The 8th Festy Experience Announces Daily Schedule, Single Day Tickets, Kids Activities

The 8th Annual Festy Experience Announces Daily Schedule!
The Infamous Stringdusters, Ani DiFranco, Drive-By Truckers, Elephant Revival, Sam Bush Band, Beats Antique, The Jerry Douglas Band, Joan Osborne, The Travelin’ McCourys, and more!

Thursday-Sunday, October 5 – October 8, 2017 at Infinity Downs Farm in Arrington, VA

Full weekend and Single Day Tickets On Sale Now → www.thefesty.com

Charlottesville, VA —   The 8th Annual Festy Experience takes place October 5-8, 2017 in the Blue Ridge Bowl at Infinity Downs Farm, a 387-acre property in Arrington, Virginia (also the new home of LOCKN’ Festival) at the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains. The Festy aims to give the ultimate laid back festival experience which is fun for the entire family: camping, outdoor activities, craft food and beer, daily yoga, the 22nd Annual Blue Ridge Burn (5k/10k), and stellar music! This year’s lineup includes The Infamous Stringdusters, Ani DiFranco, Drive-By Truckers, Elephant Revival, Sam Bush Band, Beats Antique, The Jerry Douglas Band, Joan Osborne, and lots more.

The Festy Experience is thrilled to announced the daily schedule of music for the Blue Ridge Outdoors Stage and the Skyline Tent Stage, with no overlapping sets between the two stages! Head on over to the newly revamped website to check it out.

Thursday brings the full moon and sees host band The Infamous Stringdusters close out the evening out on the Skyline Tent Stage just following Beats Antique’s set on Blue Ridge Outdoors Stage. Others performing on Thursday include Danny Barnes & Nick Forster, Sierra Hull, and Gallatin Canyon.

Sam Bush Band closes out Friday night the Blue Ridge Outdoors Stage, following early evening performances by The Infamous Stringdusters and Della Mae. EmiSunshine & Friends have an afternoon set on the Blue Ridge Outdoors Stage and Emi is the MC host for that stage the entire weekend. Cabinet will rock out the late night set on the Skyline Tent Stage and other Friday performers on the stage include Carl Anderson and Erin Lunsford.

Saturday is packed with performances including Drive-By Truckers, Ani DiFranco, and Elephant Revival on the Blue Ridge Outdoors Stage. That day, Skyline Tent Stage features The Travelin McCourys, Sarah Siskind & Sunliner, Phoebe Hunt & The Gatherers, and Maggie Koerner. There’s also a Kids Parade and Jam at 11:30am.

Sunday sets on the Blue Ridge Outdoors Stage include The Jerry Douglas Band, The Infamous Stringdusters, and Joan Osborne Sings the Songs of Bob Dylan. The stage kicks off with the Garrettgrass Gospel Hour that morning (featuring Jeremy Garrett of The Infamous Stringdusters and EmiSunshine, as well as members of Shook Twins, Elephant Revival, and more.) Sunday Skyline Tent Stage performances include Shook Twins, Billy Strings, Love Canon, and Dori Freeman.

Family fun is key throughout the Festy all weekend long; along with a family camping area, there will be a large kids area, a teen zone, a kids instrument making workshop, as well as other family activities. Kids activities in the Little Planets Kids Zone will include Children’s Jams, Magic Shows, Balloon Animals & Bubble Making, Kids Drum & Didgeridoo Workshops w/ Jim Gagnon, Costume Making for the Kid’s Parade on Saturday and more!

Notably, half of the lineup consists of female artists, The Festy Experience Director Michael Allenby says, “We recognize that the previous version of the music industry is hurting and can not invest in artists and progress their careers. It is now the promoter’s job to evolve the industry and we believe that gender equality is a critical issue. Other industries often claim that gender inequality is a ‘pipeline issue’ that will take a long time to evolve; however, there’s no shortage of amazing female artists and performers. The marketing of this talent happens AT festivals… not just FOR festivals… we are challenging promoters to make social progress a priority in all aspects of large-scale community gatherings.”

