Thanks so much, Bluegrass Unlimited…what an honor!!

Good times all around! We were an Official Showcase Artist at International Bluegrass Music Association‘s annual conference, and then we performed at the Wide Open Festival on Saturday.

Wide Open Street Fair

Loved our showcases at California Bluegrass Association‘s exquisite & enthusiastic suite. Congrats to Noam Pikelny, Banjo Player of the Year! Thanks Crescendo Artists, our booking agency out of Colorado, who hosted us for their showcase at Architect Bar Thursday night. What a cool hang! Next up, running down the sidewalk at midnight (with heavy Calton Cases) for Musicians United showcase following Jim Lauderdale! 

The band & crew may have collapsed in exhaustion after a long day, which included a video shoot, Gig Fair, and a full day of manning our lovely trade show booth, but several of us made it up to infamous Marriott 3rd floor for picking & socializing at the various hospitality suites. Saturday brought the guitar workshop, with Kenny Smith, Allen Shadd, & Rebecca Frazier. The workshop brought a few surprises including a special request for my own “Virginia Coastline.” The workshop was also an awesome reminder of why I used to learn so many Kenny Smith solos when I lived in Colorado. That man’s tone, artistry, and creativity is fully unique. What a blessing to get paired with him again this year. Somehow I also hadn’t realized that Kenny picks a ’35 D-18! Pretty amazing. 🙂

We loved our other showcases- Pour House, Kings, Convention Center, and Boston Bluegrass Union. We also owe a huge thanks to my pal Cassie, who came along and helped with the booth, merchandise, and overall moral support. It was a great week! Thanks to everyone who made it happen!

Thanks to everyone who hosted us for our pre-IBMA run! It was great to get a shout-out in Asheville’s Mountain Xpress before our Isis Music Hall show, and Tellico sounded amazing! Thanks so much to Anya Hinkle for bringing her 2 year old playmate to sound-check….It was Cora’s first time touring solo with her mom (big bro had to stay at home for kindergarten).

The Blue Grass Bash in Richmond had their biggest crowd yet, which helped us raise funds for St. Stephen’s and their many good works! Roanoke brought a wonderful crowd to party and dance at Martin’s Downtown. And coastal Virginia was beautiful as always, and proved to be a mecca of bluegrass lovers as well. Thanks White Dog Bistro and Mathews, VA!