Meadowgrass
CBMS Festival spotlight - May 24 – 26

 Confessions of a Bluegrass Fan

By: David Smith

As a devout and longtime fan of bluegrass music, I have a confession to make: rock and roll is the greatest and my favorite band is Blitzen Trapper. Don’t get me wrong. I could listen to Robert Greer bending bluesy vocal harmonies with Phil Barker all day long. I could spend most every evening taking in the lyrics of Charles Humphrey, or Jon Weisberger, or Benny Galloway, and I’ve spent countless weekends upon the fields of festivals as the sounds of fiddle, mandolin, guitar, banjo, and bass are carried by the wind across the crowd. But when it’s time to turn up the volume on the home stereo and let the vinyl spin, I’m throwing on American Goldwing and taking a ride with keyboards, electric guitars, bass, drums, and lyrics that remind me of past poor decisions, lost love, and lasting friendships.

American Goldwing is Blitzen Trapper’s 6th album, released in 2011, and if the crowd of The MeadowGrass Music Festival is lucky, they’ll be among the ponderosa pines of Black Forest hearing these words sung out through the trees:

“Oh mama, I’ve been talkin’ to those western stars
They give me comfort at night, right lyin’ in the back of the car
And I can see your face in the place that I go when I’m there
Me and Jimmy and the boys runnin’ dark up in the mountain air.”

Part Wilco, part David Bowie – but mostly their own original sound of poetic lyric-driven melodic rock – it will be a treat to have Portland, Oregon-based Blitzen Trapper in the intimate Rocky Mountain foothill setting of Meadowgrass. But this is Power Pickin’, and we’ve got bluegrass to talk about, which brings me to my second confession: I have never been to The Meadowgrass Music Festival.

As a bluegrass fan, this is the year to make it my first to attend! Now in its 15th year, the festival’s mission has remained the same: “to curate an unparalleled musical experience by showcasing world-class talent in the breathtaking backdrop of the Pikes Peak region, complemented by the richness of local and regional performers.” Simply put, their showcase of world-class talent is stacked when it comes to the bluegrass genre.

Highlights include The Fretliners, Jeremy Garrett Band, The Steel Wheels, and Jacob Jolliff Band (truly just to name a few). Like Rick Moranis and Sigourney Weaver meeting in Ghostbusters, there could very well be an otherworldly experience at-hand when the high lonesome crooning of Tom Knowlton is heard back-to-back with the unhinged vocal soul of Jeremy Garrett. From its inception, bluegrass music has been mountain music and the mountains of Colorado have proved to be a thriving hold for songs as they are carried from the hollows and hills of the Blue Ridge to the canyons and granite precipices of the Rockies. The 14,115 foot hardscrabble “Pikes Peak or bust!” snowcapped horizon line of Meadowgrass is sure to carry on musical traditions and inspire voices to rise and instruments to ring true.

Meadowgrass will also be a rare opportunity for the southern Front Range to hear Boulder’s hippest band, Gasoline Lollipops. I’ve been waiting – while wondering why it hasn’t happened – for the day when the Gas Pops’ hit the festival circuit. We’ve had hints of their greatness, as the solid rhythm section of bassist, Bradley Morse, and drummer, Kevin Matthews, can often be found rounding out a quartet with Colorado folk rock power couple, Bonnie and Taylor Sims, but it is high time for songwriting front-man, Clay Rose, and the full band take to a festival stage. Telluride Bluegrass and Four Corners Folk Festival please take note.

While The Meadowgrass Music Festival is in its 15th year, there are elements that have been introduced and that have grown with enthusiasm and skill. With enthusiasm, the 6th Annual MeadowGrass Beer Festival will ring in day-one, Friday, May 24 from 4:00PM – 6:00PM. With skill, the Steve Harris Songwriter of the Year Contest (open to ages 18 and under), is now in its 4th year. There is also a Battle of the Bands, late-night shows, and late-night jams throughout the three days.

One aspect that has been steadfast since the beginning is the festival’s volunteer-driven management under the watchful eyes and keen ears of the 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, Rocky Mountain Highway Music Collaborative. The organization has a passion for music and community as demonstrated through sustainable and environmentally friendly concerts throughout the year, and of course, Memorial Day Weekend’s Meadowgrass. The Pikes Peak region is lucky to have their elevation of the arts, partnerships with local businesses, and their all-around joy for bringing live performances amidst hundreds of acres of pine forests and historic log and stone buildings.

This Memorial Day Weekend, May 24 – 26, won’t you join me just outside of Colorado Springs in the enchanting backdrop of Black Forest for Meadowgrass? I’ve offered my confessions and will hear yours with a toast as Blitzen Trapper rocks from the mainstage!

“Got a couple more runs till the sun’s comin’ up in the east
Ole Fletcher’s in the car drinkin’ whiskey from a jar through his teeth
Jimmy ain’t back but his tracks lead up into the trees
I guess there ain’t nothing for it but to drive on up and see what we see.”