The Big Ponderoo 2023 Official Program

Never Come Down at Big Ponderoo

By Ceili Gatley, Correspondent

Hailing from Portland and featuring Ben Ticknor on bass, Crystal Lariza singing, Kaden Hurst on mandolin, Brian Alley on banjo, and Joe Suskind on guitar, Never Come Down is one of the bands on a stacked lineup for the Big Ponderoo music festival presented by Sisters Folk Festival, Inc.

The band formed from gigs the musicians played in and around Portland, officially beginning in 2018. A club in Portland called the Ranger Station was where Suskind and his dad started a bluegrass showcase, allowing musicians to come in and play gigs every Tuesday night.

“This band was formed out of musicians that came out of that showcase,” said Suskind.

They became official in 2018 and recorded their first record, which they consider their demo.

Every band member played music in some capacity leading up to forming the band. They all come from different places in music, which is what so uniquely

defines their sound. Alley grew up in the bluegrass world, Suskind came from a family that played country music, Lariza was a backup singer and songwriter, and Hurst and Ticknor come from a classical background and went to music school.

“All of us found our way to the same Venn diagram... and were able to find that sweet spot where it overlaps,” said Hurst.

The band falls under the umbrella genre of Americana and dips into bluegrass, country, and blues at times.

“This band is a lot about songwriting, and the writing is really at the forefront of what we are doing,” said Lariza.

Every band member has brought their songs to the band and has become very communal in sharing songs.

Brian Alley draws a lot of his inspiration for his songwriting from nature, and for him, it changes as things happen.

“We are all trying to figure out the human experience, and that changes for us every day,” he said.

Their songs have evolved with their journey as a band

from being anchored down in their town to going fulltime on the road.

“It’s cool to see this different vantage point to see different areas of the country,” said Lariza.

During the pandemic, the band made their pod with each other and honed their writing.

“We were physically and emotionally together, and we took our shows online, and it was cool to connect with people online and across the country. I am grateful we did that,” said Lariza.

The band was at the beginning stages of their careers when the pandemic hit, and they were still hungry to do what they were doing. After buckling down on writing, they were eager to get their songs out into the world and on the road once they could go again.

Never Come Down is releasing its first full-length album under a label this year. They are touring some of the new songs and planning on officially touring the new album in the fall.

“We are just now learning how to release and tour

a full-length album properly. We are doing a pre-sale tour by playing these songs,” said Alley.

The band has been living on the road for many months, driving and touring nationwide.

“Travel is such a joy; we all enjoy seeing parts of the country, different venues, and other musicians. We almost always know the other bands at a show or festival, and each festival is its reunion of friends,” said Hurst.

They like audiences to wonder about what their name means.

Never Come Down played at The Belfry in Sisters for a solstice show two years ago, and has played in Sisters several times. They

are friends with many of the luthiers and musicians in town.

“Sisters gave us a place to land, and we’ve played house shows before there, and we have a lot of support from Sisters,” said Alley.

Never Come Down plans to continue writing and touring and wants to grow its audience wherever they go. You can learn more about the band on their website, www. nevercomedownband.com. You can subscribe to their Substack at https://bit.ly/ NeverComeDownSubstack. And you can follow them on Instagram to see behind the scenes of life on the road here: https://www.instagram. com/nevercomedownband/.

Never Come Down combines traditional and modern-sounding Americana music.

Dustbowl Revival brings new tunes

By Ceili Gatley, Correspondent

Dustbowl Revival has played Sisters before — in the Sisters Folk Festival and for a special concert in February 2020. Since the pandemic, Dustbowl Revival has come out with new singles and gained a new colead singer.

Zach Lupetin, founder and lead singer-songwriter in the band, founded Dustbowl Revival 10 years ago, and the band has gone through many evolutions.

“We’ve had close to 30 different people in the band over the last 10 years, and during the pandemic it brought a new group of us together and the opportunity to reintroduce our music to people,” said Lupetin.

Dustbowl Revival combines Americana styles with a brass section to accompany their songs, which are written from the heart.

“We combine horns, blues with funk and soul and put them all into one band,” said Lupetin.

Lupetin founded the band after putting an ad on Craigslist while working in an advertising agency in Los Angeles.

“I am a writer first; I studied creative writing and theater in school and always had an interest in music,” he said.

Lupetin doesn’t know where the band’s name came from.

“It’s a mystery to me,” he said.

He thinks it may originate from his love of classic rock bands such as Creedence Clearwater Revival, classic novels of John Steinback, and stories set in the Dust Bowl

era, combining those interests into the band’s name.

“It wasn’t a glamorous start,” he reflected.

“We played bars and gigs around Southern California and started branching out to other places, and we have folks following us from the beginning.”

The band released an EP in 2022 and a few singles since then. According to their website:

“With a big brassand-strings band building around the voices, ‘Is It You, Is It Me’ isn’t afraid to explore the personal and political tension that the group may have shied away from facing before. The album tackles uneasy topics, often where the political feel personal, especially in the defiant ‘Get Rid of You,’ inspired by the student activists who emerged from the tragic Parkland High School shooting in Florida. The ominous driving brass groove of ‘Enemy’ hones in on a painful generational split between a daughter and her parents, who may have voted in a tyrant and have become strangers to her. This yearning search for common ground pervades the record as a whole.”

