Native Americans believe the Mountain Lion symbolizes grace through intention, strength, and responsibility. It’s a fitting metaphor for our gathering of the 22nd Annual “Summit of the Song,” where nearly 200 artists have been immersed all week in the art and inspiration of the song – a short story put to music that has the power to change minds and sometimes even the world. In this political year we celebrate Woody Guthrie and the words “this machine kills fascists” emblazoned across his guitar. We welcome new voices with their own inspiring messages – including remarkable songwriters from Australia, Argentina, England, Canada, and across the U.S. And, of course, we embrace the lighter side of song: around campground circles, in our family area, and with a special kids show in the Wildflower Pavilion. Our friends at New Belgium Brewing have crafted a special German-style pale lager, only available here and now, to commemorate our season of festival magic. Savor the Summer Bliss in the first-ever reusable cup created from post-consumer recycled materials (plastic coat hangers!) as you dip your feet in the meandering St Vrain River. Remember, you can always find a seat on an empty tarp up-front during the day (and begin a lasting friendship when the tarp’s owners return). Drink plenty of water. Slather on the sunscreen. Dance and sing with heart. Write songs. And above all, cherish this precious time together. We’re so glad you’re here. Love,
The Folks on Planet Bluegrass
Sing me a melody, sing me a blues, walk through the bottomland without no shoes — Lyle Lovett
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250 Exhibitors 75 Workshops Real Food Local Beer Family Activities Keynote Speakers Live Entertainment Hands-on Experiences
Reel Motion • ReSource • Lotus Design • Alphagraphics Aspen Grove Marketing • Go-West • Eldorado Water • FC Pan Spokes Buzz • KRFC • Grant Family Farms • Your True Nature Shaped Music • Public Service Credit Union • Nexus America’s Best Organics • Mawson Lumber & Hardware
Welcome Festivarians! The Stone Cup and Kitchen is just a short walk away!
Organic espresso, coffee and teas, amazing smoothies and baked goods and now we have a full kitchen! Ridiculously good breakfast sandwiches & burritos Spicy Bloody Sam’s and blackberry & strawberry mimosas • Gluten-free options • Organic & natural • Eco-friendly & wind-powered • No microwaves • Free wi-fi (great coverage!) Open 6 am – 2 pm Come on by! 5th & High St. • 303.823.2345 • www.thestonecup.com
There is no lifeguard watching your kids in the river. Please monitor your children carefully. Climbing the hillsides or cliffs is strictly prohibited. Feel free to sit in any open tarp until the tarp’s owners return. Once placed on, wristbands are nonrefundable and non-transferable. If you remove, tear, damage, or lose your wristband, we will not replace it. No dogs are allowed at the festival, in the campground, or in the parking lots. If you leave your dog in your car, we will call Animal Control and safely remove your dog from the car by whatever means necessary.
Please use only low-backed chairs in designated areas. If we can roll a basketball under your chair, we will ask you to move it behind the sound booth. Umbrellas, shade tents, and other view-obstructing items are allowed only along the river and back perimeter.
Festival Line Policy:
Festivarians may not begin assembling for the next day until midnight
Please be respectful of others and do not stand in the festival seating areas.
At some unannounced time during the night Planet Bluegrass will randomly distribute numbers to everyone in the assembly area
Please do not smoke in the audience. Wander over to the festival smoking tent near the river and deposit your butts in the proper receptacles. Please.
The next morning, Festivarians will be admitted into the festival in this randomly-assigned order, followed by first-come first-served
Lost and found is located at the festival box office.
Lyons’ local & fresh choice! groceries fresh produce meats deli bakery ice gifts carwash
455 Main St., Downtown Lyons
303-823-5225 www.StVrainMarket.com
Open 7 a.m. – 11 p.m. festival weekends.
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Little girl, I admit I get jealous, why’s the dog gotta sleep here between us — Caleb Hawley
- DeDicateD to preserving anD honoring the art of the american BBQ -
Appetizers
sAlAds & things
Smokin’ Rings Bubba-Que Wings Southern Catfish Tenders Stuffed Potato Skins Pit Master Sliders Mile High Cheese Fries
Pork Green Chili Ale & Cheese Soup Pit Boss Chopped BBQ Southern Catfish Salad Smoked Shack Caesar Salad Spinach & Crispy Chicken Salad
FAvorites Southern Catfish Pecan Crusted Trout Chicken Fried Steak Top Sirloin Aged Ribeye Cajun Pork Chops Coconut Shrimp
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beers on tap
sAndwiches & Burgers
smokin’ plAtters Roasted Half Chicken Carolina Pulled Pork Texas Beef Brisket St. Louis Style Ribs Kobe Beef Ribs Elgin Sausage
sides
Texas Beef Brisket Carolina Pulled Pork Sandwich BBQ Chicken Sandwich Cajun Chicken Sandwich Hot Hog Smoked Sausage Egger-riffic Burger Smokin’ ChiliBurger
Red Beans & Rice Cole Slaw Fresh Cut Potato Fries Sweet Potato Fries Southern Green Beans Spiced Apples Corn on the Cob BBQ Baked Beans
Open every Day 11am–ClOse
228 main street, lyOns, CO
smOkinDavesq.COm
303-823-7427 (riBs)
With your help, the Planet Bluegrass festivals have become models of Sustainable Festivation. As we continue to refine and expand this communal effort, here are three areas we’re focusing on this year.
