Yonder Mountain String Band

A year ago, Planet Bluegrass was in shambles. The North St. Vrain Creek, which carves a path along the venue’s northern and eastern borders, overflowed during a torrential downpour that lasted nearly a full week in mid-September. The 2013 Colorado Flood created a state of emergency in 14 counties and hit especially hard in Lyons. The town’s crown gem, which hosts the annual RockyGrass and Folks Festivals, was submerged under four feet of water.

For bluegrass fans it doesn’t get much better than YarmonyGrass: picturesque Colorado weather, great friends, and top-notch picking in one of the most beautiful parts of Colorado. From August 15th to the 17th, bluegrass lovers gathered at Rancho Del Rio for the ninth annual YarmonyGrass festival, and the results were more than pleasing.

Rancho Del Rio

No single thing makes a festival the “best festival ever.” Sure, one great band can make it really good. Or maybe the campground scene was where it was at. But it’s really when you group those moments with the ones of unbearable laughter, silly dancing, and inspirational people that a festival becomes the “best ever.” And you know what? The Northwest String Summit consistently brings the best.

With the final lineup announced and the secret guests unveiled, the annual YarmonyGrass is ready to roll this weekend, August 15-17.

Another year and another successful Bonnaroo adventure can be checked off the list.  It seems like it was just yesterday that I was rocking out to Sir Paul with my parental units at Bonnaroo 2013.  Where does the time go?  With each year I attend this festival, one thing does remain constant, change.  I was in attendance the first few years when Bonnaroo was in its infancy, going just as a fan to see 'The Dead

In just a couple weeks, Horning’s Hideout in North Plains, Oregon will be hosting the 13th Annual, Northwest String Summit. Not only is this festival held in one of the most visually appealing venues in the country, there’s a stellar line up, great people, and lots of things to do even for the young ones of your group. Check out this interview with Skye Macdonald, the promoter for this amazing festival, and see why you should be so excited for this year’s bluegrass extravaganza.

Yonder Mountain String Band’s Harvest Music Festival has announced the lineup for the 2014 festival.  The 9th annual festival, held from Oct 16-18 on Mulberry Mountain near Ozark, Arkansas will include event hosts and bluegrass pioneers, Yonder Mountain String Band, Trampled By Turtles, Railroad Earth, The Jayhawks, Carolina Chocolate Drops, Jerry Douglas Band and many more!For their fifth year, Yonder Mountain String Band will be welcoming special guest, Jerry Douglas to the stage.  Jerry is an American resonator guitar an

For the third year in a row I had the honor to attend one of my favorite events all year.  There is nothing else in this world that can put a smile on my face quite like a familiar Grateful Dead tune can. This year at Dark Star Jubilee was just as beautiful as the last three. I couldn’t have picked a better way to spend my Memorial Day weekend. As I walked through the gates, and to the top of the ridge of the pine trees, I remembered what it was like to feel at home.

Jeff Austin is embarking on the second leg of his Spring tour starting this weekend. Jeff is on tour this year with Danny Barnes (banjo and vocals), Eric Thorin (bass and vocals), and Ross Martin (guitar and vocals). They have been in the studio with a number of other friends, heroes and mentors to record an album; it can already be summed up succinctly as Austin’s love letter to storytelling.

The seasons have turned. The sun is warm the sky is blue, and even the grass is getting green. This can only mean one thing. It's almost summer. What better way to get rid of that winter blues then to bring in the summer with one of the best festivals of the the season? In just over a week, for Memorial day weekend, Dark Star Orchestra gathers the best of the Midwest for a Jubilee.