Summergrass

John Cowan on the main stage with John Moore and friends.

Sara Watkins dazzles the audience.

The Kids Camp main stage performance on Sunday.

Lance Guckwa teaches the Kids Camp bass class.

Southern California’s premier bluegrass festival, Summergrass, has completed another great year. Top national stage acts, local and regional bands, vendors, camping, great food, Kids Music Camp, raffles, Songwriting Workshop, and more. Here are some David Cupp photos to give the flavor of this year’s event.

Some of this year’s memorable events were the great shows from headliners John Moore and Friends—wow, are these folks good! The Kids Camp is also always a great event, capped by their main stage performance with their teachers on Sunday. The Kids Camp and its enthusiastic participants reassure us all that the future of bluegrass music is in good hands.

Talented songwriter and performer Ramona Ault taught a songwriting class this year, which was a nice addition. It was well attended and well received. Above all, the jamming and camaraderie in the campground are the fuel that makes it all go. Hey, in addition to the Thursday Night Pickers and their crowd, pies, Honey Buckets, and more, we even had top performers from the main acts this year, including Lorraine Jordan, jamming in the campground after hours. Now that’s the bluegrass way!

IBMA AWARDS. The annual International Bluegrass Music Association (IBMA) Awards show is coming up soon. The Troubadour will report on the results next month. These awards are the bluegrass equivalent of the Oscars or the Emmys, recognizing the best of the best in bluegrass. To whet your interest, here are the nominees for this year’s Entertainer of the Year, IBMA’s biggest award: Billy Strings, Del McCoury Band, the Po’ Ramblin’ Boys, Sister Sadie, and Molly Tuttle & Golden Highway.

See you next month!