Hot Rize

Doesn't get any better!! Mighty Fine ;-) 2 Bands for the Price of one ;-)

Hot Prize continues to lead the bluegrass world with amazing entertainment. These guys are entertainers who know how to give an audience an action packed show. Amazing instrumental breaks and tight vocals with the fun of Red Knuckles and the Trailblazers. What else could one ask for.

Simply amazing. Everybody in the band is top notch and they have a great blend together. Red Knuckles and the Trailblazers were hilarious and also amazingly talented. Great show all around

If you're a fan of talented musicians, regardless of the genre, don't ever miss a chance to see this group perform. I was blown away that there were any empty seats at all. These guys are some of the most talented musicians I've ever seen perform live. I was very glad they chose to make Raleigh a stop on this year's limited tour. As talented as they are, they don't take themselves too seriously and are very relatable and down to earth. They took quite a bit of time after the show to mingle with fans and sign autographs. Meymandi Hall was an excellent venue for them.

Hot Rize blue grass band played Sunday night, Oct. 9 at Meymandi Hall in Raleigh. This long time group of musicians still have it. Their workmanship and effort were far above what you may expect from a group that's been together more than 20 years. They flowed back and forth expertly, each taking their part smoothly and effortlessly. Especially outstanding was the guitar player, who I swear has extra fingers. The alter ego of the band, Red Knuckles and the Trailblazers, were equally as fun with their Bob Wills sound and Riders in the Sky comedy. The only drawback to the evening was the sound. While the music was mostly fine, the voices, while singing, were sometimes too soft to understand the words. And when they were speaking, especially the banjo player, even 13 rows back I could barely make out what he was saying. The hall should be more on top of these type of things. I would recommend seeing Hot Rize any time they are in a town near you.

Excellent show! If you've never seen Hot Rize then you have missed one of the most amazing bluegrass bands ever! We have waited since the late 1980s to see this band again and it was well worth the wait.

2 sets of Hot Rize, 2 sets of Red Knuckles and the Trail Blazers. Who could ask for more? As always, the band set the standard. From their extensive playlist, they wove a night of magic for Hot Rize fans. I brought a friend who had never seen them and he was blown away. These guys were tight, on the mark every time. Tim O'Brien was spot on. Pete with his banjo laying down a solid backing and step outs were amazing . Nick with a solid bass and what can you say about Bryan Sutton? Simply Awesome. No wonder he is stacking up IBMA awards. The Trail Blazers are always entertaining. We need more Texas Swing in our lives. I wish they would come to ATL a couple of times a year. The consumate bluegrass ensemble. They set the mark!

These guys have been delivering some of the best bluegrass and Western swing for over 30 years and they were as fresh Saturday night as the day I first heard them live in '84. Top shelf musicianship coupled with wry wit and humor, I dare anyone, to find a more entertaining band playing this type of music,or any type of music, on the Americana scene today. They are intelligent, humble,funny, and thoroughly immersed in their own brand of music that pays homage to the pioneers of the past while showcasing their immense talents. Red Knuckles,while not a bonafide headliner, continues to shine and ,along with the rest of the Trailblazers,proves with out a doubt that the talent pool is deep up in Wyoming,Montana. This show should have been promoted more aggresively as the small crowd was almost embarrasing. They deserved better in my opinion. The hippie girls dancing down in front were annoying but the band,being the pros that they are, found a way to not let it become an issue.

Been a long time since I have seen Hot Rize at the B'mere and they were as good as I remember. played all the old favorites and had my favorite hill billy band come out when they were relaxing in the back. Sometimes I wish Red Knuckles were the headliners and Hot rize did the laundry, but it was a great show. Hope they come back again soon.

One of the best bluegrass sets you will every hear!

After decades of touring and recording, these guys just keep getting better and better. Their new guitarist blew us away...fingers moved so fast, you almost couldn't see them! And Red Knuckles with his Trailblazers are just as funny as ever! Loved every minute of this show!

Each one of the muscians is an accomplished master, the show is diverse and entertaining. The venue was good, and the food was better than I expected.

I've seen Hot Rize for the past 25 years. This was, by far, the best concert ever! They performed for the better part of 3 hrs. They are definitely getting better with age!

It's always a delight to hear Tim O'Brien in person, but the other members of Hot Rize are talented pros who never fail to please. I ended up buying two CDs. I could have done without the second reprise of their parody group Red Knuckles, but then, Western swing is fun.

Hot Rize remains one of the great bluegrass bands of all time, showing an amazing versatility that appeals to both traditional and progressive fans. Throw in the antics of their alter-ego, Red Knuckles and the Trailblazers, and it makes for an irresistible evening of music and entertainment.

We're long-time fans of Tim O'Brien, and recent fans of Bryan Sutton, but this is the first time we've seen Hot Rize. Great show--jaw-dropping mandolin and flat-top guitar licks from Bryan and TIm, and all four players are fantastic multi-instrumentalists. Vocal harmonies were brilliant. The appearance of "Red Knuckles and the Trailbalzers" (humorous alter egos of the Hot Rize players) was also highly entertaining, and kept the show moving and the audience happy and smiling. Highly recommended.

