Bandwagon Summer Series presents Bristol Lightning

PUTNEY, Vt. – The Next Stage Bandwagon Summer Series presents an odyssey of American music with Bristol Lightning on Saturday 8 June at 6pm at Cooper Field, 41 Sand Hill Road in Putney.

“Tennessee Bluegrass from Grammy Award-Winning Musicians – What’s Not to Love?” says Keith Marks, Executive Director of Next Stage Arts. “Dave Eggar has been on stages around the world in pop, classical, jazz and more settings. He is an award-winning cellist who infuses a sense of virtuosity and freshness into the Bluegrass genre. We are delighted to host Bristol Lightning.”

In 1927, the first country music records were cut in Bristol, Tenn./Va., by ordinary people with ordinary stories and the courage to create. Now, nearly 100 years later, Bristol Lighting is born in the same city, celebrating American stories today. From Aaron Copland to American roots music, blues, bluegrass and beyond, Bristol Lightning’s live performances take audiences on an energetic adventure of bluegrass cello and mandolin, blues guitars, tap dance and storytelling, weaving a powerful tapestry and moving by the true creativity and resilience of the American spirit.

Bristol Lightning is cellist Dave Eggar’s child. He is a student of the great American composer Aaron Copland and the legendary cellist Yo Yo Ma. Eggar has performed, recorded and arranged for artists of all genres including Taylor Swift, Beyoncé, Coldplay, Frank Ocean, John Legend, Lewis Capaldi, Tony Bennett and Andrea Bocelli to name a few. He is a Grammy-nominated composer, has scored in several films and performs regularly in the world of classical and American music. Dave teamed up with two-time Grammy nominee Phil Faconti (who has worked with Norah Jones and Foreigner) and Bristol locals Blake and Jamie Collins to form Bristol Lightning.

The Bandwagon Summer Series is a family-friendly outdoor cultural performance series that runs from early May to mid-October. More than 20 performances from a diverse group of musical styles, circus arts, dance and theater will take place on ball fields, farms and parks throughout Windham County. Children under 12 always enter free and a dedicated play area will be available at all performances. Refreshments are sold on site, including the return of the hugely popular Barr Hill cocktails. Bring a picnic and a blanket or folding chair to enjoy our concerts.

Cooper Field is located at 41 Sand Hill Road in Putney. Tickets can be purchased in advance at www.nextstagearts.org; children under 12 free. For more information, visit the website or call 802-387-0102.

This performance is sponsored in part by AARP Vermont. Support for the Bandwagon Summer Series is provided by M&T Bank, Oak Meadow, The Porch Cafe & Catering, Brattleboro Reformer and Barr Hill.