The Warrens to bring bluegrass style to Main Street

The Warren Family band members are, from left, Brett, Doug and Elaine Warren and Jason Austin. (Photo provided)

The Warren Family and singer/songwriter David Morrison will be the next two acts playing downtown this Friday as the fourth week of the 13-week Main Street Live summer concert series continues.

Morrison, who plays the guitar and harmonica, plans to perform a variety of original songs while opening the show Friday night. He will also perform some country, gospel, bluegrass and western songs. This is his second performance at the three-year-old concert series.

The Warren Family, a group of locals who have been together for roughly five years playing bluegrass style music, will be the main act.

Bassist Elaine Warren says despite getting started as a family band for the sheer enjoyment of music, the band has attained local and regional popularity and has been asked to play at a variety of venues. They will also be making a second appearance as Main Street performers.

Warren said the band’s origins are rooted in a love of music. Her husband, Doug, took guitar lessons in his 20s and stopped playing, but was inspired when he attended the Smithville Jamboree some time back. He started playing his guitar again in earnest, while nephew Jason Austin, who currently plays banjo and fiddle, had also been taking lessons. The Warrens’ son, Brett, learned the mandolin and Elaine learned the upright bass.

They played together for about a year in private before playing for their first public audience at a homecoming for Madison Street Baptist Church and have enjoyed playing at a variety of local venues since then.

“We just enjoy it,” Doug said, noting forming the band fosters a love of music but also allows for family time. “As long as everyone else enjoys it, we’re enjoying it too.”

The concert series will be at Security Federal bank on West Main Street and will begin at 7 p.m. Although next week’s scheduled band, the Silver and Gold Band, had been planned to play at Court Square, organizers have announced the concert series will remain at the bank.

Security Federal officials have also named the grassy lot next to their bank where the concert series is taking place. The lot is now named The West Lawn of Security Federal.

The concerts are free. Sponsors are Ben Lomand TV, Clear Channel Radio and the Southern Standard.