Waste anD ReUsE
Last year we took the next step toward “zerowaste” by removing all landfill trash containers from the inner festival grounds, allowing us to achieve an estimated 90% diversion rate. With all plates, cups and utensils from festival vendors compostable, we encourage you to pack-out any non-recyclable, non-compostable trash. The Sustainable Festivation crewmembers at each waste station (members of the Lyons High School band) will help you sort your waste and direct you to the appropriate waste containers.
Local fooD and WateR
To draw attention to environmentally responsible food, we’re introducing our own Planet Burger food booth. The menu features beef from nearby Sylvan Dale Ranch, where cattle roam on 3,200 acres and are always grass-fed with no steroids, antibiotics, or GMOs. Our burger buns are baked fresh daily with organic ingredients in Boulder, and all vegetables are organic and grown in Colorado. We encourage everyone to “drink local” using our free locally-filtered water stations
EneRgy anD OFfsets
Our festivals and offices have been 100% wind-powered since 2004. This year we’re again purchasing carbon offsets to neutralize the emissions created by all our artists’ travel and lodging as well as the shuttle buses in Lyons. Learn more at the Renewable Choice Energy booth.
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Even better than compost and recycling is reuse. Collect a sticker each day you reuse your beer cup and you might win a cruiser bike from New Belgium Brewing. In partnership with Eco-Products, this summer we’re introducing the world’s first reusable cup made from 25% postconsumer recycled polypropylene. If you must dispose of your cup, please use the special beer cup recycling containers (by the beverage booth and festival exit) to help us close the loop on recycling.
(next to the beverage booth and behind the box office). If you forgot to bring your reusable bottle, we’ll be selling long-lasting Klean Kanteens at the Country Store. Backstage, where we serve over 350 meals per day to artists and staff, we continue to source most produce from Colorado farms. Our partnership with Colorado’s Red Bird Chicken allows us to offer chicken that is treated humanely and raised hormone- and antibiotic-free.
You’ll notice new solar-powered lighting in the parking areas, campgrounds, and waste stations this year. Thanks to a grant from the 2012 Boulder County Community Outreach program, we’ve replaced 35 of our halogen lights with solar-powered LED lights.
It’s like trying to make out every word, when they should simply hum along — Dawes
How Green is
Your Grass? With more than 1,400 campers in Lyons this weekend, it’s more important than ever to embrace the “leave no trace” camping philosophy. In collaboration with the Leave No Trace Center for Outdoor Ethics and Eco-Products (suppliers of free compostable bags for all campers), the 5th Annual Campsite Challenge rewards sustainable campsites in any of the Planet Bluegrass-managed campgrounds. To nominate your campsite: 1. Visit the Leave No Trace booth to fill out the 1-page entry form – explaining how your campsite exhibits cleanliness, sustaina bility, and creativity. 2. Stop by the Leave No Trace booth each day to view all the campsite entries and vote for your favorites.
Two campsite finalists will be chosen each day – one random and one chosen by staff. Each winning campsite will receive a prize package including: • New Belgium Beer • Planet Bluegrass music • Leave No Trace memberships Planet Bluegrass will select the Grand Prize winner of 2013 on-site camping passes after the campground pack-out on Monday.
[ ] The forest floor, the palms of your hands, I’m looking for a soft place to land — Kathleen Edwards
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Parents, please accompany your children while in the family area.
As the younger generation of festivarians continues to grow, we’ve expanded our family area (in the woods next to the Wildflower Pavilion) to include a variety of fun, planet-minded activities throughout the day – 10:30am ‘til 5pm.
