Daniel Grindstaff & the Uptown Troubadours are (from left) Kent Blanton, Derek Deakins, Daniel Grindstaff, and Kevin Richardson.
FOR THE PAPER
For bluegrass musician Daniel Grindstaff, the Old Rock School is more than some ol’ venue — that auditorium holds the nostalgia of a young boy traveling from eastern Tennessee to Valdese just to see J. D. Crowe & The New South.
Though he has performed at the Old Rock School before, Grindstaff said it’s never been with his own band. On Nov. 1, that will change.
Following Authentic Unlimited’s Bluegrass at the Rock season kickoff, Daniel Grindstaff & the Uptown Troubadours will take the stage as the second act in Valdese’s popular bluegrass concert series.
Grindstaff said when he was 12 or 13 and had just gotten into music, he saw J. D. Crowe, one of his favorite banjoists, perform.
“I remember, vividly remember, going and seeing him play there (at the Old Rock School), and he was, of course, a hero of mine,” Grindstaff said. “We became friends as time progressed … and so that alone makes the Old Rock School a very, very special place.”
Grindstaff is a twice International Bluegrass Music Association-nominated banjo player who has shared the stage with Jim and Jesse McReynolds, the Osborne Brothers, and Marty Raybon, to name a few.
In 2024, Grindstaff released the “Heroes & Friends” album with musicians who would then come together to form Daniel Grindstaff & the Uptown Troubadours.
A cover of Rod Stewart’s “Forever Young” featuring Dolly Parton and Paul Brewster and Grindstaff’s original song, “Finnland,” featuring Andy Leftwich, topped the Bluegrass Today and Bluegrass Unlimited Monthly Airplay charts this year.
“Forever Young” translated well from soft rock to bluegrass and acoustic music, Grindstaff said.
“It comes down to the message and the lyrics and the melody,” Grindstaff said. “I think that part of it doesn’t really know barriers to genres.”
Grindstaff said the band will play “Forever Young,” “Finnland,” “Angel Dream,” and other popular songs for their Bluegrass at the Rock show.
Valdese Director of Community Affairs and Tourism Morrissa Angi said in a news release that concert attendees are encouraged to explore downtown Valdese before the show. Concessions will be available at each show, courtesy of Faith Community Church.
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