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DENTON – It was a toe-tapping, finger-picking good time Sunday afternoon, April 12, 2026, at American Legion Post 29 in Denton as the Eastern Shore Bluegrass Association wrapped up its 2025-2026 season, sponsored by Towers Concrete Products, Inc.
About 60 people attended the concert. The Legion Auxiliary sold inexpensive hot and cold snacks and beverages.
Self-styled bluegrass “groupie” Debbie Trice of Delmar drove up for the concert with her friend, Phyllis Towers of Seaford. Trice said she learned to love bluegrass when she was five years old and got to see the legendary Lester Flatt and Earl Scruggs perform in Kentucky. From then on the music genre “was embedded,” Trice said.
Since moving their venue from the Marydel Fire Hall to the Legion’s sunny dining room, ESBA has grown and prospered as a volunteer organization since its founding in 1980.
“The people here are so nice,” said Sam Ray who, along with his wife Linda, drove up from Georgetown, Delaware. “We love the people, the concerts and the association,” she said.
Sue and John Simmons, who plays fiddle with the bluegrass band Bitter Creek, helped organize the concerts this season.
“I helped connect with the Fiber Arts Center (of the Eastern Shore of Denton), and we make sure that the quilts now are a part of the brand of the series,” Sue Simmons said. The quilts formed the colorful stage backdrop.
“Sue Simmons came in and just whipped the place into shape,” said ESBA treasurer Curt Fox of Denton, a member of the popular local bluegrass band Flatland Drive. “We’re really proud of what we've done here.”
The Second Sunday Music concert series is already booked for the 2026-2027 season.
Alan Rausch of Denton is president of ESBA. When he’s not playing dobro guitar with Flatland Drive, he teaches history at North Caroline High School. Rob Haas of Millsboro, Delaware, and Bryan Irwin of Marydel are key volunteers, as well.
Before the headliners began their 2 p.m. concert, the “kitchen pickers” performed at 1 p.m. They are a motley group of local bluegrass musicians who practice together as the audience gathers and then perform before their appreciative fans. They are named for the Marydel Fire Hall kitchen where musicians gathered to jam.
“It's safe to say we were all blown away by the passion for what they do that came through on short notice with these gentlemen,” Haas posted on his Facebook page about Sunday’s kitchen pickers.
The headliners were No Spare Time, four musicians who performed crowd-pleasing standards, ballads and gospel tunes.
Lead vocalist was Gary Bates of Chesapeake, Virginia, who played guitar. Joining him were Gary Weber of Delmar, Delaware, on mandolin; Larry Lynch of Gumboro, Delaware, on standing bass fiddle; and band leader Wes Parks of Modest Town, Virginia, on banjo and guitar.
“The Eastern Shore crowds are very appreciative,” Bates said as he sold CDs during the intermission. “They never let us down.”
For more information about ESBA, a 501c3 nonprofit organization, videos of the April 12 concert, and the upcoming 2026-2027 concert series, visit their page on Facebook page “Eastern Shore Bluegrass Association.”