Tickets are on sale now and there are plenty of options including Weekend Camping, Car Camping, Family Camping, RV (powered or non-powered options), Individual Day, and Weekend-Day Passes with addition parking fees added on depending on your needs. Kids under 12 are free and there are special rates for teens (13-17). All Weekend Access Tickets include Thursday Arrival (making it 4 days total over Columbus Day weekend). Single Day tickets are also available now. Get your tickets now a pricing increases on September 5th!

To help in sustainability efforts to eliminate all waste from single-use plastic cups, every All Weekend ticket comes with a free commemorative steel pint cup from The Festy’s Partner, Klean Kanteen, which they can use for free water from filling stations placed throughout site as well as beer purchases.

Lodging Upgrades are also available offering all the fun, with none of the hassle. See the website for more information on The High Country Village and The Show Sherpa packages which range from reserving an RV or Yurt (along with other perks including power, showers, flushable toilets, morning coffee, and more) to having a campsite set up and ready to go for you to on site.

Thursday is “Free Nelson County Day.” Stay tuned for information on how Nelson County residents can pick up tickets.

If you have any questions please contact us at info@theartistfarm.com or 434-220-4000.
More information can also be found at www.thefesty.com.

The Festy Experience ~ Full 2017 Lineup:
The Infamous Stringdusters
Ani DiFranco
Drive-By Truckers
Elephant Revival
Sam Bush Band
Beats Antique
The Jerry Douglas Band
Joan Osborne
The Travelin’ McCourys
Sierra Hull
Danny Barnes & Nick Forster
EmiSunshine
Garrettgrass Gospel Hour
Della Mae
Cabinet
Shook Twins
Billy Strings
Sarah Siskind & Sunliner
Carl Anderson
Phoebe Hunt & The Gatherers
Love Canon
Maggie Koerner
Dori Freeman
Erin Lunsford
Gallatin Canyon
Tara Mills

Location: Blue Ridge Bowl at Infinity Downs Farm
1510 Diggs Mountain Road
Arrington, VA 22922

Infinity Downs Farm is conveniently located just 35 miles south of Charlottesville and 30 miles north of Lynchburg, (it is also the site of LOCKN’ Festival). The property features outdoor amphitheaters, open fields, campgrounds, hiking, and over 7 miles of biking trails. Stay tuned for more information about outdoor activities and workshops.

Tickets, more information, and updates at www.TheFesty.com,
www.twitter.com/thefesty, www.facebook.com/thefesty, and www.instagram.com/thefestyexperience

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The 8th Festy Experience Adds Ani DiFranco, Elephant Revival, Beats Antique, Joan Osborne, Sierra Hull, and more!

The 8th Annual Festy Experience Announces Additions of
Ani DiFranco, Elephant Revival, Beats Antique, Joan Osborne, Sierra Hull, & More

Thursday-Sunday, October 5 – October 8, 2017
at Infinity Downs Farm in Arrington, VA

Tickets are on-sale now at
www.thefesty.com

Charlottesville, VA — The Festy Experience is excited to announce the second round of its music lineup for the 8th annual festival, happening October 5-8, 2017 in the Blue Ridge Bowl at Infinity Downs Farm, a 387-acre property in Arrington, Virginia at the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains. The lineup comprises a carefully curated blend of national and local roots music acts and additions include Ani DiFranco, Elephant Revival, Beats Antique, Joan Osborne, Sierra Hull, EmiSunshine, Della Mae, Shook Twins, Sarah Siskind & Sunliner, Phoebe Hunt, Maggie Koerner, Dori Freeman, Erin Lunsford, and Tara Mills. Danny Barnes, Nick Forster, and Gallatin Canyon have also been recently added!

Other performers already announced include The Infamous Stringdusters, Drive-By Truckers, Sam Bush Band, The Travelin’ McCourys, The Jerry Douglas Band, Cabinet, Billy Strings, Love Canon, Carl Anderson, and The 8th Annual Garrettgrass Gospel Hour.

With half of the lineup consisting of female artists, The Festy Experience Director Michael Allenby says, “We recognize that the previous version of the music industry is hurting and can not invest in artists and progress their careers. It is now the promoter’s job to evolve the industry and we believe that gender equality is a critical issue. Other industries often claim that gender inequality is a ‘pipeline issue’ that will take a long time to evolve; however, there’s no shortage of amazing female artists and performers. The marketing of this talent happens AT festivals… not just FOR festivals.