Colorado Mountain Club
Swallow Hill Music Association
Wild Bear Mountain Ecology Center
Visit the Colorado Mountain Club booth every hour for youthoriented demonstrations on slack-lining, Leave No Trace practices, and mountain safety. Try out our slack-line, hula hoops, and balance activities. Join in a gear gathering relay race. Practice tying knots and make a bracelet to keep! Serving the community since 1912, Colorado Mountain Club programs revolve around education, environmental conservation & responsible recreation. www.cmc.org/YEP
Visit the Swallow Hill booth for hands-on music demonstrations throughout the day. Get upclose with acoustic instruments in the music petting zoo. Record your own song in the mobile recording studio and instantly receive an mp3 of your tracks. Founded in 1979, Swallow Hill promotes the joy of learning and listening to roots music through classes for more than 4,000 adults, teens, kids and pre-school students and more than 200 concerts per year. www.swallowhillmusic.org
Pick up your Wild Bear Activity Book to use throughout the weekend. Create an Earth Flag out of natural dyes to take home. Make your special wood cookie necklace with your very own nature name. Complete the “Bingo Discovery Game” for your special prize. Remember, if the bear is sleeping, you should stop back at another time. Nederland-based Wild Bear offers year-round nature workshops for children, families, and adults – including the 12th Annual Enchanted Forest on Saturday, October 13. www.wildbear.org
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Mary Anne, do you remember the tree by the river when we were seventeen? — Iron & Wine
with hosts Nick & Helen Forster and visiting guests TUE SEP 11 • BOULDER THEATER
Robert Cray
Anders Osborne
and
Jewelry, clothing, funky antiques and collectibles
SAT SEP 22 • LINCOLN CENTER FORT COLLINS
The Head and The Heart
Gregory Alan Isakov and
429 Main St., Lyons 303-709-4744 Hours: Tues-Sat 11-6 Sun 12-5
Tickets at www.etown.org
I’m a wildflower, and I’m an old man; There’s so much in between — Kasey Chambers
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Celebrating In his lifetime, Woody performed for Dust Bowl refugees on California radio, chronicled the building of the Grand Coulee Dam as a songwriter on the federal payroll, served in both the Merchant Marine and the Army, helped establish folk music as a viable commercial genre as a member of the Almanac Singers in New York, and ultimately wrote nearly 3,000 song lyrics, 2 novels, and numerous unpublished manuscripts, poems, prose and plays before Huntington’s Disease finally took his life in 1967. To celebrate the 100th birthday of Woodrow Wilson Guthrie (born July 14, 1912), six instructors at this year’s Song School share their personal reflections on his lasting legacy.
Christopher Smith on Woody’s Youthfulness
I am a kindergarten teacher, so the songs that writing for a children’s audience is that Woody wrote for children hold a spe- every bit as important as writing for adults. cial place in my heart. They remind me
Woody on youth: “Watch the kids. Do like they do. Act like they act. Sing like they sing. You’ll be healthier. You’ll feel wealthier. I don’t want the kids to be grownup. I want to see the grown folks be kids.”
Gretchen Peters on Woody’s Artistry I learned a lot of Woody’s songs as a kid in the back seat of the family car. I didn’t think much about the message, I just loved to sing them. Later on in my life, two other things happened: I read The Grapes of Wrath and I heard Merle Haggard. I now realize that all three of these are
related, and Guthrie, along with Steinbeck & Haggard, is part of the root of a beautiful vine that still flourishes and produces new and wonderful fruit each generation. Woody gave us hundreds of songs to sing, and they will never grow old because they are our story.
After listening to “Tom Joad,” which Woody wrote shortly after The Grapes Of Wrath was published, Steinbeck said in a letter to Woody, “You little bastard. How could you say in twelve verses what it took me an entire novel to write?”
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I’ll be a student of life, a singer of song, a farmer of food, and a righter of wrong — Holly Near
Alan Rowoth on Woody’s Democracy
I love his music and the fact that he knew that every person intrinsically has value. What you have, who you know, what you own says little about who you
are. How you treat the people around you, especially those who can do nothing for you, speaks volumes. Woody loved the little guy.
Woody on democracy: “I am out to sing songs that will prove to you that this is your world and that if it has hit you pretty hard and knocked you for a dozen loops – no matter what color, what size you are, how you are built – I am out to sing the songs that make you take pride in yourself and in your work.”
Annie Wenz on Woody’s Activism
To me, Woody Guthrie was, and still is, one of the greatest movers and shakers of “We the American People!” As a musician activist, he led the way, rallying the masses like no other, bringing us together and mobilizing our hearts and souls and spirits,
embodying what our country is about. Being a true patriot and speaking out and standing up for what’s right for all... And the fact that he did it through music just makes him even more amazing! Woody Lives Forever!
Woody on activism: “I took a bath this morning in six war speeches and a sprinkle of peace. I would like to see every single soldier on every single side, just take off your helmet, unbuckle your kit, lay down your rifle, and set down at the side of some shady lane, and say, nope, I ain’t a gonna kill nobody.”
Steve Seskin on Woody’s Inspiration So many of us singer-songwriters carry this
torch, using music as a healing force and to provide a commentary on what’s wrong with the world and what we can do about
it. I think of a song as a rally cry, a way to bring people together, to inspire them to make a difference on the planet.
Woody on inspiration: “A folk song is what’s wrong and how to fix it; or it could be who’s hungry and where their mouth is; or who’s out of work and where the job is; or who’s broke and where the money is; or who’s carrying a gun and where the peace is.”
