RockyGronk ‘97 - A festival for musicians
(photo taken at McAwesome Ranch and shamelessly stolen from Bevin Claire Foley. I’m not sorry. Not one bit.)

Greetings fellow bluegrassers!

What’s going on in our bluegrass community:

The 2nd Annual Boulder County Jingle Jam

by Brandy Ray

KGNU Presents with the Colorado Bluegrass Music Society 

Boulder County's bluegrass, Americana, and country musicians are all coming together this December 16th at the Velvet Elk to put together a holly jolly holiday revue. Expect to hear original instrumental arrangements and covers of your favorite holiday songs. There will be a sleigh-full of special guest appearances from every corner of your local Americana music scene. 100% of ticket sales will be donated in full support of Boulder county based non-profit Sister Carmen. 

The 2nd Annual Boulder County Jingle Jam!

Saturday, December 16th at The Velvet Elk Lounge

Doors: 7pm 
Show: 8pm
Tickets: $25

Featuring Members of: Clay St. Unit, The Fretliners, Pick & Howl, Bowregard, Man About a Horse, Liver Down the River, Brandywine & The Mighty Fines, The Reckless Folk, Magoo, Tonewood Stringband, Foggy Mountain Spaceship, Bear Hat, & Elle Michelle's Grateful Holler

And special guests: Pete Wernick, Greg Schochet, Chris Thompson, Derek Dames Ohl, Jack Cloonan, Ben Hanna, & Alex Blocker

Ticket Link: https://www.etix.com/ticket/p/59229590/the-2nd-annual-boulder-county-jingle-jam-boulder-velvet-elk-lounge

Some photos from last year’s Jingle Jam courtesy of Charla Harvey

Old Grass Gnu Grass

A Timeless Tradition in Colorado Bluegrass

by the KGNU staff

Note from John Pierce:
I want to personally thank Matt Mallick and the staff of KGNU for reaching out to us and discussing the rich history of bluegrass radio in Colorado. KGNU has always stood with the community and makes everything a little brighter.

It’s 9am on a Saturday in the KGNU air studio, and today's bluegrass DJ, with a coffee cup in hand and a pile of bluegrass tunes, gets ready to hit play on KGNU's flagship show, Old Grass Gnu Grass.

A staple in the local Colorado bluegrass scene and a true treasure cherished by fans and musicians alike, Old Grass Gnu Grass is a weekly tradition that has unfolded for over 45 years. As the initial strains of a classic bluegrass recording resonates through the room, a rush of warmth and nostalgia envelops them and listeners across the state and throughout the world. For the next three hours, a familiar and trusted voice will guide listeners on a live journey through the best of bluegrass that spans its time-honored traditions to the ever-evolving new sound within the genre. Whether they're in their kitchens making breakfast with family, embarking on a sun-drenched morning hike, or simply taking a moment to bask in the power of music and community, dedicated fans come together through the magic of radio every week. It's a celebration of a rich musical tradition, a testament to the enduring bonds that unite us, and a reminder that, through the airwaves and the internet, bluegrass transcends time and distance to weave a tapestry of unity in our lives.

Old Grass Gnu Grass owes its distinctive name to the creativity of one of the show's original DJs, Steve Carnes. Drawing inspiration from Bill Keith's 1976 release, "Something Auld, Something Newgrass, Something Borrowed, Something Bluegrass," the name encapsulates the show's dedication to both the timeless classics of bluegrass and its ever-evolving "gnu" forms. Since its inception in 1978, the show has been a continuous source of information and delight for bluegrass aficionados. The initial years of Old Grass Gnu Grass featured a roster of dedicated DJs who laid the foundation for the show's success. In subsequent years, the show welcomed an ever-expanding group of DJs, each bringing their unique perspective, experience, and passion for bluegrass. Current DJs Brian Eyster, Neil Smart, Robin Claire, Matt Malick, Fergus Stone and Shawna Sprowls carry the bluegrass torch each week with over 18 decades of collective community radio experience, bluegrass knowledge, performance experience, and unique perspectives on bluegrass music along with their distinctive on-air personalities. The music played on Old Grass Gnu Grass is personally chosen by each DJ and broadcasts during a three-hour, live show 52 Saturday’s each year.  

