- This event has passed.
The Wooks, The Local Honeys @ Cosmic Charlie’s
December 30, 2017 @ 8:00 pm - 11:30 pm
$15 – $20
Two-Night Celebration Will Kick Off a New Era for the Kentucky Based Bluegrass Band
Lexington, KY (November 16, 2017) – After a rousing Halloween celebration, The Wooks turn their sights towards a new year, and taking the stage with new addition, Aaron Bibelhauser. Marking Bibelhauser’s official debut with the band, Cosmic Charlie’s in Lexington will play host to The Wooks December 30th and 31st, 2017 as they ring in the new year playing their well-loved material, as well as an electrified set featuring an all-star cast of musicians.
Joining them the bill on night one, The Local Honeys will open things up followed by a Wooks acoustic set that will introduce some new tunes into the rotation by way of Bibelhauser. Night two, New Year’s Eve, will start off with The Other Brothers and end with a virtual who’s who of the central Kentucky music scene joining The Wooks for a one night only electric set that draws on the band’s diverse musical interests.
A talented player, singer, songwriter, and fellow Kentuckian, Bibelhauser comes to the band fresh off of a International Bluegrass Music Association Song of the Year nomination for penning “Blue Collar Dreams,” recorded by Balsam Range. The song dominated the bluegrass charts, claiming the #1 spot for the better part of six months after its release. He also took 1st place in the Chris Austin Songwriting Contest at Merlefest 2016 and was selected for the IBMA Songwriter Showcase in 2016, an annual event where 10 songs are chosen out of over 1,000 submissions. Two of those other 9 selections happened to be from Wooks members CJ Cain and Galen Green, and at that point a musical camaraderie was born.
Since that Songwriter Showcase a little over a year ago, The Wooks placed in the finals for the 2017 Telluride Bluegrass Festival Band Competition, and were a 2017 IBMA Momentum Award Nominee. Their first record, Little Circles, debuted at #6 on the Billboard Bluegrass Chart, and they appeared on the Emmy award-winning television series A Chef’s Life. Recently the band was honored as the Can’d Aid Foundation’s newest Tunes Ambassadors, joining the likes of Steep Canyon Rangers in promoting bluegrass music to children through instrument donations and workshops around the country. While the past year has been exceptional for the band, the road ahead is full of change as two members will explore new pursuits.
“Every so often in life, things come together just right and something incredibly special is created. Playing music with Jesse and Galen the past few years has been that experience for us, and none of us will soon forget the joy created when we stepped on stage or in the studio together. We all look forward to supporting each other as folks forge their own paths,” said Arthur Hancock. “We are thrilled to have found such a talent in Aaron and to have him join The Wooks in continuing to make quality Kentucky music.”
Fiddler Jesse Wells will be departing the band to join fellow Kentucky musician Tyler Childers as he tours the country in support of his most recent record, while mandolin player Galen Green departs in preparation for a return to school to study business. During the transition period prior to hiring more permanent members, The Wooks will be joined by a whole host of musical friends.