Custer's Grass Band to take stage in Libby on Oct. 24

Custer’s Grass Band brings its tribute to bluegrass legends Lester Flatt and Earl Scruggs to the Memorial Center stage in Libby on Saturday, Oct. 24 at 7:30 p.m.

Custer’s Grass Band has played together for more than 30 years with a harmony and rhythm that has developed a reputation around the Pacific Northwest. According to the band’s website, they are currently working on two new CDs – one tentatively entitled “Standard Fare” and the other featuring favorite tunes by Flatt and Scruggs.

“The shows will feature new music by the band and a special tribute to the music of Flatt and Scruggs,” band member Bob Asbury said on the group’s website. “We are all excited about this concept.”

Flatt and Scruggs and the Foggy Mountain Boys developed a huge following over the years with appearances in Nashville on television. The duo is well-known for its “Ballad of Jed Clampett,” the intro music for the TV sitcom, “The Beverly Hillbillies.”

Flatt and Scruggs were elected to the Country Music Hall of Fame in 1985.

“Like many bands of our era, we have been heavily influenced by the great music of this famous duo and band,” Asbury said. “In 1978, CGB had the opportunity to play a show at Ferris High School auditorium with Mark O'Connor and special guest Josh Graves – the famous dobro player and innovator who played with Flatt and Scruggs and the Foggy Mountain Boys for almost two decades.

“I still remember how amazed we all were by the turnout for the show,” Asbury continued. “The auditorium was packed and people turned away at the door, all because of Josh Graves and his long association with Flatt and Scruggs.”

Asbury is the Spokane, Wash.-based band’s original banjo player and band leader when organized in the early 1970s. As the lead vocalist, he now plays mostly rhythm guitar but often switches off for a stint on the five-string. Asbury is also host of Columbia Country TV.

Chris Prumers is on banjo with Dave Hackwith on acoustic bass, Les Panther on mandolin and baritone vocals and Andre Vachon on dobro and vocals.

Tickets

Adults – $10 early, $15 at the door

Youth – $5 early, $10 at the door

Children 6 and under – Free with donation to the Libby Food Pantry