Live music is at the heart of Colorado's unique bluegrass scene, and Old Grass Gnu Grass is a proud supporter of musicians and fans across the state. Each week on the show, Neil Smart’s untiring commitment to Buck’s Bluegrass Hotline serves as a vital resource for information about bluegrass concerts and jams across the Front Range, helping both listeners and musicians stay connected to the vibrant live bluegrass community. Moreover, KGNU's dedication to showcasing local and touring musicians has been a constant since its early days. Throughout the years, the station has opened its doors to countless bluegrass, old-time, and newgrass musicians for live on-air performances, interviews, and remote broadcasts. KGNU continues to provide a platform for emerging bluegrass talent, with a particular emphasis on nurturing local artists. In cooperation with our friends at Planet Bluegrass, KGNU’s live stream and broadcast of the RockyGrass Festival from Lyons is followed by a world-wide audience and features interviews with performers, festival staff and a veritable who’s-who of the Colorado and national bluegrass music community. Each year, KGNU also hosts the annual Charles Sawtelle Memorial Mountain Jam, lovingly named after the longtime KGNU supporter and member of Hot Rize, which supports rising talent in the Front Range area.

Old Grass Gnu Grass owes its success to a dedicated community of listeners and supporters, who are the lifeblood of the show and KGNU. Through heartfelt show requests, spontaneous calls sharing their cherished bluegrass memories, or simply expressing their gratitude for good bluegrass music, listeners help create a space where bluegrass can thrive, and their unwavering support ensures the continuation of this beloved tradition.

Old Grass Gnu Grass on KGNU has not only stood the test of time but has also thrived, thanks to the passion and dedication of its DJs, community members, and listeners. The show is a testament to the enduring appeal of bluegrass music and the sense of community it fosters. KGNU, with its ongoing support for local musicians, plays a pivotal role in keeping the uniqueness of the bluegrass flame burning brightly in Colorado.

As the show moves into its 46th year, the future looks bright. With the promise of more old and "gnu" grass, KGNU continues to be a cornerstone of Colorado's bluegrass scene, where the music and the community it creates are cherished by all. So, next Saturday morning, as you savor that cup of coffee and immerse yourself in the sounds of Old Grass Gnu Grass, remember that you are part of a legacy that has enriched the lives of countless bluegrass enthusiasts and musicians over the years.

Tune into Old Grass Gnu Grass every Saturday morning from 9am-noon:

88.5 FM Boulder
88.5 FM & 1390 AM Denver
98.7 FM Fort Collins
93.7 FM Nederland
or online at KGNU.org.

The IBMA World Of Bluegrass

by Kevin Slick

The International Bluegrass Music Association (IBMA)’s annual World of Bluegrass took place over the last week in September in Raleigh, NC. Once again hundreds of people participated in the business conference from Tuesday through Thursday and then thousands filled the streets of the downtown for the music festival that ran from Friday through Sunday. IBMA bills the event as the “Biggest week in bluegrass” and that’s a fair description of the week.

Where else are you likely to find most every well-known name in the genre in one place at one time? Workshops and panel discussions covered AI, the ins and outs of publishing, breath work to improve singing and reduce stress, the state of bluegrass radio and more, and that was just a few workshops on Tuesday morning.

The live music kicked off officially on Tuesday evening with a show at the Lincoln Theater hosted by The Special Consensus who were of course joined by an array of guests. Their set was followed by the first performance by Country Gongbang from South Korea who were the first recipients of IBMA’s international band grant. Every year there’s a breakout band that everyone is talking about and this year it was the band from South Korea.

The exhibit hall opened on Wednesday and this year along with the many luthiers, record labels, bands and festivals there were several performance stages throughout the hall giving many bands more chances to perform live. One of the many fantastic workshops was the songwriter’s one-on-one session that was part of the songwriting track. Songwriting mentors like Becky Buller, Greg Blake, Chris Jones or Louisa Branscomb set down for an hour session one on one with a young (or at least new to the craft) songwriter. The chance to get feedback or in some cases co-write with established writers is one of the incredible opportunities that one finds at the World of Bluegrass.

It was announced during the week that next year will be the final year (at least for now) in Raleigh. Many people expressed sadness at the news as Raleigh has been an ideal location but there was also excitement at the prospect of finding a new place which might help bring in a new audience.

