THE lineup Growing up bluegrass

MOLLY TUTTLE & LINDSAY LOU AT WINTERWONDERGRASS

BY SEAN MCALINDIN

WinterWonderGrass | March 30-April 2 | Palisades Tahoe | Olympic Valley

Abluegrass festival is all about connection — a place where the lines between artist and audience blur and musical legends can be found jamming in the parking lot with their friends.

Flatpicking guitarist Molly Tuttle knows this well. She grew up in Palo Alto, the daughter of a traditional, old-time music teacher, Jack Tuttle. Every year, father and daughter visited bluegrass festivals such as California Bluegrass Association Father’s Day Festival, Strawberry Music Festival and Hardly Strictly Bluegrass.

“The other part of the festival is about jamming with your friends,” she says. “I know some people who go to bluegrass festivals and never see the stage. They stay in the campground all weekend and play music.”

“Bluegrass music is one of smallest genres recognized by the Grammys. It’s thought of by the general population as a niche genre. To be recognized in a general category, I could see this meaning my music could reach more people, not just people who listen to bluegrass.”

– Molly Tuttle

The roots of the Tuttle family musical heritage can be traced to her grandfather, Gerald Tuttle, a farmer and banjo player from Yorkville, Ill.

“He loved Earl Scruggs,” says Tuttle. “My dad’s two sisters also played music and they listened to the Grand Old Opry.”

Tuttle started learning bluegrass guitar at age 8. She later attended the American Roots Music program at Berklee

College of Music where she explored jazz, composition and clawhammer banjo. She moved to Nashville in 2015 and is now at the top of her craft. Tuttle was the first woman to win the International Bluegrass Music Association Guitar Player of the Year award in 2017 and she earned the Female Vocalist of the Year award in 2022.

Her debut album on Nonesuch Records, “Crooked Tree,” recently won a Grammy for Best Bluegrass Album. The captivating LP is an imaginative journey through a fictional world of characters and memories with special guests including Billy Strings, Gillian Welch, Margo Price and Dan Tyminski.

“It feels amazing,” says Tuttle. “It’s pretty surreal and just a huge honor. I guess it’s something really affirming that I’m on the right path with my music. I’m someone who can get a little doubtful of myself when I’m writing a song. I felt like my record was special, but it does help to feel that external validation, too. It helps me gain confidence and feel excitement for what’s to come.”

Tuttle was also nominated in the Best New Artist category, a rare distinction for a bluegrass musician.

“Bluegrass music is one of smallest genres recognized by the Grammys,” she says. “It’s thought of by the general population as a niche genre. To be recognized in a general category, I could see this meaning my music could reach more people, not just people who listen to bluegrass.”

Tuttle and her band Golden Highway perform on March 31 at WinterWonderGrass. | mollytuttlemusic.com

A home within myself

Another artist who knows a thing or two about connection is Lindsay Lou, a talented vocalist and songwriter who is a regular guest with many jamgrass bands in the scene.

“I love singing with people and I’m lucky people like singing with me,” she says. “I think about connecting to my voice very deeply and almost having a visual, physical connection between my voice and my mind when I sing. It’s like an all-encapsulating experience. Everything falls away and I become my voice.”

Lou was born in Butler, Miss., where her father was a coal miner. At age 3, she moved to the small town of Kingsford in the Upper Peninsula of Mich- igan where the bluegrass community holds strong. Her mother was one of 12 in a musical family. She sang lullabies to Lou at bedtime. As she got older, Lou and her Uncle Stuckey would play Stone Temple Pilots and Indigo Girls on guitar.

“Being around the jam as a kid felt like a big part of my identity,” says Lou. “As an adult, finding people who I can sing with feels like my sense of home within myself.”

Lou performs on April 1 with WinterWonderWomen and leads the WinterWonderGrass All-Stars for Grass After Dark on April 2 at Olympic Valley Lodge. She is also sure to appear as a special guest with many acts throughout the weekend.

“I love the festival for the fact that a lot of the people in the audience work 9 to 5 and this is their opportunity to let their freak flag fly,” she says. “They put on their unicorn onesie and dive into a more celebratory part of the human experience. The festival fills that role of creating the carnival side of life.” | lindsayloumusic.com, winterwondergrass.com n

CLASSIC ROCK

March 25 | Harrah’s Lake Tahoe | Stateline, Nev.

