Wintergrass Music Festival

08/26/2026

Today's band highlight: The John Hartford Fiddle Tune Project. They are performing Thursday and Friday.

https://events.humanitix.com/wintergrass-2027/tickets

The musical legacy of John Hartford has found a new chapter with The John Hartford Fiddle Tune Project; Mandolinist Sharon Gilchrist, fiddle player Rachel Baiman, and banjo/guitarist Ella Korth bring newly discovered Hartford tunes to old-time and bluegrass fans everywhere. These compositions, found handwritten in 60 notebooks after John’s death, were compiled in The John Hartford Mammoth Collection of Fiddle Tunes, and recorded on the GRAMMY-nominated album, The John Hartford Fiddle Tune Project Vol. 1, and Vol. 2: Julia Belle. Julia Belle was co-produced by Gilchrist and released in February 2025. The John Hartford Fiddle Tune Project is passionate about sharing these tunes far and wide so that they can become part of the roots music canon for future musicians to love and enjoy.

08/19/2026

Today's band highlight: JigJam They are performing Thursday and Friday

https://events.humanitix.com/wintergrass-2027/tickets

When virtuoso Irish playing jumps the pond running naked through the wide open fields of bluegrass/Americana JigJam is born. Bluegrass and American folk music originated from the group’s home, and now JigJam is here to take it back!

JigJam made its Grand Ole Opry debut in Nashville in March 2023 to critical acclaim receiving a standing ovation from a sold-out crowd on country music’s biggest stage. The group was joined that night by Garth Brooks, Trisha Yearwood, Steve Earle, Lauren Alaina, and many more. This Offaly and Tipperary-born band has started the first wave of attack in the new Irish invasion of Americana.

“Foot stomping,” “high-energy” badassery is what you’re in for when you see this musical powerhouse live in concert.

Founding members from Offaly, Jamie McKeogh (lead singer and guitar) and Daithi Melia (5 string banjo and dobro), were joined by Tipperary-born Gavin Strappe (mandolin and tenor banjo) in 2016. This year they are joined by Kevin Buckley (fiddle) to make up this iGrass (Irish Bluegrass) quartet.

Described as “The best Irish band in bluegrass” and “sparkling, infectious” these lads have been hailed as “Ireland’s answer to New Grass Revival.” Bluegrass has its roots in Irish music and Irish immigration. iGrass and JigJam is what happens when the Irish find their prodigal son

08/12/2026

Today's band highlight: East Nash Grass. They are performing Friday and Saturday.

Tickets: https://events.humanitix.com/wintergrass-2027/tickets

East Nash Grass exemplifies the best of what bluegrass has to offer — as being named the 2024 IBMA [International Bluegrass Music Association] New Artist of the Year would suggest. But their breathtaking talent as singers, instrumentalists, and composers is just the beginning. While other acts chase their tail
in search of nostalgia, the secret to East Nash Grass lies in their unflinching ability to be themselves.

It certainly helps that they are a veritable supergroup of award-winners who have been performing longer than anyone would guess that they’ve been alive. With a lifetime of experience in both new and legacy acts (Dan Tyminski, Tim O’Brien, Sierra Hull, Rhonda Vincent, etc.), the tradition of bluegrass is fundamental to who they are as musicians and performers. Yet it’s their irreverent, adventurous, and audacious tendencies as next-gen performers that light a fire under audiences. Their ability to hone this edge was forged in the crucible of a dive bar outside of Nashville, TN that they all but single-handedly put on the (bluegrass) map during their seven-year weekly residency.
After hundreds of sets (and countless late-night jams), through personnel changes, industry changes, and a never-ending string of unprecedented world events, East Nash Grass has coalesced into the hair-raising ensemble of Harry Clark [mandolin], Cory Walker [banjo], Frank Rische [guitar], and Maddie Denton [fiddle]. Their love of both bluegrass and the absurd can be felt in both their live shows and on their new album “All God’s Children” (Mountain Fever, 2025). Much like watching a bowling ball and feather fall together, expectations of what should and shouldn’t work are challenged as the paradox of authenticity is revealed. Shock leads to excitement as risks keep listeners on the edge of
their seats and irrefutable mastery drives home that this is no mere imitation of bluegrass: this IS bluegrass.

