New Skyline Productions, Inc. is excited to announce it will be presenting “Skyline on the River,” 

a tribute to the original Skyline Bluegrass Festival on Saturday, July 16, 2022, 5 PM – 10 PM in 

the amphitheatre located in Island Park, Ronceverte, West Virginia.  The original festival took 

place on the Blake Family mountaintop farm overlooking the Greenbrier River above the town 

of Ronceverte from 1976 – 1985.  Bill Blake and Bill Simms, both of Ronceverte, were the 

promotors.  Records show that between 10,000 -15,000 individuals (many camping out) from 

across the United States gathered on this mountaintop farm to enjoy this three-day event.

It featured some of the greatest names in bluegrass, along with up-and-coming artists and an 

array of guitar, banjo and fiddle pickers gathered around campfires playing to the wee hours of 

the morning.   A wide variety of cultures (young and old alike) were united over what 

they all had in common – music!  And good music it was. 

The festival’s line-up over the years included the likes of the legendary Bill Monroe and The Bluegrass Boys, John Hartford, Doc and 

Merle Watson, Ralph Stanley and The Clinch Mountain Boys, Seldom Scene, J.D. Crowe and The 

New South, Norman and Nancy Blake, The Doug Dillard Band, The Osborne Brothers, John 

Prine, Elmer Bird, Billy Bowden and The Bluegrass Connection, The Buffalo Gals (all females and

unique in bluegrass music history), along with a host of other stellar local and national 

artists.  The original Skyline Bluegrass Festival was formed to preserve and advance the 

tradition of Bluegrass and Newgrass music in WV.  It was the first and largest in the 

state.  Admission was only $12.00!  New Skyline Productions, Inc. is committed to embracing 

and continuing this purpose.  This new 501©3 has been formed to bring this widely popular 

event back to the River City in its outdoor amphitheatre situated on the beautiful Greenbrier 

River.  The stage is covered, but there is a nearby rain location (Clifford Armory in Ronceverte) 

secured in case of inclement weather.  For this first year, there will be no admission charge.  

Unfortunately, several of the bluegrass greats that appeared at the original festival have 

gone up to the big bluegrass stage in the sky.  However, the day will feature five high- energy 

groups that are comprised of local and regional musicians.  They include award winning 

bluegrass bands High Fidelity (based out of Nashville, Tennessee) and Coaltown Dixie (all 

females heralding out of the Appalachian hills in East Kentucky).  Newcomers to the national 

scene is Troubadour Blue.  This innovative trio is composed of siblings Brenna and Eli Wheeler 

(of Nashville, Tenn.) and Daniel Kim Ethridge (Austin, Texas).  They are known for “marrying the 

motifs of modern bluegrass with the poeticism found in Nashville’s songwriting scene.” Award 

winning and Mill Point, WV native Richard Hefner, and The Black Mountain Bluegrass Boys have 

been playing together for over 50 years.  This bluegrass quartet features Dave Bing, Blaine 

Sprouse, and “Black Mountain Bluegrass Girl” Joanna Burt-Kinderman.  All hail from and are 

proud to be West Virginians.  Rounding out the roster will be the infamous Ramp Supper Band 

(back from a much too long sabbatical).  Formed back in the 70’s, members include David and 

Henrietta Crandall, Buffalo “Bob Foster” and WV’s celebrated son, Richard Hefner.  In 

addition, the festival is proud to present special guest violinist extraordinaire, Adam DeGraff.

Ronceverte, a historical river and railroad community, has embarked on a well thought out 

restoration plan to transform the town into an important cultural and historical 

destination.  Ronceverte believes this event will play an important part in the town’s ongoing  

 revitalization.  Decisions are to start slow, be successful, and then grow the event with each 

year. Food and beverages will be available for purchase by local vendors.  In addition, the public 

is encouraged to attend a photographic exhibit The Skyline Bluegrass Festival “Peace, Love, and 

Bluegrass Music” 1976 – 1985.  The exhibit, curated by The West Virginia Music Hall of Fame, 

features the amazing work of the official festival photographer, Pat Bauserman.   The opening 

reception is Saturday, June 25, 2022, 3 PM – 5 PM at the West Virginia Museum of Music in the 

Charleston Town Center.  (WWW  .WVMHOF.COM)  The event will feature two live bands and 

refreshments will be served.  A smaller version of this exhibit will open First Friday, July 1,    

5:30 PM – 7:30 PM at The Visitors Center in downtown Lewisburg, WV.  Richard Hefner 

and the Black Mountain Bluegrass Boys will perform.  Come enjoy an evening out, awesome 

photographs, and refreshments.  This exhibit is funded through the generous support of The 

West Virginia Humanities Council, The Jeanne C. and Lawson W. Hamilton Family Foundation, 

and The James F.B. Peyton Fund.