Who's Going to DelFest?

DelFest is here. Well almost; the actual festival is Memorial Weekend (May 23-26); but the lineup is here. And what an awesome lineup it is. Two sets from Trey, Del McCoury, Old Crow, Yonder Mountain, Trampled, the Stringdusters and CCD. Plus the Masters of Bluegrass (Del McCoury, Bobby Osborne, J.D. Crowe, Bobby Hicks, and Jerry McCoury). There's no doubt that I'm finally going to head to Cumberland Maryland for this festival. Three day tickets are $140.

The Del McCoury Band
Trey Anastasio Band (2 sets) • Old Crow Medicine Show
Yonder Mountain String Band • The Masters of Bluegrass
Trampled By Turtles • Carolina Chocolate Drops
The Travelin’ McCourys • The Infamous Stringdusters
Greensky Bluegrass • The Campbell Brothers
Sarah Jarosz • Pikelny, Sutton, McCoury, Bulla & Bales
Davisson Brothers Band • Larry Keel and Natural Bridge
Elephant Revival • Missy Raines and The New Hip
The Rambling Rooks • Reverend Peyton's Big Damn Band
Hackensaw Boys • Joe Craven
Mamajowali • Spirit Family Reunion • Blue Mafia
and more TBA!

Album Review: Wood & Wire's Self Titled Debut Album

Just this week I was selling the virtues of the old South Austin Jug Band, when I learn that one of its founders, mandolist Matt Slusher, is part of  Wood & Wire - a  four piece bluegrass outfit out of Austin. Co-founder, in fact. Along with the other co-founder and guitarist Tony Kamel, bassist Dom Fisher, and  Trevor Smith on banjo; the band released their debut self titled album in early February. These are all original tracks blending Austin's country and American sound with more traditional mountain bluegrass that Slusher describes as “Dirty Texas Grass.” Throughout the CD, the picking is tight, whether its the flat head guitar, bass, mandolin, or banjo - that perhaps is the most enjoyable aspect of the CD. That and the vocal harmonies. And then when they add Brittany Haas and her fiddle in “Fool Out of Me" - that could be my favorite track. Or "Rambler's Blues". Or "Coal Mining One". Select yours, there's thirteen to choose from. And check out their upcoming tour dates with the Yonder Mountain String Band.

The 17th Year of Gathering of the Vibes - 2012

Looking for a reason to visit New England this summer? Then check out the Gathering of the Vibes, the famed music festival running July 19-22nd in Bridgeport, CT. Tickets range from $40-$65 for single day or $205 for an advanced weekend pass.

"Gathering of the Vibes is an annual music, arts and camping festival now in its 17th year. Vibes has grown into a four-day festival that has featured such world-class talent as Crosby, Stills and Nash, all living members of the Grateful Dead, the Allman Brothers Band, James Brown, the Black Crowes, Buddy Guy, Jimmy Cliff, Primus, George Clinton and P-Funk, Bruce Hornsby, Les Claypool and many, many more big names, while continuing to showcase extraordinarily talented, young, up-and-coming bands to the 15-25 thousand people who attend each year. "

PRIMUS • PHIL LESH & FRIENDS • BOB WEIR & BRUCE HORNSBY
WITH SPECIAL GUEST BRANFORD MARSALIS
STS9 • 7 WALKERS FEATURING BILL KREUTZMANN • MICKEY HART BAND • STRANGEFOLK REUNION
YONDER MOUNTAIN STRING BAND • STEEL PULSE • ZAPPA PLAYS ZAPPA • THE AVETT BROTHERS
THE GREYBOY ALLSTARS • GEORGE PORTER JR. & RUNNIN’ PARDNERS • KELLER WILLIAMS • DARK STAR ORCHESTRA
MATES OF STATE • DEEP BANANA BLACKOUT • ALO • RYAN MONTBLEAU BAND • MAX CREEK • ASSEMBLY OF DUST
ZACH DEPUTY • KUNG FU • JOE PUG • TOUBAB KREWE • OUTERNATIONAL • DAVID GANS • THE MCLOVINS • PAPADOSIO
DANGERMUFFIN & YARN • DOPAPOD • COSMIC JIBAROS • TWIDDLE • BAND TOGETHER • ANDY THE MUSIC MAN • LUCID