Confirmed Artists Saturday
Oakhurst
Oakhurst is a Denver-based international act with deep Appalachian roots and highly original songs that fuse traditional bluegrass with indie-rock and a citybilly attitude. The band's sound is more rustic and rocking, and less jazzy and jammed, than the typical hybrid bluegrass found in the Rocky Mountain Region. Oakhurst is one of the hardest working bands in America, performing over 200 shows per year. So far, Oakhurst has hit 20 states and 5 European countries and has already received invitations for two European tours and several major festivals in 2007. Even though their tour schedule is incessant, the band never stops playing. On off days the boys of Oakhurst take to the streets, or festival grounds deploying their Rocky Mountain Guerrilla Grass style, making some new friends, promoting shows and moving a few CD's.Along the way the band has entertained crowds as large as 5,500, played on the Xingolati Groove Cruise, Wakarusa, Hookahville, Barenaked Ladies Ships and Dip Cruise and moved over 7,500 CD's. Over the course of their career Oakhurst has shared stages with very diverse national talent such as Nickel Creek, The Flaming Lips, Barenaked Ladies, Yard Dogs Roadshow, Bela Fleck, The Ditty Bops, The Radiators, Junior Brown, The Hackensaw Boys, Ekoostik Hookah, & Guster. Oakhurst has also shared the stage with Colorado legends and emerging talent as well. The list includes Yonder Mountain String Band, Devotchka, Rose Hill Drive, the Motet, Pete Wernick and Vince Herman.
Victor Barnes
Victor Barnes, of Northern Colorado, has been wearing out shoes on dance floors from Seattle to New Orleans with their original style of bluegrass-infused music since 1999. When they're not playing with national acts like Yonder Mountain String Band, The North Mississippi All-Stars and Railroad Earth at venues across the west, Victor Barnes can be found serving the needs of their loyal fan-base at venues throughout the Colorado Front Range. Recent live appearances by Victor Barnes on local radio programs such as Planet Radio, KRFC's Radio Days and KCSU have spotlighted the breakneck speed at which their popularity has grown. Victor Barnes also took part in the Humboldt State University sustainable living fair(SLAMfest) and closed the Oyster Ridge Music Festival. Victor Barnes success has resulted in the production of their first full length CD, Bad Weather, released in early 2006. Victor Barnes is heading back to the studio in early 2007.
Helping Phriendly Band
Formed in 2004, The Helping Phriendly Band has been performing Phish tribute shows across the midwest. The band's goal has always been to perpetuate the positive energy that Phish spread for over twenty years. An emphasis on authenticity while still maintaining a strong sense of spontaneity is the essence of HPB.
Hunker Down
Hunker Down is a hard-driving acoustic band whose sound is concocted from a bluegrass base, adding a spicy blend of roots & blues to create high energy shows that lift spirits and leave bodies sore from dancing with fined-tuned vocals & exceptional picking, keeping folks a hootin' and a drinkin'.
Soulfeel
Since its humble beginnings as an acoustic duo in 2002, SoulFeel has wasted no time growing into a dynamic 5 piece and being recognized as a fan favorite across the western slope of Colorado . With tight vocal harmonies, a hard driving rhythm section and their unique blend of rock, funk, jam, and blues SoulFeel creates a sound truly its own. With amazing energy and charisma, SoulFeel delivers its brand, “Funky Roots Rock with a twist of Delta Bluesâ€. It is this energy that fuels the crowd and gets the dance party started, making for a memorable night of music.
Patchwork Blue
Patchwork Blue is one of Fort Collins, Colorado's most versatile bands. Equally comfortable performing in an intimate coffee shop setting or rocking with the heaviest bands at the loudest venues, Patchwork Blue, a member of the acoustic rock genre, delivers a true "patchwork" of jazz, funk, Latin, and other styles, with soulful singing and sincere lyrics.
Whiplash String Band
Whiplash String Band is an all acoustic band that showcases fine instrumentation and singing on standards and fiddle tunes. But the band also features original songwriting and some unexpected covers from an all acoustic, six-piece band – bass, guitar, mandolin, banjo, dobro and fiddle. There’s really something for everyone in this band.
Spring Creek Bluegrass Band
The Colorado-grown Spring Creek Bluegrass Band is a dynamic group rapidly emerging on the bluegrass scene. The band, which describes itself as Rural and Cosmic, began in 2004 in western Colorado. They quickly made their mark in the Gunnison valley as top acoustic musicians with unique vocals and soulful harmonies.
Jacie and Joe Sites
Jacie Sites is a contest and celtic fiddler out of Idaho. Among other accomplishments she is a two time national fanciest fiddler, Idaho State, Oregon State and Northwest Regional grand champion, Rocky grass fiddle champion, National Heritage Festival fiddle, guitar and mandolin champion and leads her own irish folk band Celtic Air. Joe Sites is an eight time National Fiddle Champion, and played rhythm guitar for Mark O'Connor for 3 years. He has appeared with a long list of bluegrass and folk music royalty over the years and has even instructed some of the current standouts.
The Williams Brothers Band
The Williams Brothers were molded on the streets of Oakland, California during the seventies (the only "white boys" on Salisbury Street) listening to their parents vast blues & country vinyl collection, the funk that flowed out of boomboxes (pre hip-hop), and the psychedelic folk rock that blossomed in the East Bay Area during that time.