08/05/2026

Today's artist highlight: Sierra Hull - She is performing Friday and Saturday

Tickets: https://events.humanitix.com/wintergrass-2027

Sierra Hull is a six-time IBMA Mandolin Player of the Year, two-time Grammy nominee, and one of the most dynamic voices in bluegrass and Americana. Her latest album, A Tip Toe High Wire,
marks a bold new chapter - her first independent release, showcasing her songwriting and instrumental prowess. With guest appearances by Béla Fleck, Tim O’Brien, and Aofie
O'Donovan, the album balances tradition with innovation. Having shared stages with legends like Alison Krauss, Eric Clapton, Sturgill Simpson, Slash and Robert Randolph, Hull continues to
push boundaries, blending technical mastery with heartfelt storytelling as she carves her own path in modern acoustic music.

07/30/2026

At the 2026 Wintergrass festival in Bellevue, Washington, the Fretboard Journal teamed up with filmers I Know We Should to capture some of our favorite artists (and talk gear). In this session, we hear from Missy Raines & Allegheny. First, they perform, "Cold Wind" and "Cold Black Water." https://yo...

07/29/2026

Hey, everyone, it's artist highlights time again! Each week, we'll feature a lineup artist to help you get to know them better.
This week, we'll start with The Jerry Douglas Band. They will be performing on Friday and Saturday. Tickets for Wintergrass are on sale: https://events.humanitix.com/wintergrass-2027

Dobro master and 14-time Grammy winner Jerry Douglas is a bandleader, producer, session musician, instructor, and a very funny guy! He’s produced over a hundred albums and he’s featured on over 1,600 studio albums. He’s a member of Alison Kraus & Union Station, co-bandleader for Transatlantic Sessions in the United Kingdom, founder for the Grammy winner bluegrass super-group The Earls of Leicester, and he leads The Jerry Douglas Band.

Since 2017, The Jerry Douglas Band has been forging new paths into the musical horizon with deep roots in bluegrass and folk that spreads out into the Americana and jazz landscapes. In 2021, The Jerry Douglas Band released an album, Leftover Feelings, with legendary singer songwriter John Hiatt. The album was nominated for a 2022 Grammy for “Best Americana Album,” and their previous record What If also received a Grammy nomination for “Best Contemporary Instrumental Album.” They perform at some of the top US festivals such as Telluride Bluegrass Festival, Pilgrimage Music Festival, Big Ears Festival, DelFest, FreshGrass, Grey Fox Bluegrass Festival, Merlefest, and many others. In addition to Douglas, The Jerry Douglas Band includes Daniel Kimbro on bass, Christian Sedelmyer on fiddle, and Mike Seal on guitar.

07/08/2026

During the 2026 Wintergrass Music festival in Bellevue, WA, The Fretboard Journal teamed up with filmers ‪‬ to capture some of our favorite artists (and talk gear).

Next up, Grant Gordy and Joe K. Walsh perform "Verona" and "Moon River"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vyIi0Uhysno&list=RDvyIi0Uhysno&start_radio=1

A companion video features Grant and Joe talking gear.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7D8XFZGhyj0

The Fretboard Journal is a quarterly, keepsake print magazine celebrating fretted instrument culture, history and people. https://www.fretboardjournal.com

Register now for Wintergrass 2027: https://wintergrass.com
Video by Brad Wagner
Audio by Juan M Soria

Bluegrass innovators & performing at Winterg...

07/01/2026

During the 2026 Wintergrass Music festival in Bellevue, WA, the Fretboard Journal teamed up with filmers ‪‬ to capture some of our favorite artists (and talk gear).

First up, banjo player Tray Wellington performing "Moon In Motion I" / “Moon In Motion III" and "False Idols."
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-vb89U0c1Es

A companion video features Tray going over his banjo, a newer Gibson RB-75.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5QDM2QvuEc0

The Fretboard Journal is a quarterly, keepsake print magazine celebrating fretted instrument culture, history and people. https://www.fretboardjournal.com

Register now for Wintergrass 2027: https://wintergrass.com

Video by Brad Wagner
Audio by Juan M Soria
/
/ iknowweshould

During the 2026 Wintergrass festival in Bellevue, WA, the Fretboard...

05/27/2026

At this past Wintergrass, Saturday night's closing performance on our Grand Ballroom stage was an amazing set with Väsen and Friends. Those friends included Darol Anger and Bruce Molsky; Mike Block and Christylez Bacon; Hanneke Cassel with Yann Falquet and Tristan Clarridge; Jordan Tice and Brittany Haas; The Fretless; and Outlaw Strings from Sisters, Oregon.

The fire alarm went off at the end of the second tune... and everyone had to evacuate. The evacuation was edited out (whew!).

This video is courtesy of Jason Verlinde and The Fretboard Journal. Thank you so much, Jason!

Swedish folk duo Väsen's full set from Wintergrass 2026. Väsen co...