Dale and Darcy Cahill, Author at Bluegrass Today

Dave Nichols passes

Guitar maker and intricate inlay artist, David “Dave” R. Nichols, 81, of Malone, NY passed away on January 22, 2025 at Champlain Valley Hospital, Plattsburgh with his family by his side. Dave was born on April 22, 1943 to the late Marvin and Ruth (Heatherington) Nichols, in Massena, NY.

After an extended tour in Vietnam and receiving his Doctorate in Psychiatry, Nichols worked at St. Lawrence Psychiatric Center. Always fascinated by inlay he started his own hobbyist shop, Custom Pearl Inlay. Shortly after this, Nichols met Mike Longworth, Martin’s guitar inlay guru. It was Longworth who convinced Nichols to work for Martin Guitar where he spent time developing his luthiery, and delicate inlay designs. For the next 40 years, all custom pearl inlay for the Martin company went through Nichols’ shop.

Over the years, Nichols has worked on thousands of instruments and claimed that he could inlay anything into anything. The list of inlay hobbyists and famous bluegrass and country musicians he did work for includes Del McCoury, David Grisman, Merle Haggard, and Johnny Cash. They also included BB King, ZZ Top, and Aerosmith.

He also played in his own regional bluegrass group, Dave Nichols & Spare Change.

In later years, Nichols worked from his own well-oiled shop in Malone, N.Y, giving weeklong building workshops, offering advice to other luthiers, and dealing with the everyday affairs of running a thriving business. His shop offered a perfect example of controlled chaos. The list of other luthiers and inlay artist with whom he worked is long, and included small builders like John Hall and Mike Franks and the Hall of Blues Creek Guitars.

In addition to building and inlaying guitars, Nichols devoted time to the Association of Stringed Instrument Artisans, the American Woodworking Society, and the Northeastern Woodworkers Association. He was a commander of Sons of Amvets in Malone, was a member of the SUNY Canton Hall of Fame, and attended Malone’s Baptist Church.

Those who knew Nichols well remember that he was quick to joke and liked a good prank. Dick Boak, who held many titles at Martin Guitar, worked closely with Nichols and described him as a generous person. He says, “That innate generosity extends to his students and colleagues. For Nichols it is not about business, but about his personal relationships with people. That personal approach is what his students and mentees appreciated the most about Dave as a mentor and teacher.”

Nichols is survived by his son, Matthew, and daughter-in-law, Jackie, of Madrid, and his brother, Michael; Michael, Phil, and Connie of Oregon, along with his three granddaughters, Justine, Taylor, and Brooke. Dave is predeceased by his parents and a son, Mark.

Per his request, there will be no services. Donations in Dave’s memory can be made to:

Malone Amvets Post 8
1474 CR # 25
Malone, NY 12953

Condolences can be posted at Frary Funeral Home online.

2024 Thomas Point Beach Bluegrass Festival report

Sister Sadie at the 45th annual Thomas Point Beach Bluegrass Festival – photo © Dale and Darcy Cahill

Over Labor Day weekend, Thomas Point Beach Bluegrass Festival celebrated its 45th birthday with an amazing line up, and a typically enthusiastic crowd of bluegrass lovers, faithful and newcomers alike. The original promoter Patti Crocker, who ran the festival for thirty years and sadly passed away in 2016, would have been proud of her son Michael Mulligan and his faithful crew.

Given the beauty of its location in a campground along the Maine coast, many festival goers arrived a week early in anticipation of the campground jamming and the music to come. The festival began on Thursday with a band competition between, Humbletown, J.M. Clifford, Thunder and Rain, High River, Stillwater, and The New Grown-Ups. The New Grown-Ups won the day with their eight piece band including two fiddlers. Their combination of skilled musicians with electrical rollicking enthusiasm made them natural winners.

The New England Bluegrass Band followed with equally tight and playful song choices. This was their 8th time playing at Thomas Point and now feel much like the festival’s house band. Appalachian Road Show finished off the night.

After the main stage music ended, The Ruta Beggars led a late night jam under the big tent. Other musicians eager to play headed back to the campground where many jams lasted well into the early morning.

The New England Bluegrass Band fired up the crowd on Friday, followed by Crying Uncle Bluegrass Band, Rochelle Sumner and Traveling Light, Country Current, and the Showcase competition winners. Sister Sadie and Crying Uncle Bluegrass Band finished off the afternoon. After dinner, the Friday headliners included Tony Trischka’s Earl Jam, another set by Sister Sadie, and MIghty Poplar. Andrew Marlin was unable to attend the gig as his wife Emily Rantz is close to her baby’s due date. Caleb Klauder, one of Andrew’s longtime mandolin heros, stepped in for him and did a great job on mandolin singing both MIghty Poplar favorites and a collection of his original tunes. A nice surprise was seeing Alex Hargreaves on fiddle.

