Bluegrass and American Roots Festival: Kenny & Amanda Smith

The Department of Music presents the 21st Annual Bluegrass and American Roots Festival, featuring Kenny & Amanda Smith on Friday night and East Nash Grass on Saturday night. Each concert opens with a short set by Denison’s Bluegrass and American Roots Ensemble, directed by Adam Schlenker. On Friday, before the Kenny & Amanda Smith performance, Schlenker and Hayes Griffin will perform a special set of guitar and mandolin duos inspired by “brothers duos” of the 1930s. On Saturday afternoon, join us for workshops where students, local musicians, and guest artists will form pop-up bands for rehearsals, jamming, and performances in a lively band-mixer format. 

All events are free and open to the public; concert tickets are required for evening performances. Tickets will be available beginning Dec. 12, 2025. 

Kenny & Amanda Smith Duo 

The award-winning duo of Kenny & Amanda Smith has cultivated a reputation for delivering fresh, heartfelt, bluegrass music to stages worldwide for nearly two decades. Known for sincere vocals and stellar musicianship, Kenny & Amanda Smith are one of the most beloved husband-and-wife teams in acoustic music. 

Combining fresh bluegrass songs with Amanda Smith’s passionate singing and Kenny Smith’s inventive guitar work has proved a winning combination among fans and critics alike.