The Northwest's premier acoustic music festival returns for its seventh year to beautiful Horning's Hideout in North Plains, Oregon, on July 18-20. The event boasts three days of nearly all-acoustic music, culminating each night with main stage performances from musical hosts Yonder Mountain String Band, this year joined by special guest fiddler Darol Anger (David Grisman Quintet, Psychograss) and banjo/guitar virtuoso Danny Barnes (Bad Livers, Tim O'Brien Band). Yonder Mountain String Band has been called "the fastest growing acoustic band in history."
Also on the bill for the 2008 String Summit are Keller Williams (performing two nights - one solo and the second with Keith Moseley(The String Cheese Incident), Gibb Droll (Marc Broussard), and Jeff Sipe (Aquarium Rescue Unit, Trey Anastasio, Susan Tedeschi, Phil Lesh). Drew Emmitt of Leftover Salmon will perform with Billy Nershi (The String Cheese Incident ) and friends - which likely will include Vince Herman also of Leftover Salmon. A very special appearance by Guitar phenom Bill Frisell in duet setting with Danny Barnes will precede this year's super jam, to be hosted by Danny Barnes. Past year's Super Jam performers have included Chris Thile, David Grisman, Vasser Clements, Hot Rize, Jerry Douglas and Tim O'Brien.
On Friday evening (August 18), String Summit presents the fifth annual Band Contest, where four competition finalists will compete for the opportunity to perform on the main stage the following year. This year, 2007 Band Contest winners Head for the Hills are on the bill.
The tree-lined landscape of Horning's Hideout is the perfect serene setting for an intimate weekend of all acoustic music. Located just 20 minutes west of Portland and nestled in a hidden canyon of the rolling hills, dense trees and peacocks, Horning's Hideout is truly one of Oregon's best kept secrets. All ages are welcome and children under 10 years old are free with a paying adult. Three-day festival passes include music, crafts, vending, and plenty of on-site camping and parking. A family/disabled camping area is available. Tickets are $140 - $155.00 (includes parking, camping and county fees) and are on sale now at ticketswest.com. For more information and ticketing links visit the official NWSS website.
Yonder Mountain's current CD, released April, 2008 on the band's own Frog Pad Records, marks the 5th volume in their lauded series of live albums, Mountain Tracks, and captures the essence of a live Yonder show. Mountain Tracks 5 is a double-disc CD featuring an unreleased and in-demand live show, and a compilation disc of the best live tunes handpicked by the band from the past couple of years.
Keller Williams is touring in support of his new album, titled REX (Live at the Fillmore) which is a live, February 8, 2006 Grateful Grass performance. The digital only release, REX (Live at the Fillmore), is available now. Grateful Grass - which featured Williams, Keith Moseley (The String Cheese Incident), and Jeff Austin (Yonder Mountain String Band) - performed not-so-traditional bluegrass versions of Grateful Dead favorites one winter night in Denver. 100% of the proceeds from REX (Live at the Fillmore) will go to benefit The Rex Foundation, the charitable non-profit started by the Grateful Dead which gives grants to worthwhile causes.
