The Earls of Leicester

Summer at the Ryman means one thing: bluegrass. Late last month, the Ryman kicked off its annual Bluegrass Nights summer series, and the Earls of Leicester are headlining Thursday night’s installment. Since 2013, the beloved string band, headed up by living legend Jerry Douglas, has sought to keep the musical legacy of Earl Scruggs and Lester Flatt alive for a new generation of fans and players. The sextet’s recent live album, recorded at the Country Music Hall of Fame’s CMA Theater, showcases both its faithful adherence to that mission and the virtuosic artistry of its players. There’s plenty else to keep you busy at the Ryman before the show too, like live music on the Ryman plaza presented by WSM-AM. (To catch those bands, you’ll want to arrive by 6 p.m.) 7:30 p.m. at the Ryman, 116 Fifth Ave. N. BRITTNEY McKENNA