Two nationally-touring, Grammy-winning bluegrass groups will be coming to the Opera House at Boothbay Harbor for a mini bluegrass festival. The Steep Canyon Rangers will heat up the house on Thursday, July 16, and the renowned “King of Telluride,” Sam Bush, will take to the stage with his band on Friday, July 17.

The Steep Canyon Rangers formed a dozen years ago and have since evolved into one of the most successful and recognizable bluegrass bands today. The Rangers play progressive bluegrass firmly rooted in tradition with smart, original songs.

The band’s performance credits include Austin City Limits, Garrison Keillor's “A Prairie Home Companion” and the Grand Ole Opry, frequently with banjo playing actor/author and comedian Steve Martin.

Bluegrass/Newgrass fans will have a difficult decision deciding between the Steep Canyon Rangers and the legendary Sam Bush, appearing the following night with his band on July 17.

“We’ve tried to get the Steep Canyon Rangers back to our stage for the past few years and we’ve wanted to lure Sam Bush here for a long time,” said opera house director Cathy Sherrill. “These are two nights that bluegrass fans, and music fans in general, just shouldn’t miss! Generous sponsorship from J. Edward Knight, the Abbott Family and the Rocktide Inn have made this mini bluegrass festival possible.”

Grammy Award winning multi-instrumentalist Bush doesn't seem old enough to be a musical legend, but he is. Bush has been honored by the Americana Music Association (AMA) and the International Bluegrass Music Association.

Bush has helped to expand the horizons of bluegrass music, fusing it with jazz, rock, blues, funk and other styles. He's the co-founder of the genre-bending New Grass Revival and an in-demand musician who has played with everyone from Emmylou Harris and Bela Fleck to Charlie Haden, Lyle Lovett and Garth Brooks.

Bush is best known for jaw-dropping skills on the mandolin, but he is also a three-time national junior fiddle champion and Grammy award-winning vocalist.

“In the acoustic world, I've been pretty lucky to play with almost every one of my heroes. I've gotten to play with Bill Monroe, Doc Watson, Earl Scruggs, I've been to the mountain,” Bush said with a smile.

Tickets for the Steep Canyon Rangers are $26/advance and $30/day of show; Sam Bush tickets are $35/advance and $40/day of show. The opera house box office is located at 86 Townsend Avenue and by calling 207-633-5159. Tickets/information are also available at www.boothbayoperahouse.com.

Both shows are at 7:30 p.m., doors for seating open at 7 p.m. The upstairs bar will open at 6:30 p.m. each night for ticket holders.