Night Ranger

Middleton steers their thoughtful studio efforts while Smith anchors the project’s live show with relentless charisma. Their vision has resonated with listeners around the world; they’ve amassed 30 million streams, including remixes for U2, Selena Gomez and Imagine Dragons. | crystalbaycasino.com

AMERICANA

March 25 | 9 p.m. | Alibi Ale Works | Truckee April 8 | 9 p.m. | Alibi Ale Works | Incline Village, Nev.

MR. JOHNSON

With timeless bangers such as, “Sister Christian,” “Don’t Tell Me You Love Me” and “When You Close Your Eyes,” heavy-hitting rockers Night Ranger have melted faces and serenaded eardrums since forming in San Francisco in 1979. They have sold more than 17 million albums worldwide and released their 12th studio album in 2021, “ATBPO,” an acronym for: And The Band Played On. | caesars.com

COUNTRY

April 1 | Bally’s Lake Tahoe | Stateline, Nev.

Easton Corbin

Easton Corbin has been gracing stages with his memorable baritone and unique blend of traditional and modern country music for more than a decade. The Florida native, who boasts two No. 1 singles, “A Little More Country Than That” and “Roll With It,” embarks on a new musical chapter with his recent signing to Stone Country Records. | casinos.ballys.com

EDM

March 24 | Crystal Bay Casino | Crystal Bay, Nev.

The Funk Hunters

Since forming in 2021, Reno, Nev., country-western duo Mr. Johnson has crooned classic songs with ear-blessing vocals and harmonious instrumentation. Immortal influences such as Ray Price, Eddie Noack, George Jones and George Strait get the special treatment by guitarist Zachery Johnson — formerly of punk group Suspect Zero — and upright bassist Andy “Slap Nasty” Hernandez — of psychobilly act Los Pistoleros. This sure ain’t your grandma’s country. | alibialeworks.com

Shakespeare

Festival Announces Showcase Series

The Lake Tahoe Shakespeare Festival has announced the lineup for its Monday Showcase Series, with tickets on sale now.

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 22

Wild Wild Wednesdays W/Dj

Sierra At Tahoe, Twin Bridges, 11:30 a.m.

Ben Fuller at 22 Bistro

22 Bistro, Olympic Valley, 1 p.m.

Alex Ramon Magic Show

Harveys Lake Tahoe, Stateline, 7 p.m.

Magic Fusion Starring Robert Hall

The Loft Theatre, South Lake Tahoe, 7 p.m.

THURSDAY, MARCH 23

Live Music With Ben Fuller

CB’s Bistro, Carnelian Bay, 6-8 p.m.

Wolves & Friends Live

The Good Wolf, Truckee, 6:30 p.m.

Alex Ramon Magic Show

Harveys Lake Tahoe, Stateline, 7 p.m.

Magic Fusion Starring Kalin & Jinger

The Loft Theatre, South Lake Tahoe, 7 p.m.

Rustler’s Moon

Bar of America, Truckee, 8 p.m.

Sierra Night

McP’s Taphouse Grill, South Lake Tahoe, 8 p.m.

Anne Hall & the Remarkables

Moody’s Bistro, Bar & Beats, Truckee, 8 p.m.

Karaoke Nights

Rojo’s Tavern, South Lake Tahoe, 10 p.m.

FRIDAY, MARCH 24

Sam Robertson Live

South Lake Brewing Company, S. Lake Tahoe, 5-8 p.m.

Friday Night DJ

Northstar California Resort, Truckee, 5:30 p.m.

Ben Fuller & Ryan Kinelski

Six Peaks Grille, Olympic Valley, 5:30 p.m.

Karaoke Night

Incline Brewery & Barrel House, Incline Village, 6 p.m.

Heathers, the Musical: Teen Edition

North Tahoe High School, Tahoe City, 7 p.m.

Alex Ramon Magic Show

Harveys Lake Tahoe, Stateline, 7 p.m.

Comedy Night

Tahoe Wine Collective, Tahoe City, 7 p.m.

Magic Fusion Starring Kalin & Jinger

The Loft Theatre, South Lake Tahoe, 7 p.m.

Mike Brumm’s Band

Alibi Ale Works Truckee Public House, Truckee, 8 p.m.

The Funk Hunters

Crystal Bay Club, Crystal Bay, 8 p.m.

Winter Burlesque

Hard Rock Hotel & Casino, Stateline, 8 p.m.

Anne Hall & the Remarkables

Moody’s Bistro, Bar & Beats, Truckee, 8 p.m.