Don Conoscenti on Woody’s Immortality Everywhere I go as a songwriter and sto- people and the causes of his day. That in
ryteller I see the traces of Woody Guthrie. and of itself doesn’t make him unique, but He took the traditions of his past and the the fact that we are still talking about him music of his contemporaries and wove it and singing those songs decades later does. into songs and stories that mattered to the We all owe Woody a great deal. Woody on immortality: “Drop the word ‘folk’ and just call it real old honest-to-god American singing. No matter who makes it up, no matter who sings it and who don’t, if it talks the lingo of the people, it’s a cinch to catch on, and will be sung here and yonder for a long time after you’ve cashed in your chips.”
I still see wrong from right, ‘cause I’ve got my mama’s eyes — Justin Townes Earle
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We begin the 22nd Annual Folks Festival with our internationally-recognized songwriting competition. The Songwriter Showcase is open to artists who write and perform original music, who are not currently signed to a major recording or publishing deal. Past winners include: Deb Talan (of The Weepies), Don Conoscenti, Sarah Sample, and our 2011 winner Caleb Hawley. To select the winners amongst the ten finalists, a panel of judges drawn from different facets of the music industry – songwriters, performers, DJs, producers – independently evaluate the performers’ songs based on our scoring criteria: 50% Quality of Composition (depth, insight, cleverness)
Last winter artists from around the world submitted recordings of original songs to be considered by our panel of music industry experts. After carefully listening to nearly 500 entries, our panelists selected the ten finalists who will each perform two songs for us Friday morning on the Folks Festival stage.
2012 Songwriter Showcase Finalists Cary Cooper
Louise Mosrie
Anna Dagmar
Chris O’Brien
Dallas, TX
New York, NY
25% Quality of Vocal Rendering (vocal quality, pitch, tone)
Maya De Vitry
25% Quality of Delivery (instrumental technique, induction of charismatic mania)
Jonas Friddle
The winners will be announced from the main stage immediately following the contest finals.
Each of the ten finalists will also perform this weekend in one of the ASCAP “Showcase Finalists In-The-Round” sets in the Wildflower Pavilion. Please support these talented artists by joining them for these intimate performances and purchasing their CDs in the Country Store.
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Nashville, TN
Somerville, MA
Ben Shannon
Lancaster, PA
Pittsburgh, PA
Anna Vogelzang
Chicago, IL
Madison, WI
Robby Hecht
Kevin Myles Wilson
Nashville, TN
Toronto, Ontario
1st Place: 2013 Festival Main Stage set, Taylor Guitar, and $300 2nd Place: $500
4th Place: $300
3rd Place: $400
5th Place: $200
6th - 10th Place: $100 each
Run an airtight mission, a Cousteau expedition, find a diamond at the bottom of the drain — Neko Case
MAIN STAGE Friday
SaturDay
10:00am Gates Open
10:00am Gates Open
11:00 - 12:45pm Songwriter Showcase
11:00 - Noon Gretchen Peters
1:00 - 2:00pm Caleb Hawley
12:30 - 1:45pm Girlyman
2:15 - 3:30pm Holly Near
2:00 - 3:15pm Richard Shindell
3:45 - 5:00pm Justin Townes Earle
3:45 - 5:00pm Elephant Revival
5:30 - 6:45pm Dawes
5:30 - 6:45pm Darrell Scott
7:15 - 8:30pm Kathleen Edwards
7:15 - 8:30pm Kasey Chambers
9:00 - 10:30pm Iron & Wine
9:00 - 10:30pm Amos Lee
August 17
August 18
WILDFLOWER PAVILION FRidAy
SaturDay
SundAy
12:45-1:45pm Songwriters In-The-Round: Bill Nash, Mike Beck, Michael Bowers & Siobhรกn Quinn
11:45-12:30pm Theo Katzman
11:45-12:30pm Peter Himmelman Kids Show
AUgust 17
Sunday
August 19 10:00am Gates Open 10:45 - 11:45am In the Spirit of Woody Guthrie 12:15 - 1:15pm Shannon McNally 1:30 - 2:45pm The Milk Carton Kids 3:15 - 4:30pm The Dunwells
2:00-2:45pm Annie Wenz 3:00-3:45pm Justin Roth 4:00-4:45pm Amy Speace 5:00-5:45pm Don Conoscenti
augUst 18
12:45-1:30pm Paul Reisler 1:45-3:00pm Showcase Finalists In-The-Round 3:15-4:30pm Showcase Finalists In-The-Round 4:45-5:30pm Steve Seskin 5:45-6:45pm Arthur Lee Land
AUGuST 19
12:45-2:00pm Showcase Finalists In-The-Round 2:15-3:00pm Christopher Smith 3:15-4:00pm Pete Kartsounes 4:15-5:00pm Ellis 5:15-6:00pm Rebecca Folsom
5:00 - 6:15pm Peter Himmelman 6:45 - 8:00pm Neko Case 8:30 - 10:00pm Lyle Lovett & His Large Band
22nd Annual Rocky Mountain Folks Festival
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Caleb Hawley Friday, 1:00 - 2:00pm It’s almost too easy for Caleb Hawley to win over an audience. With his lightning guitar licks, irreverent choice of covers (Spice Girls?), and a voice – from soothing folk to powerhouse soul – that placed him in the final 50 on American Idol, the shaggy-haired, blue-eyed singersongwriter is irresistible. So irresistible, that it’s easy to overlook the power and truth in his songwriting. Raised outside Minneapolis, Caleb
discovered his songwriting voice after earning a Berklee jazz composition degree. Based in New York City since 2007, his self-described “folk infused rock ‘n’ soul” is sweeping songwriting contests across the country – John Lennon, Falcon Ridge, and last year’s Songwriter Showcase here in Lyons. Caleb takes the Folks stage on the final day of the Kickstarter campaign to fund his 4th album – in which hundreds of his fans have freely contributed to help bring more of his irresistible music to life.
