Since this thread has been relatively quiet, I thought I'd share a few things that excite me about the 2015 RockyGrass set...
- Red Knuckles & the Trailblazers. This will be their first headlining gig ever after interrupting Hot Rize shows for the past 30+ years. Watch for more details about this very special closing set to come to light in the next few months.
- David Grisman Sextet. Somehow it's been 12 years since David brought his classic "Dawg Music" Sextet/quintet to RockyGrass. Way overdue.
- Sara Watkins, Sarah Jarosz & Aoife O'Donovan. RockyGrass is the first-announced US show from this new trio. All 3 women are telling us how excited they are about this group.
- Sam Bush Bluegrass Band. Only-at-RockyGrass. Looking forward to Sam's energy on a RockyGrass Saturday (!!) night
- Sierra Hull. Sierra just started recording a new CD last week, to be produced by Bela Fleck! She's a stunning, very forward-thinking player.
- This year's Grammy nominees: Earls of Leicester (a group which Jerry first put together to headline RockyGrass in 2013), Frank Solivan & Dirty Kitchen, Bryan Sutton (who might be tagging along with the Trailblazers).
- Dailey & Vincent. Like The Goat said below, their Telluride gospel set knocked me out last year. Wow, those guys can sing.
- Crooked Still. They're getting back together for a special RockyGrass set. Reports from their reunion shows a few weeks ago in Massachussetts were stellar.
- Danny Paisley & Southern Grass. Danny's vocals sorta stole the show in Bela's Saturday night RockyGrass bluegrass band in 2012. He has a raw energy like few others in bluegrass.
- Claire Lynch Band. Man, I just love hearing Claire sing (
http://youtu.be/P0_GzP_rbaU). Her new Christmas album is my go-to bluegrass holiday album this year.
- A Del McCoury Band set and a Del & Dawg set... Oh yes!!!
- Stringdusters at twilight on Friday night. They tore it up at Viva Lyons last September, as they've been doing everywhere this year.
- Chatham County Line. Dave is one of my favorite bluegrass songwriters. His bit about getting the crowd to cheer for their "hit song" at Telluride was brilliant.
- I love the current configuration of Peter Rowan's Bluegrass Band with Keith, Paul, Blaine and Chris (what a great Monroe-style mandolinist!)
- Kruger Brothers. Jens is such a tasteful banjo player. He's like the Bill Frisell of the banjo, with total control of tone and subtleties of pitch.
- And a few great young bands: hot pickers Billy Strings & Don Julin (who everyone is talking about!), Austin-based quartet Wood & Wire, and last year's excellent contest winners Caribou Mountain Collective.
- And did I mention the Trailblazers are closing the festival. Their set is not to be missed... Though check out
Sam's responsePhyew... Sorry for all the typing. I guess I'm looking forward to a lot of highlights. Can't wait for July!
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