Thank you sponsors!
Thank you to our supports who help make this festival possible. We could not do it without them & hope you support their businesses.
Mandolin
City of Shelton
In memory of Dick Pasilich
Mason County Tourism
Fiddle $1000
Bowers Dental Group
Shelton 40 et 8
Band $500
AAA Septic
Dave Bayley and Family
Builder’s First Source (Shelton)
Castle & Coleman Logging
Dickison Family
Edward Jones – Stefanie Dantinne
Elma Feed & Farm Supply
Green Diamond Resource Co.
Hunter Farms
KMAS 1030 AM/103.3 FM
Lynch Creek Farms
Carolyn Olsen Family
Doc Olson
Shelton Mason County Journal
Sierra Pacific Industries
Tracing The Fjord
Shoppers Weekly
WAMA – Washington Acoustic
Music Association
Stage $250
Belco Forest Products
Hood Canal Communications
KCBS FM/ Seattle
Manke Lumber Co Inc
Pacific Asset Management - Josh Morin
Tozier Brothers Hardware
Tuson Masonry
This event is presented by volunteers and the Kristmas Town Kiwanis.
Event Contacts:
Welcome to 2024 Bluegrass from the Forest
The Kristmas Town Kiwanis, with the support of community sponsors, welcomes you and your family to the 19th Bluegrass from the Forest!
We are delighted to gather again at the South Mason Soccer Park –what a beautiful location! We're sure you will agree that the 15 acres of festival and camping area have been a great addition to this event.
Organized by the Kristmas Town Kiwanis, this event raises money for local youth programs, supports tourism and brings talented artists from all over the country to perform in Shelton – your participation is integral to making this possible. Thank you!
A huge thank you to all the volunteers who help make the strings strum. Let’s play some Bluegrass!
Where there’s Bluegrass, there’s jamming!
WELCOME! If you’re new to bluegrass festivals, you should know that one of the best things about them is the jamming. Out in the camping area, folks set up for the weekend and settle down for some pickin’ and grinnin’. You’re welcome to wander through and listen to the music. Some pickers are quite talented while others are just beginning, but everyone finds their level.
Bluegrass jamming is special because people of all backgrounds come together for music. They don’t care what you drive, how old you are, or whether you’re in fashion. They only care if you can pick or sing. This music has no borders. There is a wonderful body of traditional bluegrass tunes that are universally known across the country. You can show up at any festival and these tunes will be played. Sure, there are plenty of new tunes all the time, but it’s wonderful to play music with strangers who already know many of the tunes. Enjoy!
SCHEDULE
MAIN STAGE
FRIDAY EVENING, JULY 12
6:40 PM – to be announced
7:00 PM – Heartbreak Pass
8:00 PM – Lonesome Town Painters
9:00 PM – Crying Uncle
SATURDAY AFTERNOON, JULY 13
1:30 PM – Heartbreak Pass
2:30 PM – Runaway Train
3:30 PM – Bar K Buckaroos
4:30 PM – Crying Uncle
SATURDAY EVENING, JULY13
6:30 PM – Chicks Kids performance
7:00 PM – Lonesome Town Painters
8:00 PM – Caleb and Reeb
9:00 PM – Jacob Jolliff Band
10:00 PM COUNTRY DANCE Bar K Buckaroos
12:00 PM Midnight Hotdogs
SUNDAY AFTERNOON, JULY 14
11:00 PM – Runaway Train
12:00 PM – Union City Council
1:00 PM – Caleb and Reeb
2:00 PM – Jacob Jolliff Band
2:55 PM – Grand Finale Show
SHOWCASE STAGE
SATURDAY, JULY 13
10:00 AM – 2:00 PM Chick’s Kids Workshop
10:00 AM – Workshops
11:00 AM – Mandolin Tasting
Thank you AAA Septic for your support of the festival.