Holly NeaR Friday, 2:15 - 3:30pm Holly Near is a unique combination of entertainer, teacher, and activist. An immense vocal talent, Holly’s career as a singer has been defined by an unwillingness to separate her passion for music from her passion for human dignity. As a skilled performer, Holly brings to the stage an integration of world consciousness, spiritual discovery, and theatricality. In ‘72, Holly was one of the first women to create
an independent record company and is often cited as one of the founders of the “women’s music” movement. She continues to write and sing political songs with grace and humor, and an integrity that has earned her the reputation as one of the most articulate social change artists working today. We welcome Holly to the Folks stage for the first time, as she celebrates the release of Peace Becomes You, a double-CD building on 40 creative years and 30 recordings.
Justin Townes Earle Friday, 3:45 - 5:00pm Sometimes the path to greatness is set long before the individual realizes their talents. The son of singer-songwriter Steve Earle (and named for Townes Van Zandt), Justin Townes Earle seemed destined for such greatness. Absent a father for most of his youth due to touring and drug addiction, Justin saw hardships as a child. After confronting his own demons while on tour with his father’s band, Justin
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landed in the hospital and began a new chapter of sobriety and focus. On the strength of his 2007 EP, Justin was picked up by a label and began writing his first of 4 acclaimed albums. Justin’s raw and introspective writings are immediately recognizable as pure Americana – from the perspective of someone who believes what he says and says what he believes. Wanting none of the accolades associated with his namesake, Justin Townes Earl has established himself as a treasure in modern Americana.
From the moment I saw your face I knew I could never take living for granted — Peter Himmelman
Throwing your shoes right up over the wire, you were setting those Easy Bake Ovens on fire — Girlyman
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Dawes Friday, 5:30 - 6:45pm Authenticity. For L.A.based quartet Dawes, authenticity is the founding principle. Brothers Taylor (guitar) and Griffin (drums) Goldsmith, Tay Strathairn (keyboards), and Wylie Gelber (bass) embody the core values of seminal ‘70s Laurel Canyon folk-rock: organic collaborations, familial harmonies, a genuine audience connection, and the kinship of life on the road. Over 2 acclaimed albums, including last
year’s best-of worthy Nothing Is Wrong, the band – which was named after the brothers’ country music-loving grandfather – has recorded modern classics: carefully crafted emotional vignettes sung with heart, tasty guitar leads, and deeply swinging grooves. With music in their DNA (the brothers’ father fronted horn funksters Tower of Power), Dawes live set is honest, in-the-moment (watch for Griffin’s blissfully lost-in-the-pocket facial expressions), and an invigorating start to this Folks Friday evening.
Kathleen EdwarDs Friday, 7:15 - 8:30pm Live and on record, Toronto-based singersongwriter Kathleen Edwards crafts music with passion and honesty. Where her first 3 rootsy albums earned critical raves and a devoted following, Kathleen’s latest collection, Voyageur (co-produced by Bon Iver’s Justin Vernon), explores a deeper musical identity – alternating dreamy indie pop, roughshod rock, and refined twang. The Polaris-prize nominated
album, which debuted at #2 in her native Canada, marks an emotionally revealing turn for the guitar-wielding alto. “I literally drew a door right here,” says Kathleen, motioning to her chest, “and a little doorknob and there you go. Have a look inside.” The result is a bittersweet but nourishing collection, whose open spaces and quiet/loud dynamics – performed this evening with Gord Tough (guitar) and Jim Bryson (guitar / keyboards) – will soothe, challenge, and mesmerize.
