Palm Springs Cultural Center announces lineup for Sand, Stars and Guitars Music Series

The Palm Springs Cultural Center announced Monday its Sand, Stars and Guitars Music Series will return for a second season beginning in October.

The event debuted during the 2022-23 season and showcased the very best in Americana, country, bluegrass, newgrass, country gospel, American folk and blues music. Award winners, up-and-comers and legendary performers all came together to celebrate the many different genres of music in this series.

Here's what you need to know about the upcoming season.

Who will be performing?

Sand, Stars and Guitars Music Series kicks off with country music singer and songwriter Ty Herndon on Saturday, Oct. 7. Herndon made his chart debut in 1995 with “What Mattered Most,” which became his first No. 1 song. His album, "Journey On," was nominated for best Southern, country, or bluegrass gospel album at the 2010 Grammys. In 2014, Herndon publicly came out as gay in an exclusive with People magazine.

Becky Buller and Ned Luberecki will hit the stage on Nov. 11. Buller is an eight-time International Bluegrass Music Association award winner who made bluegrass music history in 2016 by becoming the first artist ever to win in both instrumental and vocal categories, as well as the first female to win Fiddle Player Of The Year. Luberecki was the 2018 IBMA Banjo Player of the Year.

On Dec. 8, Tony Award winner Levi Kreis returns to Palm Springs with his ninth annual Home for the Holidays tour. The piano/vocal holiday show infuses gospel, country, rockabilly and jazz into a fresh collection of Christmas classics and holiday favorites.

Sand, Stars and Guitars continues on Jan. 19 with former SteelDrivers lead singer Gary Nichols and singer/songwriter Billy Droze, who will perform a mash-up of blues, rock, country and bluegrass.

On Feb. 10, the series takes on traditional bluegrass music with Grammy Award nominee and bluegrass musician/composer Peter Rowan. His six-decades-long career has included singing, playing and yodeling his way through traditional bluegrass, contemporary folk and progressive bluegrass.

Grammy nominee and American Music Award winner Billy Gilman will take the stage on March 9. He is known for his debut single "One Voice," a top 40 hit on the Billboard Hot 100 and a top 20 hit on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart in 2000. He also competed on the singing competition show "The Voice" in 2016 and finished as the runner-up.

Bluegrass and Americana artist Rebekah Speer will perform on April 13. Speer, who was married to the late gospel singer Ben Speer, combines traditional bluegrass with the classic gospel music that made The Speer Family a household name.

John McEuen, a founding member of the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, will join Sand, Stars and Guitars Music Series on May 25. The singer has made more than 46 albums (including seven solo ones), which have earned four platinum and five gold records and several award nominations and wins. McEuen produced and played on Steve Martin's album "The Crow: New Songs for the 5-String Banjo,," which was No. 1 for seven months and won the Grammy Award for best bluegrass album.

Wrapping up the 2023-24 season of Sand, Stars and Guitars on June 15 is Reverend Peyton's Big Damn Band. Peyton is considered the world’s foremost country blues finger-style picker, and his band accompanies him with thick, bass-heavy, blues-based guitar, the scratch of a washboard and drums.

Where will the concerts take place?

All concerts are scheduled for the Palm Springs Cultural Center, located at 2300 E. Baristo Road in Palm Springs.

How to get tickets

Tickets can be purchased at psculturalcenter.org/pscc/sand-stars-and-guitars

Prices range from $35 to $65 depending on the seat section. "Blue tickets," or those priced at $65, include a meet-and-greet session with the artists.

Tickets for Kreis' ninth annual Home for the Holidays tour cost $45 for general admission and $75 for a VIP meet and greet.

More information

For additional information, call 760-292-2140 or visit psculturalcenter.org/pscc

Ema Sasic covers entertainment and health in the Coachella Valley. Reach her at ema.sasic@desertsun.com or on Twitter @ema_sasic.

This article originally appeared on Palm Springs Desert Sun: Sand, Stars and Guitars Music Series returns to Palm Springs Cultural Center