Artists – Access Living Showcase Stage

Tuesday String Band is a bluegrass trio of young music professionals who met through the music program at Western Oregon University. They love entertaining crowds with fast pickin’, humorous onstage banter, and string band versions of music from a wide variety of genres. These boys have performed in numerous Oregon cities and are all working on building careers in music performance and music education. They’re on a special mission to keep the great string band tradition alive and relevant to the younger generations, especially in the Pacific Northwest.

Paper was formed by members of the Seattle bluegrass jam with diverse musical backgrounds. The premise of the band is simple – bluegrass covers of rock (and other) genres.

Like any good bluegrass band, our standard set list includes bluegrass standards by Bill Monroe, Jimmy Martin, and Flatt and Scruggs but with some bluegrass takes on Stevie Wonder, Steely Dan, Phish, the Dead, and various other rock / pop tunes as well as a few originals.

Remember – Paper Covers Rock!

Queen’s Bluegrass was founded by Ernest Queen in 1987 or 1988–the history is a little hazy now.  Ernie passed away in 2015–or, as some say, he “has gone on before.”  Kevin Fazio and Aaron Maas, both longtime Queen’s Bluegrass members, had the privilege of spending a good bit of time with Ernie in his final days.  One of Ernie’s last requests was that they “keep playing the music.”   Kevin and Aaron have honored the request since Ernie’s passing.

Kevin joined the group in 1991, plays banjo, and acts as the group’s manager.

Aaron joined the group in 2003, is the group’s lead singer, and plays rhythm guitar.

Katie Weed plays fiddle and fills out the harmonies.  Katie, daughter of two fiddlers, has been playing music all her life.  She has toured internationally with a punk bluegrass band and has now, thankfully, settled here in the Pacific Northwest.

Nakos Marker plays dobro and occasionally belts out some awesome lead vocals.  Nakos was also born into a musical family.  He was given a dulcimer as a child and figured out it sounded way cooler when sliding a butter knife along the strings–hence, a dobro player was born.

Pete Goodall keeps it all together on the standup bass.  Besides being an outstanding musician, Pete is widely known in Northwest bluegrass circles for his work as emcee at major  bluegrass festivals as well as DJ for a long running (22 years) bluegrass radio program.

The Geoducks, is one of the most exciting young acoustic bands in Seattle’s current music scene. Their rousing self-written tunes are boldly original with nods to the traditions of bluegrass, old time, jazz, klezmer and classical music. The multi-instrumental trio is Henry Wine on keyboard, mandolin, guitar, banjo, melodica and cajon; Hank Sebring on vocals, fiddle, mandolin, bass and saw; and Diego Sotelo on clarinet, guitar and saxophone. The Geoducks have played some of the best festivals and stages in the Pacific Northwest, including the historic Paramount and Moore Theaters, Port Townsend’s Thing Festival, the Georgetown Block Party and the Northwest Folklife Festival.

“Rollin’ Ridge graces the North Cascades Bluegrass’ Access Living Showcase stage. Led by Tommy “Fingers” Westley, a 40-year Pacific Northwest music veteran, the band weaves a melodic tapestry that resonates with authenticity. Bob Martin’s banjo mastery, honed over decades of dedication, adds a spirited dimension. John Parent, a Washington native and a trailblazer since the 1970s, infuses the ensemble with his soulful fiddling, blending tradition and innovation seamlessly. Anchored by Jerry Muhasky’s rhythmic bass lines, the band embarks on a musical journey spanning genres from bluegrass to global influences.

Completing the ensemble, Jeff Blanton’s heartfelt guitar and vocals add depth and resonance. Born into a musical family, Jeff’s connection to bluegrass runs deep, making him a cherished presence in the local community. United by their love for the genre, Rollin’ Ridge’s harmonious synergy and individual virtuosity promise an enthralling experience at the 2023 North Cascades Bluegrass Festival, where their melodic narratives will echo through the hearts of listeners.”

The Stillwater Hill Bluegrass Band is based in the Snoqualmie valley, and has been performing traditional and contemporary Bluegrass music in Western Washington for over 13 years. Each of the band members have deep roots in the Western Washington acoustic music scene, and an abiding love for the high lonesome harmonies and acoustic muscle that makes Bluegrass so unique. The boys play a range of Bluegrass favorites, gospel songs, fiddle tunes, blues, and originals that put the vocal harmonies front and center. Stillwater Hill delivers a high energy performance of foot stomping acoustic fun, served up with a dose of low-brow humor.