The WinterWonderGrass Festival had its first ever foray to the east in mid-December. It was a warm welcome to the beautiful Vermont Green Mountains at the Stratton Ski Resort. There’s a saying in New England, and it especially applies to Vermont this time of year. If you don’t like the weather, wait an hour. This adage proved true over all three days of the WinterWonderGrass Vermont festival. Opening day Friday started out mild, mid-40s a bit grey. Everything looked perfect for a fine festival kick-off.

The sad passing on October 12 of Andy Goessling, founding member of Railroad Earth, the ongoing host band for the Hangtown Music Festival (Oct. 25-28), was a unifying thread at this year’s fest, prompting outspoken love, respect, and admiration. In the end, the shared loss sparked a like-minded cause for life celebration and a shared process of moving forward amid a backdrop of fabulous music, Halloween costumes, and community.

Twenty-four years, twenty-seven albums—to call Keller Williams a prolific artist is an understatement. Last week, the multi-instrumentalist talked with Grateful Web about record number twenty-seven, this year’s all-instrumental Sans.

Keller Williams is a stand-alone kind of guy. With looping as his signature musical move, he has been in and out of loops ranging from gospel to funk bluegrass to now instrumental?  It’s true. The new Keller Williams album, SANS, hits the stores on Oct. 19th. Grateful Web had a chance to chat with him about the latest release.

KW: Trying out new headphones...Hello? Can you hear this okay?

GW: Yes I can! How ya doing?

It’s one thing to create an understanding of an artist by visiting Spotify, and another entirely to hear them play. Trout Steak Revival is the perfect example. I didn’t have the highest hopes for Trout Steak Revival after visiting Spotify. But by the end of the first song, I could confidently say I am enamored by them. Mixing and mastering all of their talent into an audio file is a job I’d avoid at all costs. Something so authentic as an acoustic show never reflects the true richness that comes from having so much raw talent and mastery on one stage.

The 3rd Annual Suwannee Roots Revival takes place Thursday, October 11 - Sunday, October 14 at the magical Spirit of the Suwannee Music Park (SOSMP) in Live Oak, Florida. With multiple stages throughout the weekend (Amphitheater Stage, Porch Stage, Dance Tent, Music Hall, and Music Farmer’s Stage) Suwannee Roots Revival is jam-packed with stellar music and dance and many bands will perform multiple sets.

LOCKN' has long been hailed for presenting extraordinary artist collaborations and this year's hugely anticipated festival promises some of the most exceptional pairings in the 4-day camping event's already remarkable history. LOCKN' takes place August 23-26 in Arrington, VA at Infinity Downs, LOCKN's 387-acre property located at the foot of the Blue Ridge Mountains.

After a prolific career of 22 studio albums, Keller Williams has announced his first ever entirely instrumental release SANS, out on October 19. The new album offers a fresh take on his previous work, with a collection of eight reimagined tracks plus one new song. Williams is set to hit the road this fall with a slew of new tour dates, including a special album release show at Brooklyn Bowl in New York City. The tour will also include solo shows as well as performances with PettyGrass, Keller & the Keels, More Than a Little and Keller Williams’ Duo with Danton Boller.

Keller Williams has announced a new Tom Petty-inspired project titled ‘Keller Williams’ 'PettyGrass’, which finds him performing select covers in a rollicking bluegrass style alongside eclectic bluegrass quintet The Hillbenders. The project began in 2015, when Williams put together a set of Petty covers for his annual hometown S.P.C.A. benefit, recording the rehearsals as voice memos on his phone. After Tom Petty’s shocking passing last year, Williams and his longtime collaborator Jeff Covert enhanced these recordings and posted them as a tribute to the legend’s legacy and inspiration.