Bluegrass to blow into Rainbow Island

A little bit of banjo-pluckin' bluegrass will blow across the marshes of Glynn later this month and onto Rainbow Island at Sea Island.

Colorado-based Yonder Mountain String Band, a progressive bluegrass group with 20 years picking experience under their belts, will perform live May 11 as part of the annual Southern Grown Concert Series.

With energetic tunes like "Chasing My Tail" and "40 Miles from Denver," the five-member collective is ready to ring in the season and fill the warm marsh air with the cool sounds of Appalachia.

Band member and banjo-picker Dave Johnston said while his band is rooted in rich bluegrass tradition, it implements more modern elements, and is influenced by '70s rockers.

"None of us grew up playing bluegrass," Johnston said by phone. "Most of us grew up with rock 'n' roll, and were affected by that kind of music. Things like Led Zeppelin and psychedelic music."

That influence shines through in tunes like 2017's "Alison," off their album "Love. Ain't Love."

While distinctly bluegrass in its style, the song has rock-style elements like its driving drumbeat and click-clacking rhythm.

Off the same album, "Last of the Railroad Men" is a foot-tapping tune with a persistent rhythm that even sounds a bit like a locomotive pushing across the landscape.

"All sorts of music make us feel a certain way," Johnston said. "We find ourselves moving in different directions, but we always have one foot planted in the desire to play bluegrass. It's an amazing style, and it's very precise."

Johnston doesn't sequester himself in the mandolin-rich world of bluegrass, but he admits it seeps in to a lot of what he hears. He listens to a wide variety of music, but somehow manages to pick up the bluegrass potential in all styles of music.

"Right now, I'm listening to a lot (country music artist) Sturgill Simpson," he said. "We've always been a bit of a Tom Petty household. I have two little kids, and I'm always getting to hear the things they like to listen to.

"It's not bluegrass, but I can appreciate it. I swear, I can hear the banjo in Justin Bieber sometimes — but don't tell anybody that," he said with a laugh.

While audiences probably won't hear any Justin Bieber covers at May 11's concert on Rainbow Island, they're sure to hear the rich, deep sounds of bluegrass in all its down-home glory.

"If you come, you can expect to have a really cool and unique roots music experience," Johnston said. "You may hear something completely bluegrass, and then you may notice sometimes a song has changed slightly. We try as much as possible to create a sort of conversation among the band and the audience with music. It's a good time."

This will be Yonder Mountain String Band's debut performance at Rainbow Island, and Johnston said he's looking forward to visiting the Golden Isles and seeing a new venue.

"I'm excited to be there," he said. "We had a great time in Savannah the times we've been there. We look forward to playing for you guys, and seeing a new spot."

For tickets and more information, visit www.southerngrown.com. Tickets are $59 for adults. Food and drink tickets can be added for $45. The food and drink offerings will be provided by Certified Burgers and Beverage on St. Simons Island. Gates open at 6 p.m. and the show begins at 7 p.m. Guests may bring folding chairs, however, coolers are not allowed.

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