Community. Collaboration. Inspiration.

What

A music festival featuring a variety of bluegrass, roots, and Americana music from both icons of the industry and innovative up-and-coming artists. Featuring multiple stages, camping, local food trucks, Vermont craft beer and wine, and a magical Green Mountain setting!

Why

We are passionate about great music. We love the awe-inspiring moments that can happen when talented musicians who love and respect each other collaborate, and the life-changing impact it can have on those who witness it. We also love Southern Vermont and believe that it offers the perfect setting and spirit for our fest. We are driven to create an experience that makes hairs stand on end, tears of joy well up, and helps to foster and enrich the cultural and economic scene in the region.

Who

Since the first bluegrass festivals were introduced in the 60s, loyal fans of the music have gathered, often with campers and folding chairs in tow, to listen to old-school and new-school pickers play. Although we weren't around then, blind luck enabled us to grow up on the bluegrass festivals of the 1990’s, where jaw-dropping supergroup collaborations pushed the genre to new heights, leaving festival goers stunned and aching for more. Bookmarked on one end with the groundbreaking Strength in Numbers, and on the other end with The Bluegrass Sessions, this was a latter day golden era of bluegrass that witnessed epic collaborations like Douglass, Barenberg & Meyer, Flinner, Greer and Phillips, the John Hartford Stringband with Mike Compton and Chris Sharp, and one-off headline acts like Béla Fleck, Sam Bush, Tony Rice, Jerry Douglas, Tim O’Brien, and Mark Schatz. Beyond the pure talent represented by these performers, there was a rapport, a clear and special bond that they shared, that was evident to all who were lucky enough to bear witness to one of these special collaborations.

We believe that the current field of musicians holds brilliance and camaraderie equal to any great period of American music, but with room yet to blossom into what has the makings of a movement of musical genius. Our mission is to help bring together the titans of today’s bluegrass, roots, and Americana music, both known and unknown, and provide them with a fertile field that will foster nothing short of a new golden era of musical collaboration.

Where

Southern Vermont is one of the most magical places in the world, and the health and viability of this region is central to our mission. GMBR is committed to using Vermont-based vendors and service providers whenever possible, as we aim to enhance both the cultural and economic scene of one of our favorite places on earth. By building a world class event that draws a respectful and appreciative audience, we look to shine a spotlight on this special place.

Jill and John Turpin, Festival Promoters