Saturday started with the Dale and Darcy Band, offering the crowd a gentle way to begin the day with their waltzes and aires. The rest of the morning included Kristy Cox and Grasstime, Tricky Britches, and a newly formed band called The Hazel Project. This was their first time playing on the main stage of a bluegrass festival and we look forward to seeing them in the future. Jim Lauderdale followed as did The Grascals, Kristy Cox and Grasstime, and Country Current. The Grascals returned after the dinner break as did The Po’ Ramblin’ Boys with their surprise guest, Jim Lauderdale. The Travelin’ McCourys ended the night with an eclectic set of tunes played with the precision and enthusiasm we have all come to expect from them.

Given that this was a long weekend, the music continued on Sunday starting with another set of waltzes and aires from the Dale and Darcy Band, followed by Seth Mulder and Midnight Run, Jackson Hollow, and the Thomas Point Young Pickers and singers. The final set of the festival was well worth the wait with Rock Hearts and then Special Consensus, and finally The Del McCoury Band. Del and his band delighted the crowd, as did Del himself, especially when he took requests from the crowd who yelled out all their favorites. He worked the crowd like only Del can do, leaving many in stitches.

The festival also featured workshops, jams for all abilities, family activities, and of course, a beautiful beach for swimming, kayaking, and paddle boarding. Fortunately, the weather cooperated with sunny days and slightly chilly nights, perfect for bonfires and late night jamming.

There is no doubt that this festival is one of our favorites, in large part because of the constant jamming, the beautiful and well maintained campground, the peaceful and respectful crowd, and a line up that never disappoints. Despite that fact that this festival marks the end of summer and the end of major bluegrass festivals in New England, all of our friends, old and new, parted ways on Monday with a “see you next year!”

As far as we are concerned, Labor Day 2025 is already booked!

2024 Bluegrass & Roots Festival round up

Michael Cleveland with The Travelin’ McCourys at GMBR ’24 – photo courtesy of the festival

Green Mountain Bluegrass and Roots festival’s fifth season once again included a mixture of traditional bluegrass and roots artists, singer/songwriters, and three days of a well-managed retreat with relaxing music in a beautiful Vermont setting. Festival goers saw promoters Jill and John Turpin buzzing around the grounds all weekend with their growing team of volunteers. No detail escaped their notice and attention. They clearly care about this event, including those enjoying the music, all of their volunteers, and the musicians themselves.

Located at Hunter Park in Manchester, VT, the festival included several new vendors, free showers, and a variety of campsites, ninety percent located on flat ground. This year also saw some new features, like a repositioned main stage layout, a second additional stage, The Shady Grove Tent, and VIP Tickets.

The gates opened at 10:00 on Thursday morning with a variety of bands and activities in the Shady Grove tent. Carling and Will, Noam Pikelny and Friends, dance lessons, Point Noir Cajun Band, the Slocan Ramblers, and Donna the Buffalo were there for all to see. The stage overflowed with an audience ready to begin the festival fun.

The main stage line up started on Friday at 11:00 with Alison DeGroot and Nik Gareiss, Christian Sedelmyer, Viv and Riley, and the Foghorn Stringband. The evening set included Michael Cleveland and Flamekeeper, a rousing performance by the Lil Smokies, and the much anticipated Travelin’ McCourys with a guest appearance of Micheal Cleveland. After the McCourys incredible performance, the audience walked over to the Lamplighter Stage, just a short distance on a magically lighted woodland path. There, The White Eagle Stringband, followed by Jordan Tice and Friends, entertained a large and appreciative crowd.

Saturday got off to a start with the Eli West Quartet, New Dangerfield, The Tim O’Brien Band, and Aoife O’Donovan. Next came the GMBR All-Star band performing the Bluegrass Album Band Vol. 1, dedicated to Bobby Hicks when news spread of his passing. Watchhouse followed as did AJ Lee and Blue Summit, with The Brothers Comatose closing out the night on the main stage. Once again late-night listeners headed over the to Lamplighter Stage for two incredible sets, the first by Tim O’Brien and Friends, and then a GMBR festival favorite, Twisted Pine.

The music did not stop on Sunday. Alexa Rose started the day at 10:30, followed by Bryan Sutton and Chris Eldridge, the Jerry Douglas Band, Rayland Baxter, and a reunion of Crooked Still. Despite Sunday’s heavy rain, many festival goers stayed right to the final act, unwilling to miss a much-anticipated reunion of Crooked Still after their three-year hiatus.

Not surprisingly, word has gotten out that this is a festival that rivals some of New England’s best, and thus, according to the site manager, his early assessment was that the festival had increased by about fifty percent since 2023. What we saw and experienced echoed that impression. Sold-out camping required the Turpins to open camping in a field just outside of the festival gates. This, combined with more day ticket sales, led to much larger numbers at all stages, and a more strictly organized camping area with delineated streets.

