Danny Paisley and The Southern Grass play powerful, unadorned, and intense traditional bluegrass. There is no hybrid or genre-bending music here. Their combination of instrumentation and vocals convey the energy and emotion of classic bluegrass and country music. In 2016, Danny finally won, deservedly so, the International Bluegrass Music Association’s Male Vocalist of the Year award, a moment revered by his peers who gave him a standing ovation. Danny’s lead vocals will captivate your senses, so much so that many prominent musicians, including Alison Krauss, have considered Danny as one of their favorite singers. His voice combines powerful range and soulful blues with a sound like no one else in bluegrass today. Gathering fans at every event, Danny Paisley and The Southern Grass look forward with renewed energy as they bring their unique sound to audiences near and far. Danny Paisley and The Southern Grass continue to be deeply rooted in tradition, but look to the future with enthusiasm and anticipation. This band brings it - true bluegrass music at its finest!
Summergrass welcomes back Sideline to our 2017 festival! What's in a name? As their name implies, this band may be an additional activity for them, and they may stand to the side of the stage in their “regular” bands, but when they get together, it's all front and center bluegrass. And audiences understand why Sideline is made of A-tier bluegrassers who are loved and adored by fans the world over. Sideline is Steve Dilling on banjo, Skip Cherryholmes on guitar, Troy Boone on mandolin, Brian Aldridge on fiddle, Brad Hudson on dobro, and Jason Moore on bass. Check out their website at www.sidelinebg.com. Great rising star bluegrass band here!
Bluegrass Etc. is back! This blockbuster band will return to its roots in Vista to the delight of their throngs of fans. This dynamic trio is comprised of stunning pickers and will dazzle and delight their hometown fans once again. Bluegrass Etc. performs a hard-hitting show of instrumental expertise, vocal precision and stage personality that never fails to entertain. The group is well known internationally and tours more than eighteen countries per year, performing more than 200 shows annually at festivals and in concert. Bluegrass Etc. consists of John Moore (mandolin, guitar, vocals), Dennis Caplinger (banjo, fiddle, vocals), and Steve Spurgin(bass, vocals). The band has its roots in bluegrass music, but has evolved over the years into a much more dynamic and eclectic acoustic band. These guys are a must see!
Whether it’s in the studio or on stage, Chris Jones & The Night Drivers are making some of the most distinctively elegant yet driving music to be heard anywhere today, and they’re delivering it with a unique blend of dry wit, emotional authenticity and broad humor that’s won the loyalty of a growing number of fans across the country, from Merlefest in North Carolina to California’s Huck Finn Jubilee, and around the world. Steve Martin referred to the Night Drivers as “. . . some of the best players in bluegrass! Chris Jones’ voice is there with the great masters.” Americana artist Jim Lauderdale said of Chris, “He continues to have one of the most distinctive and best voices in music, period.” This band will also be the teaching faculty for our 2017 Summergrass Kids Camp! What a wonderful experience for our Kids Camp attendees – lessons on bluegrass from a touring bluegrass band from Nashville. Woo Hoo! Visit www.chrisjonesgrass.com. Don’t miss these guys!
Our local talent is just over the top this year as we proudly feature some of Southern California’s wonderful bluegrass talent. Front Porch Preservation Bluegrass Band, Box Canyon, Mohavi Soul, Prairie Sky, and Chris Cerna & the Bluegrass Republic will do Summergrass proud as they play the mainstage and delight our fans. Don’t miss them!
Summergrass Kids Camp will indeed be a special 3-day camp this year with Chris Jones & the Night Drivers heading up the teaching faculty. What a great opportunity as our kids campers learn bluegrass music from these pros!! And the camp ends with their very own mainstage concert on Sunday. This highlight concert for Summergrass is not to be missed! Watch for further kids camp information at our festival website and also on our Facebook site.
Summergrass is proud to partner with the Antique Gas & Steam Engine Museum, also a non-profit corporation, to present our annual festival. This museum has grown to become one of the premier educational and recreational facilities in area. Looking back at our history, it is the Museum's goal to capture an important element of our society and preserve it for present and future generations. The Antique Gas & Steam Engine Museum is the perfect partner for Summergrass! As one Summergrass fan described this venue, “It’s like Disneyland for old people!”
World-class entertainment, instrument raffles, music workshops, on-site camping, great kids & adult music camps, family activities, delicious food, and a great vendor village - these are just some of the things to do at the wonderful Summergrass Bluegrass Festival held at the nostalgic and historic Antique Gas & Steam Engine Museum in Vista, CA. And just minutes from Highways 78 and 76.