...for hot licks and finger pickin' fun."

Sunday, June 19, 2005 6:32 PM

"I'm having so much fun I think I'll give my money back."
- Merle Haggard

The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band

Many of us grew up with this multi-Grammy award winning band who popularized hits like "Mr. Bojangles" and "Fishin' In The Dark." Formed in Long Beach, California, in 1966 with a desire to explore the by-ways and gravel roads of America's musical past, NGDB has exerted a profound effect on our present day pop culture. The 1972 album "Will The Circle Be Unbroken" became a landmark, genre-smashing hit - one of 50 honored and preserved in 2006 by the Library of Congress. Jeff Hanna, Jimmie Fadden, John McEuen and Bob Carpenter celebrate Father's Day at the Jubilee with a 6:00 p.m. concert. You can see them on You Tube.

The Dan Tyminski Band

"…. One of the Genre's Biggest Talents" - Rolling Stone.

His soulful tenor singing has been a key component of Alison Krauss and Union Station earning him 10 Grammy awards and voice over for George Clooney's "I am a Man of Constant Sorrow" in O'Brother Where Art Thou? With Union Station on hiatus for most of 2008, Tyminski fans will enjoy a rare opportunity to see him "live" at the Huck Finn Jubilee Saturday, June 14th at 8:30 p.m. Tyminski's Union Station band mate Barry Bales joins him along with Adam Steffey, Ron Stewart and Justin Moses as The Dan Tyminski Band. A band workshop for up close and personal contact will be held at 5:30 p.m. in the SWBA Campground. Tyminski's performance at the Huck Finn Jubilee comes three days prior to the release of his second solo album "Wheels" on Rounder Records. You can also see him on You Tube.

Doyle Lawson and Qucksilver

Multiple Grammy and Dove Award nominations, appearances on ABC-TV's Nightline, The Nashville Network, and the Americana Network are all part of world of this legendary group. Doyle Lawson's career spans more than 30 years, and his music comes from old gospel hymn books, performed in perfect vocal harmonies and stunning instrumental work. Current recipient of IBMA's Vocal Group Award, Doyle Lawson and Quicksilver offers a 7:30 p.m. main stage performance on Friday following a workshop full of pickin', singing, questions and answers.

Mark Twain Live

Mark Twain "in Person" was a rare treat indeed. Mark Twain returns to the Jubilee and offers an encounter with America's greatest author and humorist through considerable talents of Mike Randall. After 2000 performances, Randall is compared by some to be "...as good, if not better than Holbrook". Randall's re-creation of Twain begins Friday evening June 13th, at 9:00 PM.

Blue Highway

"All-star bluegrass quintet,"…"first-rate songwriters, and they're even better pickers…" - USA Today.

Blue Highway has racked up awards both individually and as a group. Guitarist and vocalist Tim Stafford won a Grammy for his work with Alison Krauss and Union Station on the album "Everything You Say Goodbye," and Rob Ikes won Grammies for his contributions to "I Know Who Holds Tomorrow" and "The Great Dobro Sessions" albums. Stafford and Ikes are joined by Jason Burleson, Shawn Lane and Wayne Taylor as they present their newest album "Through the Window Of A Train" to Jubilee audiences on Saturday.

Berline, Crary and Hickman

They're not just a trio pickin' bluegrass tunes. They are a three-time national fiddle champion, one of the originators of the flat-picking guitar styles, and a quiet five string banjo man - one of the finest in the world. As friends and super pickers, BCH offers a rare California appearance Saturday and Sunday at the Jubilee. They will be joined later by singer-songwriter Steve Spurgen and John Moore for a Sunday afternoon "Reunion" of California.

 The Gibson Brothers

With the release of their newest album "Iron & Diamonds," Pop Mathers.com writes- "Eric and Leigh Gibson have cemented their role in bluegrass music's stored history of brother duets, joining the Monroe's, the Louvins, and the Stanleys in the tradition of those high lonesome harmonies that can only be created by family." The Gibson Brothers return to the Jubilee on Saturday and host a vocal harmony workshop at 2:30 p.m. followed by two main stage performances at 4:40 p.m. and 9:50 p.m.

California Reunion

First it was Berline, Crary and Hickman. Then came Steve Spurgen (a songwriter and bass player) and John Moore on mandolin. California was born. A red hot performance schedule by a red hot bluegrass band from California won the International Bluegrass Music Association's top awards. Then, they were gone… for years. This year, however, California returns for a special "Reunion" performance on Father's Day at 3:40 p.m. - just prior to another legendary California act… The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band.

Dry Branch Fire Squad

"There is no band in bluegrass or country music today that captures the soul of American music better than the Fire Squad" - Knight-Ridder Newspapers.

