Music in the Valley
High Mountain Hay Fever Blue Grass Festival
 Why does music sound sweeter here? Is it because the crowds are more appreciative and motivate musicians with great rounds of applause? Do the picturesque surroundings inspire? It is hard to say, but one thing is certain, the Quality of the concerts & festivals in the valley is outstanding.
The drive behind these events is a genuine, heart felt passion for music. Ron Thomason of Dry Branch Fire Squad, an Ohio Bluegrass Band has been in the business for 25+ years and knows seemingly everyone in the Blue Grass business. Ron lives in the area
and uses music as a way to give back to the community, specifically to the Wet Mountain Clinic. He organized the High Mountain Hay Fever Blue Grass Festival as a fundraiser. Now the largest festival, drawing 2,500 to 3,000 people annually, this event contributes a healthy sum annually to the medical clinic. Showcasing Grammy winning and IBMA (International Bluegrass Music Association) winners, the festival has treated audiences to musicians like Michael Cleveland, an award winning fiddle player. Last Year, Norman Blake, a Grammy winner featured on the Oh Brother Where Art Thou CD gave an exceptional performance. This year, we are looking forward to the band Seldom Seen and Hazel Dickens, an authentic, first generation blue grass icon. We wonder what other surprises are to come.
Wet Mountain Western Days
 Wet Mountain Western Days was the brain child of Paul Wenke and Jack and Audrey Slater. Their love of Western music created an event that brings out the whole community year after year. Along with the amazing music of local bands such as Sons & Brothers. The Ackermans and Sugarfoot, top artists from all over the country grace our humble stage. Skip Gorman was a fantastic score last year--absolutely one of the finest in the industry. Sourdough Slim, New West and Liz Masterson have also brought their melodies and lyrics to the big tent. However, the best performances often come from the least experienced musicians in the famous fiddle contest. During this nontraditional competition, young and old encourage the audience to applauded long and loud. It is great fun to watch the little ones stand dumbfounded while the crowd cheers, claps and whistles their appreciation. One year, a whole group of young people came from Denver, that were so good it was nearly impossible to choose the best. Another year a brother and sister were so well matched in their talent that they had a play off to determine the winner. These moments we remember long after the tent is put away.
Other Events
With so many fantastic fiddlers, guitarists and the like in the area, new events are coming to the area, all with the same incredible quality. Frank Wolking of Sons and Brothers works at a tireless pace to find and promote entertainment for the valley. When he hears of western artists passing through Colorado, he will contact them for an Afternoon Pie Social at the Hillside Grange. Up
to 250 lucky people have had the privilege of hearing cowboy singer songwriter, Dave Stamie and folk group, Dakota Blond in the willows by the grange. Frank is working on a July concert with world renowned fiddler player-Richard Green as is hoping to bring the Wells Family in from North Carolina. They are a girl version of Sons & Brothers, with three sisters the same age as Frank's sons. We hope to hear the sons and the daughters perform together. It would be a once in a lifetime experience.
High Mountain Hay Fever Festival Assn. * 719-783-0883
59000 Hwy. 69
P.O. Box 1199
Westcliffe, CO 81252
www.highmountainhayfever.org
In Concert Classical Music In The Valley * 719-783-9709
PO Box 1484
Westcliffe, CO 81252
Sons & Brothers * 719-783-3351
67449 Hwy 69
Westcliffe, CO 81252
Wet Mountain Western Days * 719-783-9163
502 Main Street
P.O. Box 81
Westcliffe, CO 81252
www.wetmountainwesterndays.com
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