NACOGDOCHES - To close its 50th season of bringing nationally

acclaimed artists to Nacogdoches through the University Series, the

Stephen F. Austin State University College of Fine Arts will present

the American Bluegrass Masters Tour in W.M. Turner Auditorium at 7:30

p.m. Thursday, April 7.



The 15 musicians who will be picking, strumming and plucking their

instruments and uniting their voices in close harmonies are some of the

most highly regarded personalities in bluegrass music, explained Sylvia

Bierschenk, director of SFA Arts Information.



"Here, on one stage, we'll have the great mandolin player and vocalist

Bobby Osborne; two-time Grammy winner and guitarist Curtis Burch; and

renowned banjo player Sammy Shelor, who is a four-time winner of the

International Bluegrass Music Association's Banjo Player of the Year,"

Bierschenk continued.



The concert will open with the Dean Osborne Band and Curtis Burch,

followed by Bobby Osborne and the Rocky Top X-Press.



The second half of the program will feature Curtis Burch as a solo

artist, followed by The New South with special guest Sammy Shelor.



"We still have great seats available for this concert," said Diane J.

Flynn, Fine Arts Box Office manager. "We encourage patrons to purchase

their tickets ahead of time in order to avoid long lines on the night

of the concert and to arrive early to allow for parking."



Turner Auditorium is located in the Griffith Fine Arts Building, 2222

Alumni Dr.



Prior to the concert, Charlie Jones, retired SFA art professor and

local musician, will give an informative talk at 7 p.m. in Griffith

Gallery, located across the hall from Turner Auditorium. The audience

is invited back to the gallery after the performance for a reception

honoring the event's corporate sponsor, BancorpSouth, and to meet the

artists.



Tickets range from $17.50 to $35, with discounts available for seniors,

students and youth. For tickets or more information, please visit

www.finearts.sfasu.edu or call (936) 468-6407 or (888) 240-ARTS.