Lupetin pulls inspiration from the world around him — and his heart.

He wrote a song titled “Be (For July)” when his wife almost didn’t survive giving

birth to their daughter. That song was a way to process what was happening in his life.

“When I got home from the hospital each night, the piano became a friend and a place of solace and refuge. It’s very meaningful personally and documented this time in our lives when we didn’t know how it would go,” he said.

“Songs come from somewhere in the universe; sometimes you don’t know where they originated,” Lupetin said. “It’s an awesome gift, but can also be something you devote your whole life to, that inspiration.”

Dustbowl Revival is picking up shows through the summer, including their return stop in Sisters.

“It’s always fun to let these new songs spread their wings in different places, and we will be playing many of these songs for the first time up there [Sisters],” he said.

He encouraged concertgoers to be ready to dance at their show at Big Ponderoo.

WORKSHOPS & PICKIN’ AT THE BARN

On Saturday, June 24, and Sunday, June 25, Big Ponderoo will host instrument workshops at The Barn, 171 E. Main Ave., from 12 to 1 p.m. Directly following the workshop each day there will be “Pickin’ at The Barn” from 1 to 3 p.m., an informal jam for those wanting to play and pick.

Big Ponderoo Guitar Workshop

SATURDAY, JUNE 24: Led by Jon Stickley on the guitar, with bandmates Lyndsay Pruett on violin and Hunter Deacon on drums. Jon Stickley, of the Jon Stickley Trio, will lead the guitar workshop and demonstrate different playing styles and techniques in his repertoire. Jon is considered a boundary-breaking artist and genre-defying guitar player and composer, with influences in jazz, bluegrass, and rock and roll. Jon will also use a pedalboard to employ a lot of different effects that make the Trio sound happen. There will be a Q & A with the performers at the end. Big Ponderoo sponsor and Sisters-based guitar maker Thompson Guitars will also be on hand to share their exceptionally beautiful sounding guitars made here in Sisters, Oregon.

Big Ponderoo Banjo Workshop

SUNDAY, JUNE 25: Hosted by Quattlebaum, a touring songwriter and banjo slinger, who will facilitate the banjo workshop from 12 to 1 p.m. Members of several bands will be joining Quattlebaum, including BB Bowness of Mile Twelve, Sam Armstrong-Zickefoose of The Lil’ Smokies, and Brian Alley from Never Come Down. These fine banjo players will lend insight into their unique style of banjo plus tips, tricks, techniques, and more. Tom Nechville, from festival sponsor Nechville/Banjos West (based in Sisters), will be supporting and sharing some of the outstanding instruments they make. About the Venue: The Barn, 171 E. Main Ave., Sisters ORThis Sisters hot spot includes a tap house, food trucks, and a stage, making it the perfect location for our workshops and openinvitation pickin’ sessions! Tickets are not required for entry. Come grab a bite to eat and a cold beverage, listen in on workshops, and join fellow musicians in Pickin’ at the Barn!

Dustbowl Revival will hit the stage with a new singer and some new tunes.

2023 BIG PONDEROO FESTIVAL INFORMATION

Welcome to the inaugural Big Ponderoo Festival!

Venues – Both festival venues are untented, with “festival-style” lawn seating, so bring your own low festival chair, blanket, or tarp. (Seemapson pages6-7.)

• Sisters Art Works is located at 204 W. Adams Ave. and has a capacity of 800 people. The newly designed venue features a unique park setting creating an intimate, warm, and inviting tone. You’ll find a selection of food vendors and a festival beverage booth, plus artist and festival merchandise booths.

• Three Creeks Brewing’s production facility is located on the north side of town at 265 E. Barclay Dr. and features stunning mountain views. Our largest venue, TCB will have all of the above amenities plus craft vendors and can accommodate up to 1,000 festival attendees.

Sustainability – In our first year, we’re proud to have adopted a number of sustainable practices while acknowledging that there is always more work to be done. Here’s what we’re currently doing to promote sustainability:

• We do not provide disposable cups for beverages. All adult ticket holders will receive a free Silipint cup at check-in.

• Reusable water bottles can be brought in empty and filled at free filtered water bottle filling stations at either venue.

• We encourage biking and walking between venues and provide a free Bike Valet service at each venue.

• We recycle all plastic, paper, glass, and cardboard accumulated before, during, and after the festival that complies with recycling standards in Deschutes County.

Parking - Sisters is a super walkable town and both venues are located within .6 miles of each other. There is free parking along all city streets and overflow parking is available at the Sisters School District administration building, 525 E. Cascade Ave., and at Sisters Elementary School, directly across Locust Street from the district office.

Food & Drink - Patrons may bring their own food and factory-sealed nonalcoholic beverages and empty water bottles into both venues.

Bike Valet - Cruise the festival on your bike and let our volunteers keep an eye on it for you while you enjoy the music.

Blazin Saddles hosts our two bike valets located at Three Creeks Brewing’s production facility and Sisters Art Works. The bike valet is free to festival patrons, and saves you the hassle of parking a car! Donations are gladly accepted, and 100 percent supports Sisters Folk Festival’s music and arts programming in the Sisters schools and community. Please do not leave your bike before volunteers arrive. Bikes will not be looked after overnight, so be sure to pick up your bike before valets close.

