The first Desert Bluegrass Festival was held in 2000. Its 2025 iteration took place over the weekend of March 7 to 9 just northwest of Tucson in a beautiful desert park in Marana, Arizona. Despite a windy and rainy Friday night, the festival artists played on Saturday and Sunday bathed in beautiful south Arizona sunshine. The festival is 100% volunteer-run and its mission is to bring “family-oriented, high quality bluegrass and acoustic music entertainment” to the community and to visitors.
Perhaps this was not a high-powered festival, but it stayed true to its ambitions by creating a friendly atmosphere and a comfortable way to hear and see some excellent performances. The sound system was first class, there was plenty of room to sit, stretch out, or to get as close to the stage as anyone could want. Festival organizers made sure there was enough shade for listeners to cope with the bright desert sun and the artists performed with the beautiful Rincon Mountains and a snow-capped Mt. Lemmon in the background. Several hundred people arrayed themselves around the stage. As is often the case at bluegrass festivals, artists were accessible and friendly. And there were plenty of well-behaved bluegrass dogs enjoying the music.
Saturday’s headline group was the Becky Buller Band. Band members had been slated to lead workshops during the lunch break, but due to the crapshoot that is airline travel they were unable to get to the venue in time. However, they did an engaging set to close out a beautiful evening. Fiddler and band leader Buller led her outstanding fellow musicians through a performance of the song cycle of her newest album, Jubilee, with its message of hope, survival, and healing. This, together with some bluegrass-ified versions of Simon & Garfunkel and Joni Mitchell, contributed a more contemporary feel.
JamPak Blues ‘N’ Grass Neighborhood Band kicked off Sunday morning’s program. Based in Chandler, Arizona, the venerable Mrs. Anni Beach leads this long-running community youth band. JamPak musicians start young and some have played long enough to do some very respectable picking. Musical values are strong, and JamPak has spun off several generations of performers, including another band featured on Saturday, Cisco & the Racecars.
This was never going to be a jamgrass festival (as one attendee grumbed), given that its headline act took the stage before sunset. But the 2025 Desert Bluegrass Festival achieved a good mix of contemporary and traditional music, with consistently high level performances. It was a good chance to catch some regional bands, listen to some good sounds, and enjoy the beautiful desert setting. – Peggy Baker, Mad Angel Photos
All photos by Peggy Baker, Mad Angel Photos.
In a black ruffled shirt on a brightly colored stage, Tommy Emmanuel sits with his guitar and, like always, amazes the audience with his music. His latest video, “Gdansk/Tall Fiddler (Live at The Sydney Opera House)” is an upbeat and beautiful showcase of his songs that demonstrates the excitement and ease Emmanuel brings to his music. The medley is a single from his forthcoming album, Live at the Sydney Opera House, out March 21.
The clip starts off with a new original, “Gdansk,” named after Gdansk, Poland, where Emmanuel wrote the tune. It’s soft yet energetic, emulating the feeling of calm ocean waves on a sunny day that at the same time brings energy and joy to the music. The peaceful and uplifting melody might make you want to get up and dance.
“Gdansk” then beautifully leads into another tune of Emmanuel’s entitled “Tall Fiddler,” a number off Emmanuel’s 2006 release Endless Road that was inspired by the great fiddler Byron Berline. With fast licks and a rock and roll feel, he effortlessly transitions between a bluegrass fiddle tune and a heavy, rocking vibe.
It’s easy to see the excitement Emmanuel brings to playing and performing. The way he just “goes for it” is utterly inspiring – you can see how the music takes over him as he becomes the vessel that brings it into fruition.
Photo Credit: Alysse Gafkjen
BGS and Good Country are so excited to continue our one-of-a-kind, brand new variety show, The Good Country Goodtime, at premier Los Angeles venue Dynasty Typewriter on December 1 at 7:30pm! The second edition of the event – which features the best in country, Americana, and roots music, a first-rate house band, delightful comedy, and more – will be a whimsical walk through a western winter wonderland. In-person and livestream tickets are on sale now.
Confirmed guests for the December 1 show include Jonny Fritz, purveyor and proprietor of “dad country;” the delightful Old School countrypolitan sounds of California native Kimmi Bitter; plus indie/country singer-songwriter Rett Madison, who just released her latest album, One More for Jackie; and, attendees will enjoy stories, laughs, and more from comedian and Tennessee’s own Billy Wayne Davis – who will serve as the evening’s host. The Coral Reefers’ Mick Utley will return to direct the Goodtime’s all-star house band. And, you never know which Hollywood writers, actors, and improvisers and special guests may just show up to join in the fun.
Not able to attend in person? Grab a livestream ticket, or, just hold on – our Good Country Goodtime shows are recorded by Dynasty Typewriter’s multi-camera, multi-media content capture team and we will be sharing performances, sketches, and songs from the Goodtime right here, on BGS and Good Country, in the near future. Stay tuned!
We hope you’ll join us for the December 1 edition of the Good Country Goodtime, the show’s last hurrah of 2024 – before we continue with regular monthly shows in 2025! Attendees will enjoy songs, stories, sketches, and so many surprises in store. Pull on your boots and get ready for our western winter wonderland.
Buy your tickets now for the Good Country Goodtime.
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