Bluegrass band FarmStrong brings heartfelt music to Sammamish Concerts in the Park
Bluegrass band FarmStrong will perform at Pine Lake Park as part of the Sammamish summer concert series this Thursday, June 13, 2023. With their unique blend of country, blues, bluegrass, folk, rock, gospel, and soul, FarmStrong promises a memorable performance.
FarmStrong is made of lead vocalist Jim Faddis, guitarist and vocalist Cort Armstrong, vocalist, guitarist, and banjoist Rick Meade, and bassist John Pyles.
The name FarmStrong holds a meaning that reflects the band’s connection to their farming roots.
“[Most] of the band has been involved with agriculture at some time [in] our lives and we wanted to recognize that,” says Faddis, who originally formed the band with Armstrong. “We came up with combining the first letter of my last name and Cort’s last name, hence FarmStrong,” Faddis says.
FarmStrong, known for their seasoned instrumentation and vocals, draws inspiration from the music of the 20th century. They integrate various genres from the early 1920s to the 1970s and beyond into their unique musical style.
“We have many influences from a variety of musical styles,” says Faddis. “The Stanley Brothers and The Seldom Scene from the bluegrass world; Ray Charles, Reverend Gary Davis, and Mississippi John Hurt from the blues; Lowell George and Jackson Browne; George Jones and Merle Haggard from country; Guy Clark, Townes Van Zandt, and Gillian Welch from singer/songwriters.”
FarmStrong describes their sound as leading back to the roots of mountain music while incorporating contemporary influences, which for them produces an emotionally resonant sound.
“Quite a few of our songs are tinged with sadness. [We want to] get in touch with those feelings that are inside of each of us,” Faddis says. “We also like to have a good time on stage and want people to join in that feeling too.”
The band is excited to share their music with the Sammamish community.
“We do a lot of community concerts and felt that we would be a good fit for the series,” says Faddis. “We like to think that although an audience may not like every song we do, most will strike a chord and leave people with a good feeling.”
FarmStrong brings a sense of community and togetherness to their performances. Their music transcends age, background, and cultural barriers, touching the hearts of a diverse range of listeners.
In Faddis’s own words, “To look out at an audience and see people singing along with the songs and tapping their toes, dancing, or swaying in their chairs, it’s a collective experience for both us and the audience. There is an energy that gets exchanged.”
FarmStrong’s outdoor concert will be held at Pine Lake Park on Thursday, July 13 at 6:30 pm. For more information on the event, visit the City of Sammamish Concerts in the Park event page.