When asked about the possibility of the festival’s growing popularity and increased in sales in 2023, Jill Turpin said that her and John’s primary goal is to maintain an event that feels intimate and lively. As word spreads about this gem of a festival, that will be a challenge.

We found that one upside of the increased attendance was more campsite jamming than in past years. Those jam sessions were dominated by incredibly talented musicians who played well into the night and early morning. At times, we were faced with the choice of playing in amazing jams or heading up to the stage to listen to the bands.

We hope to return in 2025 and avidly support the Turpins’ goal to keep Green Mountain Bluegrass and Roots festival an intimate gathering, managing their success with careful planning.

Photos by Dale and Darcy Cahill, Erin Kiernan Photography, Maggie Yurachek Photography, @jstrausser_visuals, @samwatson.co, @taylorlewis_photography.

Jacob Jolliff – Instrumentals, Vol. 2: Mandolin Mysteries

At the end of May, Jacob Jolliff released his latest album, Instrumentals, Vol. 2: Mandolin Mysteries, on Adhyaropa Records. If you are familiar with Jolliff, you have probably listened to Instrumentals Vol 1, released in 2018 when Jacob was a youthful 27 years old. Now in his mid-thirties, this new album of originals reflects his maturation as a composer. These tunes focus equally on musical mastery and on Jolliff’s newest focus, developing melodies. Jacob and his new album reveal him as a hardly, strictly, bluegrass musician, to coin a phrase.

Playing with Jolliff on the Mandolin Mysteries is George Jackson on fiddle, Ross Martin on guitar, and Myles Sloniker on bass, all of whom are able to match him note for note. Jacob wrote most of the tunes over the past year while traveling with this quartet, and many were composed on the piano which gave him the opportunity to search out melody lines.

At the heart of the album are three movements constructed like a concerto. The first, The Art Heist Suite Mvt 1, is upbeat and sets the mood and thematic melodies to come. The second movement is slower and more lyrical. The third and last movement moves quickly, is upbeat and exciting.

Track number 8, Blossoms Will Run Away, is a beautiful composition written in waltz time. It is the final two tunes on the album that lean the most towards bluegrass. Silver Blaze would give Bill Monroe’s Rawhide a run for its money. Jolliff wraps up the album with Twin Rocks. While not strictly a bluegrass album, the interplay between fiddle and mandolin still fits in the bluegrass genre. A very enjoyable listen.

The album can be purchased directly from the artist as an audio CD, vinyl LP, or download.

Twisted Pine’s boundary breaking bluegrass

Twisted Pine at the Green Mountain Bluegrass and Roots festival – photo by Dale Cahill

Twisted Pine has been on the road now for nine years, having originally joined forces in 2013 when they played primarily bluegrass tunes. Bluegrass was common ground for all of them, and they played at Cantab Lounge in Cambridge Massachusetts for a long-term residency. At some point, they realized that they needed a name for the band. One of them mentioned Twisted Pine, and they all agreed. Now, almost a decade later, they realize that the name perfectly captures their evolution as musicians who are now known for their innovative, creative, and boundary hopping music.

We first heard the band in 2014 at Thomas Point Bluegrass Festival where they competed in the band contest, which they won, for good reason. Later that same summer they won the band contest at FreshGrass Festival as well. That first year on tour, the bluegrass crowds gave them a ringing endorsement and the band never looked back.

Since those wins, Twisted Pine has evolved into an innovative genre bending band that plays at bluegrass, folk, jazz, and roots music festivals, and at venues across the United States. They have shared the stage with the likes of Chris Thile, Molly Tuttle, Balsam Range, Sam Bush, and Tim O’Brien, as well as with artists well outside of the bluegrass world including Bruno Mars, The Black Keys, The Avett Brothers, and many more. They have also released two albums, Dreams in 2018 and Right Now in 2020.

We recently caught up with them at the Green Mountain Bluegrass and Roots festival in Manchester, Vermont, and talked about their individual musical histories as well as where they see themselves headed in the future.

Currently, the band includes Kathleen Parks (Newburgh, NY) on fiddle and lead vocals; Dan Bui (Houston, TX) on mandolin; Chris Sartori (Concord, MA) on bass; and Anh Phung (Chilliwack, BC) on flute.

At the age of 5, Parks learned the fiddle using the Suzuki method. At the time, she loved Irish music and was an Irish step dancer. Parks says that, even as a kid, she felt more connected to the Irish fiddle tunes them she did to classical music.

Dan Bui began his musical career playing piano, but after seeing Sam Bush play, he knew that his musical future would on the mandolin. He was right, and many years later earned a degree from Berklee College of Music with the mandolin as his primary instrument.

Chris graduated from University of Massachusetts with a jazz degree in 2013, and promptly moved to Boston where he knew he would find a thriving folk/ Americana scene. As one of Boston’s most in-demand bassists, he found himself playing at Cantab with musicians who felt a similar passion for all styles of music. It is there that he met Parks and became a founding member of Twisted Pine.

