Artists – Main Stage
The Kruger Brothers
Originally from Switzerland, brothers Uwe and Jens Kruger began playing North American folk music at an early age and were particularly inspired by recordings of Doc Watson, Flatt and Scruggs, Bill Monroe, and other progenitors of country, bluegrass and folk music. Their first public performances were as a duo, busking on the streets of cities throughout eastern and Western Europe. After gaining a recording contract as well as a radio show on SRG SSR, the Swiss public broadcaster, they teamed up with bass player Joel Landsberg, inaugurating a trio that has been playing professionally together since 1995. Landsberg is an American citizen from New York, NY. The first recording project to include Landsberg was Behind the Barn, Vol. 2, released in 1997.
The Kruger Brothers moved to the United States in 2002, and are based in Wilkesboro, NC. The group is highly regarded within the world of acoustic music in North America, in particular by those within the industry. They have also gained the attention of some of the musicians, including Bill Monroe, Doc Watson, Tut Taylor, and Bobby Hicks, that once served as models. Watson has said, “The Kruger Brothers are just about as fine a band as I’ve ever played with. … I love to play music with them.”
In 2013, Jens Kruger was named the fourth recipient of the Steve Martin Prize for Excellence in Banjo and Bluegrass Music. The prize, created and endowed by Martin, recognizes “outstanding accomplishments in the field of five-string banjo”; ”Jens was selected by a committee that included Martin, Pete Wernick, Béla Fleck, Alison Brown, J.D. Crowe, Tony Trischka and others.
Jens Kruger has been inducted to the Blue Ridge Music Hall of Fame and has been nominated for Banjo Instrumentalist of the year by the International Bluegrass Musician Association (IBMA) in 2014 and has received commissions for his ensemble compositions that include through the National Endowment for the Arts and Chamber Music America.
Red Wine
Red Wine is one of the most important European Bluegrass bands, active since 1978, with a style that compasses tradiotional and contemporary Bluegrass, Country, Gospel, and Swing.
Starting 1984 Red Wine has played all over Europe, performing at major international festivals and playing concerts in Italy, France, Switzerland, Germany, Ireland, Wales, Holland, Slovenia, Czech Republic, and Austria, sharing the stage with the most important bands and acts from the USA and Europe, and gaining strong following everywhere.
Following the huge success of the 30th anniversary celebration concert in Genova, in 2008, Red Wine has started a new yearly adventure in 2009, the Red Wine Bluegrass Party, with international guests like Tim O’Brien, Laurie Lewis & Tom Rozum, Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver, Peter Rowan, and The Kruger Brothers. In the past 2 years the Party has featured a refreshing opening towards other musical genres (Celtic, Dixieland, Old Time Music), with the valuable help of incredible musicians from Italy and Europe.
Kristen Grainger & True North
Fronted by honey-voiced songwriter Kristen Grainger, the folk-bluegrass powerhouse includes Dan Wetzel, guitar; octave mandolin; Martin Stevens, mandolin, octave mandolin, fiddle; Josh Adkins , bass – and everybody sings. The band’s current release, Ghost Tattoo, was #2 on Folk Alliance International’s Top albums of 2020, and made Folk Alley’s Listeners Choice Top 20 Albums of 2020, hitting #1 on folk radio charts for both albums and singles. According to FAI, Ghost Tattoo was the second most-aired album on folk radio in 2020.
A songwriter whose star continues to rise, https://www.truenorthband.com/about#awards Kristen Grainger was named, alongside Brandi Carlile and Dolly Parton, one of the Women Who Wrote Our 2020 Soundtrack by The Bluegrass Situation. Kristen won first place in the 2020 USA Songwriting Competition (folk), and she has won or been a finalist in national songwriting contests at Telluride Bluegrass Festival, Wildflower Festival, Merlefest, and Kerrville New Folk. Previous to her music career, Kristen served as vice president of Willamette University and communications strategist for two Oregon governors.
An accomplished singer-songwriter who toured nationally as a solo artist, Dan Wetzel is also a luthier who handcrafts musical instruments, including those used in performance, that look and sound beautiful. His superb skills as a vocalist and on guitar, both flat-pick and finger style, give True North’s songs their fat sound and driving groove.
Martin Stevens grew up in the Old Time Fiddlers contest community, winning several state and regional championships during his childhood. Martin’s first two bluegrass groups, Athena and the River City Boys and Molly Adkins and Martin Stevens, performed for several years at bluegrass festivals in the Pacific Northwest. A silky-voiced singer and stellar fiddle and mandolin player, Martin was a co-founder of the Bluegrass Regulators, releasing two albums and performing all over the country, most notably as one of the IBMA showcase artists.
Josh Adkins cut his teeth, musically speaking, alongside Martin in the Bluegrass Regulators. A multi-instrumentalist and vocalist of considerable skill and versatility, Josh delivers a solid bass groove that is anything but mundane. A monster musical talent, Josh’s superpower is his knack for arrangement, finding the missing piece, vocally or instrumentally, that best showcases the song.
ShadowGrass
With their fast picking and fresh arrangements, ShadowGrass is moving forward in the bluegrass genre by incorporating each member’s varied influences into a fresh project that branches outside the bounds of traditional music while maintaining traditional instrumentation. Each of the band members grew up in a culturally rich area of traditional music, which heavily influences their approach to music. Feeding off of each other’s musical ideas and energy, their music proves to be a constantly evolving world that draws the audience in at every show.
Lonesome Town Painters
The Lonesome Town Painters are a tried-and-true, bona fide bluegrass band hailing from Vancouver, British Columbia These fellas have a look, style and sound that harkens back to the raw and ragged edge of the genre. And while they draw deeply from the masters of the golden era, it’s their original songs that demonstrate just how far these fellas have come. Their songwriting is grounded in tradition, anchored by the soaring harmonies, melodic instrumentation and pushing drive that has come to define their spirited and highly entertaining performances.
The Lonesome Town Painters are:
Angelo Eidse, guitar, lead and backing vocals
Patrick Bartel, banjo, lead and backing vocals
Fred Beach, bass and backing vocals
Jeremy Freeman, mandolin, lead and backing vocals
GOSPEL SHOW - Roosevelt Road and Friends
Roosevelt Road is a band of well experienced musicians bringing decades of experience and styles including great Bluegrass, Americana and Gospel music to the Northwest and beyond.
Jane McMahon’s vocals are beautiful and pure. Jane has her own style of 5 string Banjo that pleases the listener.
Steve McMahon, our Bass guy, loves to explore his Bass and play ‘just a few different runs now and then. Steve also adds great vocals.
Mike Janda has been involved in the NW music scene for many years. His guitar style complements Bluegrass and Americana styles and his hometown vocal is unique in its soothing yet pronounced tone.
Loren Postma, Dobro Guru, adds a unique and pleasant sound to the band. Loren also sings lead and harmony vocals.
Robbie (John) Bennett is one of the NW finest fiddle players. His fiddle playing is so pleasant and smooth its a joy to hear and he rounds out Roosevelt Road with true Bluegrass vocals as well.