Celebrating nearly three decades of music making, and Ron Thomason's hilariously droll monologues rivaling those of Mark Twain himself, Dry Branch Fire Squad can be considered an institution in American acoustic music. Early camp arrivals can experience the band's smoky hollow country sound and Thomason's insightful cultural commentary Thursday evening. The Fire Squad returns Friday with two sets and a workshop.

Randy Waller and the Country Gentlemen

The 50 year legacy of one of bluegrass music's most famous bands, The Country Gentlemen, has been passed from Charlie Waller to his son Randy. The current Country Gentlemen Randy Waller, Dave Kirk, Mark Delaney and Gary Creed share that legacy which brought so many performers and classics like "Fox on the Run" to the bluegrass community. The newest edition of the International Bluegrass Music's Hall of Honor members will offer main stage performances and workshops both Friday and Saturday at the Jubilee.

The Copper River Band

Returning from Nashville and the International Bluegrass Music Association's World of Bluegrass, Arizona's Copper River Band opens the National Bluegrass Playoffs as its 2007 Band of the Year. The Saturday morning performance features Thomas Porter, Dick Brown, Jim Govern and Bob Denoncourt. The band returns Sunday for a Father's Day performance at 2:50 p.m.

Chris Stuart & Backcountry

Singers, songwriters, session players, teachers and young performers .. and younger still, comprise the musical tapestry of Chris Stuart and Backcountry. The band invites any young (6 yrs. - 16 yrs.) performer with musical instrument in hand, to a Kid "Pickers" Jam Camp on Saturday and Sunday. The camp is free to enter, and sessions begin Saturday at 11 a.m. For information and schedule contact Stacy Uglum at (760) 953-6008 or register Saturday at 9 a.m. Kid Pickers can then come together in a Saturday night and Sunday afternoon jam. Some may even join Chris Stuart and Backcountry on Main Stage Sunday at 2:00 p.m.

Julie Wingfield

With roots in the Huck Finn Jubilee, Julie Wingfield is a consummate country, bluegrass and gospel music entertainer. She is a multi-instrumentalist who owns Hummingbird Records, and a music studio in Apple Valley. 

Julie performs at gospel, bluegrass and country festivals throughout the Southwest and performs this year on Sunday for her 32nd season at the Jubilee.

 

National Bluegrass Playoffs

The National Bluegrass Playoffs are designed to promote the professionalism of Bluegrass Music throughout the United States. Four bands are invited to showcase their talents Friday afternoon and return Saturday at 12 noon for a FINAL PLAYOFF that sends one of them to the IBMA Convention, Awards Show, and Fan Fest in Nashville, Tennessee. Selecting these top bands is a continuing process. Bands already invited are: 

For information click HERE

 

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Palmer Divide  

This unit is shaking the Rocky Mountains with its own "original" blend of acoustic music. Formed in 2004 by members of other great Colorado bands, Palmer Divide consists of Jody Adams on mandolin, Dick Carlson on bass, Greg Reed on guitar and Mickey Stinnett on banjo.

 

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Burnett Family Bluegrass

They walk in the traditions of great family bands where timing, vocal blending and constant performance are all part of the music. No strangers to Telluride, IBMA's World of Bluegrass, and festivals throughout the western US, the band consists of Brian (dad), guitar, Connie, (mom) bass, Rachel, fiddle, Jessie, mandolin and Ryan, banjo.

 

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Sawmill Road  

The name is new on the music scene, but the performers have added flavor to the bluegrass music industry for many years. Bruce Johnson, fiddle, Steve Spurgin, bass, Dick Brown, banjo, Charlie Edsall, guitar and Mark Miracle, mandolin set the tone for exciting music to come.

 

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The Brombies

From Topanga to Merlefest and IBMA's World of Bluegrass these singers, songwriters and super pickers include Jo Ellen Doering on guitar, George Doering, mandolin, Bill Bryson on bass. Cody Bryant will be replacing Pat Sauber on banjo

 

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Also...

• Friday Night Barn Dance with Riley's Mountaineers. Traveling from Oak Glen, California, The Riley Family brings an "Old Fashion Barn Dance" to the Jubilee's Mountain Man Village Shelter on Friday night from 8:30 to 11:00 p.m.

• Line Dance Workshops with KC Douglas



The popular Southern California line dance instructor, KC Douglas offers both line and country dance lessons each afternoon. She hosts a "Line Dance"  Friday night at 7 p.m. and Saturday night at 8 p.m.

• The origins of clog dancing are demonstrated along with modern day high-energy steps by Brian Bon and his talented Southern California exhibition team on Sunday.

• California State Arm Wrestling Championships

• Route 66 Classic Car Show

• Russel Bros. Circus

• 1880's Games & Contests