Anh Phung started playing the flute as a three-year-old. She won flute competitions across Canada but did not want to limit herself to being a soloist. Instead, she used the flute to explore a variety of styles of music, and at the same time started playing other instruments. She never allowed convention to limit her musical passions to one genre.

Phung met the band in 2019 when Twisted Pine reached a crossroads in their journey. Two of their original band members had left to pursue other things and Parks, Bui, and Sartori found themselves a trio looking for another member of the band. They were attending a Folk Alliance Conference when they met Phung and instantly liked her music, and more importantly, her musical personality. She liked theirs as well, so she jumped on board with her flute.

Since then, the IBMA has had Twisted Pine play at their annual awards gathering for the past three years, in 2020 for the IBMA Bluegrass Live!, in 2021 on the Showcase Stage, in 2022 for the Bluegrass Ramble, and last as the opener on the main stage, followed by Balsam Range. And in 2023 Twisted Pine was nominated for the IBMA Momentum Award.

There aren’t many bluegrass bands that include a flute player, but since joining the band, Twisted Pine has embraced their exploration of what is musically possible. When asked about Twisted Pine’s genre, Sartori says with some humor, “You could call it, ‘neo-folk indie soul Avant jazz jam grass-icana,’ but that doesn’t quite roll of the tongue.” He went on to explain that the band is rooted in bluegrass, but has expanded their musical community with inspirations from explorers like Béla Fleck, Jerry Douglas, Sierra Hull, and Billy Strings, amongst many others.

Sartori says that those explorers have helped to grow bluegrass into a mighty big tree and, “we’ve got our little pine branch somewhere on that tree.”

2023 Thomas Point Beach Festival in Brunswick, Maine

The Gibson Brothers at the 2023 Thomas Point Beach Festival – photo © Dale Cahill

The 44^th Thomas Point Beach Bluegrass Festival was held under blue skies this year. Thomas Point’s typically enthusiastic crowd of veterans and newcomers filled the seats and the campground. Spearheaded by Michael Mulligan, his wife Jen, and longtime friends Shari and Jenna, the pervading theme this year was family, in the campground, and on stage.

This annual festival is known not just for offering high caliber emerging and veteran bluegrass artists, but as a place where families and longtime friends reunite, many of whom have returned to the festival for over thirty years. Shari Elder says that this year one of those family reunions included 44 family members, young and old.

She also saw multi-generational Thomas Point connections for the performers. Jalee Robert’s parents both played at the festival, her dad Danny with the Grascals and her mom Andrea with Petti Coat Junction. Sammy Mougin, bassist for Wyatt Ellis and Friends, follows in his parents’ footsteps as well. His father Stephen played Thomas Point with Sam Bush, and his mom Jana also played at Thomas Point with her band Fragment in 2001. But that isn’t all. In the final moments of the festival Rhonda Vincent happily announced that her daughter, Sally Sandker, will be singing and playing guitar next year at Thomas Point with the US Navy Band Country Current. It was truly a family affair!

Thursday began with the 2022 band contest winners, On the Trail, whose tight sound and excellent vocals reminded us why we voted for them last year. This year’s band contest followed, and included J.M. Clifford, Hosmer Mountain Boys, Ida Mae Specker, Seselia, Rachel Sumner & Traveling Light, and Uncle Jake & the 18 Wheel Gang. Massachusetts’s based band Rachel Sumner & Traveling Light won the competition. It is no wonder that Sumner was selected as an official 2023 IBMA Showcase Artist! After announcing the competition band winner, Beg, Steal or Borrow, the Show Case winners from 2018, took the stage followed by Della Mae. East Nash Grass finished off the day with a late-night dance party.

Friday morning started with the return of Beg, Steal or Borrow, a set by the band Full Cord, On the Trail, and Rachel Sumner & Traveling Light. At three o’clock, the Gibson Brothers took the stage followed by East Nash Grass. The evening sets included Full Cord, Rock Hearts, The Gibson Brothers, and finally the Dan Tyminski Band. The combination of emerging artists and die-hard bluegrass veterans struck the balance between traditional and contemporary bluegrass music that Thomas Point promoters mindfully design.

On Saturday campers and day trippers were greeted by a perfect late summer Maine beach day. Standing on the shore you could see paddle boarders, kayakers, swimmers, and sunbathers taking advantage of a final blast of summer sunshine. The music began at 9:00 a.m. with the sweet sound of morning waltzes with the Dale and Darcy Band. Seven different bands then played throughout the day, including Katahdin Valley Boys, Rock Hearts, Nefesh Mountain, Southern Rail, and Sister Sadie. After dinner, Sister Sadie, Balsam Range and Infamous Stringdusters played to a full crowd, many of whom couldn’t remain seated, and instead joined the crowd of dancers to the deep right and left of the stage. At 10:00, The Katahdin Balley Boys lead a late-night jam at Thomas Point’s iconic caboose.

