By Katherine Weadley

Redstone Review News Editor

LYONS –The RockyGrass Bluegrass Festival, a three-day mostly bluegrass festival by Planet Bluegrass at the Planet Bluegrass Ranch in Lyons, focused last year on many of the founding legends of bluegrass. This year for its 41st anniversary, RockyGrass shifts to the collaborative nature of bluegrass with numerous unusual or even only-at-RockyGrass pairings.

One of music’s all-time great collaborators, dobro legend Jerry Douglas, is putting together a very special all-star only-at-RockyGrass trad (traditional) bluegrass band, according to Brian Eyster of Planet Bluegrass. Also, Del McCoury will perform a special set of duets with Sam Bush, and mandolin great (who is also a world-renowned clarinetist) Andy Statman will premiere his new trio with Tim O’Brien and fiery fiddler Michael Cleveland.  Jamband star Keller Williams will explore his bluegrass side with the Travelin’ McCourys.

With their modern take on African American old-time stringband music, Carolina Chocolate Drops will return to RockyGrass after nearly inciting a euphoric riot during their unforgettable 2008 set.

According to Eyster, Planet Bluegrass is really excited about many of the younger bands making their RockyGrass debuts this July. The Deadly Gentlemen will feature Colorado native Dominick Leslie in a quintet that will bring a hip and youthful take to progressive acoustic music. I Draw Slow, who hail from Ireland but play very traditional folk-influenced bluegrass with an Irish accent, will also appear.

“Several bands who blew us away in Wildflower Concerts in the past year will make their RockyGrass debuts, including Colorado jamgrassers Head for the Hills, the Seattle-based duo of Cahalen Morrison and Eli West, and banjo virtuoso Jayme Stone,” Eyster said.

 

Locals Only

Three-day passes for the 41st Annual RockyGrass Festival (July 26 to 28) sold out in early January, exactly a month earlier than ever before. But as with past years, Planet Bluegrass has reserved a large block of both three-day passes and single-day tickets to sell only to Lyons locals. These tickets are sold exclusively at the Stone Cup Café beginning Wed., Feb. 20.

As with past years, approximately half of these tickets will be sold at a discount of $5 per day. Three-day RockyGrass festival passes will be discounted to $120 (includes a $15 discount) and single-day tickets will be discounted to $50 (includes a $5 discount).  After the discounted tickets are gone, the remaining locals tickets will be sold at the regular price.

These special Lyons-locals tickets will be available only at the Stone Cup Café on High Street in Lyons. Payment must be made via cash or local check. No phone or internet orders are accepted.  A local ID or proof of residency in the 80540 zip code is required. This offer is limited to two tickets per person and is strictly enforced.

Single-day RockyGrass tickets will not be available to the general public until Thursday, February 21. So Lyons locals will have the first opportunity to purchase these tickets. Based on the historic demand for three-day passes, these tickets may sell-out quickly.

Discounted tickets for Lyons residents to the 23rd Annual Rocky Mountain Folks Festival (Aug 16 to18) will be available later this spring.

Here is the official announcement of the 41st Annual RockyGrass Festival, July 26-28, 2013, Planet Bluegrass Ranch, Lyons:

FRIDAY, JULY 26……Del McCoury Band  * Tim O’Brien * Kruger Brothers * The Steeldrivers * Kathy Kallick Band * Helen Highwater * Jayme Stone * Front Country

SATURDAY, JULY 27……..Jerry Douglas & Friends * Carolina Chocolate Drops * Sam Bush & Del McCoury * Blue Highway * Old-Time Kosmik Trio * I Draw Slow * The Deadly Gentlemen

SUNDAY, JULY 28……Sam Bush Bluegrass Band * Keller Williams with The Travelin’ McCourys * Peter Rowan * Andy Statman Trio featuring Tim O’Brien & Michael Cleveland * Head for the Hills * Cahalen Morrison & Eli West * Gospel Set.

Katherine Weadley is a freelance writer and a librarian. She worked as a reporter for the Daily Camera in Boulder. She lives in Lyons with her family and dog Wolfie.

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