Dilemma- Go see Keller Williams and Travelin' McCoury's or PB

**Kevin Stevens** · Jul-09-2012, 11:37am

In my bluegrass starved area of the country, it is rare that we get the big names close by. In August the Irish Fest in Milwaukee has thankfully decided to showcase Bluegrass music and how it relates to Irish music. They have booked Punch Brothers Friday night and Del McCoury Saturday night. Also Tom O'Brien and Bryan Sutton, a bunch of other great bands. It was a no brainer that we go for the weekend. Well, now Keller Williams and Travelin' McCoury's booked on the same Friday night as Punch Brothers. They will be in Davenport Iowa at the RiverRoots festival. Can't be in 2 places at once! The new Williams/TM CD Pick is awesome, and actually reminds me of PB, and I hope I don't get slammed for this, seems to be a more fun listen. My wife tends to get a little bored with PB music but loves Pick. (she actually was one of the winners of the Irish Fest tix, thanks Scott!). So now we have to decide to try and go south Friday night, and then get up to Milwaukee Saturday (about 3 hours east) for Saturday's show, or just go to Milwaukee for the weekend.

What would you do?? Keller and the boys don't get to play many shows together, especially this close to me. The PB tour alot, we saw them together in Davenport last November and will be seeing them in February 2013 on the bluegrass cruise. In an ideal world we could see them both, but impossible.

Thoughts??

**dang** · Jul-09-2012, 11:47am

I think you are spot on, PB is more intense and sonically progressive, Keller w/McCoury's will be more fun (and more bluegrass!).

And thanks, this festival was news to me, I will be there!!!

**Markus** · Jul-09-2012, 11:52am

Personally, seeing TimO and Sutton is hard to beat.

**Paul Edwards** · Jul-09-2012, 12:12pm

Tough choice... I think you'll win either way though... Both have phenomenal artists... Have fun!

**pjlama** · Jul-09-2012, 12:35pm

Sounds to me like KW & Mc's is the move for you since they don't come around or even play much. BTW I went to college with Keller and played guitar and bass in his band. We stay in touch, he's a great guy and very funny. When we get together with the kids he entertains them to no end. I'm proud to call him an old friend.

**Kevin Stevens** · Jul-09-2012, 2:18pm

Originally Posted by Markus

Personally, seeing TimO and Sutton is hard to beat.

Tim O and Sutton are playing multiple times, so we will get to see them either way.

**Marty Henrickson** · Jul-09-2012, 6:11pm

My advice to you is to keep your wife happy if she won the tickets AND is willing to go on a bluegrass cruise.

**barney 59** · Jul-09-2012, 8:05pm

Have you seen any of them live before?
I was pretty astounded when I saw Punch Bros. and my bet is that this band is just one of many changes that Thile will have in his career. Thile fronts the band but any of them could front their own band. What I mean is, one day there will be no Punch Bros. and you ought to see them at least once.

**northfolk** · Jul-09-2012, 8:44pm

I just saw Keller Williams and the Travelin' McCourys July 3rd at Big Top Chautaugua; it was the release date of their new CD, "Pick". I have seen the Punch Brothers; well actually I saw "The How to Grow a Woman Band; as well as Nickel Creek before they broke up. I have also seen the Del McCoury band several times. Chris Thile is an outstanding entertainer; Keller Williams as well? The Punch Brothers are outstanding musicians; the McCourys somewhat legendary in my book? I don't know how you could go wrong with either one, but I would pick KW and the boys; high energy and totally entertaining from start to finish.

**drbluegrass** · Jul-10-2012, 9:42am

Originally Posted by Kevin Stevens

In my bluegrass starved area of the country, it is rare that we get the big names close by. In August the Irish Fest in Milwaukee has thankfully decided to showcase Bluegrass music and how it relates to Irish music. They have booked Punch Brothers Friday night and Del McCoury Saturday night. Also Tom O'Brien and Bryan Sutton, a bunch of other great bands. It was a no brainer that we go for the weekend. Well, now Keller Williams and Travelin' McCoury's booked on the same Friday night as Punch Brothers. They will be in Davenport Iowa at the RiverRoots festival. Can't be in 2 places at once! The new Williams/TM CD Pick is awesome, and actually reminds me of PB, and I hope I don't get slammed for this, seems to be a more fun listen. My wife tends to get a little bored with PB music but loves Pick. (she actually was one of the winners of the Irish Fest tix, thanks Scott!). So now we have to decide to try and go south Friday night, and then get up to Milwaukee Saturday (about 3 hours east) for Saturday's show, or just go to Milwaukee for the weekend.

What would you do?? Keller and the boys don't get to play many shows together, especially this close to me. The PB tour alot, we saw them together in Davenport last November and will be seeing them in February 2013 on the bluegrass cruise. In an ideal world we could see them both, but impossible.

Thoughts??

Hey Kevin,

Fellow Iowan here. Last fall I had to choose between going to see Sam Bush in my home town (Ottumwa) and Special Consensus 40 miles away. Saw Special "C". They were good beyond description. Since I prefer the more traditional BG sounds I made the right decision. I do like Sam and some of the more BG fringe artists like The Punch Brothers and The Infamous String Dusters (saw them twice, great band). I just prefer the more traditional stuff. Anyway, I don't think you'll go wrong whichever act you decide to see. They're all incredible. Bryan Sutton is just stupid good. The complete player. And he's a master of at least 3 instruments. I hate him (not really).

Tom

**Kevin Stevens** · Jul-10-2012, 10:33am

Hi Tom, My wife and I actually went to the Sam Bush show in Ottumwa! It was a great Halloween show, but the attendance was low, I felt bad. I got to see the show front and center, and actually got to meet Sam Bush prior to the show. Special Consensus I believe played up in Stoughton Wisconsin recently, where we catch multiple shows each year from Del McCoury to Jake Shimabukuro.

**drbluegrass** · Jul-10-2012, 11:05am

Originally Posted by Kevin Stevens

Hi Tom, My wife and I actually went to the Sam Bush show in Ottumwa! It was a great Halloween show, but the attendance was low, I felt bad. I got to see the show front and center, and actually got to meet Sam Bush prior to the show. Special Consensus I believe played up in Stoughton Wisconsin recently, where we catch multiple shows each year from Del McCoury to Jake Shimabukuro.

Yeah, it was a tough decision. Would definitely have enjoyed Sam.
What part of Iowa are you from? Do you play in a group?

Tom

**Kevin Stevens** · Jul-10-2012, 11:29am

I live in Dubuque. I have only been playing a little over a year, so still more active as a spectator than performing for others.

**drbluegrass** · Jul-11-2012, 9:50am

Originally Posted by Kevin Stevens

I live in Dubuque. I have only been playing a little over a year, so still more active as a spectator than performing for others.

Very cool! I've only been playing/practicing mandolin (in earnest) for about 7 or 8 months. Although I'd had one hanging on the wall for about a year before that. However, I've played guitar for a very, very, very, very, long time (ha, ha). I'm finding myself picking up mandolin fairly quickly, mostly because of my guitar playing and flat picking skills. But I have a long way to go to become a true pro at it. Why, I hope to be as good as Adam Steffey in a week or two............................................... ...NOT! But playing guitar does help. The phrasing for BG mandolin is a little different from guitar though. You and I'll get there with patience and perseverance.

Tom