Live Music Highlight - Larry Keel and the Natural Bridge

Not too long ago, word around town was that Larry Keel & The Natural Bridge “tore up” downtown Fredericksburg’s very own Otter House. Well, who the heck was Larry Keel? The common tragedy which befalls many a wonderful traveling and touring musician is the word never gets out they will be playing where locals can hear them in a place locals want to go. So, here’s the short and skinny on this traveling “Bluegrass Newgrass” musical group passing through Fredericksburg.

Larry Keel, bluegrass flatpicker extraordinaire (and master fisherman), has released thirteen albums and been featured on ten more. He has opened and worked with national acts such as Del McCoury, Bill Monroe, Darol Anger, and Fredericksburg’s music sensation Keller Williams.

The most recent album, The Thief, is recorded by Keller & The Keels. The Keels, being Larry and his wife Jenny on upright bass, bring modern societal reflections to the forefront of traditional mountain and americana style music. Add mandolin player Mark Schimick, and the Keel duo is rounded out to The Natural Bridge band. The technical proficiency, harmonies, and relevant lyrics reach across genres and generations. A Keel performance has personality, flavor, and all the soul and edge of a jam rock band that keeps feet a’tappin’.

Larry Keel will play Downtown Fredericksburg’s family owned venue, located at 1005 Princess Anne Street, this Saturday, February 5, 2011 at 10PM. Doors open at 8:30PM. Tickets are on sale for $10. Albums and other “Keel-endise” will be available. The show sold out last time, so come early, enjoy an amazing meal, (The Otter House offers all natural and vegetarian options), and get your grass on with Larry Keel & The Natural Bridge. Check Larry Keel’s music out at larrykeel.com. It is all in there folks, and it’s bound to be a grand time.