Local bluegrass veteran stops by bluegrass mecca

Don Rigsby is a veteran bluegrass musician who hails from the same part of eastern Kentucky that also produced Ricky Skaggs, Larry Cordle and Keith Whitley.

Through the years, he has been a member of many popular bluegrass groups including the Lonesome River Band, JD Crowe and the New South, the Bluegrass Cardinals, Charlie Sizemore, Rock County and the all-star group Longview. Just back from touring Germany and Switzerland with his band, Midnight Call, Rigsby will perform Saturday at a venue he is fond of, the Mountaineer Opry House in Milton.

"I try and play there at least once a year," said Rigsby. "I remember the first time I played there, I was just a teenager. Larry Stephens was running it then. I just walked in off the street and asked him about getting to play there. For years before, I had seen ads on TV that would show that JD Crowe was going to be there. They used to run ads, before Larry took it over, on WSAZ about other shows that they did, and we were just a little local band at the time wanting to get a chance to play anywhere."

"He gave us our first shot at playing there. We've been there, I'd say, with every group that I have played for since, from the Bluegrass Cardinals, the Lonesome River Band, JD Crowe and all. I've played that place with all of them, including Rock County and Longview. So, it is one of the Meccas of bluegrass in the Tri-State. It is one of the places that we all want to play. "

Rigsby also furthers the music as Director of the Kentucky Center For Traditional Music program at Morehead State University in Morehead, Ky. His voice and musicianship can be found on two new projects, including the new Rounder Records album from Longview called "Deep In The Mountains," featuring fellow bluegrass veterans JD Crowe, Ron Stewart, Lou Reid, Marshall Wilburn and James King.

He also has a brand new bluegrass gospel album coming out soon on Rebel Records, tentatively titled "The Voice of God," that will feature his band, Midnight Call.

The members of Midnight Call include Clyde Marshall on guitar and vocals, Dale Vanderpool on banjo and vocals, Patrick MacAvinue on fiddle, and Robert Maynard on bass and vocals.

"I make my records now, pretty much, with just my band," said Rigsby. "I don't bring in a whole lot of special guests. I got one (on this album), a blues artist named Rory Block. She came in and played guitar and sang a duet with me on one song. Aside from that, it's basically just me and the boys."

Rigsby will be playing songs from the new album as well as many of his classics in Milton.

"Everybody ought to get out and go to that Opry House," said Rigsby. "That's one of the best entertainment values in the Tri-State. A clean, family show, and an amazingly easy to find place. How are you going to beat that?"