MEDIA RELEASE
GULF COAST BANJO SOCIETY HOSTING SECOND ANNUAL PUNTA GORDA BANJO BASH FEBRUARY 17 – 19, 2011
Buddy Wachter, Johnny Baier and All Stars Youth Banjo Band Scheduled to Headline Concerts in Charlotte Harbor & the Gulf Islands, Florida
CHARLOTTE HARBOR & THE GULF ISLANDS, Fla. (January XX, 2011) – Mr. Buddy Wachter, considered by most to be the greatest living banjo player, will headline the 2nd Annual Punta Gorda Banjo Bash, February 17 – 19, 2011, at the Charlotte Harbor Event & Conference Center in Punta Gorda, Fla. He will share the stage with Mr. Johnny Baier, who was crowned Canadian National Champion Banjoist, the All Stars Youth Banjo Band from Houston, Texas, and various other performers from across the United States.
The Gulf Coast Banjo Society is hosting the event and proceeds will benefit the American Banjo Museum in Oklahoma City, Okla., youth bands across the United States and children’s scholarships through the Fretted Instrument Guild Foundation. All performers are appearing gratis. Show times are
Seating is limited to 1,500 per performance and each show will feature different entertainers as well as the headliners. Friday and Saturday evening shows cost between $12 and $16, the Saturday matinee price is between $10 and $12. Tickets can be purchased by calling (941) 639-5833.Banjo jam sessions are scheduled throughout downtown Punta Gorda on Thursday, Feb. 17, during the monthly Gallery Walk; Friday, Feb. 18; and Saturday, Feb. 19. Those looking to fine-tune their banjo playing skills can participate in workshops at the Charlotte Harbor Event & Conference Center.Last year’s Inaugural Punta Gorda Banjo Bash raised $8,000 for children’s bands and the Fretted Instrument Guild Foundation for music scholarships.Best Western Waterfront in Punta Gorda (www.bwpuntagorda.com) is the host hotel for the Punta Gorda Banjo Bash. Reservations can be made by contacting the hotel at (941) 639-1165. A complete schedule of events for the 2nd Annual Punta Gorda Banjo Bash and additional information about the Gulf Coast Banjo Society can be found on the organization’s website www.gulfcoastbanjosociety.com.About the Punta Gorda Banjo Bash HeadlinersMr. Buddy Wachter. Considered by most to be the greatest living banjo player and he is the one of the world’s foremost four-string banjoists. His knowledge and respect for banjoists and traditions of the past, coupled with a love for anything genuine and musical have resulted in a most extraordinary individual who is focused on propelling the banjo into new and exciting venues in the music world. Benny Goodman, Bob Hope, Arthur Fiedler and Ferrante & Teicher are some of the bands he has played with.Mr. Johnny Baier. Just two weeks after picking up a banjo for the first time at the age of 15 in 1971, Baier began his professional banjo career. He was crowned the Canadian National Champion Banjoist in 1983 and served as musical goodwill ambassador for Sara Lee Corporation. He entertained at Rosie O’Grady’s at Church Street Station in Orlando and has performed more than 15,000 solo shows on cruise ships, at community and corporate events, and as a featured guest artist at music festivals and concert venues around the world.All Stars Youth Banjo Band. A ministry of the Sagemont Church in Houston, the band is composed of more than 60 children between the ages of 7 and 17. Buddy Griffin is the group’s director and the band has been featured at the Grand Ole Opry and Disney World. Thirty-eight band members will be traveling to participate in the Punta Gorda Banjo Bash.About the Gulf Coast Banjo Society
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