Dr. K and the San Francisco Bluegrass & Old-Time Festival join forces tonight to present an evening of flat out fun bluegrass from three young local bands: 49 Special, Montana Slim, and Bucky Walters.

The Montana Slim String Band combines diverse musical backgrounds in their high-energy newgrass sound. The youthful SF-based group offers up an invigorating live performance, peppered with dueling melodic fiddle, mandolin, and acoustic guitar, along with beautiful harmonies and lyrical tales. Most of all, Jesse Dunn, Turi Hoiseth, Sean Duerr, Dave Lockhart, and Brent McClain offer up good songs played with open feeling and strong sincerity.

Called "One of the brightest new lights illuminating San Francisco's bluegrass music" by CBA's Bluegrass Breakdown, 49 Special's repertoire of great original songs reveals influences from country and blues, as well as traditional and progressive bluegrass. Alisa Rose (fiddle), Dan Booth (bass), Jim Chayka (banjo), and Tyson Alteri (guitar) play their bluegrass with flawless skill and a freshness that is gaining attention in the Bay Area and beyond, and won them top honors at the 2009 Rockygrass Band Competition.

An up-and-coming band hailing from the soggy bottoms of Arcata, Bucky Walters' performance always feature a foot-stompin' fun atmosphere. The sound created by this acoustic sextet— including Josh Boronkay, Joey Goforth, Kaleb Duncan, Niko Daoussis, Kat Fountain, and Bryan Osper—combines a nostalgic bluegrass vibe with fresh, youthful intensity.

Visit the SF Bluegrass & Old-Time Festival website

Visit Montana Slim's MySpace page

Visit 49 Special's website

Visit Bucky Walter's MySpace page