Grass on the Black brings Bluegrass Favorites to Medford

The fourth annual Grass on the Black bluegrass festival is taking place in Medford beginning Friday, July 11, with a ton of bluegrass bands and artists on the docket for the weekend. In addition to music that pulls elements from old-time country, folk, and blues, there will be food and drinks ready for purchase as well as food trucks and other vendors available.

Two Dolla’ Bills consists of bluegrass duo Kyle Miller on the banjo and the fiddle and Jeff Sachs on guitar and fiddle. They play original tunes as well as a large catalogue of everyone’s bar favorites and bluegrass songs. Two Dolla’ Bills is playing at Marilyn’s on July 11 from 4-6 p.m.

The Woodland Spring is a high energy, alt-bluegrass band out of the Chippewa Valley. They’ll sing original songs, bluegrass covers and three-part harmony vocals with Timbo on acoustic guitar, Caleb Horne on the mandolin and acoustic guitar, and Dan “DT” Turner on the bass guitar. They are playing at Old School Saloon on July 11 from 7-9 p.m. and again at 64 North on July 12 from 5:30-7:30 p.m.

Miss Meaghan Owens has spent several years performing and touring while singing Americana, roots, folk, bluegrass, old country, Irish and Hawaiiana tunes. Owens enjoys teaching music to children and adults with a special emphasis on building self-confidence and healing trauma through music. You’ll find her on July 11 at Lake 11 Brewing from 6-8 p.m. and later at Troy & Jenn’s Hacienda on July 13 from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

Dandelion Delivery Service consists of Sheilagh Dandy Lion on guitar, vocals and the fiddle, Sarah Ludeman on percussion and backup vocals, Benjamin Lila on lead guitar and backup vocals, Jeremiah Paarman on bass and backup vocals, and A. Vuorinen on the mandolin. Out of Stevens Point, the band describes their sound as folk, Americana, bluegrass and punkgrass. Dandelion Delivery Service will be at Troy & Jenn’s Hacienda on July 11 from 6-8 p.m.

Timothy M. Balke on acoustic guitar and vocals, Kurby Hoffman on banjo and vocals, Patrick Rades on dobro, acoustic guitar and vocals, Sarah Ludeman on the rockin’ box with spurs and vocals and Tod Pubanz on bass and vocals all make up Burnt Toast & Jam. This isn’t their first time performing at Grass on the Black, and they’re sure to bring back the same energy and bluegrass melodies. On July 11, Burnt Toast & Jam will be at 64 North from 6:308:30 p.m.

Carl Jackson sings a wide variety of cover songs and original tunes. He comes together with the Wild Spirits, who blend the showmanship of Abba, the country twang of Little Big Town and the individuality of Fleetwood Mac. Listen to Carl Jackson with the Wild Spirits at the Medford Curling Club on July 11 from 6-8 p.m.

Daniel and Claire are the duo behind The Foxfire Affair, and they bring the sound as they combine the guitar, concertina, tenor banjo, accordion and other instruments, playing everything from sea shanties, American folk and even their own original songs. Find The Foxfire Affair at Uncommon Ground on July 12 from 12-2 p.m. and later the same day at Old School Saloon from 4-6 p.m.

The Two Crowes will be with Friends of the Downtown on Saturday, July 12 from 1-3 p.m.

Fort Wilderness is made of members Matt on the guitar, Sean on the mandolin, and Elizabeth on the banjo. They’re a central Wisconsin band that plays folk, bluegrass, old time music and old country westerns. You’ll find Fort Wilderness with the Friends of the Downtown from 5-7 p.m. on Saturday, July 12.

Maura Dunst is a classically trained violinist turned fiddle and mandolin player. She brings classical precision with the energetic improvisation of Americana and bluegrass. Maura plays with multiple bands, including The Foxgloves, and performs solo. Maura Dunst and the Ridge Runners will be at Lake 11 Brewing from 6-8 p.m. on July 12.