“The fact that the first half of this year’s Festy lineup was ALL MEN went surprisingly unnoticed by most.” Allenby continues, “We see unbalanced programming too often and wanted to do something to draw attention to the issue. It’s one of many progressive changes that The Festy intends to roll out over the coming years and we are challenging promoters to make social progress a priority in all aspects of large-scale community gatherings.”

Throughout the event’s year history, The Festy Experience team has worked hard to produce a diverse festival experience that illustrates its core values: a love of craft food & beer (they will be offering a variety of Virginia’s award winning craft beer), appreciation for the outdoors, and stellar music. A family-friendly atmosphere is key; along with a family camping area, there will be a large kids area, a teen zone, special programming, a kids instrument making workshop, as well as other family activities. Of course they’ll still have an amazing yoga program, plus the 22nd Annual Blue Ridge Burn (5k/10k)!

Environmental sustainability is important to the organizers and they are eliminating all waste from single-use plastic cups. Instead every All Weekend ticket comes with a free commemorative steel pint cup from The Festy’s Partner, Klean Kanteen, which they can use for free water from filling stations placed throughout site as well as beer purchases.

The Festy Experience started in 2009 and is a partnership between Allenby’s Virginia-based company, The Artist Farm and The Infamous Stringdusters and it offers more than music. This will be The Festy Experience’s second year at Infinity Downs Farm, which is conveniently located just 35 miles south of Charlottesville and 30 miles north of Lynchburg, adjacent to the site of LOCKN’ Festival. The property features outdoor amphitheaters, open fields, campgrounds, hiking, and over 7 miles of biking trails. Stay tuned for more information about outdoor activities and workshops.

If you have any questions please contact us at info@theartistfarm.com or 434-220-4000.
More information can also be found at www.thefesty.com.

Location: Blue Ridge Bowl at Infinity Downs Farm
1510 Diggs Mountain Road
Arrington, VA 22922

Tickets and Lodging Upgrade Options:

Tickets are on sale now and there are plenty of options including Weekend Camping, Car Camping, Family Camping, RV (powered or non-powered options), Individual Day, and Weekend-Day Passes with addition parking fees added on depending on your needs. Kids under 12 are free and there are special rates for teens (13-17).

All Weekend Access Tickets also Thursday Arrival (making it 4 days total over Columbus Day weekend). This is made possible because of a grant from the Virginia Tourism Corporation (VTC/  Virginia Is For Music Lovers) who recently awarded sponsorships to 32 Virginia music festivals, including The Festy Experience.

The Festy Experience is thrilled to announce Lodging Upgrades. The Show Sherpa Village offers all the fun, with none of the hassle. The Show Sherpa will provide the gear you need (Tents, Camping Cots, Lanterns, Camping Chairs), set up your campsite, and brew you coffee each morning!

The High Country Village provides many of the comforts and conveniences of a Hotel but with the full Festy Experience of camping on-site for the weekend. Set in a premium location, The THC Village has three lodging options: Deluxe Hideout RV, Deluxe Solid Ground Shelters (with Queen and Twin Sized Beds), Standard Solid Ground Shelters (with Camping Cots). Each option includes a breakfast & coffee bar, daily Happy Hour, a large covered lounge, a fire pit, power, free showers, and last but not least, flushable toilets.

Tickets, more information, and updates at www.TheFesty.com,
www.twitter.com/thefesty, www.facebook.com/thefesty, and www.instagram.com/thefestyexperience

 

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Anastasia Music Festival Schedule & Late Night Parties Announced! Del McCoury, David Grisman, Sam Bush, Elephant Revival & More 3/16-18

Anastasia Music Festival is a Three-Day Celebration of Bluegrass Music
At The St. Augustine Amphitheatre Thursday, March 16-Saturday, March 18, 2017

Stage Schedules & After Parties Announced!
www.anastasiamusicfestival.com/schedule/

St. Augustine, Fla. — In an epic three-day celebration of traditional and modern bluegrass music, the Anastasia Music Festival will feature over 20 of the brightest bluegrass stars performing live at the St. Augustine Amphitheatre Thursday, March 16 through Saturday, March 18.  Set to perform are The Del McCoury Band, David Grisman’s Bluegrass Experience, Sam Bush, Elephant Revival, Fruition, Cabinet, Jeff Austin Band, The Travelin’ McCourys, Mandolin Orange, Sierra Hull, The Broomestix, Dustbowl Revival, Joe Pug, Jon Stickley Trio, The Honeycutters and more!

