Show Review

Collaboration was the operative word during Yonder Mountain String Band’s third annual Northwest String Summit, as musician after musician joined each other on stage, as well as in the campgrounds for 3 days worth of bluegrass pickin’ excellence. It seemed like during the course of the weekend no band went more than three songs without calling up one of the outstanding musicians standing in the wings. I would need a baseball score card to make sense of all the cross pollination between bands and musicians. This jamfest wasn’t limited to the organized stage schedule, as the jams spilled into the campground late into the night.

The N.W.S.S. kicked off on a high note as many were still basking in the afterglow from SCI’s shindig the previous weekend. Some folks had even camped at the hideout through both weekends without having to rejoin reality, I for one don’t have that kind of stamina.

Overall there was such a positive mellow vibe in the air, and Horning’s hideout always seems to bring the best out of everyone involved. I would be hard pressed to find someone walking around without a big toothy grin gracing their face. Yonder really knows how to throw a terrific party, and there is no better host than Bob Horning and his family’s hideout. If you have never been there, make it a mission in life to check out some musicians playing these hallowed grounds, and if you have been there you know exactly what I am talking about. Horning’s hideout is tucked away in a lush green valley, with a pond that sits behind the stage, as well as multitudes of beautiful peacocks that roam the land and sit high in the trees. They fly, who knew? The fact that it is only 40 minutes from Portland makes this venue a home away from home, and my favorite summer stomping grounds. Just imagine summer camp for adults, and you get the idea.

Musically Yonder Mountain String Band stole the show each night, with the Saturday night show serving as the centerpiece. The Saturday night show featured a plethora of special guests including; Del McCoury, Ronnie McCoury, Robbie McCoury, Jason Carter. Rashaad Eggleston, Brittany Haas, Scott Nygard, Nick Forester, Andy Pond, Danny Barnes, and Zach Cline. Interestingly enough, the first set contained no YMSB originals. So to give the faithful a special treat, Yonder decided to treat us all to a glorious rendition of Ben Kaufman’s Sheriff Saga. This multiple song medley follows a story about a sheriff, his unfaithful wife, and the wife’s lover who is facing his demise at the hands of the jealous sheriff. This set was the real deal. The segues between the songs were fluid, the energy swirling around the crowd was high, and the jams were inspirational..

Although this was Yonder Mountain’s home festival away from home, the other musicians who shared the stage provided an array of highlights and musical moments all their own.

The Del McCoury band played during the day on Saturday afternoon, capturing the hearts and ears of the crowd. Of all the acts that graced the stage over the course of the weekend, they seemed to receive the greatest response, and the deepest respect.

Other acts that really shined included the String Summit Superjam, which at times seemed to have every musician they could find on stage all at once. At times the jams were fast and furious, and other times relaxed and laid back. Hot Buttered Rum String Band seems to have an ever increasing fanbase, and their set was energetic and well received. The buzz that surrounds the HBRSB, makes them an up and coming bluegrass band on the national scene that any bluegrass fan needs to check out. The Darol Anger Fiddle Ensemble was a lot of fun to watch, and even more fun to listen to. The Jeff Austin/Chris Castino set also included a multitude of guests, and was another major highlight of my weekend. Both Danny Barns and Benny Galloway received a warm welcome, and they seemed really pleased by the crowd’s response after their respective sets, as well as their masterful additions to Y.M.S.B.’s set.

As I walked around through the maze of tents at night, I was drawn to the sweet sounds of musicians picking and fiddling in what seemed every direction. One of my personal highlights of the weekend was wandering in to a gully deep in the woods to come across High on the Hog playing a late night set from a makeshift stage. They were really having a blast, and so was every lucky bluegrass fan who wandered deep into the woods that night.

The Snake Oil Medicine show, was the surprise of the weekend, and their quirky upbeat songs, with really unique vocals created a danceable groove all their own. It was also kind of nice to have a drummer laying down beats on the stage, even though many bluegrass purists would disagree.

Darol Anger and Jeff Austin seemed to be taking double duty, as they found themselves playing with what seemed like every band they could find. Every time I looked up, I found one of these two, with their respective instruments in hand, just lighting up the stage. Having Darol sitting in with YMSB for each set was such a treat, because his fiddling style enhances Yonder’s overall sound. Us North Westerners are so lucky, because he always seems to be sitting in when the boys come around.

The String Summit is a wonderful intimate festival that any Y.M.S.B. or bluegrass aficionado needs to experience. I feel so lucky to live in Portland, because I know come next year where I’ll be when the String Summit comes to town. Who says summer camp is only for youngsters?