Artist: Josh Rouse
Song: “Christmas Songs”
Album: The Holiday Sounds of Josh Rouse
From the Artist: “[‘Christmas Songs’] was written a few weeks before recording the record. I was on tour in Sweden and I needed one more song to add to the group I had been collecting for years, an end credit if you will. I had Lee Hazlewood and the album Cowboy in Sweden in mind.” — Josh Rouse
Artist: Valerie June
Song: “Let It Snow” (single)
In Their Words: “Since the holiday season seems to begin sooner and sooner each year, my favorite holiday songs are the ones that make you want to cuddle up with a warm cup of tea and watch through the window as the season shifts from fall to winter.” — Valerie June
Artist: Bear’s Den
Song: “Only Son of the Falling Snow”
Album: Only Son of the Falling Snow (EP)
In Their Words: “I wrote the song a while ago. It’s a very nostalgic and reflective song which imagines someone looking back on their own life and walking into their old house, reliving some pivotal moments of their life and re-engaging with who they are as a person and where they’re at now. I read Winter, the novel by Ali Smith, and it really inspired me to want to write songs specifically about winter. I think it’s an incredibly inspiring time of year and it was a really fun and collaborative process for Kev and I to work on these songs, flesh them out, and bring them to life: embracing piano ideas and more acoustic elements whilst still exploring electronic textures behind the more reflective lyrics and sparse arrangements. We’re very proud to share this song with you.” — Andrew Davie, Bear’s Den
Artist: Greensky Bluegrass
Hometown: Kalamazoo, MI
Song: “Wish I Didn’t Know”
Album: All for Money
Release Date: January 18th, 2019
Label: Big Blue Zoo Records
In Their Words: “I think the panoramic views inspired our playing and put us in a good mood for a relatively cold video shoot. It was gorgeous up there! We spent about three days hiking up to this spot with all of our gear for this video shoot… it was hard, but really worth it. No, I’m just kidding. We took all of our gear up in the gondola and it was pretty easy. All the folks who work at Squaw Valley were super helpful and awesome. The only hard parts were trying to keep instruments in tune in the cold and changing weather, keeping our hands warm, hearing each other while playing on top of a mountain, and looking cool in puffy coats. That’s all!” — Anders Beck, resonator guitarist
Don’t miss WinterWonderGrass 2020 in Steamboat Springs, CO, Squaw Valley, CA, and Stratton, VT.
Photo credit: Dylan Langille
Today, the WinterWonderGrass Music & Brew Festival shares the 2020 lineup across all three of their flagship events. Taking place in Colorado from February 21-23, California from March 27-29, and Vermont from April 10-11, the traveling music festival will welcome performances from some of the hottest names currently thriving in today’s bluegrass and Americana scenes.
“It’s with a mountain of intention, huge hearts, humility, and a commitment to delivering the hottest and sweetest artists that we present to you the 2020 WinterWonderGrass landscape,” says festival founder Scotty Stoughton in a press release. “Each year, the hardest thing to do is not heed our desire to return to each and every band — and by virtue of that, friends to WWG — year in and year out. It is our sincere desire you’ll find new lifetime favorites on this lineup, have the chance to be reunited with old loves and step out of your comfort zone with open arms to new experiences.”
“WinterWonderGrass has become a home for artists, fans, staff, locals, businesses, skiers, riders, their families and all of the like,” adds festival Director of Marketing & Ticketing, Ariel Rosemberg. “We pride ourselves on creating a sustainable, safe and receptive environment, bound by the marriage of the best in bluegrass, folk and Americana, and the undefeated nature of American ski culture.”
BGS has partnered with WWG for the past two years and we are excited to once again join forces with WinterWonderGrass to create and share unforgettable experiences and world-class music across our communities and across the country.
Returning to Colorado for its eighth consecutive year, and its fourth year located in the pristine ski town of Steamboat Springs, Colorado, WinterWonderGrass presents headlining performances from Greensky Bluegrass, Billy Strings, and Margo Price over its three days this coming February.
