Diamond Someday, a lively local bluegrass band fronted by guitarist-singer Shirley Stevens, often opens its shows with a line from “Old Chunk of Coal,” the Billy Joe Shaver song which explains the band’s name: “I’m just an old chunk of coal, but I’ll be a diamond someday.”

Then the group soars on a familiar gospel tune such as “I’ll Fly Away” followed perhaps by the relatively obscure but equally moving, “Last Old Shovel.”

On Sunday, Dec. 9, when Diamond Someday performs at the Central New York Bluegrass Association’s annual Christmas party, however, the quintet will also pick a heart handful of holiday tunes such as “Away in a Manger” and “Silver Bells.”

The CNYBA Christmas bash begins with a jam session at 11 a.m. Sunday, Dec. 9, at the American Legion Post 297, at 13 E. Main St. in Marcellus. Following a pot-luck ham dinner at 1 p.m., Diamond Someday will take the stage to showcase original tunes such as “Lady in Red” by guitarist Shirley Stevens. But the five-some will also perform festive fare including “Silent Night,” “O Christmas Tree” and “Go tell it on the mountain.”

Less familiar but no less entertaining Christmas songs will include “Shotgun Shells on the Christmas Tree” by Robin and Linda Williams and “Christmas Bells,” a silly seasonal ditty also known as “Snoopy and the Red Baron.”

Diamond Someday features guitarist Shirley Stevens, mandolinist Ed Van Cott, Dobro player Dick DeNeve, banjo player Sean King and bassist Karen Campolieto. On Sunday, the group will be joined onstage by musicians such as Kathy Kinney, Dana “Short Order” Cooke, Eileen Rose and CNYBA members Joy Crouch and Rich and Linda Curtis.

Coffee will be served between sets on Sunday at the American Legion, said CNYBA spokeswoman Sue March. Admission is free but donations will be accepted.

For information, call 572-2247, or visit cnyba.com.