Fans of bluegrass music flocked to the Bluegrass First Class at the Crowne Plaza Resort in Asheville February 18–20 to hear some of the genre’s finest talents. It was a welcome respite from the cold weather and helped tide these folks over until the outdoor bluegrass festivals begin again once warm weather returns.

Milton Harkey has brought Bluegrass First Class to Asheville for 16 years and its popularity has grown every year. All over the Crowne Plaza, pickers gathered for jam sessions, and many of the fans brought their own instruments to join in and to take part in a variety of workshops.

The music began on Friday at 1 p.m. with Lorraine Jordan & Carolina Road taking the stage of the Grand Ballroom and The Ross Brothers playing in the Sunken Lobby. The Sunken Lobby stage was reserved primarily for regional performers that included the likes of Barbwire, Rabon Creek, Blue Iguanas, Bostic Yard, Laurel Creek, Willow Branch and others. Meanwhile on the main stage, Carolina Road's Josh Goforth was quick to celebrate his return to perform in the area. A Madison County native, Josh attended East Tennessee State University and currently resides in Asheville.

Lorraine Jordan & Carolina Road, which has won a couple International Bluegrass Music Association (IBMA) awards, was just the tip of the iceberg for a weekend of big-name and critically acclaimed musical acts. The hit makers continued to parade across the stage Friday afternoon: Junior Sisk & Ramblers Choice, The Grascals, Rhonda Vincent & the Rage. Those bands also played evening sets and then the evening ended with a performance from the red-hot bluegrass duo of Dailey & Vincent.

Doors opened Saturday afternoon with another lineup of fantastic musicians. The afternoon segment saw Mountain Faith, Michale Cleveland & Flamekeeper, Lonesome River Band, Seldom Scene, and Russel Moore & IIIrd Time Out. Again those bands played an evening set before Dailey & Vincent closed out the night.

As an annual event, plans are already underway to bring the music-filled weekend back to Asheville in February of 2012.