Anastasia Music Festival is excited to announce late night parties each night! On Thursday, Taylor Martin will host the “Anastasia Park Players” at Hoptinger St Augustine. Firewater Tent Revival Band hosts Friday night, also at Hoptinger St Augustine. Jon Stickley Trio & Friends perform Saturday’s late night at Elks Lodge. Expect lots of special guests and late night fun! Music will be on three stages of music at the St. Augustine Amphitheater and runs until 10pm on Thursday and 10:30pm on Friday and Saturday nights with the late night parties starting directly following.

“Bluegrass music has such a rich history and to host a three-day festival celebrating the genre at the Amphitheatre is truly special,” says Ryan Murphy, Director of the St. Johns County Cultural Events Division which owns and operates the St. Augustine Amphitheatre. “We hope that music fans of all ages and families from all over will come out and enjoy traditional and modern bluegrass among the natural park setting of the St. Augustine Amphitheatre.”

This family-friendly event also features a Kid’s Tent on Friday and Saturday featuring fun activities for children and Brenda Star Walker will host daily yoga on Friday and Saturday. Children 10 and under are free with paid adult admission. Information on camping packages and other accommodations are available online at www.anastasiamusicfestival.com.

The Daily Lineup:

Performing on Thursday, March 16 will be Fruition, The Broomestix, The Honeycutters, Grits & Soul, Nikki Talley, Taylor Martin, and more to be announced. Gates are at 3pm with music starting at 4pm and music ends on Thursday at 10pm.

Friday, March 17 will feature performances by The Del McCoury Band, David Grisman’s Bluegrass Experience, The Travelin’ McCourys, Elephant Revival, Fruition, Cabinet, The Broomestix, Dustbowl Revival, Mandolin Orange, Jon Stickley Trio, The Honeycutters, Joe Pugg, Grits & Soul, Nikki Talley, Taylor Martin, Flagship Romance, I Like Dandelions, and Paper Bird. Gates are at 11am with music starting at 12pm and ending at Friday at 10:30pm.

Saturday, March 18 performances include sets by Grateful Ball with The Travelin’ McCourys and Jeff Austin, Sam Bush, The Del McCoury Band, Cabinet, Fruition, The Jeff Austin Band, Sierra Hull, Mandolin Orange, Jon Stickley Trio, Dustbowl Revival, Joe Pugg, Taylor Martin, Nikki Talley, Town Meeting, West King Band, Alastair – Byrd Revue, Robbie Dammit & The Broken Strings, and Remedy Tree. Gates are at 11am with music starting at 12pm and ending at 10:30pm.

More information on all the performers can be found online at www.anastasiamusicfestival.com in addition to camping and hotel accommodations, as well as volunteer and vending information. VIP, Three-day, and Single day tickets for the Anastasia Music Festival are on sale now at the St. Augustine Amphitheatre and Ponte Vedra Concert Hall Box Offices, online at ticketmaster.com, all authorized TicketMaster outlets, or by phone at 800-745-3000.