Additional artists on the bill include: Keller & the Keels, Della Mae, Travelin’ McCourys, Nikki Lane, Molly Tuttle, Horseshoes & Hand Grenades, Bluegrass Generals (Chris Pandolfi & Andy Hall of The Infamous Stringdusters), ALO, Lindsay Lou, a collaborative set from the WinterWonderWomen, Pickin’ on the Dead, Che Apalache, Cris Jacobs, Twisted Pine, Jon Stickley Trio, Meadow Mountain, Jay Roemer Band, Buffalo Commons, and Bowregard, as well as special guests Andy Thorn, Jennifer Hartswick, Bridget Law, Pappy Biondo, and Will Mosheim.
Over March 27-29, WinterWonderGrass makes its way to the Tahoe region of California for its sixth consecutive year presenting three days of music at the base of Squaw Valley Ski Resort. Headliners for this festival stop include The Devil Makes Three, The Infamous Stringdusters, and two sets by Billy Strings.
Also joining the bill: Peter Rowan, Fruition, Keller and the Keels, The War and Treaty, The Lil Smokies, Brothers Comatose, Della Mae, Larry Keel Experience, Kitchen Dwellers, Andy Falco & Travis Book Perform Jerry Garcia, Cris Jacobs, Trout Steak Revival, Midnight North, Town Mountain, Pickin’ on the Dead, Pixie and the Partygrass Boys, Old Salt Union, TK & the Holy Know-Nothings, Rapidgrass, and Twisted Pine. As well as special guests Lindsay Lou, Bridget Law, Will Mosheim and a collaborative WinterWonderWomen set.
A Mountaintop Dinner with Keller Williams, co-presented by BGS, will kick off the festivities in both locations on Thursday, February 20, and Thursday, March 26, respectively. These events will include a ride up the gondola in Steamboat and the Tram at Squaw, a multi-course meal complete with locally-sourced ingredients from each respective region, wine and beer samplings, plus two sets by Williams during each event.
The Vermont stop of the festival takes place over April 10 and 11 at Stratton Mountain Resort in Stratton, Vermont. Previously held in December, this year’s festival stop in Vermont was scheduled to coincide with the ski resort’s closing weekend. Headliners for this iteration of the festival, billed as WonderGrass Presents: Sugar & Strings, include The Infamous Stringdusters, Cabinet, Della Mae, and Molly Tuttle.
Additional artists on the two-day lineup include: Kitchen Dwellers, Andy Falco & Travis Book Perform Jerry Garcia, Twisted Pine, Che Apalache, a special WinterWonderWomen collaboration, Saints and Liars, Dead Winter Carpenters and Damn Tall Buildings, as well as special guests Jennifer Hartswick, Bridget Law, Pappy Biondo, Will Mosheim and more.
Additionally, the Grass After Dark Series will return for post-festival programming with more details coming soon.
Tickets for all three festivals are on sale now: Colorado | California | Vermont.
It has been so dang cold this season and the 5 pm nights have me fighting off the naps. With the gloom of Winter in full swing, it was a true breath of fresh air to meet up with Natalie Hemby at her favorite shop, Castilleja, to pick out her Winter wardrobe essentials. If you’ve never been to Castilleja, it’s a beautiful shop that captures the spirit of a well-traveled woman who embraces the colors and patterns of a sunny Summer day. It was the perfect place to explore with Natalie and her bold, playful style.
Here are a few of my favorite wintery essentials pulled by Natalie and Castilleja’s owner, songwriter Liz Rose.
Bomber Jacket
From the runway to the streets, bombers have made a huge come back in the last year. They can stand alone as a statement piece or they can be mixed and matched with other exciting wardrobe pieces for a louder look. I particularly love seeing this embroidered Tiger Bomber Jacket paired with a bright solid dress. If you aren’t into dressing up, just throw this on over a solid hoodie and skinny/slim-fitting pants.
