I have five big wishes for next year. One of them is already confirmed thanks to the Telluride Band Competition judges, so that makes the rest easy, right?
Since the Lil Smokies are already going to be there, I'll just do a top 4 countdown.
4) Keller Williams and Grateful Grass featuring (spoiler alert) members of the Infamous Stringdusters. I haven't had a chance to see any of these sets, but every single one I've heard has been incredible. This would be a great afternoon set or even an elk's park workshop or nightgrass.
3)
Dead Winter Carpenters. They've got a great sound and really jam it out when they want to, as shown in this
video featuring two of my favorite songs of theirs.
Here's a video of them at String Summit in 14 (I can be seen dancing around on the rail in this video and the first video).
Here's a video of them slowing it down a bit. And, just because,
here's a video of them playing "Bad Moon Rising" with The Brothers Comatose (who would also be great). I'd also recommend checking out
this recording on archive. It's night two of a two night run and the entire first set is Grateful Dead covers. I'm probably over selling them, but I really dig their music.
2) Warren Haynes featuring Railroad Earth. This is a no brainer. The album they just put out,
Ashes and Dust, is phenomenal. One of my favorite new albums.
Here's one of the best tracks off it. This would be a perfect Friday night closing set.
1) (I spoiled this one in my number 4 entry, but oh well) The Infamous Stringdusters. In my opinion, there is no better band in the world today. We haven't seen them in Telluride since 2013, which is just too long. I was injured that year and only spent a few hours on the festival field as I could barely walk, but I made it down for The Dusters and then made it down to The Palm for their nightgrass. I say let them close out Thursday night and give them a nightgrass show with Keller at The SOH on Saturday.
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