Anastasia Music Festival Full Lineup- 2017
The Del McCoury Band x2
David Grisman’s Bluegrass Experience
Sam Bush
Elephant Revival
Fruition x3
Cabinet x2
Jeff Austin Band
The Travelin’ McCourys x2
Mandolin Orange x2
Sierra Hull
The Broomestix x2
Dustbowl Revival x2
Joe Pug
Jon Stickley Trio x2
The Honeycutters
Grits & Soul x2
Nikki Talley x2
Taylor Martin x2
The Applebutter Express
Paper Bird
Flagship Romance
Town Meeting
West-King String Band
Alastair-Byrd Revue
Remedy Tree
I Like Dandelions
Robbie Dammit & The Broken Strings
Steve Pruett

Late Night Parties:

Thursday, March 16 @ 10:30pm at Hoptinger St Augustine
“Anastasia Park Players” hosted by Taylor Martin
200 Anastasia Blvd., St. Augustine, FL
No Cover

Friday, March 17 @ 10:30pm at Hoptinger St Augustine
Firewater Tent Revival Band
200 Anastasia Blvd., St. Augustine, FL
No Cover

Saturday, March 18 at 11:00pm at Elks Lodge
Jon Stickley Trio & Friends
1420 A1A South, St. Augustine, FL
Tickets: $10 @ the door

For more information and to stay up to date on news, please visit www.anastasiamusicfestival.com, www.facebook.com/AnastasiaMusicFestival, www.twitter.com/AnastasiaFest17, www.instagram.com/anastasiafest17, and www.staugamphitheatre.com.

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Anastasia Music Festival Features Del McCoury, David Grisman, Sam Bush, Elephant Revival & More 3/16-18

Anastasia Music Festival is a Three-Day Celebration of Bluegrass Music
At The St. Augustine Amphitheatre Thursday, March 16-Saturday, March 18, 2017

St. Augustine, Fla. — In an epic three-day celebration of traditional and modern bluegrass music, the Anastasia Music Festival will feature over 20 of the brightest bluegrass stars performing live at the St. Augustine Amphitheatre Thursday, March 16 through Saturday, March 18. Bands performing include The Del McCoury Band (two sets), David Grisman’s Bluegrass Experience, Sam Bush, Elephant Revival, Fruition (three sets), Cabinet (two sets), Jeff Austin Band, The Travelin’ McCourys (two sets), Mandolin Orange (two sets), Sierra Hull, The Broomestix, Dustbowl Revival (two sets), Joe Pug, Jon Stickley Trio (two sets), and more! See the daily lineup below and stay tuned for more news about after-parties each night after the music ends at several local venues all three nights.

It’s also quite special to note that three generations of McCourys are represented at Anastasia. The Broomestix, a nine-piece R&B/Soul/Funk/Pop group out of the Nashville area, features Del McCoury’s grandson, Evan McCoury, on guitar, very exciting!

“Bluegrass music has such a rich history and to host a three-day festival celebrating the genre at the Amphitheatre is truly special,” says Ryan Murphy, Director of the St. Johns County Cultural Events Division which owns and operates the St. Augustine Amphitheatre. “We hope that music fans of all ages and families from all over will come out and enjoy traditional and modern bluegrass among the natural park setting of the St. Augustine Amphitheatre.”

This family-friendly event also features a Kid’s Tent on Friday and Saturday featuring fun activities for children and Brenda Star Walker will host daily yoga on Friday and Saturday. Children 10 and under are free with paid adult admission. Information on camping packages and other accommodations are available online at www.anastasiamusicfestival.com.

The Daily Lineup:

Performing on Thursday, March 16 will be Fruition, The Broomestix, Grits & Soul, Nikki Talley, Taylor Martin, and more to be announced. Gates are at 3pm with music starting at 4pm and music ends on Thursday at 10pm.

Friday, March 17 will feature performances by The Del McCoury Band, David Grisman’s Bluegrass Experience, The Travelin’ McCourys, Elephant Revival, Fruition, Cabinet, The Broomestix, Dustbowl Revival, Mandolin Orange, Jon Stickley Trio, Joe Pugg, Grits & Soul, Nikki Talley, Taylor Martin, Flagship Romance, I Like Dandelionsn and Paper Bird. Gates are at 11am with music starting at 12pm and ending at Friday at 10:30pm.

Saturday, March 18 performances include sets by Grateful Ball with The Travelin’ McCourys and Jeff Austin, Sam Bush, The Del McCoury Band, Cabinet, Fruition, The Jeff Austin Band, Sierra Hull, Mandolin Orange, Jon Stickley Trio, Dustbowl Revival, Joe Pugg, Taylor Martin, Nikki Talley, West King Band, Alastair – Byrd Revue, Robbie Dammit & The Broken Stringsn and Remedy Tree. Gates are at 11am with music starting at 12pm and ending at 10:30pm.

