California Bluegrass Reunion at the Otter Opry

Having brought the house down at their first Otter Opry performance in 2022, the California Bluegrass Reunion will be back on Tuesday, November 14th at the United Methodist Church to do it again. This star-studded band is highlighted by the outrageous double fiddling of Brandon Godman and Chad Manning and features an abundance of original instrumentals from mandolinist John Reischman and banjo player Bill Evans. Anchoring the rhythm section is Jim Nunally on guitar and vocals and Sharon Gilchrist on bass.

Brandon Godman got his literal “bluegrass roots” growing up in Kentucky and honed them in as a professional touring musician in Nashville; he performs regularly as the fiddler for Laurie Lewis and the Right Hands, and with other local groups in the San Francisco Bay Area. Grammy Award-winning John Reischman is a foundational mandolinist, composer, bandleader and musical educator in bluegrass and North American roots and folk music. Bill Evans – winner of the 2022 Steve Martin “Excellence in Banjo” Award – occupies a unique niche in the music world, celebrated for his varied bluegrass banjo styles as well as his innovative original compositions. Jim Nunally is a musician, composer, record producer and teacher – all in addition to being one of the finest guitar players in the world. Chad Manning is a bluegrass, old-time and swing fiddler who has performed with more famous bands than you can count. Sharon Gilchrist has long made her home in the American acoustic music scene, performing on concert and festival stages all over North America.

These musicians have made music in various combinations for decades, but this all-star performance is an incredible opportunity to see and hear them together. To describe the show as a once-in-a-lifetime (actually, twice-in-a-lifetime) opportunity is no exaggeration. The event includes a delicious dinner at 5:30pm ($12.50 before November 12th, $17.50 at the door). Online sales will end at noon the day of the performance.

7pm. Monterey United Methodist Church, 1 Soledad Drive, Monterey. $35/show (CBA members $30; 15 and under free); $12.50-17.50/pre-show dinner. www.otteropry.org.