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BLUEGRASS COMES HOME TO CRESTED BUTTE; A NEW ROOTS GATHERING FINDS ITSELF IN
PARADISE
 Drew Emmitt |
For thirteen years, the Crested Butte Music Festival (CBMF) has turned Crested Butte into one big concert
hall in the summer, with music resounding from outdoors venues, hotels, stunning private homes, churches and
barns. This summer, for the first time, CBMF will host Bluegrass in Paradise, a five-day festival for one of
the most popular musical genres in the American West. From July 6-10, both traditional bluegrass and "newgrass"
will be showcased in a range of events: a three-day camp for kids, workshops for adults, jam sessions, children's
performances and six top-level bands. For five days of foot-stomping fun, learning, and camaraderie, Bluegrass in Paradise will keep festival goers on their feet.
The host of the Festival is internationally acclaimed newgrass star – and resident of Crested Butte – Drew Emmitt. Emmitt is not only
one of the most energetic and innovative mandolin players in bluegrass today, he is also a singer, storyteller, and
master of multiple stringed instruments. He has played with the band Leftover Salmon, and most recently, the
Drew Emmitt Band. This jack-of-all-roots-trades will be a stimulating guide through the five days of Bluegrass in
Paradise.
2010 Performer Lineup:
Ralph Stanley & The Clinch Mountain Boys: Stanley, The Godfather of bluegrass, is still the best banjo picker and tenor singer in bluegrass music
after 55 years in the business. As a recording artist, he has performed on more than 170 albums, tapes and CDs. He has written countless songs both individually and together with his brother, the late Carter Stanley. Ralph has played throughout the United States and the world, including several tours of Japan.
Emmitt-Nershi Band:
Festival host Drew Emmitt will perform with Billy Nershi, the founding member and acoustic guitarist of The String Cheese Incident, an American
jam band from Boulder, Colorado. The Emmitt-Nershi Band will feature Emmitt on mandolin and vocals, Nershi on
acoustic guitar and vocals, Andy Thorn who plays with both Larry Keel and the Drew Emmitt
band on banjo, and Tyler Grant from the Drew Emmitt Band on bass.
Bearfoot: Bluegrass music
from Alaska? Not just any bluegrass, but some of the best. Telluride Band Contest winner Bearfoot has a fresh
approach to acoustic music that features twin fiddles, fast-picking mandolin and guitar, upright bass, and beautiful
harmony vocals. Bearfoot's exuberant stage presence elicits an appeal that bridges generations.
Shannon Whitworth:
Shannon Whitworth, a founding member of the acclaimed acoustic quartet The Biscuit Burners, has set a high bar
for Americana music in the last few years. Her definitive songwriting and captivating voice have earned her national
praise. Shannon's debut solo release, No Expectations, is pure, strong, and heartfelt, catching
the ears and touching the hearts of the most unsuspecting bystander.
Blue Highway: Now in its
sixteenth year as a band, Grammy-nominated Blue Highway is indisputably one of the most esteemed and influential
groups in contemporary bluegrass. With a deep bench of virtuosic songwriters, vocalists and instrumentalists, Blue
Highway's hallmark is an unwavering commitment to the ensemble, the "democracy of the band" that makes Blue
Highway a powerhouse.
Spring Creek: In 2009,
Spring Creek joined the ranks of Ralph Stanley & The Clinch Mountain Boys, Kenny & Amanda Smith and Steep Canyon Rangers as a Rebel Records
recording artist. Hailing from Lyons Colorado, Spring Creek's creative original songs and meticulous harmony vocals
made it the first Colorado-based band to be signed by Rebel.
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