“Jeff Austin blew the crowd away with his standout, electro-driven bluegrass… Austin and his bandmates have reinvented Americana music in a way that moves the genre forward.” —jambase.com

Welcomed by the Sugar Maple Music Festival, the Jeff Austin Band will play the High Noon Saloon on Sunday, March 26.  Tickets on sale here.

The career of the Colorado-based artist has already seen him break through jam and bluegrass scenes, play stages from The Fillmore Auditorium to Red Rocks Amphitheater, and outdoor events like Telluride Bluegrass Festival and Bonnaroo Music and Arts Festival, among many others. But with the launch of his solo career in 2014, Austin is now building on the foundations of previous ventures while honing his own sound and charting new courses.

“I’ve learned a lot from the people I’ve played with,” says Austin who has shared stages with such luminaries as Del McCoury, Jerry Douglas, Sam Bush, Earle Scruggs, Jon Fishman, and Phil Lesh. And it’s artists such as these who have helped crystalize Austin’s idea of what he wants to do as he moves forward with his eponymous project. “From both the rock side and the bluegrass side,” he explains, “I’ve learned a lot about song structure, solo ideas, playing with guts, and being who you are.”

If you attended the January 12^th show at the Barrymore Lobby, you already know that Molly Tuttle puts on a great show.  Her lovely voice, impeccable and fiery guitar playing, and sensitive song writing make Molly Tuttle a star on the rise and we are thrilled the Molly Tuttle Band will perform at the Sugar Maple Music Festival on Saturday, August 5.

A virtuoso multi-instrumentalist and award winning songwriter with a distinctive voice,Molly Tuttle has turned the heads of even the most seasoned industry professionals. Since her performing debut at age 11, she’s appeared on A Prairie Home Companion, was featured on the cover of Flatpicking Guitar Magazine (the first woman ever to be featured on the cover), won first place in the prestigious Chris Austin Songwriting Competition at MerleFest, and recently graduated from the Berklee College of Music, which she attended on a Hazel Dickens Memorial Scholarship.  Most recently, Molly was featured in Acoustic Guitar.  Molly now makes her home in Nashville and has completed work on her debut solo album with producer Kai Welch, to be released in early 2017.

Looking for a family-friendly way to celebrate Valentine’s Day? Come to the Barrymore Theatre at 1 p.m., February 12th, for the 16th Annual United Way Bluegrass Benefit. Six bands and performers are volunteering their time and talents with all proceeds going to United Way of Dane County. Longtime United Way advocate Dave Kinney has organized this concert since its inception.

“This is a wonderful opportunity to bring your entire family to a fun and entertaining event while giving back to our community,” said Kinney. “I’m proud of the positive change United Way brings to our community and I love that I can contribute to that change with this concert.”

Over the last 16 years, this annual concert has grown in popularity among bluegrass fans and families who are looking for kid-friendly activities. Thank you to Barrymore Theatre, Steve Gotcher (Audio for the Arts), WORT 89.9 FM and Isthmus for their partnership.

Tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for children ages 5 – 12. Children 5 and under are free. For families, there is a maximum cost of $20. Tickets are available at the door and online.

Program of Performers

Cork ‘n Bottle String Band 1:00 p.m.

Sparetime Bluegrass 2:00 p.m.

Dave Landau – The King of Kids Music 2:30 p.m.

MadFiddle & Highway 151 3:00 p.m.

The Soggy Prairie Boys 4:20 p.m.

Old Tin Can String Band 5:00 p.m.

Molly Tuttle
Thursday Jan 12, 7:30 pm (2 sets)
The Barrymore Theatre Lobby
Tickets $10 in advance by phone, on-line or at the door
Presented by the Four Lakes Traditional Music Collective

“[Molly Tuttle] sings with the gentle authority of Gillian Welch, yet plays astoundingly fleet flat-picking guitar like Chet Atkins on superdrive.”  – American Songwriter Magazine

A virtuoso multi-instrumentalist and award winning songwriter with a distinctive voice, Molly Tuttle has turned the heads of even the most seasoned industry professionals. Since her performing debut at age 11, she’s appeared on A Prairie Home Companion, was featured on the cover of Flatpicking Guitar Magazine (the first woman ever to be featured on the cover), won first place in the prestigious Chris Austin Songwriting Competition at MerleFest, and recently graduated from the Berklee College of Music, which she attended on a Hazel Dickens Memorial Scholarship.

Her lovely voice, impeccable and fiery guitar playing, and sensitive song writing make Molly Tuttle a star on the rise. She has already received more than two million YouTube views and, with her project The Goodbye Girls, appeared on the Newport Folk Festival and opened a series of sold out theater shows in Fall 2015 on tour with The Milk Carton Kids. In 2016, the Molly Tuttle Band has toured extensively and will be featured on several prominent festivals including Rocky Grass Festival, Wintergrass Festival, and many others, and received a 2016 IBMA Momentum Award as Instrumentalist, singling her out as one to watch in the genre. Molly now makes her home in Nashville and has completed work on her debut solo album with producer Kai Welch, to be released in early 2017.

We’ll give you ten reasons not to miss Burgers and Bluegrass for Sugar Maple. What’s your favorite?

Come to Whole Foods (3313 University Avenue) this Thursday for Burgers and Bluegrass.
Grilling from 4-8 pm.  Music from 5-7 pm by festival board members and friends.
All proceeds benefit Sugar Maple Traditional Music Festival. See you there!

Top Ten Reasons To Attend

10.  Burgers
9.  Brats
8.  Beer
7.  Bluegrass from the Sugar Maple Fest Band
6.  That smoky grill smell
5.  The chance to loiter in front of a building without being asked to leave
4.  The more you eat and drink the more you support Sugar Maple Fest
3.  A clever way to avoid rush-hour traffic on University Avenue
2.  A convenient way to pick up your Sugar Maple Fest tickets
1. Burgers and Bluegrass won’t make you fat—just generous

What’s your favorite reason for going? Leave a comment on our Facebook page.

Burgers and Bluegrass… Always a good time!

You could have this much fun every week! Check out the 2016 Burgers and Bluegrass calendar here: www.wholefoodsmarket.com/service/burgers-bluegrass