Sisters Art Works hours:

Friday: 5 PM-9 PM

Saturday: 10:30 AM-11:15 PM

Sunday: 10:00 AM-8:30 PM

Three Creeks Brewing hours:

Saturday: 10:30 AM-11:30 PM

Sunday: 10 AM-8:30 PM

Animal policy - Properly trained service animals under the care and supervision of their owners are permitted in the venues. This does not include emotional support animals, therapy animals, companion animals, or pets. Owners should be able to describe the service that the animal performs and the training it has received; no one will inquire about the nature of an owner’s disability or medical condition. The animal must remain by the handler’s side at all times, harnessed, leashed, or tethered, unless these devices interfere with the animal’s work or the individual’s disability, in which case the animal should be controlled through voice, signal, or other effective methods. Anyone bringing an animal is responsible and liable for any damage or injury caused by the animal, and the owner or someone accompanying the service animal is responsible for bagging and disposing of solid waste.

Accessibility - Both venues are accessible to those with physical disabilities, though they are on grass and ground may be uneven. There is ADA parking at both venues and volunteers will be ready to help those who need and request assistance.

Merchandise – Artist and festival merchandise can be purchased at either venue throughout the weekend.

Weather – In the case of inclement weather the show will go on, so we recommend dressing in layers and being prepared for a variety of weather conditions.

Sun/Heat – Plan for sun exposure by wearing SPF-rated clothing, sunscreen, and a good sun hat. There will be shade tents around the venues, as well as a misting tent if temperatures are hot. Small personal sun shades or umbrellas may be set up in the shade zones at the back and sides of the venues (first come, first served).

Chairs – Low festival chairs, blankets, and tarps are encouraged. Standard-height chairs may be used at the back and sides of the venues so as not to block sightlines for those behind you.

Do NOT bring:

• Outside alcohol

• Pets

• Weapons of any type

Tickets – Attendees to Big Ponderoo will trade in their e-ticket at one of our two box offices for either a single-day or weekend wristband. Wristbands will be placed on wrists at the box office and not given out loose; all individual ticket holders must pick up their own wristband at the box office.

Sunday passes cannot be redeemed until Sunday morning at either box office location. Patrons with pre-purchased tickets can check in at either box office location: Sisters Art Works (204 W. Adams Ave.) or Three Creeks Brewing (265 E. Barclay Dr.).

Sisters Art Works Box Office hours

Friday, June 23: 5-7 PM

Saturday, June 24: 10 AM-10 PM

Sunday, June 25: 9:30 AM-6:30 PM

Three Creeks Brewing Box Office hours

Saturday, June 24: 10 AM-10 PM

Sunday, June 25: 9:30 AM-6:30 PM

Forgot your ticket? No problem, we can look you up by the name on the order (photo ID required). Children ages 5 and under do not require a festival wristband. Discounted youth passes are available for those aged 6-17.

Advance tickets can be purchased at the box office on Friday (hours above) or online at AftonTickets.com/BigPonderoo. Tickets can be purchased at the gate on day of show while supplies last. Tickets may be transferred by logging into your Afton Tickets account. Event is rain or shine; no refunds.

To help you have an amazing time, we have prepared these helpful tips so that you can maximize your fun this weekend.

Food Vendors

SISTERS ART WORKS

• Luckey’s Woodsman is bridging the divide between outdoor rec and professional food service. They want to help you adventure more, eat better, and dream big by providing meals inspired by or designed for the great outdoors.

• Southern Accent brings New Orleans-style street food including Po’ Boy sandwiches, fried chicken, traditional red beans and rice, smoked pork, and so much more. Options for gluten-free, dairy-free, and vegetarian meals, as well as kid-friendly items.

• Rawmona’s Kitchen serving up artisanal sweets, paletas, and agua frescas.

• Sisters Coffee Company is a hometown favorite, creating an authentic coffee experience built on a deep love for their craft and heartfelt kindness for the people they serve.

THREE CREEKS BREWING

• Blood Sweat and Tears BBQ

Bob’s tender, slow-cooked BBQ is a hometown favorite. Fresh ingredients, smoky flavors, and well-balanced sauces with a variety of thoughtful sides for tasty comfort food at its finest.

• Alley Dogz Comfort classics with a twist. Specialty 100% beef hot dogs, from-scratch corn dogs, artisanal pretzels, grilled cheese sandwiches, smashburgers and fries, plus a variety of vegan options including vegan corn dogs, bratwurst, and grilled cheese.

• Crabby’s Crab Cakes and Seafood Delights Crabby’s serves up crab cakes, melts, rolls, quesadillas, burritos, and more.

• Moe’s Gyros Specialty gyros featuring beef, lamb, and chicken. Cuz the Moe Gyros the Moe Better.

• Kook’i A Redmond, OR based bakery providing fresh baked treats from Oregon-sourced ingredients. Decorated shortbread cookies, creative cakes, sweet rolls, and more! Gluten-free options available.

Beverages and Tasting Notes

The following alcoholic and nonalcoholic beverages are available at both venues. Big Ponderoo uses a token system so be sure to stop by the token booth and pick up what you need before heading to the beverage serving station.

