In 1978, when Pete Wernick, Tim O’Brien, Nick Forster and Charles Sawtelle came together as a band, their chemistry soon generated an exciting and soulful new style of bluegrass, showcasing their formidable talents as instrumentalists, songwriters, and innovators. Grounded in the bluegrass traditions of artists like Bill Monroe, Flatt & Scruggs, and the Stanley Brothers, their musical tastes embraced other American roots pathways as well. Honing their sound in Colorado bars and small concerts, they were soon appearing on Prairie Home Companion, the Telluride Bluegrass Festival, the Grand Ole Opry, and European tours. The world was ready for Hot Rize -- and forty years later Hot Rize has left its unmistakable mark. Their original songs are part of the bluegrass canon, their showmanship earned them the first-ever Entertainer of the Year award from the IBMA, and their “partnership” with Red Knuckles and the Trailblazers is … nearly indescribable. There is no other band like Hot Rize, and the Colorado bands that followed in their wake all cite them as a major influence. Following Charles Sawtelle’s untimely death in 1999, the band regrouped with bluegrass’ reigning flat picker, North Carolinian Bryan Sutton on guitar. Since 2002, Hot Rize’s unparalleled all-star lineup has held steady and continues to create new and inspired music. Don’t miss this rare chance to celebrate the homegrown musical legacy of one of Colorado’s most revered bands. Warm up your winter with two hot and unforgettable nights of music at the Boulder Theater with Hot Rize and their special guests