FARMINGTON — On Feb. 26, Nordica Auditorium will be filled with banjo picking and down-home harmonizing as four bluegrass bands come together for a concert benefiting Wilf Clark, a longtime bluegrass star facing serious health issues.

Wilf, son of country music legend Yodeling Slim Clark and founder of Wilf Clark and The Misty Mountaineers, has been one of Maine’s most popular bluegrass artists for more than 30 years.

Performing will be Evergreen, The Sandy River Ramblers, The Nitpickers, and the Maranacook String Band.

Evergreen’s trademark is an eclectic sound drawing from bluegrass, folk, swing, country, old-time and blues. Making up the band founded in 1991 are Joe Kennedy, harmonica; Nellie Kennedy, bass; Steve Chiasson, guitar; and Chris Prickett, banjo. All band members play several instruments, and they all sing.

Don, Rich and Jane Bernier, Woody Woods and UMF faculty member Rick Dale have been members of The Nitpickers since 2007. All songwriters, they create their sound with the fiddle, mandolin, banjo,dobro, guitar and bass. Last year, Rich and Jane Bernier were finalists in the New England Songwriting Contest.

The Sandy River Ramblers feature veteran banjoist Bud Godsoe of Madrid, mandolin picker Dan Simons, bassist Liz Keach and guitarist Stan Keach, who has written songs for many nationally known bluegrass bands. His co-written song, “Whispering Waters,” recorded by Audie Blaylock, was No. 1 on Sirius XM Satellite Radio in August, 2009.

The Maranacook String Band is a talented group of high-school students known for its three-part harmonies. Directed by Maranacook teacher Stan Keach, these young musicians have performed concerts around Kennebec County over the past year.

The concert will be at 7 p.m. at the auditorium in Merrill Hall, 224 Main St. Suggested donation: $8 for adults. For more information, call Keach at 397-2241.

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