Ablis (Bend, OR)

Cranberry Blood Orange - This sparkling CBD beverage is the perfect blend of bold and classic flavors. (Alcohol not included)

Strawberry Mojito - This sparkling CBD beverage will conjure tropical beach vibes or floating down the Deschutes with every minty-sweet sip. (Alcohol not included)

Bend Cider (Bend, OR)

Dry Apple (dry) - This well-balanced classic has notes of tart green apple and citrus. It is pleasant on the nose, light and crisp on the palate — very refreshing!

Guava Hibiscus - The guava gives notes of strawberries and pear and the hibiscus gives a nice splash of tart on the finish. Easy summer drinking!

Huckleberry Ginger (off dry - semisweet) - The pure Fijian ginger gives a bright ginger zing with huckleberry rounding out the flavor.

Blue Bus Kombucha (Bingen, WA)

Elderberry Rosehip - In this complex beauty, elderberries lay down a little sweetness, rosehips lend a touch of floral tartness, and stinging nettles land with herbaceous notes.

Turmeric Ginger - For this invigorating booch, we press the rhizomes to extract fresh juice, then let turmeric’s tropical fruitiness take the lead, with a perfect pop of ginger spiciness.

Citrus Sunrise - This bright, refreshing quencher positively sparkles with cando spirit, courtesy of fresh orange and grapefruit juice and zest, plus a tart, subtly sweet sumac note.

Rhubarb Mint (seasonal) - With the moxie of an expert mixologist, we’ve paired cool mint and perfectly tart rhubarb to create a crisp, easy-drinking gem. Enjoy this one straight from the can or over ice.

Guayaki Yerba Mate (Sebastopol, CA)

Enlightenmint - A high-energy infusion, Enlightenmint is a blend of peppermint, yerba mate, and a touch of honey.

Lemon Elation - A high-energy infusion, Lemon Elation provides a sensation of elation – yerba mate accented with ginger and elderflower.

Tropical Uprising - A high-energy infusion, Tropical Uprising is refreshing yerba mate with a juicy burst of mango and pineapple with a hint of hibiscus. Contains only 60 calories per can.

Peach Revival - A refreshing infusion of peach and yerba mate with delicate sweetness and a hint of floral undertones. Contains only 20 calories per can.

Three Creeks Brewing (Sisters, OR)

Crowdpleaser IPA - A West Coast IPA with a simple malt bill that showcases soughtafter hop varieties such as Amarillo, Mosaic, and Simcoe. Expect bold notes of resinous pine and citrus flavors. It’s like a majestic citrus forest!

Knotty Blonde Ale - A light-bodied, sassy blonde ale, brewed with a kiss of Sterling hops and the finest Canadian two-row barley. Simple, yet beautiful.

Ponderoo Pale Ale - A unique collaboration between Sisters Folk Festival and Three Creeks Brewing. PPA is a new varietal made from New Zealand hops that are bright and fruit forward, light and refreshing. Ponderoo Pale Ale is perfect for drinking on a summer day at Big Ponderoo while listening to amazing music.

Wine

Jean-Luc Colombo Cape Bleue Rose 2021 (France)67%Syrah,33%

Mourvèdre - A light, bright rose petal color. The nose is floral, accented by aromas of fresh peaches & fennel. A soft and balanced mouthfeel, with fruit-driven persistence and a crisp citrus note on the finish.

Bogle Chardonnay 2021 (Clarksburg, California)50%NewAmericanOak. 50% stainless steel - The green apple and pear aromatics are complemented by notes of tangerine and stone fruit, with honeysuckle and vanilla heightening the first impression. Rich, creamy, and viscous mouthfeel, surrounded by Asian pears and Honeycrisp apples. The finish lingers long and soft.

Tilia Malbec 2021 (Argentina) - Bright red color with intense violet hues. Fresh nose of violets and rich plum marmalade laced with chocolate, strawberries, raspberries, and vanilla oak flavors. A soft, sweet entry leads to a well-structured and long, persistent wine. Round, silky tannins.

Chateau Ste Michelle Indian Wells Red Blend 2018 (Woodinville,WA)51% Syrah,31%CabernetSauvignon,7% Merlot,3%Grenache,3%Malbec,5% Mourvèdre - This premier Red Blend Highlights warm-weather vineyards with a robust palate of boysenberry and biscotti. The aromas are redolent with notes of dark roasted coffee bean, chocolate, and spice. Creamy feeling fruit and barrel flavors follow with tannins giving a light squeeze.

Turn the page to See venue maps for vendor locations.

Craft

Vendors THREE CREEKS BREWING

Om Gaia Om Gaia Tree and MurKobEyE create consciously comfortable and FUNKtional clothing for all. Unique and original designs handcrafted ethically to meet expressive and utilitarian needs.

Sisters Hats & Co offers the widest variety of handcrafted hats in Central Oregon. They focus on quality, small makers, natural materials, and responsible production. Simple and classic to fun and funky to uniquely adorned hats. Vintage, up-cycled materials are sourced to create one-of-a-kind designs.

Glimfeather Farms offers handcrafted, farm-to-sink goat milk soap and lotion made in small batches on the farm in Sisters, OR. Ingredients are mainly locally sourced; essential oils used for scent; clays and botanicals for color.

Mudlake Studios is a community studio located in Bend, home to 60+ artists mainly focusing in the medium of clay. Several artists will be showcasing their handmade pottery and leather pieces, exemplifying the creativity and skill fostered here in Central Oregon.

