The Peter Rowan Bluegrass Band consists of outstanding musicians including Chris Henry (mandolin and vocals), Max Wareham (banjo and vocals), Julian Pinelli (fiddle) and Eric Thorin (bass). The ensemble has graced the stages of festivals domestically and abroad, entertaining audiences with original and traditional songs executed in vibrant harmony.
Jim Lauderdale & The Po' Ramblin Boys -
At any given time, you’re likely to find Jim Lauderdale making music, whether he’s laying down a new track in the studio or working through a spontaneous melody at his home in Nashville. And about the Po' Ramblin Boys Jim says " Every so often a band comes along and knocks everybody's socks off and gets people talking."
AJ Lee & Blue Summit are an award-winning energetic, charming, and technically jaw-dropping band quickly rising on the national roots music scene. With citrusy melodies full of zest and spark, AJ Lee & Blue Summit demonstrate that California bluegrass is alive and well... AJ’s velvety vocals blend seamlessly atop the many textures and tones this uncommon instrumental lineup can accomplish.
Sister Sadie is a wildfire: raging hot bluegrass combined with breathtaking instrumental drive and awe-inspiring vocals. Sister Sadie has a sound uniquely their own, undeniably classic, hard-driving bluegrass, but it’s much more than just that. Rooted in forceful and tight vocal harmonies, this isn’t your granddaddy’s Appalachian high lonesome sound. This is something far more powerful than that—it’s the sound of the mountains themselves.
The South Korean bluegrass band, Country GongBang, shows that bluegrass music continues to be loved around the world. Winners of the 2023 IBMA International Band Performance Grant, this young group is made its debut at Grey Fox. The quintet plays contemporary bluegrass with a Korean twist, singing in both English and Korean. They have gained international fans through YouTube and other online platforms and have played at IBMA World of Bluegrass, as well as festivals in France and Japan. No strangers to IBMA, they were selected as a Bluegrass Ramble Showcase Artist in 2020.
The Special Consensus is a bluegrass band that has achieved a contemporary sound in their four decades of performing, making their music a modern classic. The band is led by Greg Cahill, banjo player and recipient of the prestigious Distinguished Achievement Award from the International Bluegrass Music Association (IBMA). Special Consensus has received five awards from the IBMA and two Grammy nominations. They are four talented vocalists and instrumentalists who follow their creative desires without straying too far from their bluegrass roots.
The Fretliners are a genuine and powerful bluegrass quartet recognized for their songwriting and undeniable chemistry that produces an energy as infectious on stage as it is on record. In the summer of 2023, they won both band competitions at Telluride Bluegrass and Rockygrass Festivals—a feat that had only been accomplished once before. That September, they released their debut eponymous album to acclaim and adoration. With one eye on the rear-view, inspired by that traditional high lonesome sound, The Fretliners navigate a road less traveled into the peaks of Rocky Mountain original bluegrass.
The Slocan Ramblers (featured on the Grand Ole Opry in Nashville TN, 2020 IBMA Momentum Band of the Year Award Winner & 2019 Juno Award Nominee) are Canada’s bluegrass band to watch. Rooted in tradition, fearlessly creative and possessing a bold, dynamic sound, The Slocans have become a leading light of today’s acoustic music scene. With a reputation for energetic live shows, impeccable musicianship and an uncanny ability to convert anyone within earshot into a lifelong fan, The Slocans have been winning over audiences from Merlefest to RockyGrass and everywhere in between.
Chicken Wire Empire has emerged as a pioneering force in the Upper Midwest contemporary bluegrass scene. Fusing traditional roots with innovative genre-blending elements, the band has captivated audiences worldwide with their unique musicality and electrifying performances. In 2023, Chicken Wire Empire reached new heights with a showcase at the prestigious Grey Fox Bluegrass Festival. The group demnstrates their ability to seamlessly blend genres with a musical depth that resonates with both young and old fans of bluegrass.
An acoustic Bluegrass / Roots / Americana band based in McHenry, IL. Their musical styles range from bluegrass, reggae, to punk, and beyond, all delivered in a "not-so-traditional" bluegrass voice. Their live shows are high energy, centered around their arsenal of original material and refreshing variety of cover songs interpreted in their own way.
The Grateful String Band puts an bluegrass spin on the music of the Grateful Dead! Anything related is fair game too. Peter Rowan, Tony Rice, David Grisman, Old & In The Way, and of course, Bill Monroe!
Three of the top bluegrass musicians in the Chicago area, Rob Anderlik, Pat Otto and Mike Church first met at late night jam session and felt a deep musical connection from the moment they played together. They formed a trio in 2015 and quickly built a reputation as one of the most innovative bluegrass bands in the midwest. They’ll be joined by cellist extraordinaire Tom Culver, who is a frequent collaborator. With dobro, mandolin/octave mandolin, guitar and cello, the band plays with great finesse and creativity.
Fronted by Mark Frystak (guitar/vocal) and Hayley Skreens (banjo/vocal), Wheels North is a progressive bluegrass trio from the Illinois Fox Valley. The primary band arrangement includes Jesse Fuller (bass/vocal), but can be found performing as a duo or full band as well. Wheels North offers powerful three-part harmonies, skillfully crafted arrangements, and an enticing catalog of both covers and originals. Mark Frystak provides a driving force on his acoustic guitar while leading vocal duties. Frystak's warm vocal tone & exploration of rhythm guitar are cornerstones of his playing, spearheading the direction of each piece.