Bluegrass In Paradise Fest Crested Butte w/ Emmitt, Nershi

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.