2023 Big Ponderoo Artists

The War and Treaty — Their name alone

conjures images of struggle. Of epic conflict, sacrifice, and the eventual birth of a lasting peace. For The War and Treaty, that struggle is found within love itself. Marking the first major-label release from the acclaimed husband-and-wife duo of Michael Trotter Jr. and Tanya Trotter, their 2023 album “Lover’s Game” lands like a romantic bomb, helping a critically acclaimed duo with a force-of-nature sound explode into the mainstream.

Internationally renowned and long appreciated for live shows built on revival-like intensity, Michael and Tanya have amassed a following as eclectic as their sound itself with “voices that will stop you in your tracks” (Garden and Gun) and their bluesy but joyful fusion of Southern soul, gospel, country, and rock ‘n’ roll. The duo has dominated stages across the globe, headlining their own shows and opening for a diverse group of living legends, with Al Green, Brandi Carlile, Jason Isbell, John Legend, Chris Stapleton, and Van Morrison among them. They’ve been recognized by the Country Music Hall of Fame, the Grand Ole Opry, and the Americana Music Association, who named The War and Treaty its 2022 Duo/ Group of the Year.

• Sat, June 24: Three Creeks Brewing, 9:30-11 p.m.

The Travelin’ McCourys —

From a source deep, abundant, and pure, the river flows. It’s there on the map, marking place and time. Yet, the river changes as it remains a constant, carving away at the edges, making new pathways, and gaining strength as it progresses. The Travelin’ McCourys are that river. The McCoury brothers - Ronnie (mandolin) and Rob (banjo) were born into the bluegrass tradition. Talk about a source abundant and pure: their father, Del, is among the most influential and successful musicians in the history of the genre. Years on the road with Dad in the Del McCoury Band honed their knife-edge chops and encouraged the duo to imagine how traditional bluegrass could cut innovative pathways into 21st-century music. With fiddler Jason Carter, bassist Alan Bartram, and latest recruit Cody Kilby on guitar, they assembled a group that could take what they had in their DNA, take what traditions they learned and heard, and push the music forward. Their concerts are can’t-miss events, whether headlining historic venues or as festival favorites, drawing the love and respect of a growing fanbase craving their eclectic repertoire.

• Sat, June 24: Sisters Art Works, 9:15-10:45 p.m.

The Lone Bellow — The Lone Bellow burst onto the scene with their self-titled debut in 2013.

The Nashvillebased trio quickly became known for their transcendent harmonies, serious musicianship, and raucous live performance — creating what NPR calls “earnest and magnetic folk-pop built to shake the rafters.”

With earthy three-part harmonies and songwriting as provocative as it is honest, the trio — made up of Brian Elmquist, lead vocalist

Zach Williams, and multi-instrumentalist

Kanene Donehey Pipkin — creates sparks that make a stranger’s life matter or bring our sense of childlike wonder roaring back. Their new album “Love Songs for Losers” is a meditation on the pain and joy and ineffable wonder of being human. On it, the trio has dreamt up a singular sound encompassing everything from arena-ready rock anthems to the gorgeously sprawling Americana tunes the band refers to as “little redneck symphonies.”

• Sun, June 25: Sisters Art Works, 6:30-8 p.m.

The Lil’ Smokies blend virtuosic instrumental acrobatics with riveting lyrical craftsmanship. They have earned a reputation as one of the most electrifying acts in modern American roots music thanks to their exhilarating live show and critically acclaimed studio output. Since forming on the streets of Missoula, Montana, where the group got its start busking back in 2009, the band has performed everywhere from Red Rocks to The Rialto and captivated festival audiences at Telluride Bluegrass, High Sierra, LOCKN’, Freshgrass, FloydFest, and countless more. Their latest album, 2020’s “Tornillo,” showcases the hard-touring fourpiece at its most adventurous, teaming up with producer Bill Reynolds (The Avett Brothers, Band of Horses) for a genre-bending joyride from the hills of Laurel Canyon to the wideopen deserts of West Texas.

• Sat, June 24: Sisters Art Works, 7:30-8:45 p.m.

• Sun, June 25: Sisters Art Works, 4:45-6 p.m.

Corb Lund —

A rural Albertan hailing from the foothills of the Rocky Mountains with a long family lineage of ranchers and rodeo people, Corb Lund is about as authentic as they come. Before his current bandleader incarnation with the Hurtin’ Albertans, Lund was an integral part of The Smalls, a legendary Canadian indie rock band that didn’t quite fit into any single category — mixing punk, speed metal, and country. Embracing both his Western heritage and his indie rock past through his music, Lund has been known to filter a range of cowboy themes past and present through his unique lens — from rough-and-tumble tales of lawless frontier saloons to the somber realities of running a modern family ranch.

Corb Lund has received multiple CCMA, Juno, and international award nominations and wins. His 2020 album, “Agricultural Tragic” is a highlight in Lund’s long and successful career. Corb’s 7th album “Cabin Fever” debuted at #1 on the Billboard Canadian Charts in 2012; three of his records have been certified Gold, and his 2015 studio album, “Things That Can’t Be Undone,” cemented his status as one of the best contemporary country singer/songwriters working today.

• Sun, June 25: Three Creeks Brewing, 6:30-8 p.m.