Sunday’s long-standing tradition of hosting a gospel music sing along with Mike and Mary Robinson at the beachfront tent included a surprise guest this year, the Becky Buller Band. Between the gospel singing and a set of waltzes, everyone was ready to jump into another full day of high caliber bluegrass. The newcomers for the day were Wyatt Ellis and Friends, Becky Buller Band, Seldom Scene, and Rhonda Vincent & the Rage, and a late-night set with Break’n Strings.

Aside from the stellar line up, a long list of activities was organized for children: little roots music classes, waterfront fun on the beach, tie dying, a program for Thomas Point young pickers, and much more. Every day folks could attend master and instructional workshops for each bluegrass instrument as well as guided jams and morning yoga classes.

For Dale and me, it is the combination of excellent stage shows, a wide range of camp ground picking that goes well into the night, a camp ground that provides showers, shade and sunshine, lobster rolls and deep fried scallops from Ye Olde English Fish and Chips, and long time friends that keep us returning each year. This is also the only festival we attend with a tide chart in the program! We will be there in 2024 and Shari, Michael and Jen recommend that folks buy their tickets in advance as the trend points to growing attendance.

4th annual Green Mountain Bluegrass & Roots Festival report

Mighty Poplar at the 2023 Green Mountain festival – photo © Dale Cahill

In just four years, Jill and John Turpin have worked hard to create in the Green Mountain Bluegrass & Roots festival an event which matches their vision of an inclusive and welcoming family gathering. This year they hosted a lineup that included a wide range of roots musicians, many of whom consider the festival not only a place to perform, but also a gathering that brings them together and gives them an opportunity to pick together, share stories, and catch up with one another. The result was a weekend of bands, singer/song writers, and music that folks in the campground didn’t want to miss.

The festival got off the ground with two good friends and long-time collaborators, Michael Daves and Jacob Jolliff. Three singer/songwriters followed, Maya de Vitry, Jordan Tice, and Caitlin Canty. All three were unknown to Dale and I and we were happily surprised by what we heard. They will all be part of our Spotify line up in the future.

Tim O’Brien was booked to perform next on the main stage, also on the Lamp Lighters stage, and to be a roving musician who could turn up anywhere and anytime. Unfortunately, O’Brien caught covid, and he and Jan Fabricius were unable to attend the festival. Mr. Sun, called by some Daryl Anger’s Gang of Four, took his place in the lineup on the main stage, and at the Lamp Lighter stage on Saturday.

The final three main stage bands on Friday included the Peter Rowan Bluegrass Band, The Green Mountain All Stars playing and singing their favorite Dolly Parton songs, and the Sam Grisman Project. The late-night Lamp Lighter stage, located down a magical woodland path, showcased two bands, Daves and Jolliff, and the other the Foghorn Stringband. For many, the music did not end there as the real night crowd returned to the campground to pick and jam well into the early morning.

On Saturday, Peter Rowan unexpectedly started the day, followed by more singer/songwriters, Jake Blount, Rachel Baiman, and Taylor Ashton. Foghorn Stringband ended the morning set. What followed was a lineup of bands that included singer/songwriter Aoife O’Donovan, who many remember from her days with Crooked Still. Mighty Poplar was next. This hugely popular band included Andrew Marlin, Noam Pikelny, Chris Eldridge, Greg Garrison, and Alex Hargreaves, who played to a large and enthusiastic audience. Town Mountain followed and then along came Sam Bush. His bright, energized, and joyful performance featured songs from Radio John, his tribute to the beloved John Hartford.

That night, The Lamp Lighter stage featured Mr. Sun followed by one of our favorite bands, Twisted Pine. More jams and picking could be heard all night. The jams spanned bluegrass, folk, jazz, and everything in between.

While at most festivals, campers start to pack up and head home on Sunday, GMBR offered a whole new collection of bands that kept fans into the evening, and those with long drives home overnight. Molsky’s Mountain Drifters, Christian Sedelmyer, Mr. Sun, The Milk Carton Kids, and Mipso kept us there until 6:30, as did the final band Watchhouse who invited John Turpin to the stage to join them on guitar. Exhausted and happy, Dale and I returned to our campsite and watched people break down their campsites to head home.

There is no doubt that GMBR is a unique festival, both in its line up and in its festival culture. We heard and played in far more jams this year than last, and the crowd of campers and day visitors increased in number. Jill and John were ever present, pitching in when necessary, supporting their volunteers, and setting a standard of calm and joyfulness that let everyone there know that they too were enjoying the music and the people in attendance.

They added two step dance lessons this year, as well as a pop-up stage where musicians played between main stage sets. Seeing Twisted Pine play there, just a few feet away from the crowd, captured everyone’s attention, as did the band Hub Hollow, Jill and John’s own bluegrass band who played on the pop-up stage Saturday. Jill sang harmonies with her twin brother Jason while John skillfully picked out notes on his guitar.

