Two-time GRAMMY nominees and 2005 International Bluegrass Music Association's Entertainers of the Year Cherryholmes perform in Clayton on Sunday, Nov. 9.

On the heels of their latest release, "Cherryholmes III: Don't Believe", the six-member family band makes a stop at The Clayton Center for the first of three performances planned in the 2008-2009 Sundays in Clayton series. The performance begins at 4 p.m. in the historic 600-seat auditorium in downtown Clayton.

Hailed as America's new first family of bluegrass, Cherryholmes stormed to the top of the bluegrass world in 2005. No small feat, considering that until April of 1999, the band did not exist and half of its youthful members hadn't even picked up an instrument. In just nine short years, the group has built a reputation for being musically sophisticated and lyrically complex while maintaining an aggressive instrumental style and unique family harmonic blend.

The family band was formed in the aftermath of tragedy. Jere and Sandy Cherryholmes met in church, married, and began raising a family of six children in Southern California. Jere was a carpenter for the L.A. County school system and Sandy home-schooled the children. In 1999, their eldest daughter, Shelly died in her sleep from respiratory failure, due to chronic heart problems. The family heard about a nearby bluegrass festival and decided to go, to lift their spirits. The Cherryholmes clan was so inspired by the music they decided to start a band. Cherryholmes soon became a fixture at local festivals and competitions. Their growing popularity caught the attention of Ricky Skaggs, who signed the band to his Skaggs Family Records label in 2005. Later the same year, Cherryholmes self-titled debut entered Billboard's Top Bluegrass Albums chart at #3, and established presence on the Top Country Albums chart, unheard of for a bluegrass act making their first national appearance.

Cherryholmes includes father, Jere on upright bass; mom, Sandy Lee on mandolin; daughters Cia Leigh, on banjo and Molly Kate on fiddle; and sons B.J. on fiddle and Skip on mandolin. All six of the band members combine their creative ideas to form a brand of bluegrass music all their own. Everyone takes a turn singing lead and showcasing his or her abilities. Cherryholmes' live shows include twin fiddles, Irish step dancing, classic country yodeling, and old-time claw hammer in addition to their dynamic bluegrass.

Cherryholmes has many qualities that make them unique, but the basis of their success lies in plain, old-fashioned hard work combined with shining star talent that only appears to glow more brightly with each performance.

Tickets for Cherryholmes are $25 plus service fees. Individual tickets may be purchased online at http://www.theclaytoncenter.com/, by phone at 919.553.1737 or at The Clayton Center Box Office at 111 E. Second St. in downtown Clayton from 10 a.m. until noon and from 1 until 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. All seats are reserved.

The Clayton Center's Palladian Series continues with the hilarious comedy of Southern Fried Chicks on Friday, Jan. 16, 2009, at 8 p.m. The second Sunday show of the season, featuring the incredible juggling of Mark Nizer, is scheduled for Sunday, Feb. 1, at 4 p.m.

Related Links

1. Clayton Center