Tip: Don’t forget your sunnies with this jacket!
Floral Kimono
Kimonos are hands-down my favorite layering piece year-round. For those of you who would love to layer but don’t know where to start, throwing on a patterned kimono is a simple way to spice it up.
Tip: Run a curl wand through your hair and pair with a nice shoe. Since most of your outfit will be hidden under the kimono, your shoes and hair will stand out and you don’t want your look to lean more towards the Dude vs. chic boho badass.
White Embroidered Long-Sleeve Blouse
I do enjoy the clean look of a snow white wardrobe in the Winter. For one thing, white is a color that looks great on everyone. It’s fresh and makes your lipstick and jewelry pop. Natalie gives this embroidered blouse a simple, Southwest punch by pairing it with a few turquoise rings and necklace.
Oversized Collared Sweater
For me, there is nothing better than cozying up in an oversized sweater on a cold, dreary day. I’ve been on the hunt for one that’s less gramps and more glam. I’m quite fond of this multi-colored woven sweater with a fur collar from Castilleja.
Layered Jewelry
Layering on rings and necklaces is the last thing I want to do during the Summer when my fingers slightly swell and I feel like a sweaty mess just walking from my car to my next air conditioned destination. So I take full advantage of layering up my jewelry in the cooler months! If you are ever looking for a new accessory, Castilleja has one of the best collections of jewelry in Nashville.
Lined Denim Jacket
Denim and Nashville go hand-in-hand so, when temperatures drop, it’s nice to have a heavier alternative for the cooler weather.
Thanks for having us, Castilleja!
Ah, Winter. Thanks to cold weather, holiday hangovers, and the looming dread of tax season, Winter often gets a bad rap for being the worst of the four seasons. If you're looking for ways to beat those Winter blues, we at the BGS recommend one cure-all for all your ails: live music. While Spring and Summer are typically considered festival seasons, there are a handful of great festivals to be found in Winter, too. Check out some of our favorites.
In addition to a host of amazing beer options (a few of which you can check out here), WinterWonderGrass Colorado boasts a February 19 – 21 lineup with the likes of Greensky Bluegrass, the Wood Brothers, the Travelin' McCourys, and more. And don't miss WinterWonderGrass Tahoe, which happens in April.
There's nothing like a good time out on the back porch, and that's just what this festival seeks to recreate. Head to Northampton, Massachusetts, from Feb 25 – 28 for music from Steep Canyon Rangers, Los Lobos, and more, all at the Parlor Room and the Academy of Music.
This Bellevue, Washington, festival has it all, from performances by Jerry Douglas and the Earls of Leicester, the Seldom Scene, and more, to workshops on the Carters and idiot-proof mandolin lessons. Check it out February 25 – 28.
A conference AND a festival, Folk Alliance International, held February 17 – 21 in Kansas City, Missouri, lets you learn while you listen!
Lucinda Williams, Steve Earle, and Bobby Bare, Jr. … all on a boat! This cruise sets sail from Miami, Florida, on February 7 and is bound to have you singing "I'm On a Boat" to all your landlocked friends.
No need to explain this one: SXSW is one of the biggest festivals around, in one of the coolest cities around. Nothing beats those Winter blues like tacos, beer, and all the live music you can handle. Head to Austin, Texas, March 15 – 20 for SXSW Music.
And keep an eye out for these festivals, which have already happened, when they roll back around next year …
A weekend at one of the country's most beautiful beaches AND 150+ established and upcoming songwriters? Sign us up. Unfortunately, the 2016 30A Songwriters Festival has come and gone, but hey, if you go ahead and book a beach house for next year, you're bound to get a damn good price!
This journey out to see with Buddy Miller and a handful of his most talented friends is a can't-miss experience. Missed the boat this year? Tide yourself over until the 2017 cruise with the just-released Cayamo Sessions at Sea by Buddy Miller & Friends.
Lede photo by Sandra Dahdah for BGS, all other photos courtesy of the festivals
