Winter Bluegrass Jubilee

02/10/2026

Friends of POSAM and the Young Appalachian Musicians,

After thoughtful consideration, we have made the difficult decision to cancel the 2026 Winter Bluegrass Jubilee.

This is a pause, not an ending.

For 14 years, the Winter Bluegrass Jubilee has brought thousands together, introduced hundreds of young musicians to the stage, and helped families across the Upstate connect through old-time and bluegrass music. Today, more than 500 elementary-aged students participate annually in our programs, learning not just music, but confidence, discipline, and community.

In 2026, our focus turns to strengthening that work. We are expanding weekly instruction, workshops, jams, and performances throughout the region, while investing more deeply in program quality, instructor support, and meaningful performance opportunities for our students.

We are deeply grateful to the musicians, volunteers, sponsors, donors, parents, and fans who have made the Winter Bluegrass Jubilee what it is. Your support has built something that lasts far beyond a single event.

The Winter Bluegrass Jubilee has long been one of our largest annual fundraising events. While we will miss that support this year, the need for funding our instruction, instruments, instructors, and performance opportunities remains. If you are able, please consider making a donation to help keep the music alive and ensure these traditions continue to be passed down to the next generation.

We look forward to gathering again soon, in ways that best serve the music, the kids, and the community we all care about.

With appreciation,
Preserving Our Southern Appalachian Music (POSAM) in support of YAM) Young Appalachian Musicians program

https://yamupstate.com/events/winter-bluegrass-jubilee/

01/28/2026

Due to increasing confidence in a significant winter storm this weekend, the Winter Bluegrass Jubilee will be rescheduled.

With many in our community still recovering from last weekend’s ice storm, we felt it best to postpone so we can gather safely and enjoyably.

We’re grateful for your support of the Jubilee and the Young Appalachian Musicians. We plan to reschedule this spring and hope you’ll join us.

Ticket holders may choose a full refund or carry tickets forward to the spring event. We’ll share details once the new date is confirmed.

01/23/2026

Great job Tiffany and Sweet Potato Pie Kids! Thank you for your help promoting the Jubilee! We are only 8 days out now!

If you don't have your tickets yet, visit yamupstate.com to secure them now!

https://www.wspa.com/video/young-appalachian-musicians/11450351

Your Carolina

01/23/2026

🪕🎻🎙️Let us know if we'll see you at the Winter Bluegrass Jubilee on January 31, 2026, in Pickens, South Carolina.

01/21/2026

Bluegrass and Company is an award winning band of three multi-talented musicians from Pickens County, SC. They enjoy sharing their love of music in churches, at festivals, and private events in and around their community and neighboring states. Members are Elijah, Alyssa and Malachi.

The three members of Bluegrass and Company met through the Sweet Potato Pie Kids, YAMS (Young Appalachian Musicians) elite performance band. It was here they discovered their mutual love for bluegrass music. Even though they formed their band over four years ago they have continued to teach in the program that gave them their start as well as continuing their personal music studies themselves. By calling themselves Bluegrass and Company, they play many genres of music in the style of bluegrass music. The bands goal is to share their faith and their love of bluegrass music for all to know and come to love.

Make sure to catch these three on the Jubilee stage at 11am.

Enjoy the videos and music you love, upload original content, and share it all with friends, family, and the world on YouTube.

01/18/2026

Creekwater Collective is a vibrant group of young, award-winning multi-instrumentalists from Upstate South Carolina—several of whom grew up in the Young Appalachian Musicians program. Inspired by legends like Tony Rice, Bill Monroe, and Earl Scruggs, they blend deep-rooted tradition with fresh energy, embodying the very spirit of YAM and the future it continues to nurture.

They will be taking the stage at the Jubilee at 11:50am.

https://www.facebook.com/reel/1186079969674761

01/15/2026

Tigertown Roots: Clemson University Bluegrass Band was founded during the Fall 2017 school year under the direction of Dr. Mark Hosler and student leader, Ryan Wilson. What started as an idea presented by Ryan as a project has turned into a talent filled, high energy performing bluegrass ensemble.

Be sure to check them out at the Jubilee. They will be on stage at 12:40pm

Breazeale's Grocery Bluegrass | Tiger Town Roots Clemson University

01/14/2026

Growing up in upstate South Carolina, Ella Hennessee developed a passion for traditional Appalachian music while taking lessons with the Young Appalachian Musician Program. In addition to making lifelong friends, mentors, and memories, she learned to play Guitar, Fiddle, upright Bass, and Mandolin. She even went on to pursue classical violin at the South Carolina Governor's School and then Appalachian State University's Hayes School of Music. She now lives in Nashville TN, and is a full-time musician. Ella has already shared the stage with many of her idols at Merlefest, Floydfest, IBMAs World of Bluegrass, and, as of earlier this year, The Grand Ole Opry. No matter where she goes, Ella Hennesee's Appalachian roots and influences remain the core of her artistry.

We are honored and excited to welcome Ella back to the community that helped shape her as she joins us at the Jubilee this year. Catch her on stage at 1:30pm.

We had the pleasure of meeting Ella Hennessee at Merle Fest this year. Turns out we had to travel all the way to North Carolina to find out she lives just up...

01/13/2026

The East Tennessee State University Bluegrass Pride Band is comprised of talented and award-winning student performers with many years of musical experience accounted to each member. As one of the Bluegrass, Old-Time, and Roots Music program’s nearly 40 bands, the group has performed in seven foreign countries and at noteworthy venues including the Smithsonian National Folklife Festival, NATO Headquarters in Brussels, and the Kennedy Center. The band performs by invitation at bluegrass festivals and performing arts centers across the country.

We are excited to have the ETSU Bluegrass Pride Band joining us at the Jubilee this year! They will take the stage at 2:20pm.

The ETSU Bluegrass Pride Band played for us this morning in the Daytime studio as they will be performing next week during the 4th annual Blue Highway Fest i...

01/11/2026

Will Clark is a hard-driving bluegrass musician from the Upstate of South Carolina. Will started playing mandolin at the age of 9, he has a unique style with influences from Adam Steffey to Bill Monroe. His versatile style of mandolin playing is highly sought after in the industry and he is known in the industry for his "legendary" chop which is unlike any other on the circuit and is immediately recognizable to any who follow his music. He has played on the professional bluegrass circuit for many years with acts such as James King Band, Williamson Branch, Bluegrass Outlaws, The Nashville Celts, Nathan Stanley, and self-titled band Will Clark & Rhythm Section, The Dave Adkins Band and Terry Baucom's Dukes of Drive.

Catch Will on the Jubilee stage at 3:10!

01/10/2026

Alan Bibey & Grasstowne is comprised of very well respected veterans of bluegrass music, as well as some of the finest young musicians in the industry. This combination together makes Alan Bibey & Grasstowne one of the hottest and most energetic bands touring today! Band leader, Alan Bibey, is a multi-award-winning and Grammy-nominated artist known for his exceptional mandolin mastery. He is joined by two-time SPBGMA Bass Player of the Year Zak McLamb; one of the most highly respected banjo players in bluegrass, Justin Jenkins; flatpicker and rhythm guitarist Jeff Huffman; and Kati Penn, widely recognized as one of the greatest voices and fiddle players in bluegrass.

We are beyond excited to welcome Alan Bibey & Grasstowne as a headliner for the Winter Bluegrass Jubilee, where their high-energy sound and world-class musicianship are sure to deliver an unforgettable performance.

Hitchhiking to California is a rare album that lives in the past and present simultaneously; while its instrumentation harkens us back to the olden times of ...