Family band Cherryholmes wraps up summer series with bluegrass fun on Aug. 21

August 8, 2008

RESCHEDULED

GAINESVILLE, Fla. –– Just a decade ago, the band known as Cherryholmes didn’t exist and half of its members had never even picked up an instrument. Since getting started, however, this family band, made up of dad, mom and four siblings, has racked up enough awards and accolades to fill the tour bus they call home. The group brings its mix of classic and modern bluegrass to the Phillips Center on Thursday, Aug. 21.

After the death of their oldest daughter, Jere and Sandy Lee Cherryholmes took their family to a bluegrass festival, in the hopes that it would raise their spirits. The Los Angeles-based family hadn’t heard much bluegrass up to that point, and they were impressed and inspired by what they saw. “On the way home I told Sandy that we ought to get the kids together and play music like that – not form a band and perform somewhere, but do it as a pastime, something to keep the family close together,” Jere has said.

Jere assigned each child an instrument and Sandy Lee incorporated music into her homeschooling lessons. What started as a way to foster family togetherness soon grew into something more as Cherryholmes began to win local music contests and score regular gigs. As their reputation grew, so did the requests to perform and it soon became apparent that this family band was much more than a pastime. Jere quit his job, the family sold their home in Los Angeles and Cherryholmes began to tour the bluegrass circuit.

In just a few short years, Cherryholmes won the Entertainers of the Year award from the International Bluegrass Music Association – quite an honor from an organization that prizes musicianship above all else. Their first commercially-produced, self-titled CD debuted at number three on Billboard’s Top Bluegrass Albums chart and netted the group a Grammy nomination for Best Bluegrass Album. Their follow-up, “Cherryholmes II: Black and White,” debuted at number one on the charts and also received a Grammy nomination for Best Bluegrass Album.

While their quick rise has stunned the band, it hasn’t slowed them down. Jere and Sandy Lee, along with daughters Cia Leigh and Molly Kate and sons B.J. and Skip, play about 300 dates a year at bluegrass festivals and other venues. Performing a mix of carefully chosen classics as well as original songs penned by the group members, bluegrass’ answer to the Partridge Family entertains and delights audiences wherever they go.

But sometimes, the name can be a little confusing. Jere is often heard explaining from the stage, “there’s no one in the band named ‘Cherry’ and there’s no one named ‘Holmes.’ The name is Cherryholmes.”

Whatever the name, the music is still just as sweet.

Ticket prices are $15-$30. To purchase tickets, call the Phillips Center Box Office at 352-392-ARTS (2787) or 800-905-ARTS (toll-free within Florida) or call Ticketmaster at 800-277-1700 (toll-free). Tickets may also be purchased in person at the Phillips Center Box Office, the University Box Office at the University of Florida Reitz Union or from any Ticketmaster outlet, or online at www.ticketmaster.com. Cash, checks, MasterCard and Visa are accepted.