Lopez music lovers will be treated to the unusual harmonies and rhythms of a true family-based bluegrass band on Saturday, August 23 at 7 p.m. at Lopez Center. And these people don’t come from Virginia or Arkansas, but Brier, Washington. They write a lot of their own music but manage to project the clear bluegrass-flavored sound.

Harold Christenson, the veteran Dobro guitar player from Three Generations, finds the family-based group much in demand these days. They didn’t plan it that way. As they played at more and more music festivals, more and more listeners heard them and enjoyed their big, rich bluegrass sound. More festivals called. Pretty soon they had to turn one down just to get a weekend off. At the end of this summer, they will have played at eight or nine 2008 music events.

Five years ago, Grandpa Harold got together with his grandson Nick Dumas (fiddle) and daughters Tammy Dumas and Val Ranz to play some bluegrass, three generations of musicians. Harold had been playing gospel and other music for over 25 years. Musical genes and practice brought out an exceptional sound and soon they added Crisann Gray on guitar and her son Derek on bass, followed by young banjo player Austin McGregor. Hence, two-plus families and three generations make up the current seven-piece band. Folks began to call and ask them to play and next thing you know, they had a full plate and had put out two CDs.

Tickets are $10 for adults and $8 for youth, either from Lopez Center (at the office or online at www.lopezcenter.com), or at outlets Paper Scissors on the Rock, Blossom Organic Grocery, Islehaven Books or Islandale Southender.