Bluegrass legend 'Panama Red' Peter Rowan will play the magical moorland venue of The Band Room, Low Mill, Farndale, on November 29.

Concert co-promoter Nigel Burnham says: "I've seen Peter Rowan three times, each time in York. Twice at the Winning Post, Bishopthorpe Road, and the last time at York Barbican where he performed on the opening night, with Townes van Zandt, Guy Clark and John Stewart, and Rowan is right up there with Townes, Guy and Gram Parsons."

Rowan has recorded albums with Jerry Garcia of the Grateful Dead, Byrds guitarist Clarence White, Beatles producer George Martin, Tex-Mex accordionist Flaco Jimenez and Ry Cooder.

In 1964, after performing with Jim Rooney and Bill Keith, Rowan became rhythm guitarist and lead singer in what is considered to be bluegrass king Bill Monroe's best band, remaining with them until 1967 when he left to join mandolinist David Grisman in folk-rock outfit Earth Opera, who frequently opened for The Doors.

Later he kick-started country rock pioneers the New Riders Of The Purple Sage and became a close friend of Jerry Garcia, with whom he recorded the biggest-selling bluegrass album of all time, Old And In The Way.

Earlier this year his collaboration with Don Edwards, High Lonesome Cowboy, was nominated for a Grammy Award. He has two songs, Midnight Moonlight and Mississippi Moon, on the Jerry Garcia box set released last year by Warner Bros and his performance at a Woody Guthrie tribute at the Ryman in Nashville this year will be released on CD and DVD. He also has a track on a forthcoming Bob Dylan tribute CD from the BMG label.

"If this is not enough, Rowan is also a follower of Tibetan Buddhism and one of the world's greatest yodellers," says Nigel.

Tickets for November 29 are on sale at £15 on 01751 432900 or via email to cathy@meeus.co.uk and early booking is advised.

Updated: 09:47 Friday, November 21, 2003