CALIFORNIA, MD, April 6, 2026—The Southern Maryland Bluegrass Concert Series is winding down with the highly anticipated performance by The Kody Norris Show. This event was originally scheduled for February 1 and was canceled due to weather but is taking place on Sunday, May 3, 2026, at the Calvert Elks in Prince Frederick, located at 1015 Dares Beach Road. The concert is set to begin at 2:00 PM.
Whatever you do, don't call The Kody Norris Show 'retro'. While the reigning SPBGMA Entertainers of the Year are known for the rhinestones and fringe, they seem to resurrect the memories of times gone by, The Kody Norris Show are very much directing their gaze forward forever.
The talented group, made up of frontman Kody Norris, 14 year old, Hayden “Jim” Hensley on banjo, Mary Rachel Nalley-Norris on fiddle and mandolin, and Charlie Lowman on bass, finds themselves with a growing legion of fans craving the comfort that comes from their retro look and dynamic sound – all of which can be heard throughout their epic new album, “Highfalutin Hillbilly”.
There is a whole chapter of country music that's just kind of faded away and the Kody Norris Show is putting back what’s been missing in the entertainment business for decades. And that is the showmanship! They have been instrumental in bringing back some of that nostalgia and the classic look that country music and bluegrass music used to have.
Kody Norris, the founder of this electrifying four-piece band from Mountain City, Tennessee when but once a youngster who would spend hours sitting in the passenger seat of his Uncle Jack’s Chevrolet El Camino listening to the music of The Stanley Brothers 16 Greatest Hits tape, wondering if he would ever be able to match the sweet harmonies coming through those speakers. It was those very harmonies that Norris would recognize wavering through the rafters of the Baptist church he attended as a kid. There was a Bluegrass quartet that would play in the Free Will Baptist Church, and soon Norris became infatuated with the music of a banjo and a guitar.
Their music is high energy, from the hard driven sounds of Bluegrass to the old-time clawhammer style of banjo pickin’ that fits right into their style that they are known for across the country. It’s like musical magic at its finest. They were once part of two weekly programs on the acclaimed RFD-TV's network, The Cumberland Highlanders Show and The Bluegrass Trail.
--Jack Sanower’s Banjo Classic: Sledd Ridin’
Here is a Rattlesnake Hill practice version of the Dale Sledd authored banjo classic: Sledd
Ridin’.
Dale Sledd was a guitarist and vocalist with The Osborne Brothers from 1966 through
1977. Born in Benton County, Missouri, Sledd died in 2016 at the age of 78. After leaving
the Osborne Brothers, Dale worked with Grandpa Jones, and later with the Silverado
Band. He had worked earlier with his wife Patsy as a vocal duo.
The first recording and first release was by the Osborne Brothers (August 8, 1973 and
December 24, 1973), with Sonny Osborne playing banjo lead.
This is another chance to hear Jack Sanbower’s banjo. This was a “1-take”, no overdubs,
and includes Jack and Heather talking during the practice. Jack’s mastery of the banjo is
stunning, as well as Kevin Conroy’s guitar lead.
Rattlesnake Hill Musicians:
Jack Sanbower Banjo
Ed Schaeffer Rhythm Guitar & Vocal
Carolyn Kellock Bass
Heather Twigg Fiddle & Harmony
Kevin Conroy Lead Guitar
To listen, click: http://rattlesnakehill.org/Web_Music/edsmusic.html
Ed
Celebrating 50 Years of Bluegrass Excellence and bringing music to school students across the world!
2012 and 2018 GRAMMY Nominee, Special Consensus, makes first time appearance.
CALIFORNIA, MD, March 23, 2026— The next concert in the Southern Maryland Bluegrass Series will take place on Sunday April 19 featuring Special Consensus. It's the sixth concert of the season taking place at the Calvert Elks in Prince Frederick, MD which is located at 1015 Dares Beach Road. Doors open at Noon and the show starts at 2:00 PM, tickets are $23.00.
Special Consensus is a band that may not be familiar to the Southern Maryland Bluegrass audience, but they have been on the Bluegrass scene, marking their 50th anniversary. Their sound is grounded in a deep appreciation of Bluegrass music. They have the drive and harmonies of traditional Bluegrass, but with a contemporary sound deeply rooted in tradition. Led by founder Greg Cahill, a recipient of the prestigious International Bluegrass Music Association (IBMA) Distinguished Achievement Award and an inductee into the Society for the Preservation of Bluegrass Music in America (SPBGMA) Hall of Greats, Special Consensus, has been a cornerstone of the Bluegrass community for five decades. The group has released twenty-two acclaimed recordings, earned eight IBMA awards, and received two Grammy nominations.