Many of the discussions and workshops dealt with the topic of expanding the bluegrass big tent and IBMA has done much in recent years to welcome new artists and influences that help grow the genre while maintaining respect for the traditions that we love.

IBMA’s World of Bluegrass is THE place to be if you love music and especially if you are involved in any way with the business of bluegrass whether as a writer, musician, DJ, promoter, whatever. This is ground zero for the genre. You can find out more at ibma.org

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Colorado Bluegrass Festivals at the Heart

by Amy Martin

I am sure I am not the only one who finds it hard to describe what it really is to be a part of the Colorado bluegrass community, and I can’t be the only one who finds it difficult to try and explain to others how magical the festival experience is, how awesome the campgrounds are, how amazing the late night picking is, how well everyone works together to make these group camps come to life; but I am going to tell a story that I think embodies all of these things so beautifully, because Y’ALL GET IT, and this night got me.

In November of 2022, our dear friend Erik was diagnosed with cancer. I won’t go into all of the details of his treatments and challenges, because that is not my story to tell, but I will say, our bluegrass family was shattered. He is a big part of that family, and is someone I love dearly that I met at my very first time in Pagosa several years prior. There was worry, concern, fundraising, meal sharing. We called each other for support. Started a text train to help keep each other in the loop about his progress. And that lasted for many months, because Erik’s compromised immune system during chemotherapy kept him unable to visit with others and partake in any activities that involved groups. We missed him dearly. We missed his wife dearly.

Fast forward to Labor Day weekend 2023. We all received news that Erik was finished with chemo and planning to attend the Four Corners Folk Fest, and ticket sales that week for sure spiked. WE ALL RALLIED. I can only imagine how much Erik’s phone must have rang as the news traveled. I hope (and have faith) he had massive clarity about how much he means to everyone and how excited we all were to get time with him again. So about two weeks before the festival, he sent out a group text message. This is that message.

“Hi Pagosa People! 
Shanti and I are looking forward to rejoining the fest for Labor Day. We'll be camped in line on Wednesday evening and hope to join everyone at the same spot.
We'd like to host a cocktail party at 4:20 on Saturday. As you are able, wear a cocktail lounge outfit! We'll provide some cocktails, mocktails, and appetizers...and it'd be great if anyone wants to bring items to donate to the cause. Can't wait to see you!
Cheers, Erik and Shanti”

We had a great time camping in line Wednesday night. Created our usual group space on Thursday; shared kitchen, one big jam space, seating areas outside of said jam space. We put up lights, tapestries, laid down rugs, set up our bar. You know, the usual. Friday was amazing, we listened to music inside, enjoyed time at the workshop tent, and watched one of the most rocking late night sets yet.

Saturday we did much of the same, but you could FEEL the change around 4pm. Folks were dressing up, food was being made. People started showing up in numbers, in fancy attire; sequins, sparkles, and bowties. Everyone had a dish, and these were not the usual happy-hour-camper-friendly selections. Salmon on crustinis with capers, cucumber cream cheese tea sandwiches, charcuterie boards that put Martha Stewart to shame. Dips and chips and desserts and cocktails. All the colors of wines! And it just kept coming. We had to add a table almost every 10 minutes just to accommodate. And these weren’t all people that were on these text messages, these were people walking by asking what was going on. Friends of friends stopping in to say hello that soon after disappeared for a moment to grab something else to contribute. It was like Mary Poppins had opened her bag and we were all allowed to stick our hand in there and pull out something incredible. SO many good friends, but also strangers that became friends. Band members from the line up. Staff. We ate, we drank, we “be merried.” It was a celebration of Erik, a celebration of friends and family. It was awesome.

And when I got back from the festival, people were asking me how it went, and I didn’t quite know how to paint the perfect picture, because THIS is the part where words fail me, and I suspect fail others. How do you describe that sense of community? That CAMP FAMILY each bluegrass festival provides? THE LOVE! The magic that has people coming together because of music? Sure, the Bluegrass community doesn’t own happy hour. And this wasn’t the first happy hour in time that was a success. But this was more than that, and if you have been to a festival, you already know that “more than that” is everywhere. It’s in the camp next to you, the camp up the road. It’s in the late night jams and tarp runs. It’s in the conversations and the communal dinners, the dancing to the music on stage and playing music around a gas fire pit. It’s working together whether you know each other or not (because soon you’ll know each other). It’s a beautiful thing to be a part of, and a beautiful thing to help create. It’s ALMOST indescribable, but it’s also something that takes many words to describe. SO MANY POSITIVE ADJECTIVES. And if you dare try, just know that the best way to get others to understand it, is to bring them on board, because you have to FEEL it to believe it.