Hot Rize returns to the Birchmere with Red Knuckles and the Trailblazers for an evening of hot licks with a fringe to match... First, a disclaimer. I have been a Knucklehead since the early 80s when I caught Hot Rize in Winchester VA, as a part of the Bluemont Concert series...their harmonies, phenomenal instrumental skills, their tasteful arrangements and stage presence combine to make any evening with these guys pass much too quickly. I've got all their records/CDs/DVDs and a bumpersticker from Waldo's Discount Donuts! (You bite it, you bought it!) as well as a T-shirt signed by all four of the original members. I remember how hard it hit when I learned of his untimely passing in 1999... ...so there was no way I could have missed the show Saturday night...I have rarely missed seeing the band whenever they play anywhere near home... First of all, I must say that while no one could ever 'replace' Charles' presence and playing with Hot Rize, the newest member, Bryan Sutton, has to be amongst the finest flatpickers playing today. I've seen my share, Tony Rice, David Grier, Russ Barenburg, Doc Watson and Norman Blake, Chris Eldridge, and so many other great pickers and I'll declare that Bryan can hang with any of them... So, you may be asking, 'HOW WAS THE SHOW?' It was fabulous. The only thing that caught me unaware was how many in the crowd had never seen the band live before...looked like half the room... The first set was Hot Rize, followed by a visit with Red and his Trailblazers, then a short break, followed by a return of Hot Rize and then after more great tunes (even some new stuff, check their website to listen to a great version of Wichita Lineman) Red Knuckles came back for another set and finally, Hot Rize ended the 2-and-a-half hour show with a couple encores... All in all, a fantastic show. Both bands were in top shape and Wendell Mercantile tried on a new King Tut-style hat for the 2nd set...

I lived in Denver throughout the 1980s & saw Hot Rize @many venues around town & @Telluride. I think I last saw Hot Rize @The Gettysburg Bluegrass Festival 1990 or 1991?? I've really missed those guys. Saturday night was great. Great venue, super acoustics. It's nice to hear the old songs, along w. many new songs. I look forward to hearing the upcoming CD, when it is released in 2012 (seems like a long time..). Thanks to Pete, Tim; Nick &, the newest member, Bryan Sutton. I was introduced to Bryan by live CD "The Bluegrass Sessions @Strawberry Music Festival 9-5-99," so seeing Bryan live was a treat. Daryl For the "Techies" here is the set list is below:

One of the best shows I've ever seen. It was fantastic. Would see them every time they are in town.

There is nothing quite like hearing three musicians (plus one) who have played together on and off for more than thirty years. The recently reformed Hot Rize and its alter ego, Red Knucles and the Trailblazers, performed flawlessly at the Birchmere last Saturday night, pleasing the audience with such classic gems as Colleen Malone, Radio Boogie, Hector Brown, and more. While frontman and mandolin player Tim O'Brien claimed to be straining on high notes, his tenor singing soared with authority and precision. Bassist Nick Forster provided polished lead and backing vocals, as well as solid rhythmic support for the quartet. (He shined best, however, as swing guitarist "Wendell" for the Trailblazers.) While I'm not a fan of adding electronic effects to the sound of a banjo, banjoist Pete Wernic showed just why he is known to his myriad fans as "Dr. Banjo" (it's not just for his academic achievements); he also shined as steel guitarist for the Trailblazers. The greatest surprise, however, was the extent to which lead guitarist Bryan Sutton, who replaced the late and great Charles Sawtelle, has fully integrated into the band. Sutton's chops as a solo artist are legendary, but his ability to recreate and even build upon Sawtelle's unique earlier vibe with the band was very refreshing. There may be no more skilled flatpicker recording today, and because of Bryan's contribution, Hot Rize sounds as strong as ever. All in all, it was a magical evening of expertly crafted bluegrass and western swing music.

The Hot Rize guys were hot at their sold-out Birchmere performance Saturday night. It was hard to see the guys without Charles Sawtelle on guitar, but Bryon Sutton is a great addition to the lineup. Every break he took was met with enthusiastic applause - for good reason! He's one of the best flatpickers around. The show was a real trip down memory lane with great bluegrass and humor and a big dash of incredible musicianship from Tim, Pete, Nick and Bryon. If you never had the chance to see Hot Rize live in the 80s and 90s (and their western-swing incarnation Red Knuckles and the Trail Blazers - just how many bands are their own second act?) get your ticket when they hit your town. You won't be sorry.

Hot Rize has been around over thirty years, and never gets old. They get better every year, and the muscians are amazing. Fun group, as seen through the alter-egos of Red Knuckles and the Trailblazers playing some great western music.

I had high expectations but they were all met. Hot Rize sounded fantastic and displayed fantastic musicianship while still keeping their sense of humor.

Unforgettable - so good to see them out again!! After 20+ years of shows, their talent is amazing, always a good performance. Both Hot Rize and Red Knuckles and the Trailblazers!

Quality musicianship with understated professionalism, Humorous and entertaining. Should be awarded for their genuine, humble style!

Great show! Both bands were amazing, as expected. Wish they'd tour more.

To a long time musician and bluegrass devotee, the members of Hot Rize are legends. They certainly didn't let anyone in the audience down. Their music was energetic, Tim OBrien's singing was wonderful, the harmonies were good, and the tunes....oh the tunes....they played many of the old favorites from their original touring era and basically gave everyone who paid to come just what they paid for. A GREAT concert.