Yonder Mountain String Band, one of the most celebrated acts on the acoustic music scene, will perform at the Metropolitan Theatre on Thursday, Oct. 29. The Chicago-based bluegrass band Henhouse Prowlers will open the show. Showtime is set for 7 p.m. Tickets go on sale Friday, Aug. 28 at 10 a.m. at the Mountainlair and Creative Arts Center box offices, online at Ticketmaster.com, and by phone at 800-745-3000 and 304-293-SHOW (7469).

Yonder Mountain String Band has redefined bluegrass music over the past 17 years — expanding the traditional acoustic genre beyond its previously established boundaries and steadily pushing into the realms of rock ‘n’ roll and improvisation. Their latest album, “Black Sheep,” was released in June and is the first album produced by the band itself.

Band members Adam Aijala (guitar, vocals), Dave Johnston (banjo, vocals) and Ben Kaufmann (bass, vocals) recruited violinist Allie Kral and mandolin virtuoso Jacob Jolliff to join them on this album. Kral and Jolliff will also be joining the band for their live shows. “Black Sheep” marks the first time in the band’s history that they are utilizing the conventional five-piece instrumental arsenal of bluegrass originally introduced in the 1940’s throughout an entire record.

This instrumental mix of guitar, mandolin, banjo, fiddle and bass has allowed Yonder “to rethink things on different levels,” says Dave Johnston, “but at the heart of it all is the same energy and drive and a freewheeling spirit. It’s an exciting time for us because we have an invigorating sense of the future.” “Black Sheep” is currently No. 7 on Billboard’s Bluegrass Albums chart.

Chicago’s Henhouse Prowlers have a reputation for hard work and non-stop touring. Their music is inspired by the roots of bluegrass and ranges from lightning fast picking to sentimental ballads. The Prowlers’ live shows include storied original material, traditional songs and contemporary covers.

General public tickets for the Oct. 29 concert at the Metropolitan Theatre are $33. WVU Student tickets are $18. Tickets go on sale Friday, Aug. 28 at 10 a.m. at the Mountainlair and Creative Arts Center box offices, online at Ticketmaster.com, and by phone at 800-745-3000 and 304-293-SHOW (7469). The WVU Student discount is only available at the campus box offices. Limit one discounted ticket per valid WVU I.D.

This event is produced by WVU Arts & Entertainment. For additional information, call 304-293-SHOW (7469), or visit events.wvu.edu. Stay connected with the latest event updates on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram by following @wvuevents.

-WVU-

ksg/8/28/15

CONTACT: Kristie Stewart-Gale, WVU Arts & Entertainment
304-293-8221, kristie.stewart-gale@mail.wvu.edu

Follow @WVUToday on Twitter.