Dustbowl Revival

— Dustbowl Revival has always been about pushing the boundaries of what American roots music can be. After celebrating more than a decade of

sonic adventuring and playing thousands of shows together in 10 countries and counting, the group collected a devoted fanbase coastto-coast. Founding members Z. Lupetin, Josh Heffernan, and Ulf Bjorlin are excited to welcome a new wave of talent to the band after emerging from a pandemic touring hiatus. While longtime co-lead Liz Beebe has stepped away from the band after a long run, Lashon Halley has stepped in to bring new life to the songs, matching Lupetin’s intense vocal range with her own.

After spending years on the road, selling out hometown shows at LA’s famed Troubadour, headlining festivals, and wowing crowds from Denmark to China, Dustbowl Revival has never stopped making their joyful, booty-shaking soul songs and cut-to-heart folk-rock ballads that lift up their transcendent live shows.

• Sat, June 24: Three Creeks Brewing, 7:45-9 p.m.

Margo Cilker

— Margo Cilker is a woman who drinks deeply of life, and her 2021 debut record “Pohorylle” is brimming with it. For the last seven years, the Eastern Oregon songwriter has split her time between the road and various outposts across the world, from Enterprise, OR to the Basque Country of Spain, forging a path that is at once deeply rooted and everchanging.

As “Pohorylle” traverses through the geography of Cilker’s memories—a touring musician’s tapestry of dive bars and breathtaking natural beauty—love is apparent, as is its inevitable partner: loss. For what bigger heartbreak is there than to be a fervent lover who must always keep moving? Cilker seems keenly aware of the precarious footing upon which love stands, and at many turns, the record circles something that is staggeringly beautiful and slipping away.

• Sat, June 24: Three Creeks Brewing, 6:15-7:15 p.m.

• Sun, June 25: Three Creeks Brewing, 5-6 p.m.

Twisted Pine

— Praised by NPR for their “upbeat, poppy vibe; energetic, driving rhythms; and virtuosic solos,”

Twisted Pine released their sophomore fulllength “Right Now” in 2020 (Signature Sounds Recordings). Exploring a sound they call Americana funk, Twisted Pine takes traditional music in exhilarating directions.

Bassist Chris Sartori writes, “This album is easier to feel than describe. We’re rooted in bluegrass, continually inspired by explorers like Bela Fleck, Jerry Douglas, and Sierra Hull. “Right Now” takes this heritage into a new dimension. Our bluegrass is jazzy, our indie folk is poppy, our grooves are funky.”

Twisted Pine (Kathleen Parks, fiddle; Dan Bui, mandolin; Chris Sartori, bass; Anh Phung, flute) grooves with fearless improvisation and intricate arrangements. “They were once bluegrass,” wrote The Boston Globe, “but ... this Boston band has become something else, a wider version of string band, boundary jumpers akin to outfits like Punch Brothers, Nickel Creek, and Crooked Still.”

• Sat, June 24: Sisters Art Works, 6-7 p.m.

• Sun, June 25: Three Creeks Brewing, 12:30-1:30 p.m.

Thank you, sponsors!

ABLIS

ADVANCED SYSTEMS

PORTABLE RESTROOMS

THE BELFRY BEND CIDER

BEST WESTERN

PONDEROSA LODGE

BLAZIN SADDLES

BLUE BUS KOMBUCHA

BEND BULLETIN

CASCADE A & E

FIRST INTERSTATE BANK

GRANDSTAY SISTERS

HOTEL & SUITES

GUAYAKI YERBA MATE

HIKE-N-PEAKS

LEFT COAST LODGE

NECHVILLE BANJOS WEST

NEXUS PRODUCTIONS

THE NUGGET NEWSPAPER

OLIVER LEMON’S OREGON PUBLIC BROADCASTING

PONDEROSA FORGE

PRESTON THOMPSON GUITARS

RAY’S FOOD PLACE SISTERS COFFEE COMPANY

2023 Big Ponderoo Artists

SISTERS GALLERY & FRAME SHOP

SISTERS MEAT AND SMOKEHOUSE

SISTERS SALOON AND RANCH GRILL

THE SOURCE WEEKLY TDS

THREE CREEKS BREWING CO. VISIT CENTRAL OREGON BIG PONDEROO WAS MADE POSSIBLE IN PART THROUGH FINANCIAL SUPPORT FROM THE MAYBELLE CLARK MACDONALD FUND.

Jon Stickley Trio —

Boundary-breaking and genre-defying are handy terms to use in describing musical artists, but while they can lend a certain cachet to a project, music that really eludes easy description is actually pretty rare. If such terms can be applied to any group at all, the Jon Stickley Trio is at the head of the line for such treatment. While the music made by guitarist Stickley, violinist Lyndsay Pruett, and percussionist Hunter Deacon contains innumerable influences that dart in and out of a listener’s ear, its all-instrumental essence is truly unique.

The Jon Stickley Trio transcends the standards of acoustic music with a wide range of influences masterfully integrated into a signature approach, with three-way collaborations producing music that comes from the heart and the mind and speaks to both.

• Sat, June 24: Guitar Workshop at The Barn, 12-1 p.m.

• Sat, June 24: Three Creeks Brewing, 4:45-5:45 p.m.

• Sun, June 25: Sisters Art Works, 3:15-4:15 p.m.