Iron & Wine Friday, 9:00 - 10:30pm “I think you try to push yourself into different areas you haven’t walked around in before.” For iconoclastic singer-songwriter Sam Beam (aka Iron & Wine), each album represents a musical evolution – broadening his sonic colors, introducing world rhythms, writing with more vivid emotional imagery. The South Carolina-raised, former film professor had been writing songs for 7 years before he began recording on a
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borrowed 4-track in the early ‘00s. What began as intimate bedroom recordings has blossomed over 4 remarkable albums – as Sam’s vocals have grown from hushed whispers to newfound expressive depths. As one of the defining voices of modern indie-folk, Iron & Wine has deeply affected a generation of listeners and musicians. With his belief that “a song is a living thing,” tonight Sam and his band will reimagine this special catalog under the cliffs of the St. Vrain.
I bound his wounds, I heard his cries, I gave him truth, I told him lies — Gretchen Peters
I brought them home in that sweet, sweet rain — Richard Shindell
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GRetchen Peters Saturday, 11:00 - Noon Gretchen Peters’ own voice and guitar playing have been at the core of her music since she started performing in the Boulder folk circuit as a teenager. Inspired by a new generation of songwriters rising out of Nashville, Gretchen relocated to Music City in the late ‘80s. “Being in a place where you can hear so many good songwriters perform their work on just an acoustic guitar really made me understand the anatomy
of songs in a way I didn’t until I moved here.” In ‘95, Martina McBride’s Grammy-nominated recording of Gretchen’s “Independence Day” made Gretchen a songwriting sensation. Soon a string of great vocalists – Trisha Yearwood, Patty Loveless, Neil Diamond, George Strait – began to record Gretchen’s songs. Disproving the perception of “singer” and “songwriter” as different roles, Gretchen has gone on to record 5 solo albums, including the excellent Hello Cruel World.
Girlyman Saturday, 12:30 - 1:45pm “A supernova is a dying star,” explains Doris Muramatsu, who was diagnosed with leukemia in late 2010. Doris and her bandmates – Nate Borofsky, Ty Greenstein and drummer JJ Jones – had spent 10 years singing together, growing their lyric driven folk-pop from tiny coffeehouses to sold-out gigs with the Indigo Girls and Dar Williams. But with Doris’s diagnosis they feared the future. “Nate had written a
song called ‘Supernova’ that kept going through my head throughout my stay in the hospital,” reflects Doris. “Later I looked up the definition. While it is a dying star, it also gives birth to new stars.” Indeed, 9 months after her diagnosis, Doris’s cancer went into remission and the band was reborn. An autobiography of sorts, their 5th CD Supernova resonates with uncertainty and transformation. But rather than a dirge, the band reaches for hope. We’re glad to have them back.
RicharD Shindell Saturday, 2:00 - 3:15pm An expatriate New Yorker now living in Buenos Aires, Richard Shindell is a meticulous craftsman of song whose 8 studio albums have been revered by critics and fans alike. Richard’s songwriting is marked by a unique ability to morph into the soul of his narrators. Ranging from lighthearted ballads and adulterous love songs, to dirges and diatribes, Richard’s music skillfully skewers politics, prejudice, war, and religion. On
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his latest recording, Thirteen Songs You May Or May Not Have Heard Before, Richard finds himself revisiting some of his best known songs with a fresh eye and new arrangements, stripping the songs down to their basic framework and rebuilding them with a more intimate feel. This new approach puts the emphasis on Richard’s stunning acoustic guitar work and expressive storytelling – an approach which will be echoed during his solo performance on the Folks Festival stage.
Through the many colored trees, forms a many colored breeze — Elephant Revival
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Elephant Revival Saturday, 3:45 - 5:00pm Elephant Revival’s mantra: “Where words fail, music speaks.” The members of Elephant Revival believe that music can unite in a way no other medium can: there is no barrier that cannot be moved by a rhythm and soothed by a song. Selflessly sharing vocals and songwriting credits, the 5 collective souls of Elephant Revival – multi-instrumentalists Sage Cook (banjo, guitar, mandolin, tenor banjo), Bridget
Law (fiddle), Bonnie Paine (washboard, djembe, musical saw), Daniel Rodriguez (guitar, banjo), and Dango Rose (double-bass, mandolin, banjo) – work as one, in harmony, creating sounds they could never produce alone. Established in 2006 in Nederland, CO, the band is the newest sensation to emerge from Colorado’s fertile Front Range music community. Their unique brand of transcendental folk has skyrocketed them to national attention, and after this afternoon’s set you will understand why.
DarRell ScoTt Saturday, 5:30 - 6:45pm “I always expect magic; as ASCAP Songwriter of the Year. Darrell’s I always receive magic latest, Long Road Home, is a purist country from Colorado.” It’s hard album embodying the sound he describes as to imagine anything “the background music of my childhood.” Since but magic from the multi-instrumentalist / ‘98, Darrell has performed stunning solo sets singer / songwriter. For Darrell, those 3 roles take at all of our festivals as well as the Wildflower, on their most profound meaning: his command Academy, and Song School. Taking a break from of every known instrument is virtuosic yet his touring schedule as a member of Robert nuanced; his voice is saturated with soul, spirit, Plant’s Band of Joy, this Saturday evening we and warmth; and his songs have earned Grammy open our arms to Darrell to share some Colorado nominations, numerous #1 hits, and recognition musical magic.