The force is strong with the bluegrass community, and Colorado, y’all are Jedi’s!

RockyGronk '97

by Nick Einterz

Born of the pandemic and Summers Baker’s vision and tenacity, Rockygronk is unique among Colorado bluegrass events. Not only did the first Rockygronk inspire much needed community to Colorado artists whose gigs and jams had all but dried up, it has continued as a small gathering for artists, by artists to take a break from the hustle and truly hear one another. 

Perhaps nothing encourages the mission more than McAwesome Ranch itself. Matt McMurray has generously opened his property up to these artists and what a property it is. The amphitheater and stage at McAwesome Ranch are entirely customized. The pride Matt puts into his land shines along with his welcoming personality, carefully curated lineups and custom construction projects. 

While the event is young, this year Rockygronk ‘97 was notably nostalgic. The late 90s theme notwithstanding, longtime Colorado artists such as Enion Pelta-Tiller (Taarka), Megan Burrt, Dusty Rider (The Railsplitters) and Travis McNamara (Trout Steak Revival) shared their inspirations as mini sets. Dusty’s solo banjo/vocals set was a welcomed surprise from a banjo player with a reputation for ripping some of the most beautiful and technically interesting solos in band ensembles. His vocals, sophisticated banjo accompaniment and overall stage presence were warm blankets on a Fall evening. Travis McNamara’s set seemed to bring everything in just three songs:  touching yet rich tunes both solo and with special guests, The Cody Sisters, who dropped a few jaws with precision harmony and picking in their own set. While perhaps the pinnacle moment of the night for me was Megan Burtt and Enion Pelta-Tiller’s duet. Megan is pure charisma as a raconteur, and Enion’s supportive violin was nothing short of hypnotizing. 

On the other hand, a few newer upstart projects brought their own unique energy to Rockygronk. The night kicked off with Tonewood. They brought a few raucous tunes with lead singer Evan Sheely delivering soulful intensity, but no more intense than Elijah Donavan’s banjo pickin’, George Sempier’s fiddling, nor bassist Matt Thomas’ custom tie-dye pants. The Grass Project, a new instrumental addition to the Colorado scene, brought a refreshing groove-based set, followed by Clare Elich’s delicate but incisive vocals, lyrics and clawhammer picking. 

Alband, the newgrass brainchild of Alex Kukouv, included some of Colorado's more prolific jammers such as Michael Rudolph and Dave Pailet and brought a quintessential Colorado sound to the evening. Adding to that Colorado sound was Lucy Moore, who is as much a charming storyteller as she is an excellent singer-songwriter. 

Closing out the show was Colorado's own Meadow Mountain lead by Summers Baker with Jack Dunlevie on mandolin, Alex Kukouv on banjo and Wilson Luallen on bass. Not only did these artists perform brilliantly, they also organized the event and created a welcoming atmosphere for everyone. 

And there lies perhaps the most important part of this event. “For artists, by artists" has a nice ring to it. But more precisely, Rockygronk ‘97 encouraged artists to stop, breathe, listen and notice each other. In a scene full of so many artists hustling for gigs, Rockygronk is more a reflection on our collective artistic inspirations than it is a gig on the calendar. 

This month for our “Power Pickin’ from the Past” image we have the fifth annual Rocky Mountain Bluegrass festival poster from 1977!

Contributors to this month’s newsletter:

  • John Pierce — President, CBMS

  • Matt Malick and the KGNU staff

  • Nick Einterz - Board member and banjo connoisseur at The Grass Project

  • Amy Martin - Media champion and board member

  • Kevin Slick - Board member, past President of CBMS and member of Orchard Creek Band

  • Brandy Ray - One of the hosts of Jingle Jam! and member of Brandy Ray and the Mighty Fines