Old sound clashes with ‘newgrass’ at Bean Blossom

BEAN BLOSSOM, Ind. – There’s a rift brewing at Bill Monroe’s Bean Blossom Bluegrass Festival. \nFor Tommy Brown, the leader of the seven-piece bluegrass act Tommy Brown & County Line Grass, there’s really only one way to play bluegrass – the old time way. The way Bill Monroe and the Stanley Brothers played it when they brought the genre to the fore in the ’40s and ’50s. \nWhen Tommy Brown & County Line Grass took the stage Saturday afternoon, they played rousing renditions of classics from the legendary Stanley Brothers – songs that Ralph Stanley, now 81, still plays on tour. \nBrown’s favorite song of all time is “Rank Stranger,” a 1942 Stanley Brothers standard.\n Brown, 45, scoffed when asked about progressive-bluegrass, or newgrass, acts. \n“I don’t listen to any of that,” he said. \nNewgrass bands stray from many of the traditional instruments and styles of the old time acts – sometimes trading in the mandolin for an electric guitar and incorporating rock rhythms. Popular bluegrass acts like Nickel Creek, Alison Krauss, Old Crow Medicine Show and Cheryholmes all use newgrass elements. \nBut Ben Smith, 27, and Alan Birkemeier, 27, who grew up in Brown County and have been coming to Bean Blossom and listening to bluegrass for as long as they can remember, like the new sound that acts like Old Crow bring to the genre. \nSince Bean Blossom was founded by Bill Monroe, the father of old time bluegrass, many of the acts are in keeping with Monroe’s style. \nFortunately, on this coming Saturday, bluegrass fans don’t have to choose between the two. \nThe Hall of Fame Ralph Stanley and the Clinch Mountain Boys take the stage in the evening to play the old standards that will keep traditionalists’ tongues lolling. But taking the stage before him is Cheryholmes, one of newgrass’ rising stars. Also taking the stage are legends in their own right, J.D. Crowe & and the New South. \nTickets for the show are $35 at the gate. Audience members must bring their own seating and space is usually scarce after noon.