Kasey Chambers Saturday, 7:15 - 8:30pm “I feel like my gig is a journey through my life.” For Australia’s alt-country hero Kasey Chambers, her musical life began young, with her family singing American folk songs around campfires as they spent half the year hunting in the South Australian desert. Now with 7 albums to her credit – totaling more than 14 Australian Platinum recognitions – and 10 ARIA (Australian Grammy) awards, Kasey is the
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country’s all-time biggest female country star. On her latest album, Storybook – the musical accompaniment to her 3-years-in-the-writing memoir A Little Bird Told Me – Kasey works her magic on gutsy, soulful tunes hand-picked from the iconic songbooks of Gram Parsons, Lucinda Williams, John Prine, and more. On the Folks stage, the self-described “social person” is free flowing, unfiltered, and as welcoming and warm as your hilarious and ridiculously talented new best friend.
If you listen you can hear the engines stalling, you can hear the angels falling — Amos Lee
AUG 30 JOHN HIATT & THE COMBO
SEPT 3 RICKIE LEE JONES/ MADELEINE PEYROUX
SEPT 7 JERRY DOUGLAS BAND
SEPT 21 GREGORY ALAN ISAKOV tickets
chautauqua.com
900 baseline road • boulder co coloradochautauqua
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@colochautauqua
8/2/12 3:45 PM Wishing on impressions, tiptoeing ‘round the hush, spying phantoms in the brush — Shannon McNally
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Amos Lee Saturday, 9:00 - 10:30pm The voice of Philadelphiaborn Amos Lee is a seductive instrument, but for much of his youth he didn’t know he could sing. “I didn’t really hang around with anybody that was playing music.” Fortunately for us, Amos discovered John Prine’s Great Days and the future soul-folk crooner was hooked. Following a short-lived career as a school teacher, Amos began developing into one of his generation’s leading voices – a point
driven home in recent years by legends such as Lucinda Williams and Willie Nelson clamoring to interpret his songs; and his 4th album, the lush and atmospheric Mission Bell, topping Billboard’s album chart in 2011. Amos may be a vulnerable troubadour wandering in a weary world, sharing his troubles in song and soulful spirit. But backed by his captivating live band, he celebrates a penchant for an energetic groove – a perfect punctuation to a rollicking Folks Festival Saturday night.
In the Spirit of WooDy Guthrie Sunday, 10:45 - 11:45am “There is no real trick of creating words to set to music, once you realize that the word is the music and the people are the song.” Woodrow Wilson Guthrie would have turned 100 on July 14, 2012. To commemorate this historic centennial, we open the final day of our 22nd Annual “Summit of the Song” with a celebration of the life, music, and spirit of America’s greatest troubadour – led
ShaNnon McNally
Sunday, 12:15 - 1:15pm
Years before the mainstream caught hold of the modern folk revolution, Long Island native, and current Mississippi resident, Shannon McNally took it upon herself to put acoustic music back into the ears of the masses. After honing her skills as a busker in Paris in the early ‘90s, Shannon secured a record deal with Capitol Records in ’97 and sought to make an acoustic record. Though the label refused to
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by many of our favorite modern troubadours, including Steve Seskin, Holly Near, Amy Speace, Christopher Smith, Annie Wenz, and Gretchen Peters. In his 55 years, Woody wrote nearly 3,000 song lyrics, expressing his passionate message of strength, justice, and hope. On this Sunday morning, we’ll raise our united voice in song: “Nobody living can ever stop me, as I go walking that freedom highway; Nobody living can ever make me turn back; This land was made for you and me.”
release the record until ’02, the delay did not deter the gifted songsmith. She continued to write and perform, self-releasing an EP and sharing stages with the likes of Stevie Nicks and Ryan Adams. Shannon has since released 6 more records and continues to wow audiences across the globe with her unapologetic songwriting and sultry vocal delivery. Today she joins us in our celebration of song with her unique and timeless style, and we couldn’t be happier.
I’m not afraid of falling, I just don’t wanna hit the ground — The Dunwells
The Milk CaRton KiDs Sunday, 1:30 - 2:45pm The Milk Carton Kids, a harmonizing, minimalist duo, use two guitars and two voices to create a refreshing combination of back-porch Americana and classic folk. Relying on compelling narratives, hot acoustic guitar leads, well-constructed harmony lines, and a natural stage chemistry, TMCK have excited crowds across North America since their formation in early ‘11. The serendipitous meeting between
Kenneth Pattengale & Joey Ryan led quickly to a shelving of their respective solo careers. While neither had previously considered such a collaboration, an effortless musical complement and fast personal fondness inspired the duo’s formation and, almost immediately, began drawing praise from anyone who listened. Make no mistake, TMCK’s are not missing, they are very much found. On Sunday afternoon, do yourself a favor and don’t allow yourself to be missing from this set.
