Arts & Entertainment
Memphis Bluegrass, Mimosas Resurge at Rafters
By Jeff McVay
Hottytoddy.com contributor
Grassfire Bluegrass Band will be jamming this Sunday (Jan. 26) at Rafters on the Oxford Square for its Bluegrass Cajun Brunch. The band includes (from left) lead singer/guitarist Brad Robb, upright bass/vocalist Steve Clark, guitar/fiddle/vocalist Robert Dickerson and Ernie Welch/banjo (not pictured).
Photo by Robin Smith
Rafters Bar and Grill, located just off the Oxford Square at 1002 Jackson Avenue E, welcomes back Grassfire Bluegrass Band and $2 Mimosa specials this Sunday morning at 11:30. Established nearly 30 years ago, Grassfire has long and arguably been the hottest bluegrass band in the region.
After a five-year Sunday brunch-gig residency at the popular Oxford staple, the established Memphis foursome took a much-needed hiatus over the holidays to rejuvenate, add new covers to their ever-expanding repertoire and score a brand-spankin’ new banjo player, Ernie Welch. That hiatus ends this weekend.
Voted the best brunch in Oxford, Rafters also welcomes back its $2 Mimosa special during Bluegrass Cajun Brunch and as always, its diverse menu; everything from mouth-watering shrimp and grits to the best fried and/or grilled shrimp in town (among many other items).
The latest incarnation of Grassfire Bluegrass Band includes frontman/lead singer/guitarist (and whistler) Brad Robb, guitar/fiddle/vocalist Robert Dickerson, upright bass/vocalist Steve Clark and banjo player, Welch.
The boys recently added Poco’s classic “Crazy Love” to the mix and are still rocking crowd favorites Marshall Tucker (“Fire On The Mountain”), John Denver (“Country Road”), Glen Campbell, Tim McGraw, Merle Haggard, Otis Redding, Manfred Mann (“Fox On The Run”) and other classic artists.
“Rafter’s Cajun Bluegrass Brunch is celebration central for birthdays, anniversaries, engagements and good times,” Robb said. “We’re thrilled to be back.”
Once again, and just in time for Spring 2020, Rafters Bar and Grill on Sunday morning is absolutely our best and perhaps only solution to satiate that nagging bluegrass and country classic itch we’ve all developed during our long winter hibernation. And, the $2 Mimosas certainly don’t hurt.
Doors open this Sunday morning at 10:45. Music begins at 11:30.
| Sat, Aug 31 |  | vs Furman | W, 76-0 |
| Sat, Sep 7 |  | vs Middle Tennessee | W, 52-3 |
| Sat, Sep 14 |  | @ Wake Forest | W, 40-6 |
| Sat, Sep 21 |  | vs Georgia Southern | W, 52-13 |
| Sat, Sep 28 |  | vs Kentucky | L, 20-17 |
| Sat, Oct 5 |  | @ South Carolina | W, 27-3 |
| Sat, Oct 12 |  | vs LSU | L, 29-26 (2 OT) |
| Sat, Oct 26 |  | vs Oklahoma | W, 26-14 |
| Sat, Nov 2 |  | @ Arkansas | W, 63-35 |
| Sat, Nov 16 |  | vs Georgia | W, 28-10 |
| Sat, Nov 23 |  | @ Florida | L, 24-17 |
| Sat, Nov 30 |  | vs Mississippi State | W, 26-14 |
| Thu, Jan 2 |  | vs Duke (Gator Bowl) | W, 52-20 |
| Mon, Nov 4 |  | vs Long Island University | W, 90-60 |
| Fri, Nov 8 |  | vs Grambling | W, 66-64 |
| Tue, Nov 12 |  | vs South Alabama | W, 64-54 |
| Sat, Nov 16 |  | vs Colorado State | W, 84-69 |
| Thu, Nov 21 |  | vs Oral Roberts | L, 100-68 |
| Thu, Nov 28 |  | vs BYU | W, 96-85 OT |
| Fri, Nov 29 |  | vs 13 Purdue | L, 80-78 |
| Tue, Dec 3 |  | @ Louisville | W, 86-63 |
| Sat, Dec 7 |  | vs Lindenwood | W, 86-53 |
| Sat, Dec 14 |  | vs Southern Miss | W, 77-46 |
| Tue, Dec 17 |  | vs Southern | W, 74-61 |
| Sat, Dec 21 |  | vs Queens University | W, 80-62 |
| Sat, Dec 28 |  | @ Memphis | L, 87-70 |
| Sat, Jan 4 |  | vs Georgia | 11:00 AM SECN |
| Wed, Jan 8 |  | @ 23 Arkansas | 6:00 PM TBA |
| Sat, Jan 11 |  | vs LSU | 5:00 PM SECN |
| Tue, Jan 14 |  | @ 5 Alabama | 6:00 PM TBA |
| Sat, Jan 18 |  | @ 17 Mississippi State | 5:00 PM TBA |
| Wed, Jan 22 |  | vs 13 Texas A&M | 8:00 PM TBA |
| Sat, Jan 25 |  | @ Missouri | 5:00 PM SECN |
| Wed, Jan 29 |  | vs Texas | 8:00 PM ESPN2 |
| Sat, Feb 1 |  | vs 2 Auburn | 3:00 PM TBA |
| Tue, Feb 4 |  | vs 10 Kentucky | 6:00 PM ESPN |
| Sat, Feb 8 | | @ LSU | 7:30 PM SECN |
| Wed, Feb 12 |  | @ South Carolina | 6:00 PM SECN |
| Sat, Feb 15 | | vs 17 Mississippi State | 5:00 PM TBA |
| Sat, Feb 22 |  | @ Vanderbilt | 2:30 PM SECN |
| Wed, Feb 26 | | @ 2 Auburn | 6:00 PM TBA |
| Sat, Mar 1 |  | vs 12 Oklahoma | 1:00 PM TBA |
| Wed, Mar 5 |  | vs 1 Tennessee | 8:00 PM TBA |
| Sat, Mar 8 |  | @ 6 Florida | 5:00 PM SECN |