David Grisman headlines SOULA Festival in Hot Springs

Published: July 13, 2011

The Symes Hotel in Hot Springs plays host to the inaugural SOULA! Festival Aug. 19-21. This three-day, outdoor event features acts on multiple stages from Friday night through Sunday afternoon, including an appearance by the David Grisman Bluegrass Experience from 7-10 p.m. Saturday.

Mandolinist Grisman, a pioneer of the acoustic music scene, has deeply influenced several generations of musicians through his own finesse and wide-ranging explorations. And with the continuing success of Acoustic Disc, he has helped make artist-owned independent labels a viable force in the modern music business.

The band also includes Keith Little (Ricky Skaggs, Dolly Parton, the Country Gentlemen) on five-string banjo, guitar and vocals, Jim Nunally (John Reischman and the Jaybirds) on guitar and vocals, Chad Manning on fiddle, and Samson Grisman on bass.

Larry Keel – considered one of the most powerful, innovative and exhilarating acoustic Americana flatpicker performing today – and his band, Natural Bridge, warm up the stage Saturday.

The line-up also includes Equaleyes, the Gypsy Lumberjacks, Voodoo Horseshoes, The Dodgy Mountain Men, Zeppo MT, Without Annette and Andrea Harsell.

The festival features local and sustainable food and craft vendors, camping options and plenty of opportunities to soak in the community’s mineral baths.

One of Montana's hidden treasures, this small ranching community is tucked away at the foot of the Cabinet Mountains, midway between Kalispell and Missoula in Sanders County, and is famed for the "Big Medicine" hot mineral springs discovered there.

Tickets are $35 in advance and $45 at the gate, and free for children under 12; order online at http://www.brownpapertickets.com.

Check out http://www.soulafestival.info for more information.