June 2011

[click "Play", Bela Fleck talks with Susan]

 

Belafleck&theflecktones_rocketscience_jk Bela Fleck & the original Flecktones return to Telluride for the 38th annual Telluride Bluegrass Festival, June 16  – June 19, 2011. Yes, you read that correctly, the original, the Fab Four, together again for the first time in just over 20 years on the Fred Shellman Main Stage: pianist/harmonica player Howard Levy, "the man with two brains," reunited with Bela, uber bassist Victor Wooten, and innovative percussionist/ drummer Roy "Futureman" Wooten.

Some reunions – think "The Big Chill" – produce joy; others, regret. This one produced "Rocket Science", a CD which includes some of the most forward thinking music of the group's long and storied career. Rocket Science is vintage Flecktones, a meeting of musical minds fluent in classical, jazz, African, electric blues and Eastern European folk dances. Trying to describe this indescribable hodgepodge is like trying to hold on to quicksilver. Impossible. I go with what one critic said:

[click "Play", Susan talks to dobro player, Andy Hall]

 

InfamousStringdusterssB The Infamous Stringdusters visit Telluride so often, the progressive acoustic group is starting look like the boys next door. They return after their last visit in March, when they performed at the historic Sheridan Opera House, to perform on the Main Stage at Telluride Bluegrass, Friday, June 17.


"The young Nashville bluegrass sextet continues to evolve their sound from Nashville bluegrass to a bigger music targeted at larger rock clubs," explained Planet Bluegrass's Brian Eyster. "And for trivia buffs, bassist Travis Book lived in Durango before joining the band in 2005."

by Jim Bedford

Thehangoverpart2_smallteaser The Nugget Theatre in beautiful downtown Telluride shows movies all year long and screens a hot new film this coming week. Bluegrass Festival is in town and the weather's beautiful, but find time for a little movie fun.

Friday through Thursday, June 17-22, the Nugget heads to Thailand for some pre-wedding hijinks with the HANGOVER II crowd. Our old pals from last year, Bradley Cooper, Ed Helms, Zach Galifianakis and Justin Bartha are careful not to make the same mistakes twice, so they make a bunch of hilarious new ones. Along the way they meet up with Paul Giamatti and of course, Mike Tyson again.

See the Nugget website for trailers and reviews, and below for movie times.

[click "Play", Susan speaks with Mark Meatto and Michael Bohlmann]

 


How to Grow a Band It takes a lot more than water. To grow a band requires blood, sweat, and tears. Also, you need to find someone to do your laundry. The Western premiere of the show-all, tell-all feature-length documentary, "How To Grow A Band," takes place during Telluride Bluegrass. The FREE screening is scheduled for Saturday, June 18. 2011, 11 a.m. at The Nugget. (Seating is limited, so reserve your ticket in advance at https://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/181677)

"This film documents the beginnings of Chris Thile's grand vision for a truly modern stringband and the struggles to realize this vision," explained Brian Eyster of Planet Bluegrass. "Personally I am very excited to see the results of the filmmakers' efforts. They will be on-hand for the screening and the band may join them."

 “…A gripping look at the nature of creativity and performance art," raved The Tennessean.

[click "Play to listen to Joe Pug's conversation with Susan]

 

Joe Pug Joe Pug is one of the new names in the line-up for the Telluride Bluegrass Festival, but Festival director Craig Ferguson is betting we will like his soulful voice and lyrical vignettes.

"Craig is a huge huge fan of this fine young Dylan-esque singer-songwriter," said Planet Bluegrass marketing director Brian Eyster.

Turns out Joe Pug is not just a talented troubadour. The young man also has a gift for marketing. But I am getting ahead of myself.

[click "Play", Susan speaks with Sarah Jarosz]

 

Sarah Jarosz The 38th annual Telluride Bluegrass Festival leads from strength with a performer who could well be the future of acoustic music. Sarah Jarosz opens the FirstGrass concert in Mountain Village. She is also scheduled for a set in Elks Park on Thursday, June 17, 2:45 p.m. But for sure, the rising star will make guest appearances on the Main Stage.

"Though she's just 20, the Grammy-nominated singer/songwriter/multi-instrumentalist is earning critical praise and lots of national attention for her second album on Sugar Hill Records, Follow Me Down," explains Planet Bluegrass's Brian Eyster. "Sarah is being described by critics as the next big thing in Americana/roots music. In addition to her scheduled sets, I would expect to see Sarah also making Main Stage appearances with Tim O'Brien, Jerry Douglas, Sam Bush, Punch Brothers and others."

[click "Play", Susan gets Trampled by a Turtle]

 

TrampledByTurtles “One of very few bands in America that are hipster-approved but could heave a room of strangers into a hoe-down at any time…” - CITY PAGES (Minneapolis/St. Paul)

Ready to shake a shoe and your booty too? Expect a frenzy, a dance frenzy, when Telluride gets Trampled by Turtles. The progressive bluegrass band from Duluth, Minnesota is scheduled to do its thing Friday night on the Main Stage at the 38th annual Telluride Bluegrass Festival. It's thing being forceful acoustic music delivered at a breakneck pace.

A rootsy bluegrass-like sound seems to be riding a wave, with bands such as the Avett Brothers and special Telluride Bluegrass guests, Mumford & Sons, on the crest – and TxT not too far behind.

kicker: First of 12 market days on June 15, 2011

Advertisement Farmers and Artists Market Opening After years of toying with the idea of having an outdoor market in Mountain Village Center – a perfect locale with its pedestrian-friendly plazas, gondola connection, and unrivaled panorama – the town decided to put words into action. The first Mountain Village Farmers and Artists Market will take place Wednesday, June 15, 2011, from 2 p.m. to 7 p.m. in Heritage Plaza. The atmosphere will be causal, social and fun; the open air commerce enticing; the foods fresh and the art one-of-kind.

 

[click "Play" to hear Eileen's conversation with Victor Wooten]

 

by Eileen Burns

Victor_wooten Telluride’s 38th Bluegrass Festival will spotlight a host of hall of fame musicians over the four-day celebration, beginning on June 16th, including five-time Grammy® winner Victor Wooten, who will be performing with Bela Fleck and the Flecktones.   Heralded as “the Michael Jordan of the bass, Wooten was recently named in The Top 10 Greatest Bass Players of All Time in “Rolling Stone Magazine’s”  Readers’ Poll, and has won “Bass Player Magazine’s” prestigious “Bassist of the Year,” three times now.  Wooten’s style continues to grow and transform, but he is best known for bringing the electric base to the forefront with a rhythmic freedom unlike any other bassist performing today.

[click "Play" to hear Katie's conversation with Susan]

 

(ed. note: Katie suffered a broken pelvis in a fall during a training ride last Friday, barely a week before the start of RAAM. Here's the "indomitable spirit" part: As of today, Sunday, June 12, she is looking for a handcycle, in the hopes of starting the race and putting in at least a few miles.)

kicker: Youngest solo rower ever hopes for world record, switching gears to bike for safe drinking water

Katie Yes, this story has ties to Telluride. In fact what we've discovered over the years is that most roads lead to our remote mountain town, so read on. The overriding theme of Mountainfilm in Telluride, a key driver of world traffic, is "Indomitable Spirit," which the event celebrates. Katie Spotz certainly qualifies.