If you’re a fan of traditional Bluegrass, you’re a fan of Joe Mullins (or about to be). You may have seen him as a founding member of Traditional Grass or heard on of his recordings with Longview. Joe and the Radio Ramblers are the real deal and kick out some powerful Bluegrass!

Joe and the boys play two sets Saturday. You can catch Joe’s and Bruce Molsky’s workshop for Bluegrass and Old-time banjo. You’ll also hear Evan McGregor as part of our Fiddlers in the Round workshop.

Sugar Maple Fest is proud to present our Friday Night Headline act, Greg Brown w/ Bo Ramsey. Greg moves audiences with warmth, humor, a thundering voice and his unpretentious musical vision. He’s the folksinger of his generation, and a gifted spokesman for it. His roots run deep: to the land, to family, and to the richest and oldest veins of American music. Hillbilly country, black blues masters, and the history of American folk resonate together in his songs. Brown’s songwriting has been lauded by many, and his songs have been performed by Willie Nelson, Carlos Santana, Michael Johnson, Shawn Colvin, and Mary Chapin Carpenter. He has also recorded more than a dozen albums, with One Big Town earning three and a half stars in Rolling Stone, chart-topping status in AAA and The Gavin Report’s Americana rankings and Brown’s first Indie Award from NAIRD (National Association of Independent Record Distributors). Don’t miss this opportunity to catch Greg Brown in an intimate setting under Sugar Maple Festival’s tent.

Bruce Molsky stands today as the premier old-time fiddler in the world, the defining virtuoso of Appalachia’s timeless folk music traditions. Whether performing an ancient reel from Virginia, a Swedish waltz, or a loping cowboy ballad, Bruce presents himself as exactly who he is.

Bruce plays the Sugar Maple Traditional Music Festival with Big Hoedown, who will be leading an old-time dance Friday nigh and a performance Saturday. You’ll also be able to catch him at the Fiddlers in the Round workshop (Sat) and with Joe Mullins for a Old-time/Bluegrass workshop (sat). See the schedule for more details.

This just in… Bo Ramsey will be playing with Greg Brown Friday night!

Get your tickets!

The festival is officially a week away and as glad as we all are to see the rain today , we are hoping for beautiful weather for next Friday and Saturday. We are so excited to have you over to our little fest, to make it more smooth for everyone, here are some tips for the festival:

• We are a rain or shine event, all of our artists perform under tents or shelters. Bring sun screen, ponchos, a hand fan and bug dope.
• Bring a chair or a blanket to sit on, we have a limited number of chairs, and yours are more comfortable anyway.
• Please leave all pets at home, we all love our pets, but we are in close quarters and you never know who has an allergy to your dog, guinea pig, iguana, etc.
• Buying tickets in advance is your best deal, tickets at the door are a few dollars more expensive, you know you love us so save a few bucks and buy an advance ticket, they are available until Thursday at Willy Coop East, Whole Foods, Spruce Tree Music and online.
• Bring the kids, they are free! And we will have activities just for them!
• If you have an instrument, bring it and we can Jam in the Jam Tent. Even you newbies, skill and talent are optional, we are here to have a good time.
• Camping closest to the festival is rustic, primitive, and fun. Tents only, that means no cars, no westies, no RV’s in the camping area. If you have to have your car (under 20 ft in length) parked in the camping area its an additional $25, but you have to sleep in a tent. The fun part is that the jamming goes on all night, so if you are a light sleeper bring earplugs, or stay up and join in.
• Bring Cash, we try to have an ATM, but if you have some $ in your pocket when you come you will be all set.
• We have a great selection of food vendors; Santa Fe Trailer, FIBS, Curt’s Popcorn, La Fortuna Pizza and Cousins Subs/Chocolate Shoppe Ice Cream, and Tyranena beer, but you are also allowed to bring a picnic.
• Gates open at 1 including camping, prior to that you may be enlisted to help, the toilets always need a good scrub. So do us a favor and come after 1pm so we can get set up.

Any other questions let us know!

Charlie Parr captures the intense sound of the folk music of America’s frozen north. His raw voice, lightening finger picking and plaintive but wry songs have made him one of the most important contemporary protagonists of the American folk tradition. Listen for Charlie this Sunday (July 24) on Simply Folk on WPR. And then catch him live at this year’s Sugar Maple Traditional Music Festival.

Stop by Whole Foods Wed, July 20th (5-7pm) for good food, good beer and good music! The folks at Whole Foods will be grilling up some of their fine foods and offering samples of Ale Asylum beer. And you’ll be entertained while you eat/drink by bands, Off the Porch and the Northern Pikers. All proceeds go to support the Sugar Maple Traditional Music Festival… a delicious way to help support traditional music in Madison!

Joe Mullins (2011 Sugar Maple artist) will be on the air tomorrow morning at 10:15 with Chris Powers of the Mud Acres Bluegrass Special on WORT-FM (89.9). Joe will be talking about his upcoming appearance with the Radio Ramblers at the Sugar Maple Traditional Music Festival. Be sure to tune in!