Paragould, Ark. — The annual Big Grass Bluegrass Festival will bring celebrated bluegrass artists back to Paragould’s historic Collins Theatre on Friday, July 24, and Saturday, July 25. Organized by the Collins Theatre Foundation with support from ’s public radio station, KASU-FM, the festival will host six acclaimed acts over three concerts.
Opening the festival Friday night at 7 p.m., Chris Jones and the Night Drivers and Wood Box Heroes will take the stage. Chris Jones and the Night Drivers, founded in 1995 by singer and guitarist Chris Jones, have achieved significant recognition, including over a dozen International Bluegrass Music Association awards and more than 24 chart-topping hits. Known for their mix of traditional bluegrass, original compositions, and humor, the group includes Jones, a familiar voice to fans of SiriusXM’s Bluegrass Junction and Willie's Roadhouse channels.
Wood Box Heroes, an acoustic contemporary bluegrass ensemble, will bring their innovative fusion of jazz, rock, and classical elements to the festival. Featuring Nashville session musicians and award-winning performers, the band includes Arkansas native Jenee’ Fleenor, a multi-award-winning fiddler who has toured with George Strait and Blake Shelton. Grammy-winner Barry Bales, a longtime member of Alison Krauss's Union Station, is also part of the group.
The festival’s second day begins with a 1 p.m. concert featuring Ramblin’ Heart, High Fidelity, and Williamson Branch.
Ramblin’ Heart, a Benton-based ensemble, is known for its traditional bluegrass style and vocal harmonies. Its members include former performers from notable regional groups such as Cedar Hill, the Acousticatz, and the Baker Family. High Fidelity, a quartet based near Nashville, has drawn praise for recreating the authentic sounds of the 1950s and ’60s bluegrass era, inspired by artists like the Stanley Brothers and Reno & Smiley. The group includes Kurt Stephenson, a Paragould native, graduate, and National Bluegrass Banjo Champion.
Williamson Branch, a dynamic family band from Nashville, will also perform that afternoon. Known for their polished harmonies and energetic stage presence, Williamson Branch has accrued a strong following on social media and garnered multiple top-10 and No. 1 hits.
At 7 p.m. Saturday, Rhonda Vincent and the Rage will close the festival. Vincent, known as the “Queen of Bluegrass” and a member of the Grand Ole Opry, has led her band to accumulate more than 100 awards over the years. Blending traditional bluegrass and country influences, her performances have earned widespread acclaim.
Tickets and further details are available online.
The Collins Theatre is also home to KASU’s Bluegrass Monday concert series, held monthly on the fourth Monday. The series will skip its July event due to the festival, resuming on August 24 with the Bays Mountain Cut-Ups.