Horning’s Hideout in beautifully forested North Plains, Oregon kept its tradition this year, hosting the 16th Annual Northwest String Summit on July 13th through the 16th. The long-time festival boasts an eclectic gathering with several event stages, a wide variety of string-instrument bands and features camping, vendor booths, a children’s village, yoga and mindfulness sessions and more.

Today, Yonder Mountain String Band releases their first new studio album in two years, LOVE. AIN’T LOVE, is undeniably the Colorado-based progressive bluegrass outfit’s most surprising, creative, and yes, energetic studio excursion to date.

The Travelin’ McCourys do not stand still. They are on the road—and online—entertaining audiences with live shows that include some of the best musicians and singers from all genres. It’s always different, always exciting, and always great music.

On the night before New Year’s Eve with so many good musical choices in the area, there was no place I would have rather been than in the cozy confines of the ornate Boulder Theater seeing one of the best bluegrass bands of our generation. It is always a hometown New Year’s Eve run for these young bluegrass legends. The other hometown bluegrass winners of Rockygrass’ Best New Band Competition, The Railsplitters opened the show.

For nearly 18 years, Yonder Mountain String Band has redefined bluegrass music, expanding the traditional acoustic genre beyond its previously established boundaries by steadily pushing the envelope into the realms of rock n’ roll and improvisation. YMSB has always played music of their own design, in the process attracting a devout coterie of fans that often resembles a tight knit family on an epic musical journey as Yonder traverses the country with an ever-rigorous tour schedule.

Yonder Mountain String Band (YMSB) and Drive-By Truckers bring the best of bluegrass and southern rock to Red Rocks Amphitheatre on Saturday, August 20, 2016 for a blowout summer celebration with the rich jazz tradition of New Orleans with special guest Preservation Hall Jazz Band.

Grateful Web caught up with Dave Johnston of Yonder Mountain String Band just in time to talk about 2016 so far and the upcoming Red Rocks show on August 20th, 2016.  They will headline with Preservation Hall Jazz Band and the Drive-By Truckers in support.  

GW: So you are in the studio today, that is very cool.  Can you tell me more about that?

For 18 years, Yonder Mountain String Band has redefined bluegrass music, expanding the traditional acoustic genre beyond its previously established boundaries by steadily pushing the envelope into the realms of rock n' roll and improvisation. YMSB has always played music of their own design, in the process attracting a devout coterie of fans that often resembles a tight knit family on an epic musical journey as Yonder traverses the country with an ever-rigorous tour schedule.

The 7th annual Highberry Music Festival took place this weekend after its trek up Mulberry Mountain from years prior at Byrds Adventure Center.  Art, camping and a spectacular lineup brought patrons from all over the country to enjoy the gorgeous Arkansas scenery and the best company that has ever assembled on a mountain top.  Minimal weather events kept the air cool while musicians the likes of Buckethead, Keller Williams, Wookiefoot and Yonder Mountain String Band stoked the fire onstage.

In a matter of days, old fans and new visitors will flock to a hidden gem within the beautiful Ozark Mountains. Deadhead Productions will be hosting a fantastic selection of bluegrass, jam and folk bands over Fourth of July weekend on Arkansas’ Mulberry Mountain. The festival will feature big names like Yonder Mountain String Band (YMSB), Keller Williams and Buckethead.