Mile Twelve — Mile Twelve is a progressive string band from Boston, Massachusetts.

Winners of the 2020 IBMA

New Artist of the Year award, they have been making waves in the acoustic music community with their seamless blend of expertly crafted songs, creative arrangements, and virtuosic execution. They’ve found receptive audiences across the globe, touring throughout North America, Europe, Oceania, and Japan. On their latest album, “Close Enough to Hear,” you’ll notice the addition of two new members, fiddler and vocalist Ella Jordan and mandolinist Korey Brodsky joining founding members Evan Murphy (guitar, vocals), Catherine Bowness (banjo), and Nate Sabat (bass, vocals). The record reveals a band looking forward — simultaneously shoring up their bluegrass foundations while also pushing their musical boundaries and driving into new territory. Listeners will detect flavors of jazz, acoustic pop, and trance music displaying the vast potential of acoustic string band music in the hands of capable players.

• Sat, June 24: Three Creeks Brewing, 1:45-2:45 p.m.

• Sat, June 24: Sisters Art Works, 4:30-5:30 p.m.

• Sun, June 25: Sisters Art Works, 1:45-2:45 p.m.

The Last Revel — After a five-year hiatus, the original trio has reunited to produce new music with a revitalized appreciation for camaraderie and creativity. Now living in three different cities across the U.S., these three independently talented singer-songwriters bring together the sounds of Nashville, TN, Minneapolis, MN, and Bozeman, MT to create front porch Americana soundscapes that are equally original as they are timeless. Drawing influence from their salt-of-the-earth Midwest ethos, the band’s songs so naturally blend the genres of folk, old-time string band, and indie rock to create a sound that echoes the current heartbeat of America. The Last Revel utilizes their multi-instrumental abilities to bring the full spectrum of modern Americana to life with lush arrangements of three-part vocal harmonies, acoustic and electric guitars, upright bass, fiddle, and 5-string banjo to consistently support impassioned performances of their honest and heartfelt songwriting.

• Sat, June 24: Sisters Art Works, 1:30-2:30 p.m.

• Sun, June 25: Three Creeks Brewing, 3:30-4:30 p.m.

Never Come Down —

Weaving together modern and traditional styles of bluegrass and Americana, Never Come Down is a Portland, Oregonbased 5-piece composed of Joe Suskind (guitar), Crystal Lariza (vocals), Brian Alley (banjo), Kaden Hurst (mandolin), and Ben Ticknor (bass). Their dedication to thoughtful songwriting and dynamic arrangements highlights polished technical skills and a commitment to collaboration.

2023 Big Ponderoo Artists

Formed in 2018, the band released their self-titled debut that year, and their second album “Better Late Than Never” in 2021. They’ve toured internationally and have found acclaim at festivals and venues such as Iceland Airwaves, John Hartford Memorial Fest, Americanafest, FreshGrass, and RockyGrass.

• Sat, June 24: Sisters Art Works, 3-4 p.m.

• Sun, June 25: Three Creeks Brewing, 2-3 p.m.

Laney Lou & the

Bird Dogs is an energetic Americana band from Bozeman, MT, infusing fourpart harmonies, engaging songwriting, and rock-n-roll drive into a modern approach to traditional folk music.

Coming from varied musical backgrounds, the five-person ensemble creates a sound unique to them, but one that finds common ground by adding the energy of Montana’s big sky country into their music. Their songs are reflective, joyous, longing, and are meant to share a journey with the listener. Through it all, the band is able to convey heartfelt honesty, encouraging the audience to immerse themselves in the moment by dancing, singing, and laughing along.

The group has been touring full-time for six years, playing notable festivals such as Bourbon and Beyond, Under the Big Sky, Grand Targhee Bluegrass, Blue Ox, and Red Ants Pants.

• Sat, June 24: Three Creeks Brewing, 3:15-4:15 p.m.

• Sun, June 25: Sisters Art Works, 12:15-1:15 p.m.

FY5 — For more than 13 years, the five influential roots musicians of FY5 have conspired to create original bluegrass, folk, and country music in the studio and on the roads. FY5 has toured coast to coast in America, showcased at Folk Alliance and the International Bluegrass Music Association conventions, and shared the stage with countless other contemporary acoustic artists. Their show is energetic, thoughtful, and endearing, having gained thousands of fans all across the country. In 2023 they are releasing new music, and honing still new iterations of their impactful compositions and rootsy sounds.

• Sat, June 24: Three Creeks Brewing, 12:15-1:15 p.m.

• Sun, June 25: Sisters Art Works, 11 a.m.-12 p.m.

Honey Don’t — Born in the Colorado Rockies, now thriving in the Northwest Cascades, Honey Don’t plays engaging original bluegrasstinged folk music featuring award-winning songwriting, sweet harmonies, and sharp picking. Fronted by founding members and husband-wife duo Bill Powers on guitar and Shelley Gray on the upright bass, they are joined by Don Hawkins on snare and CJ Neary on fiddle, and Benji Nagel on dobro and vocals. Bill and Shelley have been making music together for over 20 years and like a fine wine and exceptional bourbon, the best of their qualities have naturally distilled into a truly unique vibe, sound, and feel that is Honey Don’t.

• Sat, June 24: Sisters Art Works, 12-1 p.m.