Although the Turpins are always looking for ways to fine tune the festival, their primary goal is to maintain an event that feels intimate and lively. Joey Ryan from the Milk Carton Kids said it best when he looked out at the crowd and exclaimed that after playing around the world for over a dozen years, the GMBR stage has the most beautiful view he and bandmate Kenneth Pattengale have ever seen. A big shout out for Vermont’s Green Mountains!

In the final moments of the festival, Andrew Marlin of both Mighty Poplar and Watchhouse summed up what most musicians thought about how this festival felt like coming home, a place where he could connect with his friends, with Jill and John, and simply be able to relax and enjoy himself.

Yup, we will be returning next year.

2023 Podunk Bluegrass Music Festival report

Authentic Unlimited headed stageward at the 2023 Podunk Bluegrass Music Festival – photo by Dale Cahill

Authentic Unlimited at the 2023 Podunk Bluegrass Music Festival – photo by Dale Cahill

Another Podunk Bluegrass Music Festival in Goshen, CT is in the books, and it may be the best one we have attended. The sun shone for most of the festival. When it rained, it did so in torrential bursts, with thunder and lightning, but the music never stopped. In fact, the rain forced the staff to make some quick changes that resulted in some of the festival’s most memorable moments.

The music started on Thursday, with Full Cord, from Grand Haven, Michigan. The Band Contest followed and included four bands, the Hosmer Mountain Boys, Wood Flower, Mama Corn, and Cole Quest and the City Pickers. It was a difficult decision given all the talent, but in the end the judges gave first place to Cole Quest and the City Pickers out of New York City. Each of the bands returned to the main stage that night to play full sets. Greystone Rail from Center Dale, Rhode Island closed out the night.

Full Cord once again played first on Friday. Serene Green, Podunk’s 2022 Band Contest winners, followed Full Cord and set the stage for two festival favorites, Kristy Cox & Grasstime with special guests Jerry Salley, and Darin & Brooke Aldridge. Just before dinner break, the MCs announced the songwriter’s contest winner, Patrice Webb for her song Idaho. The evening show included all four bands back from the morning plus the headliners, East Nash Grass, who put on a lively show. All six members of the band proved equal in talent and enthusiasm, making for a powerful performance.

The Mike Mitchell Band opened on Saturday, followed by a great line up: Lindley Creek, Danny Paisley & Southern Grass, Henhouse Prowlers, and Authentic Unlimited. This was our first time seeing Authentic Unlimited and their soaring harmonies blew us away.

The evening set began under cloudy skies. Before the second band even ended, sprinkles were falling and the weather radar didn’t look good. The Podunk crew faced a dilemma, to let the show go on, or get prepared for plan B. Just as the skies broke open with torrential rain, lightning, and thunder, their plan B was in motion. Authentic Unlimited’s set was moved undercover to the Housatonic Stage, and the audience set up in their chairs under a roof began drying off.

The audience, now all gathered together rather than spread out on a hillside, clearly did not mind the change in venue. In fact, the compact quarters created a more intimate setting where Authentic Unlimited’s playful show and incredible musicianship was greeted by enthusiastic clapping and hoots of appreciation.

The second part of plan B meant that the headliner, Steep Canyon Rangers, also needed to play undercover. Steep Canyon Rangers and the promoters decided to hold their show inside the Hospitality Barn and to have the band play acoustically. The audience happily moved from the Housatonic Stage to the Hospitality Barn. With limited room for chairs, most of the audience stood in a circle around the band as they played, surprised by the opportunity to hear the band in such a close setting. Steep Canyon Raiders rose to the occasion and put on a rollicking show. The festival goers will not soon forget this unique occasion or the electric storm that sent them all for cover.

While all this music could be heard at the main stage, there were workshops, emerging artists from Connecticut and beyond playing on the Housatonic Stage, late night jams led by main stage bands, vendors to explore, Cajun and contra dances, the Podunk Kid’s Academy, and all day jamming in the campgrounds.

Thomas Point Beach Bluegrass Festival – 2022 report

Béla Fleck’s My Bluegrass Heart at the 2022 Thomas Point Beach Bluegrass Festival

It was clear at the 2022 Thomas Point Beach Bluegrass Festival in Brunswick, ME that strict COVID protocols have been mostly lifted. Attendance was great and they sold out of both day and camping tickets on Saturday and Sunday. If this is any indication of why the IBMA nominated this festival for Event of the Year, along with high attendance, excellent line ups, stellar camping, and lively campfire picking, Thomas Point Beach Bluegrass Festival is a shoe in for the award.

The festival began on Thursday with the 2019 Showcase Winners, the Ruta Beggars. They won that competition for good reason, as they entertained the crowd from the get-go. Their energy, instrumental expertise, powerful vocals, and remarkable creativity set a great tone for the rest of the festival. The competition continued with this year’s bands including The Hosmer Mountain Boys, Bad Oats, Poor Monroe, Stoneface Mountain, On the Trail, and Hall Pass Bluegrass.

