The sounds of strings and sweet bluegrass music are coming to the stage in Tuscaloosa tonight as the Bama Theatre downtown hosts bluegrass legend Doyle Lawson and Quicksilver with folksy “newgrass” opener The Greencards at 7:30 p.m.

Lawson and his band have been called one of the most groundbreaking sounds in the bluegrass genre since their start in 1979. They have many honors and awards under their brass belt buckles as well, including the prestigious Dove Award and multiple Grammy nominations. Recently the band was nominated for two 2010 International Bluegrass Association Awards in the categories Vocal Group of the Year and Gospel Recorded Performance of the Year for their song “Light On My Feet and Ready to Fly.”

The band has not performed in Tuscaloosa in about six years, according to their booking agent Josh Trivett, who said Lawson approached him a while back about returning to the Tidelands.

“He really enjoys playing down there and wanted to come back,” Trivett said. “So we put in a call to the venue.” The Bama Theatre made it happen. Mandolin virtuoso Lawson will be joined on stage by his band, including Josh Swift, Corey Hensley, Carl White, Joey Cox and Jason Barie.

Amidst all the hype for this weekend’s U. of Blue concert series, the Bama’s bluegrass night offers a little reprieve to those students who might not be into the Greekfest scene.

“We’re hoping for some students to come out,” Trivett said. “There’s always the usual bluegrass crowd, but we do want some college participation at the show.”

This will be the first time Doyle Lawson and Quicksilver have played with opener The Greencards, who hail from Texas but whose members come from across continents, as if they were all drawn to Austin and the bluegrass world by a twist of musical fate.

London native Eamon McLoughlin, Welsh Carol Young and South Australian Kym Warner form the band, which has opened for such country greats as Bob Dylan and Willie Nelson. The Greencards boast a little more of an adventurous, progressive sound they’ve termed “newgrass.”

“We have so many new songs to play and a new approach to present to audiences,” band member Carol Young said. “That gives us something to work for. But that also makes it so much more interesting.”

Their latest album, “Fascination,” debuted last year.

“It’s a different sound,” Trivett said. “Hopefully it will bring a different crowd to the show that may not have heard of Doyle Lawson, and maybe [Lawson] will bring in some people who haven’t heard of The Greencards.”

Tickets are $26 for general admission and may be purchased at brownpapertickets.com or at the door.

If You Go

What: Doyle Lawson, Quiksilver and The Greencards

Where: Bama Theatre

When: Tonight at 7:30 p.m.

Cost: $26