Smoky Mountain News

By Garret K. Woodward

October 22, 2025

Last month, at the International Bluegrass Music Association (IBMA) award show in Chattanooga, Appalachian Road Show took the stage to perform “Della Jane’s Heart” in front of every big star currently within the “high, lonesome sound.” 

ARS was up for the most coveted honor of the night, “Entertainer of the Year,” alongside pillars of the genre: Alison Krauss & Union Station, Del McCoury Band and Billy Strings. And though ARS didn’t come away with the trophy, the ensemble reinforced its status as one of the “must see” marquee acts in modern bluegrass.

“Being in that [‘Entertainer of the Year’] lineup? Those are names that have shaped the sound and spirit of bluegrass for decades,” said ARS fiddler Jim VanCleve. “They’re our friends and peers, and also heroes.” 

Alongside the Grammy-winning VanCleve, ARS also includes Grammy-nominated banjoist Barry Abernathy, mandolinist Darrell Webb, guitarist Zeb Snyder and bassist Todd Phillips. 

“I genuinely do think [the ‘Father of Bluegrass’] Bill Monroe spoke directly to what is so distinctive about the genre at its core,” VanCleve said. “He called it the ‘ancient tones.’ While that’s hard to quantify, I also think people know exactly what it is when they hear it — in their very soul.” 

The quintet will appear at the Smoky Mountains Bluegrass Festival on Saturday, Oct. 25, at the Maggie Valley Festival Grounds. Balsam Range, John Jorgenson Bluegrass Band and singer-songwriter Michael Reno Harrell are also on the bill.