Taos Music

It's never too early in the year to start thinking about the 38th Annual RockyGrass - for many it is the "bluegrass new year." The limited allotment of holiday-priced tickets sold out in record time, but 3-day tickets are still available; single-day tickets will be available in the Spring. Have a look at the lineup: Doc Watson, Patty Loveless and the Horse Flies,  Peter Rowan Bluegrass Band and Alison Brown. SPBGMA 2010 Album of the Year winners Junior Sisk & Rambler's Choice; Lyons' own KC Groves Long Road Home; two of the great bluegrass guitar stylists Tony Rice & Bryan Sutton share an intimate set of duets; and one of our all-time favorite musicians, Tim O'Brien returns to RockyGrass with his band.

Throughout the weekend we honor the legends of bluegrass (Doc Watson, Bobby Osborne; discover the new young voices (Frank Solivan, Sierra Hull, The Farewell Drifters); let the Sam Bush Bluegrass Band, Tony Rice Unit, Seldom Scene, and Greensky Bluegrass gently nudge traditional bluegrass in different directions; and so much more.

RockyGrass is held at the Planet Bluegrass Ranch in Lyons, Colorado - located along the wooded banks of the beautiful St. Vrain River. The historic quarry town of Lyons is just 15 miles north of Boulder in the foothills of the Rocky Mountains. The town is known for its antique stores, restaurants, artists, and musicians.

Numerous camping options nearby include: on-site at the festival grounds, under the cliffs at Meadow Park (a quick five-minute walk from the festival), or at the Olson Campground (a 10-minute walk or via the free shuttle buses).

Non-musical activities in and around Lyons include single-track mountain biking at Hall Ranch, river sports in the Meadow Park whitewater course, touring through Rocky Mountain National Park (40 minutes up the hill from Lyons), and hiking in the nearby National Forest lands.

A day at RockyGrass starts with a campground breakfast or a quick walk to downtown Lyons to relax at one of the fine coffee shops. Whether walking the campgrounds or Main Street in Lyons, live bluegrass music already fills the air. Soon the sound of bagpipes echoes off the canyon walls, signaling the opening of the festival grounds and the morning tarp rush.

As the afternoon heats up, kids of all ages flock to the sandy beach - beach toys, inner tubes, and all. Meanwhile older folks make new friends with tarp dwellers close to the main stage or under the shady trees. Away from the stage, kids work on crafts in the family tent, while musicians form jam circles in the woods along the river or listen to an instrument contest or workshop in the Wildflower Tent.

All day the audience is treated to headliner after headliner on the main stage. Then when the final headliner finishes their set on the main stage, the campgrounds come alive with jam sessions. A walk through the campground is a vital part of the RockyGrass experience - hearing pickers of all ages and backgrounds sharing in the common language of bluegrass music.

Make sure you're signed up for our "Notes from the Planet" emails for all the latest lineup and ticket news. We look forward to seeing you in July. And several weeks later for the 20th Annual Folks Festival, Aug 13-15.