Dueling Pianos

Harveys Lake Tahoe, Stateline, 8:30 p.m.

Live Music

Bar of America, Truckee, 9 p.m.

Live Music With Brother Dan Palmer

Grand Lodge Casino, Incline Village, 9 p.m.

Arty the Party

In a sea of carbon-copy producers, The Funk Hunters cultivate their signature sound with forward-thinking electronic dance music influenced by old-school funk, classic soul and vintage hip-hop. Longtime friends Nick Middleton and Duncan Smith share a special chemistry as a DJ/producer duo.

This year’s series at Sand Harbor will feature the Reno Philharmonic Orchestra on July 10 and Aug. 7; Pablo Cruise on July 17; Foreverland: The Electrifying Tribute to Michael Jackson to July 18; Sierra Nevada Ballet: The Last Unicorn on July 24; Pink Martini on July 25; Reno Jazz Orchestra on July 31 and Aug. 21; PettyBreakers on Aug 14; and The Linda Ronstadt Experience on Aug. 15. | laketahoeshakespeare.com

Harrah’s Lake Tahoe, Stateline, 9 p.m.

Magic After Dark Starring Robert Hall

The Loft Theatre, South Lake Tahoe, 9 p.m.

Live DJ

Bally’s, Stateline, 10 p.m.

Karaoke Nights

Rojo’s Tavern, South Lake Tahoe, 10 p.m.

SATURDAY, MARCH 25

Brunch + Beats

Stateline location, Stateline, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Drag Brunch

Hard Rock Hotel & Casino, Stateline, 10:30 a.m.

DJ Cat

Heavenly Mountain Resort, South Lake Tahoe, noon

DJs at Big Blue View Bar

Big Blue View Bar, Homewood, noon

Live Music

Northstar California Resort, Truckee, 2 p.m.

Live Apres Music

Tamarack Lodge., South Lake Tahoe, 3 p.m.

Heathers, the Musical: Teen Edition

North Tahoe High School, Tahoe City, 7 p.m.

Alex Ramon Magic Show

Harveys Lake Tahoe, Stateline, 7 p.m.

Magic Fusion Starring Kalin & Jinger

The Loft Theatre, South Lake Tahoe, 7 p.m.

Tainted Love

Crystal Bay Club, Crystal Bay, 8 p.m.

Winter Burlesque

Hard Rock Hotel & Casino, Stateline, 8 p.m.

Night Ranger

Harrah’s Lake Tahoe, Stateline, 8 p.m.

Anne Hall & the Remarkables

Moody’s Bistro, Bar & Beats, Truckee, 8 p.m.

Dueling Pianos

Harveys Lake Tahoe, Stateline, 8:30 p.m.

Mr. Johnson

Alibi Ale Works Truckee Public House, Truckee, 9 p.m.

Live Music

Bar of America, Truckee, 9 p.m.

Live Music With Brother Dan Palmer

Grand Lodge Casino, Incline Village, 9 p.m.

Magic Fusion Starring Kalin & Jinger

The Loft Theatre, South Lake Tahoe, 9 p.m.

Live DJ

Bally’s, Stateline, 10 p.m.

Live DJ

Harveys Lake Tahoe, Stateline, 10 p.m.

Karaoke Nights

Rojo’s Tavern, South Lake Tahoe, 10 p.m.

SUNDAY, MARCH 26

Brunch + Beats

Stateline location, Stateline, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

DJ Cat

Heavenly Mountain Resort, South Lake Tahoe, noon

Heathers, the Musical: Teen Edition

North Tahoe High School, Tahoe City, 2 p.m.

Live Music

Northstar California Resort, Truckee, 2 p.m.

Magic Fusion Starring Kalin & Jinger

The Loft Theatre, South Lake Tahoe, 4:30 p.m.

9 Ball Pool Tourney

Pete ‘n Peter’s Sports & Spirits, Tahoe City, 6 p.m.

Sunday Bluegrass Jam

Truckee Public House, Truckee, 6-9 p.m.

Magic Fusion Starring Kalin & Jinger

The Loft Theatre, South Lake Tahoe, 7 p.m.

Live DJ

Harveys Lake Tahoe, Stateline, 10 p.m.

MONDAY, MARCH 27

Open Stage Mondays

Truckee Public House, Truckee, 6 p.m.

Magic Fusion Starring Kalin & Jinger

The Loft Theatre, South Lake Tahoe, 7 p.m.