Bluegrass Music and Culture in San Diego

Have you ever wondered why there is so much bluegrass music, so many bluegrass bands, so many jam sessions, concerts, and festivals in the San Diego region? Well, there are! More is happening bluegrass music-wise in San Diego than in many cities and regions twice our size.

Jamming at Duck Foot Brewery Miramar. Photo by David Cupp.

First, let’s take a look at what there is in San Diego, then see if we can understand why. San Diego has a bluegrass jam session every first Tuesday, every third Monday, third and fourth Wednesday, and every second Monday and fourth Sunday, every Thursday, every Friday and every Saturday. There may be more—these are the ones I know about and try to attend. There is something going on almost every day of the week, all year long, for those who want to participate in bluegrass jam sessions.

There is also the three-day Summergrass Festival held every August in Vista, featuring top bands and stage shows, workshops, camping and more, and, of course, lots and lots of jamming. Every November sees the South State 48 muti-day festival in Carlsbad, presented by the California Bluegrass Association, and every May sees the Julian Family Fiddle Camp held in the mountains of Julian, also a CBA event. And don’t forget Bluegrass Day at the Del Mar Fair, held every June or July, that features top bands, a band scramble, and more. Sprinkle in a smattering of special concerts, an annual bluegrass campout, and one can spend pretty near full-time listening, playing, and enjoying San Diego’s bluegrass world. A sign of the vibrancy of the San Diego bluegrass community is the fact that there are more than 20 active bluegrass bands calling San Diego or nearby home!

Why So Much? Reasonable minds might differ, but here are the main reasons I see:

• Lots of bluegrass lovers have moved to San Diego over the decades from Appalachian and other parts of the country where bluegrass music is strong. Many came as youngsters to serve in the military in San Diego and then stayed, bringing their bluegrass culture with them.
• Many other folks came to San Diego to enjoy the great year-round weather and brought their love of bluegrass with them.

Typical jam session on a weekday night. Photo by David Cupp.

• Perhaps, and most important, many of these folks helped form the vibrant nonprofit organizations that put on the festivals, the concerts, and the jam sessions. These volunteer nonprofit organizations include the San Diego Bluegrass Society, the North San Diego County Bluegrass and Folk Club, both powerhouse organizations on the local scene, sponsoring concerts, jam sessions, campouts, and more. Add in the San Diego Folk Heritage Society and we have a strong organizational structure. There are other promoters and organizations to a lesser degree, but these three have done, and continue to do, the leg work to organize and keep our bluegrass community vibrant.
• Instructional opportunities and free instrument lending programs have also been a part of our community for many years.
• Each of the above is important in its own right. Add them all together and you have one of the most vibrant and long-standing bluegrass music communities in any major metropolitan area in the country. Luthiers and music stores also play an important part in keeping bluegrass music going in San Diego.

Bluegrass Day at the Fair

Youth performance at Bluegrass Day at the Fair. Photo by David Cupp.

Every year the SDBS and NCBFC co-produce Bluegrass Day at the Del Mar Fair, sponsored by the Fair. This year’s event will be on Sunday, July 5, on the Avenue Stage from 11am to 5pm. There will be band concerts, a fiddling demonstration, and a band scramble. In the band scramble you sign up in advance and get randomly assigned to a band to perform two to three tunes on stage. Prizes are awarded for best on each instrument, best vocalist, best youth, and best band. The event is open to all ages and abilities.

Those who enter the Band Scramble will receiver a free ticket to the fair and free parking. Not a player, but willing to volunteer? You can sign up too and receive free admission and parking. Check it out and sign up here:

There’s more info on the SDBS website as well: sandiegobluegrass.org

Dwight Worden, who has been writing a bluegrass column for the Troubadour since its beginning, plays guitar, fiddle, mandolin, and bass and is active in several bluegrass bands. He is a board member of the San Diego Bluegrass Society, a prior board member of the International Bluegrass Music Association, a recovering lawyer, a Del Mar council member for 10 years, and mayor of the City of Del Mar for two years.