The Maple Ridge Band began simply because a few friends enjoyed jamming together and playing bluegrass, old-time, gospel music and fiddle tunes. Maple Ridge is inspired by the Stanley Brothers, Flatt and Scruggs, and the Carter Family among many other greats. Listen to them at the Medford Curling Club from 2:30-4:30 p.m. on Saturday, July 12.

Stump Jesus plays folk, grass, and Americana-style music. Only trashier. Based out of Merrill, this threepiece string band consists of a guitar, banjo and upright bass. Stump Jesus promises to take listeners on a quest to reconnect with songs first shared long ago by continuing the tradition of old-time music in their own way. Stump Jesus will be at Troy & Jenn’s Hacienda on July 12 from 1-3 p.m. and again at the Medford Curling Club from 5:30-7:30 p.m. the same day.

Sheilagh Dandy Lion and Benjamin Lila join forces again to bring you Miles of Dandelions, a guitar and fiddle combo that guarantees to bring you space-grass cowgirl-style harmonies. Miles of Dandelions will be at Marilyn’s from 11:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. on July 12.

The Foxgloves are an Americana/newgrass band from Minneapolis. They promise to give a high-energy performance complete with heartfelt storytelling, four-part harmonies and musical depth. They’re comprised of members Nyssa Krause, Steph Snow, Sara Tinklenberg, Liz DeYoe and Maura Dunst. They’ll be at Marilyn’s on July 12 from 3-5 p.m.

Out of Stevens Point, Dig Deep describes themselves as a unique and powerful force in the roots world. They have a hard-edged sound that goes beyond bluegrass and offer boisterous live performances. Dig Deep will be at Marilyn’s from 7-9 p.m. on July 12.

Join the Central Wisconsin Country Dancers and the Stetson Stompers to watch some high-energy steps and learn how to dance with them right there on the patio. The line dancers will perform from 11 a.m. - 1 p.m. at 64 North on July 12.

Tres Osos features Nicholas Klee, Ian Kale and Tim Leutgeb who share vocal, mandolin, guitar, banjo and bass duties as they play ferocious bluegrass, country and folk music. Tres Osos will be at 64 North from on Saturday, July 12 from 2-4 p.m.

Banjokyle is the brainchild of musician Kyle Tuttle who is known for his progressive bluegrass and electric jamband solos. Some of Tuttle’s new sounds explore the wide range of possibilities for the banjo. You’ll find him at Old School Saloon on July 12 from 1-3 p.m.

Holy Crowe combines retro country, 70’s rock and bluegrass to produce a sound that’s perfect for smalltown festivals. Randy Tackett on guitar and lead vocals, Jeff Wagner on band, lead/harmony vocals, Liz Wagner on the mandolin and vocals, Rock Nolting on the upright and electric bass and vocals and Laura Lanza on the fiddle and vocals comprises Holy Crowe. They play at Old School Saloon on July 12 from 7:30-9:30 p.m.

Minneapolis duo Alek Glauvitz and Arja Niskanen form Beyond the Trees, a band that blends bluegrass and folk. They describe their combination as an “urban-feeling beat with a walk in the woods.” Beyond the Trees plays at Troy & Jenn’s Hacienda on July 12 from 4-6 p.m.

Ogema’s own Jared Hubbard plays covers of Tyler Childers, Zach Bryan, and Whiskey Myers as well as his own original songs. Hubbard blends storytelling with soulful acoustic and electric performances. You can find Jared Hubbard and the Bad Decisions from 7:30-9:30 p.m. at Troy & Jenn’s Hacienda on July 12.

Catfish Stephenson is the persona of Scott R. Stephenson. Described as Madison’s best street musician, he’s played with Townes Van Zandt and Stevie Ray Vaughan. You won’t want to miss his steel guitar when he plays at Marilyn’s on Sunday, July 13 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Debbie Brigs on vocals, Tim Kirchhof on guitar, Matt Blake on the upright bass and Sam Skavnak with the pedal steel bring you Sparrow Catcher. They’ll play classics by Patsy Cline, Hank Willians, Bob Dylan and more. You’ll locate Sparrow Catcher at Marilyn’s on Sunday, July 13 from 1-3 p.m.