Lone Rock Press before the show

Montana Rockies Bluegrass at Lone Rock School

Spring Thaw, a bluegrass band from Missoula, performed at the Montana Rockies Bluegrass Association’s annual festival and fundraiser, also at Lone Rock.

April 08, 2013 11:45 pm  •  By RUSS LAWRENCE for the Ravalli Republic

LONE ROCK – How many bands would be willing to load up their gear and travel up to a few hundred miles, just to play a 30-minute set, for no pay?

At least 17, answers Mike Conroy who, with his wife Tari, organizes the Oldtime Bluegrass Festival and Fundraiser, coming up on Saturday, April 13, at Lone Rock School, from noon until 10 p.m.

There were 18 bands, but one had to cancel, says Conroy. He put out the call for bands ‘way back in January, and had all the performance slots filled within 24 hours.

The bands come from throughout western Montana and Idaho. In the “oldtime” tradition, the instrumental lineup is usually limited to the banjo, guitar, mandolin, fiddle, and stand-up bass. Dobros are tolerated. Singing styles tend to the tight harmonies for which bluegrass is famous, and the groups will be playing a mix of traditional and original tunes.

The festival, in its 14th year, is a fundraiser for the Montana Rockies Bluegrass Association (MRBA) but, in truth, it won’t even be raising that much money. Admission is just $5 at the door for non-members, $3 for members, and kids under 12 get in free.

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Spring festival 2013 at Lone Rock School

MRBA Spring Festival at Lone Rock School 2013Today an estimated 386 instrument strings are being changed on bluegrass instruments all over Montana and Idaho in preparation for the 12th Annual Montana Rockies Bluegrass Association Oldtime Bluegrass festival at Lone Rock School in Stevensville.
RSVP on Facebook Event

Address:  Lone Rock School – 1112 Three Mile Creek

Directions:  5.5 miles north of Stevensville on East Side Highway, then 3 miles up Three Mile Creek

Time:  noon-10:35pm

Cost:  $5/$3 MRBA Members

Lone Rock Description:  A family-friendly event with lots of pickin’ and grinnin’.  Good home cooked food.  Bring your instrument and join the parking lot and classroom jams.

12:00 Kids in Bluegrass
12:35 Spring Wagon Stringband
1:10 Chet Rudyard and Mullan Road
1:45 LeftOver Buscuits
2:20 Foggy Mtn. Girls
2:55 Salmon Valley Stringband
3:30 Spring Thaw
4:05 Mike and Tari Conroy Band
4:40 The Acousticals
5:15 Darby Sireens
5:50 Will Williams and Gravel Road
6:25 Phyllis Erck and the Ruby Jewel Band
7:00 MRBA Raffle–Signed, New Johnny Cash book donated by brother Gary (Moore)
7:05
New South Fork.
7:40 Blue To The Bone
8:15 Black Mtn Boys
8:50 Ken Benson and Flat Grass
9:25 Pinegrass

28th Mid-Winter Bluegrass Festival in Denver

Midwinter BG Festival in DenverFeb 15-17, 2013
Northglenn Ramada Plaza
Denver, Colo.

Featuring in Concert:

  • Michael Cleveland & Flamekeeper
  • The Gibson Brothers
  • Greg Cahill & Special Consensus
  • The Hillbenders
  • Bryan Bowers
  • Jeff Scroggins & Colorado
  • Finnders and Youngberg
  • High Plains Tradition
  • Big Mill
  • Giddyup Kitty
  • The Ransom Notes
  • McDailey Experiment
  • Stolen Thyme
  • One More River

Vendors’ Fair. Regional artisans will display instruments, art, jewelry, crafts and more! Vendors please contact Ron Jones at rcopejones@comcast.net or             303-840-9594

Concert Times: Friday 6 pm – 11 pm / Saturday 10 am – 11 pm / Sunday 10 am – 4 pm

WORKSHOPS/ATRIUM JAMMING/INDOOR POOL/LOTS OF FREE PARKING/BEGINNERS’ JAMS

 

Grand Targhee festival 2012

Targhee Bluegrass festivalThe line-up for Grand Targhee Bluegrass festival this year includes Darrell Scott, Steep Canyon Rangers, Infamous Stringdusters, Kanes River, David Grisman Quintet, Donna the Buffalo, Leftover Salmon, Hot Rize, Red Knuckles and Del McCoury Band.  $99 early bird ticket price good until April 23.

There’s quite a contingency of MRBA members going this year.

Zoo Grass at Top Hat – Spring Edition

Zoo Grass bluegrass festival at the Top Hat

 

  • Date:  April 21, 2012
  • Time:  1:30pm-2am
  • Location: Top Hat, in Missoula, MT
  • Price – $10 (all ages until 9pm, 21+ after 9pm)

Schedule

1:30pm-4:30pm Alley Cats and The Montana Rockies Bluegrass Association host an open pick
4:30pm-7pm Potluck
4:30pm-5:30pm Britt Arnesen
5:45-6:45pm Blue to the Bone
7:00-8:15pm Dodgy Mountain Men
8:30-9:45pm Lil’ Smokies
10:00-11:30pm Random Canyon Growlers (Myspace)
11:45-1:45am Pert Near Sandstone

MRBA Spring Festival 2012

2012 MRBA Spring FestivalAddress:  Lone Rock School – 1112 Three Mile Creek

Directions:  5.5 miles north of Stevensville on East Side Highway, then 3 miles up Three Mile Creek

Time:  noon-10:35pm

Cost:  $5/$3 MRBA Members

Decription:  A family-friendly event with lots of pickin’ and grinnin’.  Good home cooked food.
Bring your instrument and join the parking lot and classroom jams.

Band Line-up for our Spring Festival

  • 12:00-12:30 Kids in Bluegrass
  • 12:35-1:05  Zylawy Brothers
  • 1:10-1:40 Foggy Mtn Girls
  • 1:45-2:15 Center Ridge /Ben Essary
  • 2:20-2:50 Leftover Biscuits
  • 2:55-3:25 Darby Sireens
  • 3:30-4:00 Flat Grass /Ken Benson
  • 4:05-4:35 Salmon Valley Stringband
  • 4:40-5:10 Will Williams & Gravel RD
  • 5:15-5:45 The Accousticals
  • 5:50-6:20 The Alley Cats
  • 6:25-6:55 Spring Thaw
  • 7:00-7:30 New Mike & Tari Conroy Band
  • 7:35-8:05 New South Fork
  • 8:10-8:40 Blue To The Bone
  • 8:45-9:15 Black Mountain Boys
  • 9:20-9:50 Pinegrass
  • 9:55-10:25 Gravely Mtn

RSVP on Facebook Event

2012 MRBA Spring Festival Poster

Lone Rock School is located 5.5 miles north of Stevensville on East Side Highway, then 3 miles up Three Mile Creek.