By Sheila Chapman Big Sky Resort PR Manager
BIG SKY – Bluegrass slides into Big Sky Resort Feb. 5-8 for the ninth annual Big Sky Big Grass Festival, with Leftover Salmon kicking off the festival on Thursday at Whiskey Jack’s. This long running festival will be held in multiple locations throughout Big Sky Resort.
Starting Friday, Feb. 6, through Sunday are free shows beginning at 4 p.m. in the Carabiner Lounge, Whiskey Jack’s, and Chet’s Lounge featuring Two Bit Franks, Driftwood Grinners, The Good Time Travelers, Kitchen Dwellers, Jawbone Railroad, Dodgy Mountain Men, Billy Strings & Don Julin, and Tyler Grant.
Headlining Friday night in the Missouri Ballroom is the John Jorgenson Bluegrass Band (J2B2), led by music virtuoso John Jorgenson. Known for his blistering guitar and mandolin licks, which earned him a reputation as a world-class musician, Jorgenson has collaborated with the likes of Earl Scruggs, Bonnie Raitt, Elton John, Luciano Pavarotti and Bob Dylan, among others. Opening for J2B2 is the famous bluegrass fiddler Darol Anger.
The all-female bluegrass band, Della Mae will headline at Whiskey Jack’s that night with their powerful vocals, instrumentals and songwriting talent. Opening for Della Mae are Billy Strings and Don Julin.
The picking continues on Saturday in the Missouri Ballroom with The Travelin’ McCourys, the sons of bluegrass legend Del McCoury. Della Mae will open for their encore performance. The Grant Farm Band, led by the National Flatpicking Guitar Champion Tyler Grant, will be playing at Whiskey Jack’s with the The Good Time Travelers opening. Darol Anger and the Furies will give an intimate performance in the Talus Room.
On Sunday, the festivities will begin at 8:30 a.m. with a Big Grass Gospel Jam in the Talus Room.
Closing out the festival in the Missouri Ballroom will be Leftover Salmon, blending aggressive bluegrass, rock, country and Cajun/Zydeco – or as Leftover Salmon calls it, “Polyethnic Cajun Slamgrass.” Two Bit Franks will open the show. Headlining in Whiskey Jack’s that night will be Pert Near Sandstone from Minneapolis/St. Paul, Minn. Bozeman’s own Kitchen Dwellers will be the opening band.
Jayme Stone’s Lomax Project and The Good Time Travelers will play an intimate performance in the Talus Room.
Visit bigskyresort.com/biggrass for information on tickets, show times, bundle options, and lodging packages.
