Bucket ‘o bluegrass: Festivals abound in Big Sky Country
Published: July 12, 2010
Bluegrass abounds this summer, with several festivals in Montana, as well as the “grandfather of bluegrass festivals in the Northern Rockies” at nearby Alta, Wyo. Here’s a snapshot:
Kootenai River Bluegrass and Beyond Festival, July 16-18 at Roosevelt Park in Troy
Some of the finest pickers in the Northwest and from afar gather for this third annual family-friendly festival on the banks of the Kootenai River.
This year's line-up includes the festival’s perennial favorite, Jackstraw; mandolin and fiddle-player Frank Solivan with his Washington, D.C.-based band Dirty Kitchen; the Foghorn Stringband from Portland, Ore., which delivers “ass-kickin’ redneck stringband music”; and Idaho’s Andre Vachon Family Band. The Montana contingent includes Derailed (featuring award-winning teenage pickers from Missoula), Missoula favorite Pinegrass, the sizzling Broken Valley Roadshow, the duo Ramblin' Rose and Bozeman's blistering bluegrass band, the Bridger Creek Boys.
Musicians also offer instrument and vocal workshops on Saturday morning and participate in Sunday's gospel hour. Camping is available on site and at several scenic campgrounds in the area. For details, visit www.krbg.org or call 406-295-9536.
Bluegrass on the Bay, July 16 at Odd Fellows Park in Great Falls
Annual festival is a fundraiser for the History Musuem. Call 406-452-3462 or visit www.bluegrassonthebay.com.
Hardtimes Bluegrass Festival, July 23-25 at the Thomas Ranch near Hamilton
Ten bands perform, including the Gravely Mountain Boys, New South Fork, Spring Thaw, Will Williams and Gravel Road, J.D. Webb and the Downstate Ramblers, Pinegrass and Mike and Tari Conroy. Several pioneers in Northwest bluegrass also take turns on stage. Call 406-821-3777 or visit hardtimesbluegrass.com.
Blue Waters Bluegrass Festival, Aug. 6-8 at Waterfront Park on Medical Lake near Spokane
Headlining acts include The Dan Tyminski Band, Martha Scanlan, Growling Old Men and the Loose Digits. Call 509-624-6149 or go to www.bluewatersbluegrass.org.
The Grand Targhee Bluegrass Festival, Aug. 13-15 in Alta, Wyo.
"The Grand Targhee Bluegrass festival reminds me of Telluride in the early days. Go there now and beat the crowds," says famed bluegrass musician Tim O'Brien. The festival offers great food, arts and crafts, games, on site activities, tent camping, and free shuttle service. The stellar cast of musicians includes Bela Fleck, Edgar Meyer and Zakir Hussain, Bearfoot, Brother Mule, Keller Williams and the Keels, Mollie O'Brien and Rich Moore, the Punch Brothers, and the Sam Bush Band.
The resort also hosts a Bluegrass Camp, Aug. 10-13, which focuses on teaching individual instrumental skills, group playing, singing and jamming. The schedule features morning and afternoon classes on participants' chosen instruments, elective workshops, jam sessions and evening performances. Instructors include Tyler Grant, guitar; Mike Marshall, mandolin; Danny Barnes, banjo; Brian Wicklund, fiddle; Mollie O'Brien, singing; Eric Thorin, bass; Ivan Rosenberg, dobro; and Carl Jones, songwriting.
For details, call 800-TARGHEE or visit www.grandtarghee.com.
Paradise Valley Music Festival, Aug. 29 at Luccock Park Camp near Livingston
The David Grisman Quintet, James McMurtry and The Infamous Stringdusters headline this inaugural event, which also features internationally known writer/comedian Rich Hall as the emcee and performances by Otis Lee Crenshaw, Two Story Ranch and Friends, and Ben Bullington. Proceeds fund rural educational projects in Park County. The festival offers kids' activities (with children under 12 admitted free), vendors and local craftspeople.
Call 406-222-3322 or go to www.paradisevalleyfestival.com.
Music on Wings Bluegrass Festival, Sept. 17-19 at Eastern Montana Fairgrounds in Miles City
This 13th annual family friendly, alcohol-free music festival kicks off Friday evening with an open stage. Concerts begin at 11 a.m. Saturday and wrap up with a "Band Scramble" at 10 p.m. Bluegrass gospel music and an invocation pave the way Sunday for all-day concerts and a raffle drawing for a new instrument. This year's performers include Cotton Wood, High Plains Tradition, The Wood Picks, Monroe Crossing, High 48s and Milestown.
Campsites are available. Call 406-234-2480 or 853-1678.
