Danny Booth, Jim Chayka, Alisa Rose, and Tyson Alteri have put together a sound that combines tradition with freshness, and honors the first generation masters while clearly making a statement that they’ve got something to bring to the genre themselves. All the basic ingredients of good bluegrass are there – driving rhythm, soaring fiddling, hot picking, sweet, tight harmonies, and nimble choreography around the single mic. But what really puts them over with a crowd is the passion and excitement they express through their music. It’s spontaneous, it’s intense, it’s simply joyful.
The Stanleytones Bluegrass Band was formed in 1999, when the original members met while attending local jam sessions in the Boulder area. The band was named after the Stanley Brothers, Ralph and Carter, who played throughout the 50’s until Carter’s death in 1964. Having recently finished recording a new album, The Stanleytones’ passion for traditional bluegrass is evident in the their sound, and has made them into what they are today---a classic bluegrass band reminiscent of those early bands of the 50’s and 60’s, with an added repertoire of original compositions comprised of melodic instrumentals and skillful vocal harmonies.
Winners of the 2008 Telluride Bluegrass festival band contest, the Blue Canyon Boys offer a unique style of Colorado Bluegrass steeped in tradition with enough excursions to keep all types of music lovers tapping their feet. This bluegrass powerhouse consists of Gary Dark on mandolin, Jason Hicks on guitar, Drew Garrett on bass, and Jeff Scroggins on banjo. Blending incredible brother-duet-style vocals and hard-driving instrumental proficiency, this energetic band is driving audiences to their feet and keeping them there. With two well-received recordings of originals and interpretations of traditional songs by the likes of Monroe, Stanley, and McReynolds the Blue Canyon Boys have become one of Colorado’s most celebrated Front Range bluegrass bands.
Finders and Youngberg is a well-establishedIowa Arts Festival finale, Iowa City, IA; the band bows to a crowd of one thousand, five hundred people. folk/bluegrass/country musical group, a partnership between two talented couples whose paths have converged to carve a distinct mark. The Finders (from Iowa at the time) met The Youngbergs (from Colorado) in Chicago, 2005 while playing with other bands and sharing the billing. Their subsequent musical relationship has grown from random shows in the half-way ground of Nebraska to a Finders' Family relocation, a "knock-your-socks-off" recording project (*see below*), and some outstanding live performances. Though this alliance is newly solidified, the experience of the individuals is boldly evident in the award-winning songwriting and the spaces between the seasoned vocal and instrumental performances. To be sure, the synergy of this quartet sparkles brighter than the stage lights.
Each year Club Nine, a non-profit consisting of local civic-minded chefs, donates the proceeds from Fiddles, Vittles and Vino to further agricultural programs at Rock Ledge Ranch. The fruits of their labor thus far include funding apple trees to rejuvenate the property's orchard, as well as an asparagus and berry crop. Club Nine hopes to eventually fund larger projects such as the construction of a greenhouse. These projects both beautify the Ranch while restoring it's original purpose, with the ultimate goal being a synergy between local restaurants and Rock Ledge Ranch Historic Site.
The Rock Ledge Ranch Historic Site is an educational, non-profit living history farm and museum. Click the logo below to go to their website.
