Are Mandolins Becoming The New Bass Guitars?

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A couple of weekends ago I had the pleasure of attending the Cornmeal show at Lucas School House. As one of the uninitiated masses when it comes to festivals, I did a little research (well I asked the people who invited me to go) and learned that Cornmeal is a jam/bluegrass band that tours the country playing smaller venues and massive festivals.

Lucas School House was packed to almost overflowing with people, but what surprised me the most was the fact that the vast majority of the crowd was in their early to mid twenties. Having grown-up around bluegrass musicians I have to admit, I always kind of considered bluegrass "old people music." In my defense, the band that my grandpa and uncles are in has "gigged out" at nursing homes for crying out loud, or they have provided the soundtrack for documentaries. When was the last time you went to go rock out to Phillip Glass?

You know how once you see or hear about something "new" you start to notice it everywhere? Since the Cornmeal show I have noticed that there is quite a massive, young following for bluegrass music in the St. Louis area. At last weekend's She Show, the Dumpy Bumpkins, a group of two 20-something gals and a guy, stole the night with their bluegrass originals and covers. They are local, young and bluegrass and it seems like more and more that is what St. Louis wants.