Stay tuned for more about each night’s after-parties for a list of venues and bands.

More information on all the performers can be found online at www.anastasiamusicfestival.com  in addition to camping and hotel accommodations, as well as volunteer and vending information. VIP, Three-day, and Single day tickets for the Anastasia Music Festival are on sale now at the St. Augustine Amphitheatre and Ponte Vedra Concert Hall Box Offices, online at ticketmaster.com, all authorized TicketMaster outlets, or by phone at 800-745-3000.

Anastasia Music Festival Full Lineup- 2017
The Del McCoury Band x2
David Grisman’s Bluegrass Experience
Sam Bush
Elephant Revival
Fruition x3
Cabinet x2
Jeff Austin Band
The Travelin’ McCourys x2
Mandolin Orange x2
Sierra Hull
The Broomestix x2
Dustbowl Revival x2
Joe Pug
Jon Stickley Trio x2
Grits & Soul x2
Nikki Talley x2
Taylor Martin x2
The Applebutter Express
Paper Bird
Flagship Romance
Town Meeting
West-King String Band
Alastair-Byrd Revue
Remedy Tree
I Like Dandelions
Robbie Dammit & The Broken Strings
Steve Pruett

For more information and to stay up to date on news, please visit www.anastasiamusicfestival.com, www.facebook.com/AnastasiaMusicFestival, www.twitter.com/AnastasiaFest17, www.instagram.com/anastasiafest17, and www.staugamphitheatre.com.

 

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Leftover Salmon Hosts a Bluegrass Throwdown with Elephant Revival, Dangermuffin Acoustic, and Town Mountain at Pisgah Brewing Sun 5/26

Leftover Salmon’s Bluegrass Throwdown with Elephant Revival,
Dangermuffin Acoustic, and Town Mountain

Pisgah Brewing Outdoor Stage & Late Night inside the Taproom
Sunday, May 26, 2013

Pisgah Brewery serves up a plate of FATE
$2 of every ticket sold to this showcase of bluegrass talent will benefit local nonprofit Funding America Through Entertainment (FATE) supportfate.org

Get Tickets Here: http://bit.ly/15QTAJ3

Colorado Slam grass pioneers, Leftover Salmon, take the outdoor stage at Pisgah Brewing Company for a bluegrass throw down on Sunday, May 26, 2013 in Black Mountain, NC on Memorial Day weekend. The gate opens at 4:30pm with opening performances by Elephant Revival and Dangermuffin Acoustic, and a special late night show in the taproom with Town Mountain. The show begins at 5:30pm and there will be numerous food vendors and local beer on tap.

This is a one of a kind musical experience provided by one of Asheville’s finest craft breweries. The outdoor stage provides an expansive setting for this musical conglomeration. Additionally, ticket buyers will be contributing $2 of each ticket to local nonprofit, Funding America Through Entertainment (FATE), who will funnel the donations to local human service organizations. “At Pisgah Brewing Company, we pride ourselves on our community involvement and outreach. FATE gives us a vehicle to join philanthropy with our concert events,” says Benton Wharton, spokesman for Pisgah Brewery. In January 2013, Pisgah Brewing joined Town Mountain in helping generate food for 6000 meals at a FATE event.

Tickets are available in advance for $24.50 and $30 day of show.  A $55 Hopster VIP ticket includes early entry to the event, a private guided tour and tasting, and exclusive VIP viewing area close to stage with cash bar.

DETAILS AT A GLANCE:
Leftover Salmon with Elephant Revival, Dangermuffin Acoustic
Pisgah Brewing Outdoor Stage
Late Night with Town Mountain inside the Taproom
Sunday, May 26, 2013

Gate opens at 4:30pm, Event starts at 5:30pm
$24.50adv/ $30dos
828/669-0190
150 Eastside Drive Black Mountain, NC 28711
pisgahbrewing.com

Leftover Salmon

Leftover Salmon is back! NPR’s Mountain Stage heralded Colorado’s Leftover Salmon as “one of the most beloved acts on America’s summer-festival circuit” as they’ve returned from an eight year hiatus touring with their new album Aquatic Hitchhiker [released May 22 on LoS Records]. Exploring new new sonic territory, AOL’s The Boot listed Aquatic Hitchhiker as one of the best Americana albums of this year. Stay tuned for new songs from LoS this summer delivered from Breckenridge Beer!

