Grammy-nominated Yonder Mountain String Band has never chased trends or followed a formula. For 27 years, they’ve made music on their own terms, shaping a sound and a legacy driven by instinct, built on chemistry, and rooted in something real. Their influence helped steer progressive bluegrass into new territory, creating space for two of the most visible and enduring sub-genres in American roots music. Within their first few years, they brought bluegrass to rock stages, premier festivals, and mainstream audiences, expanding the reach of acoustic music in ways that still echo through a new generation of artists.
2026 marks a significant moment for Yonder, with two album releases that reflect both where they are now and the moments that shaped them. Early on comes Good As True (2026), their twelfth studio album, recorded live in the studio and filled with all-new original songs that explore communication: the things we say, the things we mean, and everything that gets lost in between. The album moves across the range Yonder has always embraced, from high-energy bluegrass to songs that lean toward folk, rock, and indie influences. Later, they’ll mark the long-awaited 20th anniversary (two years overdue) and first vinyl pressing of Mountain Tracks, Vol. 3 (2004), the third installment in their celebrated live series, recorded in 2003 at their Kinfolk Celebration at Planet Bluegrass. The reissue captures a defining moment in Yonder’s rise and honors their deep connection to Colorado, where their journey began and where they’ve since been inducted into the Colorado Music Hall of Fame.
Nearly three decades in, Yonder Mountain continues to unfold in real time on stage, in song, and in the shared moments that keep their music alive.
The Fretliners
The Fretliners are a band defined by their songwriting—stories carried by powerful harmonies, dynamic arrangements, and a sound that feels both timeless and new. Their music leans into the tradition of acoustic string instruments but reaches well beyond genre, resonating with listeners through honesty and craft.
In 2023, they swept both the Telluride Bluegrass and RockyGrass band competitions—an achievement matched only once before. That fall, their debut self-titled album earned widespread acclaim, praised for its originality and heartfelt lyricism.
With songs that balance tradition and innovation, The Fretliners continue to chart a bold path forward, creating music that connects as deeply on record as it does on stage.
