Hailing from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, in the north central reaches of Appalachia, Mac Martin epitomizes the roots style of bluegrass, playing with an old-time feel that connects directly to the period when the genre was created. As heard on his recent album, Venango (Copper Creek), Mac's compelling vocals, and his commitment to the music and distinctive approach to the legacies of Bill Monroe, Stanley Brothers, and Flatt & Scruggs, make him a true bluegrass treasure.

"I retain a lot, that's what I'm known for, and I still know a lot of these old ballads, songs that told a story," says Mac, who has a special knack for fishing out obscure treasures and developing highly personal arrangements of them—not to mention writing some mighty memorable songs of his own. Although he rarely travels far from home, Mac has gained a dedicated worldwide audience with the great traditional bluegrass albums he put out with his powerhouse band, the Dixie Travelers, on the Rural Rhythm, County, Old Homestead, and Renovah labels.

It's all too rare to have a regional musician of Mac's stature perform on the west coast, so his visits to California are always memorable—and cause for celebration.

For tonight's performance, Mac will be accompanied by some of Northern California's most experienced bluegrass musicians. Calling themselves (for this show) the California Travelers, the band features Butch Waller (High Country) on mandolin and vocals, Kathy Kallick on bass and vocals, Keith Little on banjo and vocals, Paul Shelasky (Lost Highway) on fiddle, and Lisa Berman (the Crooked Jades, the Stairwell Sisters) on dobro.