Mark your calendars for the Inaugural George Portz Memorial Fiddle Contest & Bluegrass Show, April 22, 2023, 5-10pm! This would have been George’s 44th year hosting this event, which we will now honor him with as the “George Portz Memorial Fiddle Contest and Bluegrass Show” in his hometown of Shiloh, Illinois. Full night of fiddlin,’ pickin,’ and down-home bluegrass! Contest registration starting at 5pm and fiddle contest to begin at 6:15pm. George Portz’s Friends of Bluegrass host special guest performances all evening including the Thunder and Lightning Cloggers, Ian Craft of the Howlin’ Brothers, and country singer Caitlyn Richards! Fiddle raffle tickets available and all proceeds from raffle will go to the George Portz Memorial Scholarship Fund. Admission is only $7/person, children under 12 free. Dinners and refreshments available all evening! See you there!
It is with Deep Sadness that The Family of George Portz and the members of his Friends of Bluegrass Band, must inform you of his passing on Monday, January 9th.
George was an iconic entertainer who was nationally and internationally known in musician circles. His talents led him to win the Illinois State Open Fiddle Championship at only 16 years of age, follow a path to join The Goins Brothers Bluegrass group ‘on the festival circuit’, and the opportunity to play with the legendary Father of Bluegrass, Bill Monroe, on the stage of the Grand Ole Opry, at the Smithsonian Folk Life Festival and at the White House for then President, Richard M Nixon in Washington, D.C. all at the age of 20. After returning to Illinois following his stint with Melvin and Ray Goins, George formed his own group, The Friends of Bluegrass, and their first performance was at Southwestern Illinois College back in 1979.
George’s abilities would later lead him to win the National “Open” Fiddle Championship in 1982. He was nominated for, and awarded, the prestigious Legacy Award by the State of Illinois for his contributions in preserving, promoting and perpetuating Bluegrass and other Traditional Americana music forms. George mentored and taught a staggering number of students the art of fiddlin’ and never charged a single one of them. Several of his pupils went on to perform on the stage of the Grand Ole Opry, and one of his proudest accomplishments was when his former student, Alison Krauss went on to national acclaim. She recognized George on her first recording for giving her the start she needed to succeed in the music world.
George and the band performed with or opened for the likes of John Hartford, Alison Krauss, Johnny Gimble, Riders In The Sky, ‘Pappy’ Wade Ray, Michael Martin Murphy, Patsy Montana and more. His passing has left a huge void in not only our lives, but the lives of those who knew him. One of his favorite things to say was that he didn’t have ‘fans’, only friends, because he thought of each and every one of you that followed his music in that way. His laughter, his jokes, his music and his legacy will live on as long as there are memories of him and his remarkable life.
ALL REQUEST - The New CD from George Portz & the Friends of Bluegress
Featuring 22 Great Tunes, including: HELLO TROUBLE, BLUE MOON OF KENTUCKY, 14 CARAT MIND, I DON’T LOVE NOBODY, WAGON WHEEL, FOGGY MOUNTAIN BREAKDOWN, NINE POUND HAMMER, ROCKY TOP,WHY DID YOU LEAVE ME, FOLSOM PRISON BLUES, ORANGE BLOSSOM SPECIAL, MAMA TRIED, UNCLE PEN, FLYING WITH ANGELS, TRAIN FORTY FIVE, ROCKY ROAD BLUES, FLOP EARED MULE, RED RIVER VALLEY, STANDING ON THE ROCK, ZYDECO GRIS GRIS, GAL I LEFT BEHIND & SWINGIN’ DOOR
“The Friends of Bluegrass”
George Portz & The Friends of Bluegrass, founded in 1978, blends its fiery Bluegrass roots with traditional Irish and Louisiana Cajun music. The band is based in southern Illinois and includes members from Illinois and Missouri. The band performs dozens of shows a year throughout southwest Illinois and eastern Missouri. A typical set contains bluegrass, traditional country, bayou/Cajun, and Gospel music that entertains audiences of all ages. in addition, the band hosts various fiddle contests each year.
Band Members: George Portz, Ranger Dave Montgomery, David Dalton, Gene Hall and Kathie Pohlman.