12:00 PM – Slow Jam with Marv Sobolesky
1:00 PM – Open Mic
5:30 PM – Open Mic
2024 Performers
Jacob Jolliff Band
Northwest Bluegrass fans know Jacob Jolliff for his fantastic mandolin since he was a teenager. At college Jolliff studied jazz, Celtic and other intricate musical forms that influenced his musical versatility. In 2012 he won the National Mandolin Championship in Kansas. Jacob played and recorded with Yonder Mountain String Band for five years. The band has produced two albums and are traveling from New York to headline at Bluegrass from the Forest.
Crying Uncle Band
Widely recognized as one of the most exciting young bands in acoustic music, Crying Uncle Band from California plays a unique mix of bluegrass, jazz, and modern originals. They are the recipient of the 2023 International Bluegrass Music Association’s Momentum Band of the Year award.
BAND MEMBERS
Teo Quale, lead, mandolin, Alameda, CA
Miles Quale, fiddle, Alameda, CA
Andrew Osborn, upright bass, trombone and vocals, San Rafael, CA
Ian Ly, flatpick guitar, San Francisco, CA
The Lonesome Town Painters Band
From Vancouver, BC, The Lonesome Town Painters Band has a sound that harkens back to the raw and ragged edge of the genre. While they draw from the golden era, it’s their original songs that make them shine!
BAND MEMBERS
Angelo Eidse, guitar, lead,backing vocals
Patrick Bartel, banjo, lead, backing vocals
Fred Beach, bass and backing vocals
Jeremy Freeman, mandolin, lead, vocals
Jacob Jolliff Band
Crying Uncle
Heartbreak Pass
Long known as one of the best vocalists and bass players in the Inland Northwest bluegrass scene, Heartbreak Pass will take you on an eclectic musical journey that you are sure to enjoy!
BAND MEMBERS
Bonnie Bliss, vocals and bass player
Stan Hall, vocals, guitar, and harmony
Randy Engle, vocals, mando, and guitar
Caleb & Reeb
Known to roots music fans for their soulful harmonies, Caleb Klauder & Reeb Willms play driving dance tunes, classic originals with commitment to rural American music.
Union City Council Bluegrass Band
Based in Union, WA this band was created out of their love of traditional bluegrass.
BAND
MEMBERS
Guy Demartino, guitar
Gwendolyn Taylor, fiddle
Donald Strand, dobro and mandolin
Martin Strand, bass
Greg Linder, guitar
Heartbreak Pass
Caleb & Reeb
Runaway Train Bluegrass Band
The host band for Bluegrass from the Forest festival plays an important role in helping to get the festival going every year. Runaway Train performs throughout the year in Mason County and at Bluegrass festivals in the NW.
BAND MEMBERS
Greg Linder, guitar & vocals, Union, WA
Kent Powell, bass & vocals,Tacoma, WA
John White, mandolin & vocals, Olympia Doug Wenzen, banjo, Woodinville, WA
Runaway Train Bluegrass Band
The Bar-K Buckaroos
Playing traditional western swing dance music in the style of Bob Wills and his Texas Playboys, they bring their love of Bluegrass, Country and Swing, Jazz, Blues and Raggae to form a great evening of western swing and 20-40’s era swing music. The band is based on the north coast of Oregon.
BAND MEMBERS
Brad Griswold, guitar & vocals
Dave Quinton, bass & vocals
Richard Thomasian, leadguitar and vocals
Tom Peake , percussion
Scott Wagner, trumpet
Barbara Collins, Fiddle
WORKSHOPS
Whether you play an instrument or are just a big fan of the teacher(s), our workshops are an opportunity to learn in an friendly setting. Instructors share techniques, anecdotes, philosophy about performing and answer questions. These workshops are led by the band performers. Locations are posted on the announcement board near the Snack Shack. Attendance at our workshops is included with your Saturday, Sunday or weekend pass.
Chick Rose School of Bluegrass
SATURDAY, 10 AM – 2 PM
This intensive and fun bluegrass workshop for kids is led by local musicians. Founded by Chick Rose, who passed away in 2012, kids are divided into groups according to experience and are coached by advanced musicians. The program culminates in a performance on Saturday, 6:50 PM. There is no extra charge for this program.
