HAMILTON — The grass is bluer on Howard Epstein's side of the fence, and that fact is generating a lot of green at the Miami Hamilton box office.

        Mr. Epstein is coordinator of Miami Hamilton's Artist Series, which has earned a reputation for snaring big-name acts in the world of bluegrass and beyond. Since he began with the series in 1984, Mr. Epstein has used his musical instincts and promotional savvy to lasso such bands as New Grass Revival, Nickel Creek, Bela Fleck and the Flecktones, and the Seldom Scene.

        This year's performances have been especially well received. By the end of last August, the series had sold $40,000 worth of tickets. Seven of the 12 performances have been advance sell-outs.

        From the beginning, the campus impresario knew he couldn't compete with well-established performing arts series at other area colleges. So he chose to feature alternative music styles that weren't getting much regional play.

        “We present a variety of American and world music, especially part of American culture that's been ignored,“ Mr. Epstein said.

        As a starting point, he booked several bluegrass acts, which proved popular with local audiences.

        “This area of Ohio is heavily influenced by that type of music,” said Jack Rhodes, executive director of Miami University Hamilton. “It seems indigenous.”

        Mr. Epstein takes chances on musicians who show a lot of promise but don't have a big following. Many have become big names but still play Miami Hamilton because they appreciate Mr. Epstein's support in their early careers. Two cases in point: performances this season by pianist George Winston and bluegrass icon Bela Fleck.

        “He's got the ability to spot talent that's on the rise,” said Jim Neidhard, Miami Hamilton's development director. “He brought Jerry Seinfeld and Billy Crystal to campus before they became $100,000 acts.

        “It's great for the community. We draw from beyond the traditional Tristate area,” Mr. Neidhard said. “We'll get people coming in from Illinois, Kentucky, bringing in tourist dollars to Hamilton and Butler County.”

        As the series' credibility has grown, Mr. Epstein has expanded the range of music it features. Blues musicians and singer/songwriters like John Gorka and Iris Dement have packed the house. He's presented jazz concerts even though jazz is a harder sell.

        “Using bluegrass as his foundation, he exposes the community to other art forms,” Mr. Neidhard said. “Tickets are always priced competitively, often below market.”

        A successful series is good for the Hamilton campus, Mr. Rhodes said.

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