After the stage break, Thomas Point’s 2021 competition winners, Eugene Tyler Band, played, giving the judges time to tally their scores. In the end On the Trail won the competition and the Eugene Tyler Band presented the band with a trophy, one that they commissioned themselves. They loved being winners themselves and thought it would be fun to have a trophy passed on to future winners. Right after the announcement of the showcase winners, Danny Paisley & The Southern Grass took to the stage to finish off main stage entertainment.New this year, The Henhouse Prowlers then led a dance party in the Late Night Tent.

At night, the campsite jams filled the air. While there were a few super jams that played tunes at a faster pace, there were plenty of other jams for all levels to join. Lots of banjos were in attendance this year as were fiddles and basses.

Friday started off with Eugene Tyler Band, followed by the Ruta Beggars, Danny Paisley & The Southern Grass, and The Henhouse Prowlers. Later that night, The Appalachian Road Show came to the stage playing old timey music and giving a history lesson that shined light on the culture, lifestyle, and hardship of growing up in the Appalachian Mountains, the roots of bluegrass.

Dan Tyminski then fired up the crowd with his six-piece band which includes Gaven Largent on dobro, Maddie Denton on fiddle, Jason Davis on banjo, Grace Davis on bass, and Harry Clark on mandolin. It was clear that Tyminski chose a talented and young crew for his band that lent vibrancy to the music and the whole Tyminski show. He started with Man of Constant Sorrow, and finished with a collection of new songs that left many in the crowd choked up and amazed at the emotional depth and complexity of his lyrics. After 30 plus years of playing bluegrass, he has no intention of resting on his fame and laurels.

Saturday began with a set of waltzes from The Dale and Darcy Band, another new twist to this already fantastic festival. It was a welcome and gentle beginning to the day. Friday’s line up was tough to follow, but Mike and Jen Mulligan along Shari Elder had set up a full day of impressive bands on Saturday as well, including Erica Brown and The Bluegrass Connection, The Rock Hearts, who surprised everyone when Johnathan Edwards joined them for two tunes, Bluegrass Cardinals Tribute Show, Mile Twelve with new member Ella Jordon on fiddle, The Po’ Ramblin’ Boys, and Béla Fleck’s My Bluegrass Heart, which included a line up of the best of the new generation of players, including Jacob Jolliff who has been touring with the band over the summer. Rock Hearts then led a lively jam at the Caboose to finish off the night.

Given that Labor Day is a long weekend, Sunday included another full line up. It began with a beachfront Sunday Service led by Mike and Mary Robinson. Sister Sadie was a welcome addition to the gospel tunes. On the main stage, The Burnett Sisters with Colin Ray began the morning followed by Sister Sadie, who have two new full-time musicians, Jaelee Roberts on vocals and guitar and Mary Meyer on mandolin. This all-women’s band offers a dynamic and lively show, and we loved it. The day also included performances from Breakin’ Strings, Rock Hearts, The Thomas Point Young Pickers and Singers, and a Thomas Point main stay, Leroy Troy and the Tennessee Mafia Jug Band.

While some campers did pack up and leave on Sunday afternoon, most stayed for the big finale, the Travelin’ McCourys, followed by Sister Sade, and to everyone’s delight, The Del McCoury Band. The audience clearly loved hearing Del both sing and talk between tunes. Audience members called out requests which Del took even as he joked that he might not remember the words. This is Del’s 18th performance at Thomas Point, having played in 1981 for the first time. No more needs to be said about the crowd’s reaction to the set. OK… just a little bit more. Del’s bluegrass fans, and those hearing him and his band for the first time, simply loved the show. Standing ovation.

Next year? Shari Elder, along with Mike and Jen Mulligan, are already at work on their 2023 line up. Always wanting to keep the festival fresh, they added a few new wrinkles to the festival this year that may become annual events. One was when MC Cecil Abels drove a local duo, Green Heron, around the campground in a golf cart as they played tunes from the back seat. Another was having a dance tent on Friday night. For the first time they also had what Abels called a “tweener” band play between the Appalachian Roadshow and the Dan Tyminski Band. Elder says that they were trying to avoid the long set changes that can interrupt the flow of the music. The band Old Hat played this set, and Elder says that they will try to expand on these “tweener” sets next year. Finally, having a set of waltzes to start the morning, performed by the Dale and Darcy Band, filled a musical void for the folks who are early risers and ready for music by 9:00. Some folks even enjoyed a morning waltz!

Elder says that there were all kinds of magic moments during the festival, one being a gospel song sung by Jaelee Roberts for a multi-generational Thomas Point family who had unexpectedly lost their father, Tom Bellows, just two weeks before the festival. The family asked if she could sing one of his favorite gospel tunes, How Great Thou Art. With his wife Maggie, his 8 children, 28 grandchildren, and several great grandchildren in attendance, this was a beautiful tribute.

