5:30 • No Cover • $10 - $20 suggested donation for the performers
Gary Ferguson • Ira Gitlin
Gary is an acclaimed songwriter and multi-instrumentalist whose work spans bluegrass, country, and Americana. Winner of the 2015 DCBU Hazel Dickens Songwriting Contest and a finalist in the 2014 Chris Austin Songwriting Contest at MerleFest, Gary has toured extensively across the U.S. and Europe with respected country, bluegrass, and swing ensembles.
His performance and recording credits include collaborations with the Knoxville Grass, country hitmaker Donna Fargo, Claire Lynch, John Starling, and the Virginia Squires. His original song "Southern Train" was featured in the songwriter showcase at the 2015 IBMA World of Bluegrass.
Gary currently performs with East of Monroe (bluegrass/Americana), The Hula Monsters (swing/roots), and Ferguson & Ferguson (bluegrass/Americana). Ferguson & Ferguson toured Ireland in 2014 and released their EP "Some Bridges," recorded with Ron Stewart and Mark Schatz. Gary also produced East of Monroe's debut album "By the River's Edge," contributing six of his own songs.
A versatile musician, Gary plays acoustic and electric guitar, mandolin, upright bass, and electric bass, bringing depth and authenticity to every performance.
Ira is a 1992 National Bluegrass Banjo Champion, multiple Wammie winner, and a pillar of DC’s roots music scene. Bluegrass is his home base, but his playing roams freely through western swing, classic country, jazz, blues, folk, and early rock ’n’ roll. He’s recorded with and performed in countless bands and helped scores of players find their voice on banjo, guitar, and bass. You can catch him with Tex Rubinowitz, Tom Mindte and the Original Dixieland Rock ’n’ Roll Band, Big Howdy, Karen Collins and the Backroads Band, The Blue Moon Cowgirls, and The Oklahoma Twisters.