2012 was a great year for Leftover Salmon hosted an epic block party in downtown Denver, released a behind-the-scenes documentary “Salmonlandia,” toured relentlessly, and scored a spot as Discovery Channel’s first-ever house band on “After the Catch,” the post-show special for the Emmy-winning series “The Deadliest Catch.”

They emerged on the scene in Boulder, CO in 1989 as one of the first bluegrass bands to add drums and tour rock & roll bars, helping Salmon become a pillar of the jam band scene and unwitting architects of the jam grass genre.  “This is one fish that has only gotten better with age. Fiery solos and elements of country, bluegrass, jazz and jam rock combine into a heady mix of feel-good tunes — and some that carry a hefty message, as well,” said CMT in 2012.

Looking back over the past 25 years of rootsy, string-based music, the impact of Leftover Salmon is impossible to deny. Today, Leftover Salmon is: Vince Herman (vocals, acoustic and electric guitar, mandolin); Drew Emmitt (vocals, mandolin, acoustic and electric guitar, mandola, fiddle); Andy Thorn (vocals, acoustic and electric banjo, National guitar); Greg Garrison (vocals, acoustic and electric bass, acoustic guitar); Jose Martinez (drums, percussion).

More information and tour dates at: leftoversalmon.com

Elephant Revival

Elephant Revival is a soulful, seductive quiver of songwriters and multi-instrumentalists that reign from points all across America. Since 2006 Daniel Rodriguez, Bonnie Paine, Dango Rose, Sage Cook and Bridget Law have herded in a greatly applauded neo-acoustic and gyptic revival at festivals, theaters, clubs and house concerts from the Pacific coast to the rolling hills of New England. Elephant Revival plays entirely original music with a few carefully chosen traditional and eclectic cover tunes but their precise genre is hard to pin down.

As independent film director Mikey Eberle elaborates, “When I hear Elephant Revival I am struck by my inability to define it. I am forced to confront the music as it is, connecting to it with a virgin spirit of mind. Consequently it feels like I am experiencing music and all its joys for the very first time.”

More information and tour dates at: elephantrevival.com

Dangermuffin Acoustic

On Dangermuffin’s 2010 release Moonscapes, the Folly Beach, S.C. based trio sang about home. Even they couldn’t have expected the extent of that paradox the album grew the band into a traveling national act, with songs on both SiriusXM’s Jam On, Outlaw Country stations, and slots at major festivals across the country. With the release of their latest album in 2012, Olly Oxen Free, Dangermuffin have returned home. No longer easily dubbed an Americana or roots-rock band, the group’s sound encompasses ska, calypso, and even Southern rock, often within the same song. Like the cry bellowed during a children’s game of hide-and-seek, Olly Oxen Free signals that it’s safe to come out from our hiding spots, gather back together, and celebrate late into the evening.

“Don’t let the name fool you- Dangermuffin is not another run-of-the-mill, directionless jamband. Rather, it’s a trio with immense talent and potential that has gifted songwriting and playing abilities in spades. Just like many a funny named band before them- Phish, The String Cheese Incident and Umphrey’s McGee come to mind- Dangermuffin is likely to become synonymous with those fans who love bands that deliver something new and promising each show.” says Josh Baron, editor in chief of Relix Magazine.

More information and tour dates at: dangermuffinmusic.com

Town Mountain

Local Asheville bluegrass brand Town Mountain released their fourth album, Leave the Bottle, in 2012.  Always contributing to the evolution of the bluegrass form, they toss influence as varied as surf-rock, gospel, and honky-tonk country into their field of play. Banding together in 2005, Town Mountain is Phil Barker on mandolin and vocals, Robert Greer on lead vocals and guitar guitar, Jesse Langlais on banjo and vocals, Bobby Britt on fiddle, and newest member Jake Hopping rounds them out with his rock-solid bass. One listen to their instantly memorable songs, and it’s plain to see why Grammy-winner Mike Bub would align with the group to produce Leave the Bottle as well as 2011’s Steady Operator.