With a full array of Master and Instructional workshops, a young pickers program, family activities, and a jam tent schedule that included a Wernick Method bluegrass jam class led by Austin Scelzo from Rock Hearts, this festival had something for everybody.

There is no doubt that Mike, Jen, and Shari love of all varieties of music, and they are also eager to keep their bluegrass community happy. By slowly introducing these other aspects into their festival they are ensuring the festival’s survival as time marches on and times and audiences change.

2022 Green Mountain festival report

Punch Brothers at the Green Mountain Bluegrass and Roots festival (8/20/22) – photo by Dale Cahill

Green Mountain Bluegrass and Roots festival which takes place at Hunter Park in Manchester, Vermont, kicked off its third annual festival with a stellar line up, a fantastic site, and almost perfect weather. The program says it best, “With two festivals and a global pandemic under our belts, we could not be more excited.”

Saints and Liars opened the festival on Friday morning, followed by Jeff Black and then Ric Robertson. In the late afternoon Jacob Jolliff’s Band was temporarily delayed by a quick and drenching thunderstorm. When the sun came back, Jake and his band fired things right back up. With a new album just released, Jolliff played a mixture of new tunes and a collection of his own instrumentals and familiar bluegrass covers. Next came Sam Grisman and Friends and the day ended with Caleb Klauder and Reeb Willms Country Band.

As if that wasn’t enough, the music continued at the Lamplighter stage. To get there, the audience had to walk on a wide path through the woods where strings of lights lit up the trees, and an eerie mist settled in to accompany the crowd to their destination, a beautiful meadow with a small hand-hewn stage where Dominick Leslie and Ric Robertson followed by Brittany Haas and Friends kept the show going for all who wandered in. After the music wrapped up, jams could be heard throughout the campground.

Saturday morning began with Allison De Groot and Tatiana Hargreaves. They were followed by Twisted Pine, a band that is fast becoming a favorite here on the East Coast and beyond. Never have we heard a pizzicato fiddle break, but we did during the Twisted Pine set when lead singer Kathleen Parks picked up her fiddle and plucked out a break that surprised and delighted the crowd. Caitlin Canty played next and was followed by Anger, Walsh, Harman, Pool, and Gilchrist who played tunes in E and A.

After the dinner break, the audience was treated to a group of touring artists whose gig marked the end of their American Acoustic tour. The set included Christ Thile and the Punch Brothers, Watchhouse, and the powerful voice of Sarah Jarosz. This group of mega talented musicians played for almost four hours straight with no interruptions by stage changes and set up delays. Instead, they wove on and off the stage beginning with Watchhouse who were joined by Sarah Jarosz. When Watchhouse smoothly exited the stage, Jarosz and Chris Thile took over. At that point, Watchhouse returned to the stage and all the musicians played together. The set was incomparable to anything we have seen at a bluegrass roots festival. Leftover Salmon finished the night and sent the audience off to the Lamplighter stage to hear Jordan Tice, composer and guitar player, Christian Sedelmyer on fiddle, and Watchhouse’s Andrew Marlin on mandolin.

The music continued Sunday with another great line up, starting with local favorites Carling and Will followed by Bella White, and then am extraordinary set by Michael Daves and a group of his talented friends including Jacob Jolliff, Brittany Haas, and The Hargreaves brother and sister team, Tatiana and Alex. Daves is known as “the leading light of the New York bluegrass scene.” Over the past decade Michael has sparked a generation of musicians in and around New York City, and continues to draw other musicians to join him on stage, like Chris Thile, Sarah Jarosz, and Jacob Jollif. This was a tough act to follow by Hawktail at 2:30, and a set of acoustic Leftover Salmon. The finale was a group of GMBR all stars who played and sang Skaggs and Rice.

Just in its third year, we have no doubt that Green Mountain Bluegrass and Roots Festival will draw larger and larger crowds. In fact, we don’t want to sing it’s praises too much in fear that this hidden gem will grow in leaps and bounds. Promoters and curators Jill Turpin and her husband John say that that won’t happen. They want to remain a family friendly festival with a combination of bluegrass standards and an exploration of roots music that includes a wide range of music styles.

Clearly the Turpins have created and implemented a festival formula that attracts both a large crowd of music lovers as well as high caliber artists. They do this on a lovely Vermont site surrounded by the Green Mountains, and in the shadow of Mount Equinox. They offered a full range of camp sites, riverside, tree line, woodland, glamping, and open field. Most impressive though was the hospitality that Jill and John extended to attendees and their musicians. Signs of this hospitality included clean porta lets, encouragement to treat others with respect, an easy to access stage area, welcoming and well-organized volunteers, a Kids Corner lead by the local Red Fox Community School, and of course a commitment to sustainability with easy to find recycling, trash, and compost bins.

Everyone was welcoming, and Jill and John modeled a kindness and calm that set the stage for a mindful, peaceful, and joyous music festival in the Green Mountains.