Workshop Schedule
SATURDAY 10:00 AM (various locations)
Mandolin – Jeremy Freeman, Lonesome Town
Painters
Bass – Fred Beach, Lonesome Town Painters
Guitar – Angelo Eidse, Lonesome Town Painters
Banjo – Patrick Bartel, Lonesome Town Painters
Fiddle – Miles Quale, Crying Uncle
SUNDAY 10:00 AM (various locations)
Band Ensemble – Jacob Jolliff Band
Mandolin – Caleb Klouder
Guitar – Reeb Willms
Fiddle – Gwendolyn Taylor, Union City Council
Dobro – Donald Strand, Union City Council
Open Mic
Folks meet up at the festival and end up creating wonderful song arrangements. Some even bring their original tunes. How about getting up and sharing them at our Open Mic? Who knows, it could be the beginning of your new band!
Slow Jam with Marv
Saturday 12:00 PM with Marv Sobolesky Playing music is a process of joyful growth, and we all need time to learn. If you are new to an instrument or haven’t had a chance to pick with others, this is an opportunity to play in a safe group setting. Popular fiddle tunes are chosen for the session. They are first played slowly and then repeated at a faster tempo. Learning to play songs cleanly and on-beat, along with gradually stepping up the tempo on the second try is one of the best ways to improve your musical chops.
Saturday Night Country Dance
10:00 - 12:00 PM - Dance with Bar K Buckaroos 12:00 - MIDNIGHT HOT DOGS! FREE
Dance begins after the main stage performances end.. Admission is free with your wristband (weekend pass or day pass) or only $15 without.
BLUEGRASS FROM THE FOREST
FRIDAY, JULY 12
Gates open early for campers
MAIN STAGE LINE UP
7:00 PM Heartbreak Pass
8:00 PM Lonesome Town Painters
9:00 PM Crying Uncle Bluegrass Band
SATURDAY, JULY 13
Location:
S Mason Soccer Park 2102 E Johns Prairie Rd Shelton, WA
From Olympia 30 minutes
US-101 N to W Wallace Blvd/Wallace Kneeland Blvd in Shelton. Take Exit, follow E Johns Prairie to MCRA/ Soccer gates.
Main Stage Showcase Stage
SATURDAY WORKSHOPS
10:00 AM Chick’s Kids meet for workshop (until 2 PM)
BEGINNING @ 10 AM
Mandolin – Jeremy Freeman / Lonesome Town
Painters
Bass – Fred Beach / Lonesome Town Painters
Guitar – Angelo Eidse / Lonesome Town Painters
Banjo – Patrick Bartel / Lonesome Town Painters
11:00 AM Mandolin Tasting with Teo Quale of Crying Uncle Bluegrass
Fiddle – Miles Quale / Crying Uncle
12:00 PM Slow Jam with Marv Sobolesky
1:00 PM Heartbreak Pass Open Mic (until 1:30 PM)
2:30 PM Runaway Train
3:30 PM Bar K Buckaroos
4:30 PM Crying Uncle Bluegrass Band
SNACK SHACK OPEN FOR BREAKFAST @ 7 AM.
5:30 PM Open Mic
6:30 PM Chick’s Kids Performance
7:00 PM Lonesome Town Painters
8:00 PM Caleb and Reeb
9:00 PM Jacob Jolliff Band
10:00 PM BAR K BUCKAROOS COUNTRY DANCE - FREE with wristband or $15.00 at door
12:00 AM MIDNIGHT HOT DOGS | Saturday Night after dance – FREE, all welcome!
SUNDAY, JULY 14
11:00 AM Runaway Train
12:00 PM Union City Council
1:00 PM Caleb and Reeb
2:00 PM Jacob Jolliff Band
2:55 PM ALL-STAR FINALE
(subject to minor changes)
SUNDAY WORKSHOPS 10 AM Band Ensemble – Jacob Jolliff Band
Mandolin – Caleb Klouder
Guitar – Reeb Willms
Fiddle – Gwendolyn Taylor / Union City Council
Dobro – Donald Strand / Union City Council
Bluegrassfromtheforest.com