Winning the band contest at a bluegrass festival is a sure way to gain quick fans and music-biz footing. It comes with immediate recognition, and in many cases, future attention as part of the prize is a guaranteed slot at that festival the next year. Winning any festival contest is a feat, but knocking off two? Almost unheard of. Unless you’re The Fretliners, the Colorado-based blue and newgrass band that took the title at both the Telluride Bluegrass Festival and Rockygrass in 2023.
If you go
WHAT: Blue and newgrass with The Fretliners, Alex Graf’s Bluegrass Super PAC.
WHEN: 7 p.m. Sept. 10.
WHERE: Animas City Theatre, 128 E. College Drive.
TICKETS: $20 plus fees.
MORE INFORMATION: www.animascitytheatre.com.
The Fretliners, who are guitar player Tom Knowlton, mandolin player Sam Parks and bass player Taylor Shuck, will perform at the Animas City Theatre on Sept. 10; opening the show is Alex Graf’s Bluegrass Super PAC.
Their sound is a solid mix of traditional bluegrass with hints of exploration, something Bill Monroe, John Hartford or Hot Rize would give an enthusiastic thumbs-up; winning those competitions was a kick in the tail for a band that was already set on making music an all-time venture.
That sound is also ripe for the audio stylings Colorado has come to be known for from its string bands. From the aforementioned Hot Rize to Leftover Salmon or The Yonder Mountain String Band, Colorado has remained on the forefront of the progressive bluegrass and acoustic roots movement, a magnetized movement that draws musicians from all over.
That draw extends to fans as well. A local picker once said, “the festival world is so much better than the real world,” and while realistically the tarp needs to be folded up and the cooler drained at some point, people are drawn toward a setting where this music is a life’s score, a score The Fretliners are happy to provide.
The Fretliners recently parted ways with fiddle player and founding member Dan Andree, yet will remain a quartet for the Durango show, as they’ll be joined by banjo player Charlie Rose, who fans may remember from the band Elephant Revival.
Bryant Liggett is a freelance writer and KDUR station manager. Reach him at liggett_b@fortlewis.edu.
