Last year in the early fall, Sonoma State University in Rohnert Park, California announced the impressive billing of Dawg Day Afternoon. Amongst exciting performances from bluegrass giants like Jerry Douglas and Del McCoury Band, David Grisman’s Sextet was featured as headliner. The event went smashingly. The talent was top notch, and the gorgeous Weill Hall at Green Music Center provided diverse experiences for patrons.

Rooster Walk will be the place to be this holiday weekend! Pop’s Farm, a sprawling 151-acre venue in the picturesque foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains, will be alive with the sound of music and her people. Often described as “more than a festival”, Roosterwalk began as a celebration to commemorate the lives of Edwin "the Rooster" Penn and Walker Shank, two Virginians native to the area, who were taken from us too early. The event organizers have contributed more than $80,000 to date to charities involved in .

Of all the events that I have covered and shows that I have attended, none sparks or enlightens the soul more than ARISE. Creators and producers Tierro Lee and Paul Bassis have worked extremely hard to craft a festival that has something for everyone. This festival just feels good, like the energy in Maui. The music lineup is extremely diverse, the activities are plentiful, and the vibe is second to none.

It is with endless excitement that the Jeff Austin Band would like to welcome banjo master Ryan Cavanaugh into the fold. Ryan brings with him a great sense of musical adventure and intense creativity...something we have built our whole world upon. We look forward to many great musical times ahead with him. Learn more about Ryan at http://www.ryancavanaughbanjo.com.

It had been nearly a year since Jeff Austin took the stage at George’s Majestic Lounge. This time he did so with his very own band and his very own style: electrifying. From the moment The Jeff Austin Band took over a red hot stage from openers, Old Salt Union, the energy never waned. Opening their set with the classic “Raleigh and Spencer” we knew immediately that Austin was there to please the fans.

The Jeff Austin Band played last week at the Bluebird Theater in Denver to showcase their new album, The Simple Truth. The performance proved loud and clear that the future is bright for Jeff Austin and his compadres, and that Austin is anything but done playing music after his separation from Yonder Mountain String Band earlier this year.

2015 marks the beginning of a refreshing new chapter for Mr. Jeff Austin. Between the birth of his second child and the upcoming release of his debut solo album The Simple Truth accompanied by Danny Barnes, Eric Thorin and Ross Martin, it’s safe to say that the quirky 40-year-old mandolinist has been staying busy since his departure from Yonder Mountain String Band early last year.

Every summer music festival season brings a slew of new concepts and destinations for “festivarians” to pick and choose from. You have to marvel at the fact that so many continue to thrive year after year considering the number of options that are out there. In Colorado alone, thousands of tourists from everywhere come to enjoy countless summer music festival options. Maybe you made it to Rockygrass in July and rejoiced in the revival of a flood-ravaged site miraculously sprung back to life with true roots community effort.