This band has provided a foundation for some of today's greatest Bluegrass artists who got their start with Special Consensus. With the 2023 and 2025 IBMA Male Vocalist of the Year Greg Blake on guitar, who has a voice with a deep connection to Appalachian mountain sound. He has a rich powerful voice that has earned him widespread recognition in the Bluegrass world. Greg Cahill's unique banjo playing style along with Brian McCarty on mandolin and Nico Humby on bass, these musicians follow their creative desires without straying too far from their roots.
International tours have brought the band to Australia, Canada, Europe, South America, Ireland, and the United Kingdom. The band has also appeared on National Public Radio, The Nashville Network, the Grand Ole Opry in Nashville, Tennessee, and have appeared in concert with symphony orchestras around the world.
In 1984, Special Consensus initiated the Traditional American Music (TAM) Program to introduce Bluegrass music to students in schools across the country and in several foreign lands.
The band proudly records for Compass Records where their Gordon Lightfoot version of "Alberta Bound" received the 2023 IBMA Collaborative Recording of the Year award, and the first-ever 2024 IBMA Video of the Year award.
Their latest album titled, "Been All Around This World," released in 2025 in celebration of the band's Golden Anniversary included "special" appearances by past band mates Rick Faris, Ashby Frank, Robbie Fulks, Chris Jones, Dallas Wayne, and Josh Williams along with current members. This recording is truly a celebration of the music of Special Consensus over the past 50 years!
Now in its fourth year at the Calvert Elks, Southern Maryland Bluegrass series will continue to host leading artists. There is one more show in the series which will be on Sunday May 3 featuring The Kody Norris Show. This show was originally scheduled for February 1.
Tickets for each concert are $23.00 per person. They will be sold at the door. For more information, visit www.somdbluegrass.com or call 301-737-3004. Food will be available for sale from Noon til 2 pm and the show starts at 2 pm. The doors open at approximately 12:00. Media sponsorship is provided by Bluegrass Country Radio.
--Please come out and enjoy Ed Schaeffer’s Songwriter Presentation
Old Yellow Moon is an original by songwriter Fred Moore, a friend from Philadelphia.
I recorded it with jazz musicians from the D.C. area, including 3 former players from the
Danny Gatton Band. This cut appeared within the Acoustic Jazz CD called Karma
Machine, released in 2013.
The following explanation for the “Machine” title appeared within the CD cover, and is still
Applicable to us all:
Karma is a universal law: “What goes around comes around”, or the biblically eloquent
“As ye sew, so shall ye reap”. This music is your gift of creative inspiration. In return, give a
gift to one in need: a child, neighbor, or the elderly. This is the album’s purpose and is made
possible only with your commitment. In giving to another now, gifts will return to you!
Jazz Musicians:
Paul Wingo Guitar
John Previti Bass
Ed Schaeffer Vocal
Dan Cassidy Violin
Bob Sykes Piano
Scott Taylor Drums
Words below. To listen, click: http://rattlesnakehill.org/Web_Music/edsmusic.html
Ed
Old Yellow Moon
Fred Moore
Old Yellow Moon I've watched it climbin'
Night after night through the pines
Full to be soon I've watched it shinnin'
Brighter each night as it climbs
Whippoorwill sings a song so lonesome
Must be like me nowhere to go
Nighthawks will feast on a whippoorwill's bones some
If a whippoorwill flies under Yellow Moon
Old Yellow Moon it seems so lazy
Bidin' its time ridin' high
Floatin' the Loon kinda crazy
Above the pines passin' by
Whippoorwill stay you good companion
Sing me again that lonesome tune
This night 'n none will lay a hand on
Neither you nor me under Yellow Moon
Old Yellow Moon you've caught me sleepin'
Out through the pines there you go
On others doin's you'll be creepin'
On folks like us moonshine will glow
Whippoorwill you were a friend indeed, Sir!
And now you sleep until the dawn
Nighthawks will feast on other feed, Sir!
You 'n I were safe under Yellow Moon
