Spring thaw brings return of mountain bluegrass fest
Music sounds better in the mountains, and the long awaited 14th Annual Big Sky Big Grass festival is more than ready to prove it! Set for March 31st through April 3rd, the music-filled gathering will feature a mix of small-stage and large-venue shows at locations scattered through Big Sky Mountain Village. The four-day festival has become a don’t-miss event for bluegrass lovers across the nation. Spend the day on the slopes making first tracks before spending the evening tracking up the dance floor!
As in years past, the music festival will feature an all-star lineup including Big Grass faves Sam Bush Band, The Travelin’ McCourys, Drew Emmitt Band and Keller Williams’ Grateful Grass. This year will also welcome new faces Love Canon, Sweet Lillies and the John Stickley Trio. Here’s a look at a few of the headlining acts.
From a source deep, abundant, and pure the river flows. It’s there on the map, marking place and time. Yet, the river changes as it remains a constant, carving away at the edges, making new pathways, gaining strength as it progresses forward. The Travelin’ McCourys are that river. The McCoury brothers – Ronnie (mandolin) and Rob (banjo) – were born into the bluegrass tradition. Talk about a source abundant and pure: their father, Del, is among the most influential and successful musicians in the history of the genre. Years on the road with Dad in the Del McCoury Band honed their knife-edge chops, and encouraged the duo to imagine how traditional bluegrass could cut innovative pathways into 21st century music.
Keller Williams is an American singer, songwriter and musician who combines elements of bluegrass, folk, alternative rock, reggae, electronica/dance, jazz, funk, along with other assorted genres. He is often described as a ‘one-man jam-band’ due to his frequent use of live phrase looping with multiple instruments. He will be performing a solo set and a Grateful Grass set with Love Canon.
There was only one prize-winning teenager carrying stones big enough to say thanks, but no thanks to Roy Acuff. Only one son of Kentucky finding a light of inspiration from Bill Monroe and his Blue Grass Boys and catching a fire from Bob Marley and The Wailers. Only one progressive hippie allying with like-minded conspirators, rolling out the New Grass revolution, and then leaving the genre’s torch-bearing band behind as it reached its commercial peak. There is only one consensus pick of peers and predecessors, of the traditionalists, the rebels and the next gen devotees. Music’s ultimate inside outsider. Or is it outside insider? There is only one Sam Bush.
One of the largest and most exciting winter bluegrass gatherings returns this spring, and this year’s lineup promises not to disappoint! Tickets, detailed schedule and lodging promotions for the 14th Annual Big Sky Big Grass mountain music festival are available at www.bigskyresort.com/big-grass. •