Even though I grew up in the greater D.C. area, I couldn’t help but find myself in the mountains of the west, and since before I can remember I have been coming out here to explore the wild, and let the wild explore me. When I moved out to Durango, CO I thought I had traded the D.C. music scene that raised me for the rocky mountains that made me, but what I discovered was a hidden treasure, and an area that could give me both music and mountains.

At 9000 plus feet, Telluride sits high (no pun intended) up in the Rocky Mountains of southwest Colorado. It is home to incredible skiing, mountain biking, climbing, and fishing, as well as TomKat’s ranch estate. But for festavarians in the west it is also home to two major musical events, the Telluride Bluegrass Festival in June, and the Blues and Brews Festival in September. The Telluride Bluegrass Festival is a long time institution for Colorado and the inter-mountain west having now entering it’s 35th year, headlined by Ryan Adams and the Cardinals and flanked by bluegrass’ elite such as Chris Thile, Bela Fleck, and a Hot Rize reunion. But if the traditional scene isn’t quite you, the Blues and Brews Festival is back for its 15th year and promises to rock your soul, and your beer loving taste buds.

I first attended this festival last year in 2007, which boasted headliners such as the Black Crowes, Keb Mo Band, Los Lonely Boys, Robert Randolph and the Family Band, and Grace Potter and the Nocturnals. I had heard about this event since I moved to Durango, CO (two hours south), but when I arrived at the festival field I realized that this is the most incredible venue that I will ever be privileged to go to. Backed up against the base of a tall steep hillside, the main (and only) stage fits right in to it’s setting. Looking around the festival grounds you get one of the most prolific and majestic 360 degree views of jagged mountains and rolling green hills, not to mention you’re above 9,000 feet…high enough to throw a rock at the sun and hit it! It was easy to see how the town’s organizers were able to continually sell out the festivals with past performers such as Al Green, Lou Reed, and B.B. King laying down what they do best with the aid of high mountain acoustics that give the sound of the festival and A+. Once I caught my breath, as I have to do every time I visit this town, I moved on to the brews side of the festival. As you could have guess this event is also about the beer, and over 50 micro brews from all over Colorado make the trek to show off their best to beer connoisseur and college students alike. Beer runs like water on this September weekend, and on the Saturday of the festival, festivarians get the chance to sample all 50 micro brews at the Grand Tasting…if they can make it past the first 10, again this is the highest party you will ever go to in the lower 48, I strongly recommend pacing yourself if you have not drank at that altitude. The fun didn’t stop at the end of the day performances however, and on Saturday night I would go bar hopping in Telluride sampling exclusive performances from both some of the days performers as well as acts that could only be seen then and there such as a personal New Orleans favorite, Johnny Sketch and the Dirty Notes.

This year the festival returns with a stellar line-up of daytime and late night shows, as well as the famous Grand Tasting. Etta James, John Hiatt, and Gov’t Mule headline the three nights with support from G-Love, John Butler Trio, and The Derek Trucks Band just to name a few. Each of the headliners can also be seen at their own late night show through out the weekend, as well as special late night appearances from bands not playing during the day. Last year’s late night shows were incredible and once in a lifetime, rocking until the sun came up to next morning, as I’m sure they will this year. The dates for this years installment will be September 12, 13, and 14 so bring a jacket for the late night shows…it gets chilly in the mountains. The music is always incredible and goes on well in to the wee hours of the morning, so if you are a fellow festavarian looking for an excuse to check out Colorado, Telluride is calling and it won’t sit through your voice mail message too many times.

For a full look at the full lineup for this year’s edition along with ticket information, check out our Blues and Brews outlook page.

Categories: Festival News/Rumor, News
Tags: Blues and Brews Festival, Telluride Bluegrass Festival