HUNTSVILLE – The new progressive bluegrass band, The Grasstronaughts, will highlight the Huntsville Traditional Music Association’s Coffeehouse next week in the old country church at Burritt on the Mountain. Singer/songwriter Karen Newsum will open the Feb. 28 event at 7 p.m.

The Grasstronaughts play traditional bluegrass tunes and more modern songs, not thought of as bluegrass.

The group takes a wide range of Americana, rock, and folk rock, and converts it with conventional bluegrass instruments for a different bluegrass sound.

You are likely to hear familiar music from The Beatles; Coldplay; The Civil Wars; Jason Isbell; Steely Dan; Crosby, Stills and Nash; and the Punch Brothers.

The band includes James Parker on guitar and lead vocals; Huntsville bass icon Nick Walker; Ben Davis on mandolin and vocals; Russ Holder on the dobro and vocals; Lauren Clardy on fiddle; and Phil Riddick on banjo.

Newsum writes songs from her life experiences as well as whimsical pieces for children.

The Huntsville Traditional Music Association seeks to preserve and perpetuate what is often called traditional music, but more specifically, the styles and instruments used in what is commonly referred to as folk, traditional, and old-time music. The organization encourages live musical performances using acoustic instruments and unaltered human voices.

Click here to purchase tickets in advance.