Skillethead — Setting roots in the high and dry Central Oregon desert, Skillethead calls forth the best of bluegrass old and new. They ground themselves firmly in the bluegrass traditions of driving fiddle tunes, layered harmonies, and single mics, all the while weaving in inspiration and originality gleaned from genres far and wide. You can expect to hear a Stanley Brothers number right alongside a stirring original or a rollicking rock cover done in Skillethead’s own unique fashion. The brainchild of late-night jams and carrot-picking daydreams, Skillethead was christened in the spring of 2019 by friends and longtime musical revelers Joe Schulte, Benji Nagel, and Garrett Miller.

• Sun, June 25: Three Creeks Brewing, 11 a.m.-12 p.m.

Guitar raffle

Big Ponderoo will raffle an exquisite Preston Thompson Guitar to support the cultural mission of Sisters Folk Festival Inc. Only 400 entries will be sold to win this handcrafted and highlycoveted Preston Thompson (PKT) custom guitar. Raffle tickets are $25 each. Tickets can be purchased — while supplies last — at https:// tinyurl.com/BPGuitarRaffle or in person at Big Ponderoo Friday night at the Sisters Art Works box office and Saturday and Sunday at the Sisters Art Works festival merchandise booth.

This guitar is a handcrafted dreadnought featuring a mahogany back and sides; an Adirondack spruce top; and a custom pinecone inlay on the headstock in honor of the festival’s namesake, the ponderosa pine. Christine Funk, CEO of PKT says, “Preston Thompson offers a guitar each year to the SFF organization because we believe music is an important outlet for young people to share their emotions and feelings. We want to support the programming and educational opportunities that SFF creates in the Sisters public schools and beyond.”

PKT is a Sisters company specializing in production of handcrafted, acoustic guitars. Founder Preston Thompson started making guitars in the 1980s studying Golden Era guitars from the 1930s to replicate that highly sought-after vintage sound. The playability and craftsmanship of Thompson guitars are highly regarded in the industry, with support from dealers both domestically and internationally. The winner will be drawn on Sunday, June 25 at 4 p.m. at Sisters Art Works.

THE Ponderoo Arts Experience

The inaugural Big Ponderoo weekend encompasses three distinct elements:

• Camp Ponderoo, a bluegrass music jam camp

• The Ponderoo Arts

Experience – a celebration of art, community, and music

• Big Ponderoo, a brand new, two-day music festival. An SFF Presents event, the Ponderoo Arts Experience will take place Friday, June 23 throughout Sisters. The goal of the event is to weave the visual arts into the music, and creativity into community.

SFF has designed a variety of artistic elements as part of the weekend. The Ponderoo Arts Experience kicks off with a sponsored 4th Friday Art Walk, which includes live music from 4:30 to 6 p.m. at 10 local art galleries and businesses around town:

— Friday, June 23 —

BIG PONDEROO 4TH FRIDAY ART WALK

4 to 7 p.m. • Around town • Free

LIVE MUSIC AT ART WALK LOCATIONS

4:30 to 6 p.m. • Around town • Free ART ACTIVITIES

6 to 8 p.m. • Sisters Art Works • Free

• Community Weaving Project • Creativity Table

• Coloring Station • Wishing Tree

BIG PONDEROO SNEAK PEEK CONCERT

Sisters Art Works • Free

• Never Come Down - 6:30 to 7:15 p.m.

• Twisted Pine – 7:30 to 8:15 p.m.

• Cindy & Duncan Campbell Gallery at Sisters Art Works – Quattlebaum

• Stitchin’ Post – The Smokedrifters

• Rickards Gallery –Jacob Weil

• Raven Makes – The Erins

• Sisters Gallery & Frame Shop – Beth Wood & Dennis McGregor

• Wildflower Studio –Skybound Blue

• Canyon Creek Pottery – SHS Americana Project performers

• Hood Avenue Art – Joel Chadd

• Nechville Banjos West – Linda Leavitt & Tom Nechville

• Thompson Guitars –Brothers Jam.

Patrons can pick up a “Ponderoo Passport” and map from a participating location and have it stamped at each of the businesses. Completed passports can then be redeemed for a Little Ponderoo, a beautiful glass suncatcher envisioned by glass artist Susie Zeitner and created by local artists and community members. Don’t wait until the last minute as the quantity is limited!

Afterward, the Ponderoo Arts Experience continues at Sisters Art Works with

The Ponderoo Arts Experience, Friday, June 23, will include hands-on creative opportunities for the young and young at heart.

a free, fun evening of live music, food, and drink, and hands-on creative opportunities for the young and young at heart. At 6:15 p.m., don’t miss the official unveiling of Sisters Art Works’ new mural, “Music Brings the World Together,” painted on the new shed at the back of the venue. Created by local artist and middle school art teacher Judy Fuentes, the mural was lovingly painted by a cadre of creative and dedicated volunteers. The

interactive image invites onlookers to join the band for the perfect photo op as the ensemble appears to be missing its saxophone player.

Food and beverages will be available for purchase at Sisters Art Works, including Ponderoo Pale Ale, a unique collaboration between Sisters Folk Festival and local award-winning brewery Three Creeks Brewing. Don’t miss this special (free) evening of community, art, music, and fun!

Little Ponderoo, a beautiful glass suncatcher envisioned by glass artist Susie Zeitner and created by local artists.