Tim Shelton with NewFound Road at the Orange Army Bluegrass Festival – photo © Laura Tate Photography
Thanks to David Carroll of Hammertowne for this report on the 2026 Orange Army Bluegrass Festival.
The 4th Annual Orange Army Bluegrass Festival wrapped up three days of stellar performances for a tremendously worthy cause. Over the past three years the event raised well over $100,000, with proceeds going to directly help cancer patients offset the immediate costs of fighting their disease.
This year’s festival was a tremendous success, bringing in $88,000 to continue the mission of helping folks who genuinely need it. After all, that’s how this event came to be.
Festival Organizer Robert “Sleepy” Porter says…
“This festival is about carrying on the love and support that my late wife Shelia was shown by the bluegrass community when she was diagnosed with breast cancer five years ago. Paying it forward by helping others who are struggling with the same issues that we experienced. This is her legacy and I can’t put into words my gratitude.
From the ARMY of organization members and volunteers to everyone that bought a ticket or made a donation. It’s overwhelming, and makes us even more inspired to continue making our festival bigger and better so we will have the resources to help more and more people in need.”
The lineup of music was top tier with headliner performances from The Cleverlys, New Found Road, Caleb Daugherty, Pitney & Meyer, Hammertowne, Darin & Brooke Aldridge, Brandon Rickman, Ashleigh Graham, Throwdown Thursday, and a tremendous cast of performers throughout the weekend.
Visit Orangearmybluegrass.com to donate to the cause and learn more about their festival and organization.
News on next year’s festival coming soon!