The DUnweLls Sunday, 3:15 - 4:30pm “We’re obviously huge fans of American music and its history,” says David Dunwell, “but we didn’t set out with that in mind when we started playing together.” Instead, David and his brother Joseph just set out just to play music – bringing brother-style harmonies to every pub in their hometown of Leeds, England. Duo shows led to larger groups, and soon the Dunwell brothers and their best mates – cousins Rob
Clayton (bass) and Jonny Lamb (drums), and friend Dave Hanson (guitar) – were invited to Memphis for the Folk Alliance conference. “We paid a lot of money to play that showcase,” says Joe. “But when we walked off, there were people just throwing themselves at us.” And for good reason: banjos and guitars root their music in Americana, but the genuine bonds in their 4-part harmonies elevate them to something extraordinary, a fact their debut Blind Sighted Faith makes abundantly clear.
PeteR HiMmelman Sunday, 5:00 - 6:15pm Among rock musicians who matter, no one has check-listed items more winningly than Peter Himmelman. During his multi-pronged career as a singer, songwriter, and all-around performer; as a children’s entertainer, TV, and film composer; and as a pioneering webcast star, Peter has maintained remarkably high standards. For fans of Peter the comic, his groundbreaking webcast, Peter Himmelman’s
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Furious World, is manna from heaven. A second webcast, Peter Himmelman’s Curious World, is aimed at kids, for whom Himmelman has recorded 5 albums – among them, My Green Kite, which was nominated for a Grammy. “I’m as proud of those albums as anything I’ve done,” he says. Over the past 15 years, Peter has delivered some of the Folks Festival’s most creative, passionate and unforgettable performances from the stage… and sometime from the crowd as well.
If we keep looking backwards, we’ll break our necks; this ain’t no time for regret – The Milk Carton Kids
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Neko Case Sunday, 6:45 - 8:00pm “I need to live with some trees because I come from trees.” Neko Case may have been talking about her recent move to a Vermont farmhouse (where she grows her own heirloom tomatoes for a local café), but it equally describes her unique mix of country, gospel, torch, and pop music which is firmly rooted while soaring among nature’s great, growing heights. Neko’s glorious instrument – an exulting voice that twangs
like Patsy Cline, croons like Loretta Lynn, and booms with its own soaring reverb – is the centerpiece. But Neko’s fiercely original songwriting, which is both of its time while striving for timelessness, has won universal critical adoration for her 5 studio albums, including 2009’s brilliant Middle Cyclone. Tonight, the one-time punk drummer and power-pop vocalist creates her alternately dark and wondrous music, backed by her band and the cottonwoods of the St. Vrain.
Lyle LoveTt & His LaRge BanD Sunday, 8:30 - 10:00pm We close the 22nd Rocky Mountain Folks Festival with one of music’s (as well as tv & film’s) most fascinating and iconic performers. Since his ‘86 self-titled debut, Lyle Lovett has brought quirky Texas charm and darkly humorous meditations (about hats or heartbreak) to a beloved and broad-ranging musical catalog – spanning country-folk, big band swing, gospelinfused blues, and traditional pop. With His Large
Band – whose more than a dozen singers, strings, and percussionists ooze style and sophistication in their dapper suits and ties – the 54-yearold, 4-time Grammy winner’s music can be holy, haunting, or wholly jubilant. Despite long ties with Planet Bluegrass (5 Telluride sets since ’87) tonight marks Lyle’s long overdue Folks Festival debut – an inspiring celebration of Lyle’s vibrant and eclectic musical career and a magical ending to our weekend of stories and song, connecting generations, genres, and genius.
Dates to ReMEmber Kinfolk Celebration Featuring Yonder Mountain String Band & Friends
40th Annual
Telluride Bluegrass June 20-23, 2013
August 24-25, 2012 Visit bluegrass.com in October for details about purchasing 2013 tickets through our online lotteries, including RockyGrass Academy, RockyGrass On-Site Camping, and Telluride Bluegrass camping in Town Park and Warner Field.
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RockyGrass Academy July 21-25, 2013
The Song School August 11-15, 2013
41st Annual
23rd Annual
RockyGrass July 26-28, 2013
Rocky Mtn Folks Festival August 16-18, 2013 Printed on FSC-certified 70# Neenah Conservation text – a 100% postconsumer recycled fiber, made with 100% renewable energy
He started this dance but the song has no end, he got too close to comfort again — Darrell Scott
What beer do we drink when we’re done making beer? The one you’re about to enjoy in Shift. Canning this Nelson Sauvin hopped pale lager means everyone gets to reward their work. Or play. Or, if you’re like us, combine the two and surround yourself with drinking buddies. Clock out and crack one open.
shift pale lager is brewed by new belgium brewing fort collins co