Formed in 1978, Hot Rize was undoubtedly one of the hottest bluegrass bands throughout the 80’s. Time O’Brien, Charles Sawtelle, Nick Forster, and Pete Wernick made music that would “flat take your breath away” (Houston Post) with their unique and exciting style of bluegrass. Hot Rize got its name after the secret ingredient in Martha White Flour, a long-term sponsor of bluegrass music.

Hot Rize was considered both a progressive bluegrass band and a traditional bluegrass band, taking the bluegrass world by storm with their fresh, contemporary approach to traditional music. Their dynamic stage show made them stars on the major festival circuit, and their powerful original songs constantly topped radio playlists. In 1990 Hot Rize was named Entertainer of the Year by the International Bluegrass Music Association, the first such award ever given out by the organization.

Their final studio album, Take It Home, came out in 1990; O'Brien and Wernick subsequently went on to pursue solo careers, and Nick Forster began and still hosts and co-produces the syndicated radio music program, e-town. Many Hot Rize reunion shows and festival appearances took place throughout the 90s until the untimely death of Charles Sawtelle in 1999.

In 2002 a live album, So Long of a Journey, came out, with the band in top form at two 1996 shows at the Boulder Theater in Colorado. The album garnered rave reviews and the honor of Best Bluegrass Album (traditional) of 2002 by the respected County Sales. That year also saw the band re-form for several major festival appearances, with O'Brien, Wernick, Forster, along with the great Bryan Sutton on guitar.

In 2003, with the same lineup, Hot Rize's festival schedule includes Merlefest (NC), Telluride (CO), Grey Fox (NY), Grand Targhee (WY), and Strictly Bluegrass (CA). Devotees from past years are joined by many younger fans hearing the band for the first time, and the response has been electric. Having reached the 25-year mark since its inception, Hot Rize continues to enhance its reputation as one of the leading bluegrass bands of its day.

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