Appalachia seeking a better life in the booming post WWII factories of Ohio.
At 6 p.m., Mullins, also a bluegrass historian based in Ohio, will present a 45-minute discussion on our bluegrass heritage. A full concert, featuring Joe and The Radio Ramblers, will begin at 7:30 p.m. Both events are free and open to the public.
JMRR are the 2019 International Bluegrass Music Association Entertainer of the Year. The band has won numerous other industry awards, including Song of the Year, and Gospel Recorded Performance, and are regular guests on the Grand Ole Opry.
Most recently, Mullins produced the album Industrial Strength Bluegrass (Smithsonian Folkways Recordings), which received the 2021 IBMA Album of the Year Award.
Industrial Strength Bluegrass: An Evening with Joe Mullins and The Radio Ramblers is presented by Black Swamp Arts Council and Archbold Music Commission, with the generous support of Archbold Area Foundation, Ohio Arts Council, Arts Midwest and International Bluegrass Music Association Foundation.