New Year Commitments

New Year Commitments. I know it’s trite to talk about commitments for the new year, but here are some things I will try to honor as a bluegrasser.

• Respect, honor, and enjoy music friends and the music we share without letting politics get in the way.
• Support more live music events by attending as many as possible.
• Invite friends to join me in attending live music.
• Sponsor a jam session or two at home.
• Volunteer to help our incredible bluegrass non-profits: The San Diego Bluegrass Society, and the North San Diego County Bluegrass and Folk Club. These great groups do it all for us, all with volunteers.
• Support the Troubadour, the mothership not just of bluegrass, but also of all the roots music we love.

FUN THINGS COMING IN 2026 

John Reischman

<strong>John Reischman and the Jaybirds. This great group is coming to San Diego, courtesy of the SDBS, for a concert on Saturday, February 7 at 5:30pm at the Sea Change Church, 627 Gentner, La Jolla 92037.

A local band (to be selected) will open for 30 minutes followed by John Reischman and the Jaybirds. John may well be the most respected mandolin player of all time. He and his group, hailing from Canada, are not to be missed. Admission is free. Good will offerings are suggested that will go 100% to the band. Among other achievements, John Reischman wrote the great tune Salt Spring. Here he is with the Jaybirds performing it: Salt Spring.

Bluegrass Day at the Fair July 5, 2026

Bluegrass Day at the Fair presents great bands, fiddling demos, and here a youth presentation.

Once again, we will enjoy Bluegrass Day at the Del Mar Fair. Mark your calendars for July 5 from 11am to 5pm on the Avenue Stage. Musicians can sign up for the band scramble or to volunteer and receive free admission and parking. We’ll share more details on how to sign up as the event gets closer.

Final Thought for the New Year. Pick up that instrument that has been sitting in your closet, dust it off, and start playing! If you are a beginner, or taking on a new and different instrument, consider taking lessons to start off the right way. Remember, practice doesn’t make perfect, it makes permanent. If you do it wrong, you will develop bad habits. At some point you will have to undue those bad habits. Better to do it right from the start. You will find that a well-done practice session is rewarding and fun. I play regularly in two different bluegrass bands, but find my practice time at home, by myself, one of the most enjoyable experiences.

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.