Dan Bates performs at St. George Concert in the Park
By Gary Sanders
Bluegrass and country musician Dan Bates will perform at the next St. George Concert in the Park Aug. 13 at 7:30 p.m. The concerts are held at Vernon Worthen Park the second Monday of each month and are free and open to the public.
A seasoned bluegrass musician with over 30 years experience and former Utah State Fiddle Champion, Bates began playing violin at age 4. At age 13, he became a member of the Pee Wee Pickers, a band of young bluegrass pickers, touring the United States and Europe performing at various festivals, teaching himself to play mandolin, guitar, bass, and Dobro along the way.
In high school, drawing from personal inspirations such as New Grass Revival and Alison Krauss & Union Station, Bates collaborated in forming the trio Bluegrass Expression with fellow friends and musicians Rex Shupe and Ron Child, also former members of the Pee Wee Pickers. Bluegrass Expression played various venues throughout Park City and along the Wasatch front and in 1991 got hired to play a season in Nashville at Opryland where the trio also cut its first self-titled album.
Soon after high school, Dan got with fellow bluegrass musicians Ryan Shupe (also formerly of the Pee Wee Pickers), April Lancaster, and Craig Miner and formed the bluegrass band Salt Licks wherein he played fiddle, mandolin, and guitar and sang lead and harmony vocals. Salt Licks went on to be crowned International Bluegrass champions at the 1994b International Bluegrass Showdown in Owensboro, Kentucky, competing against some of the best bluegrass musicians and bands in the world. Bates has personally won or placed high in various individual competitions, including 1994 Telluride Flatpack Guitar and Fiddle Champion. Salt Licks gradually morphed into Ryan Shupe and the Rubber Band.
Park seating is available, bring blankets, lawn chairs, and food. For more information call (435) 627-4525. Vernon Worthen Park is located at 300 S 400 E in St. George.
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