Why is Bluegrass Music so Popular in San Diego?

San Diegans Amos Radcliffe and Georgia Green share the joy of bluegrass across generations. Photo by Dwight Worden.

Let’s establish that it is in fact popular in San Diego. Here are some indicators:

• There are at least three non profit organizations promoting bluegrass music in San Diego on a regular basis: the San Diego Bluegrass Society (SDBS), the North County Bluegrass and Folk Club (NCBFC), and the Thursday Night Pickers.
• There are other nonprofits that present bluegrass music as part of their programming. The San Diego Folk Heritage Society promotes bluegrass music among its other genres. The Julian Family Fiddle Camp is an annual event featuring bluegrass music. And, of course, the San Diego Troubadour (https://sandiegotroubadour.com) regularly promotes bluegrass music.
• There are a number of venues presenting live bluegrass music either full time or periodically: The Summergrass Festival, Humphreys, the Belly up, Winston’s Beach Club, Templar’s Hall in Old Poway Park, the Grand Old BBQ in East County, and the Sound at the Del Mar Fairgrounds. There is the annual Bluegrass Day at the Del Mar Fair and the South State 48 Bluegrass event in Carlsbad every year, sponsored by the California Bluegrass Association. There are bluegrass campouts and other special events as well.
• So, if you want to hear live bluegrass music, or participate in its related activities, there are lots of opportunities in San Diego. There is a jam session or event happening almost every day of every week!

• Suffice it to say, there is more bluegrass music and more bluegrass activity happening in San Diego than in Los Angeles. Why?

First and foremost, San Diego has strong sponsorship of bluegrass music and activities by its leading nonprofits: the SDBS and NCBFC. The dedicated members of these organizations can take the lion’s share of credit for creating “bluegrass buzz” in San Diego. Second, many people moved to San Diego from Appalachia and brought their love of bluegrass music with them. Many folks from Appalachia spent time in the Navy or Marines stationed in San Diego, loved the area, and returned to set up a home bringing with them their bluegrass music.

Finally on this topic, it is noted that, surprisingly, bluegrass music is not prominent on terrestrial radio in San Diego. You can find it on the internet, but you can search your AM and FM dials in vain. KSON ran a prominent bluegrass music show every Sunday evening for decades, hosted by Wayne Rice, but it is no longer on the air (you can find Wayne’s show’s on the internet at https://www.themountainfm.com/programs/bluegrass-special/).

I’m not sure of all the reasons for the lack of bluegrass music penetration of terrestrial radio. But, in a way, I think many in the “bluegrass tribe” like it that way. Part of what they like about the bluegrass community is that it’s not on commercial radio.  It’s raw and authentic and you need to search a bit to find it.

If you haven’t yet experienced the wonders of bluegrass music, get on out and give it a try! On March 7 there is a great opportunity to do just that.

Friday, March 7: The Luke Bulla Trio
Featuring champion fiddler, singer, and GRAMMY-award winner Luke Bulla; Mike Witcher (dobro); and Ethan Ballinger (guitar), the trio will be performing at Del Mar’s Town Hall on Friday, March 7, presented by the Del Mar Foundation. Venue: Town Hall (Del Mar Civic Center), 1050 Camino Del Mar, Del Mar 92014.

General admission seats are available in advance here: https://www.delmarfoundation.org/event/luke-bulla-trio/