“Centered around strong, soulful vocals, and poised to stay put,” says Wood Platt of the Steep Canyon Rangers, “Town Mountain are true to bluegrass in all the right ways and this new project keeps them firmly connected to the traditions of the genre, while also allowing them to reach out into the broad horizon of string band music.  Leave the Bottle comes highly recommended.”

More information and tour dates at: townmountain.net

About Pisgah Brewing Company

Pisgah Brewing Company is located at 150 Eastside Drive in Black Mountain, N.C. For more information, visit www.pisgahbrewing.com, www.facebook.com/PisgahBrewingCo, or follow them on Twitter @PisgahBrewing.

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Some fun vids, pics & words about Suwannee Springfest 2012

After a phenomenal time at this years 16th annual Suwannee Springfest, I’ve been re-living it through folks’ videos, photos, and words on the festival.

Honest Tune‘s David Shehi and Rex Thomson recorded some amazing sessions with many musicians at the Festival including Yonder Mountain, Donna the Buffalo, The Infamous Stringdusters, and more. Here’s a fun photo of their session with Tara Nevins and Jeb Puryear of Donna the Buffalo. Stay tuned to Honest Tune (www.honesttune.com) for  lots of fun stuff! … and remember to Vote Rex!

"A fantastic Springfest is now in the book. Now, we go to the editing room so that memories like this Donna the Buffalo backstage performance (& the Mosier Brothers one that followed) can live on forever." --- David Shehi, Honest Tune

Donna’s full Saturday set from Suwannee Springfest with wonderful intro by Festival Director Paul Levine! Thanks to Mark DaBabe for recording. Check out his pics HERE:

Hype-magazine posted a Suwannee Springfest teaser! So much more to come, exclusives with Donna the Buffalo, Greensky Bluegrass and Whetherman! Check out some awesome PHOTOS.

Great American Taxi “Appalachian Soul” Vid by Your Hometown Hiker- Chuck Allen:

Emmit-Nershi Band Finale. Vid by Soulacious

Elephant Revival. Vid by Ducksoapgirl

“Find of the festival? I have to say we loved Lizzy Ross and her band, and not just because they hail from Chapel Hill North Carolina. She totally rocked. Run don’t walk to iTunes and get some for yourself…The Lizzy Ross Band, ” writes the Fly Fish Chick in her blog about the fest. Read the full post here: http://flyfishchick.com/2012/03/27/best-of-the-fest/

Festgrrl writes, “Elephant Revival: Wow. Young band, fresh, arresting sound, soulful picking, intriguing arrangements, and the startling lead singer-washboard/djembe/musical saw player Bonnie Paine’s haunting voice — I hate to compare such a gorgeous instrument to anyone else, but it sounded to me like a cross between Natalie Merchant  and Nora Jones. Actually, she sounds exactly like herself.” Read her full post about the festival HERE. Stay tuned for videos of the band’s originals…in the meantime check out this fun one with Vince Herman (Great American Taxi) sitting in with them:

Your Hometown Hiker, Chuck Allen, posted this fun video of Greensky Bluegrass:

Tornado Rider “Giant Tree” posted by Octavello:

Verlon Thompson covers Bob Dylan’s “She Belongs To Me” while jamming with Donna The Buffalo Sunday Night. Posted by Your Hometown Hiker, Chuck Allen:

Hot Buttered Rum by Your Hometown Hiker:

Check out this “Black Muddy River” by the Mosier Brothers. vid by skizzlesnix:

Grant Peeples “Jesus Was a revolutionary.” Vid by PanamaCityLive

Grandpa’s Cough Medicine. Vid by Soulalicious

Roy Book Binder “Rag Mama.” Vid by gangelone

Bibb City Ramblers “Heat Lightning.” Vid by  Christy Fowler

Whetherman “Sea Line.” Vid by westmelody

Stay Tuned– I will add more to this post as the week goes on 🙂

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