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Yonder Mountain String Band and Crucial Smith: Keeping the Newgrass sound alive at the Walnut Valley Festival
Winfield, Kansas...In the early years of the Walnut Valley Festival, one of the more popular bands to perform was the Newgrass Revival. Newgrass became the name given to high energy, not-so traditional bluegrass music, played on traditional instruments. Members of the band, Newgrass Revival have gone on to other adventures, but their style of music is alive and well, safe in the hands of young bands like Crucial Smith and the Yonder Mountain String Band. Both bands have taken different paths, but will reach the same destination at this year's 31st annual Walnut Valley Festival.
Crucial Smith returns this year after a year away. With the help of former Newgrass Revival guitarist, Pat Flynn, their sound has been shaped into a skillfully executed, articulate musical presentation that will "move your spirit". Each member of Crucial Smith is a published songwriter, and each has his own style. Together they create a progressive, contemporary sound, reflecting a myriad of influences. The group is made up of Chris Joslin (dobro/banjo), Tim May (guitar), Kyle Wood (mandolin), and Dave Holladay (bass) and a new addition to the band since their last Walnut Valley appearance, Gretchen Priest (fiddle). Besides the Walnut Valley Festival in Winfield, Crucial Smith has performed at other prestigious music festivals around the country, including Winterhawk, The Guthrie Oklahoma International Music Festival, , The International Bluegrass Music Association Fan Fest and Wings and Strings. Praise for this group has been immediate and widespread.
The Yonder Mountain String Band will be making their first "official" trip to Winfield this year. Band members, Adam Aijala (Guitar), Ben Kaufman (Upright Bass), Jeff Austin (Mandolin), and Dave Johnston (Banjo) have been to Winfield, just to "jam and hang out". Taking bluegrass where it has never gone before, these four young players from Nederland, Colorado, have, in just three years, accomplished what many bands dream of achieving in a lifetime. The band has played at numerous festivals and venues that have included major universities and colleges all over the country. Yonder Mountain performed over 127 shows through out America in 2001 alone. The band has recorded and performed with the likes of David Grisman, Jerry Douglas, Tim O'Brien, Peter Rowan, Darol Anger, and Mike Marshall. Expanding upon traditional bluegrass arrangements and ballad-oriented songs, the banjo, guitar, stand-up bass, and mandolin quartet has been known to jam on one song for sixty minutes. This will most likely not be the case at the Walnut Valley Festival since performance sets are one hour long. The band calls this fast picking and high-energy brand of bluegrass "drive without drums" or "Jamgrass". Their sound appeals not only to traditional bluegrass aficionados, but to acoustic music, jam band, and rock n' roll lovers as well. Whether plugged in, or gathered around a single microphone, these four let it rip, creating dance friendly performances. Fans pack venues and travel night after night eager to hear the sweet harmonies and powerful music that is Yonder Mountain String Band.
Fans won't want to miss either of these youthful bands when they take to the stage at this year's Walnut Valley Festival. This year the Walnut Valley Festival will be held September 19th through the 22nd. Advance tickets may now be purchased only through the festival office located at 918 Main Street in Winfield. For more information, log on to www.wvfest.com or call 620-221-3250.
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