ON TOP OF ASPEN MOUNTAIN
FREE (with the purchase of a gondola ticket)
June 21 - September 6

A favorite among locals, Bluegrass Sundays feature top bluegrass musicians from around Colorado performing in this ideal Rocky Mountain setting. The FREE (with the purchase of a gondola ticket), open-air concerts are from noon to 3 p.m. outside the Sundeck on top of Aspen Mountain.

2009 SCHEDULE - scroll down to see info about each musician
June 21 - Joe Hurley & the Gents
June 28 - Emith
July 5 - Kort McCumber & the Cumberland Gap
July 12 - The Porchlights
July 19 - Frying Pan Bluegrass Band
July 26 - Abalone Dots
August 2 - Kid Fiddlers
August 9 - The Ackermans
August 16 - Expedition Quartet
August 23 - Boulder Acoustic Society
August 30 - The New Familiars
September 6 - Lonepine Bluegrass Band


June 21 - Joe Hurley & The Gents
Joe Hurley & The Gents formed in late 2002, kicking off their first shows at New York City's Mercury Lounge and Brooklyn's Southpaw. Joe and his Gents quickly became regulars at their favorite NYC venue, Joe's Pub, and soon went on to larger shows. The Gents have a somewhat floating membership, and their sets are always full of surprises. Playing a mix of brand new unreleased Joe Hurley piano-led ballads, stomping cabaret, and some scorching rock and roll numbers in the grand tradition of Stooges/ Stones/Faces classics--off the cuff, in your face, and from the heart, they cut a fine figure of debauched, compassionate gentleman at play.

June 28 - Emith
Founded in 2003 at a crossroads between Los Angeles and the infamous Inland Empire, emith ("the good life") is an original fusion of the old and new, of humor and sadness, of the pristine and the profane. The band plays both as an acoustic duo, featuring new songwriter Carol Ann Ives on vocals and guitar, and highly respected guitarist Stevie Gurr on guitar, bass and harmonica, and also as a full band supplemented by various LA favorites on bass, keyboards and drums. Emith’s style of music features melodic, haunting influences from rock, folk, country, blues, and Celtic genres.

July 5 – Kort McCumber & The Cumberland Gap
Over the last ten years, Kort has honed his skills as a working musician playing more than 1000 live shows throughout the U.S. and Europe. Kort writes plays and sings Americana Music - equal parts folk, country, blues and bluegrass, with a healthy dose of something fresh. After moving to Colorado in 2003, the music took a decidedly more country/bluegrass turn and dug deeper into the roots of his Scotch-Irish heritage. Kort weaves a rich and diverse tapestry of musical experience, skill and energy into each and every one of his many musical endeavors.

July 12 - The Porchlights
Deb Hilton and Wild Billy Kneebone used to jam on the back porch at Deb's shanty on Lone Tree Drive in Flagstaff, Arizona. What started out as a casual music party became more when it was clear that there was chemistry between the two. When jams turned into songs they 'hit the road' and are now performing at concerts, festivals, clubs, coffeehouses, and breweries in Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico, and Utah. The Porchlights have released 4 CDs, and the 5th, a live album is currently in production. The Porchlights full-hearted sound is built around Deb's smooth vocals and powerful rhythm guitar. Kneebone’s unique guitar styling’s make him one of the Southwest's
most well known talents.

July 19 - Frying Pan Bluegrass Band
The roots of Frying Pan Bluegrass are definitely in traditional bluegrass, but their driving sound comes from their time together and their original material. There is a unique rhythm to their playing and it sets a tempo for polished harmonies. John Livingston (banjo) and Kevin Glenn (guitar) co-founded the band in 1998. Since 1998, Frying Pan Bluegrass has been entertaining audiences all around Colorado. Based in Basalt, Colorado, the band takes its name from their famous hometown trout stream, the Frying Pan River. When you see this band, you will enjoy their stage show around the single microphone and their dedication to quality traditional and original bluegrass. Frying Pan has burned their mark on Colorado and they’re out to display the legend of bluegrass music

July 26 - Abalone Dots
Abalone Dots hail from a small town in Sweden called Vastervik on the outskirts of Stockholm. The talented musicians—Rebecka Hjukstrom (guitar, banjo, dobro), Louise Holmer (upright bass, piano, guitar), Elin Mork (violin), and Sophia Hogman (mandolin, cello, key fiddle, mandolin)—have played together for six years and have already become a top-selling artist on RCA Sweden since releasing their debut album in 2007, FROM A SAFE DISTANCE. The album immediately entered at the top of the Swedish charts, allowing the foursome to cultivate a rapidly-growing audience in the Norwegian countries. Their current single, “Solo,” from their sophomore release, TRAVELER, continues to garner attention including multiple performances on major TV shows in Europe and a cover story in Scanorama--instantly branding the Abalone Dots as media darlings.

August 2 - Kid Fiddlers
Since 2001, The Kid Fiddlers have been amazing audiences around the world! Combining mastery of over a dozen instruments, impeccable vocal harmonies, fantastic clogging and charming humor, this family puts on a show that is sure to entertain everyone. When "Mom" takes the stage with her 5 amazingly talented kids (ages 7-18), every audience is spellbound!

August 9 - Ackermans
Led by Aaron Ackerman, The Ackermans carry that same musical thrill forward into a new century. At a time when most top bluegrass bands are smooth, tight and virtuosic, The Ackermans retain some of the rugged, roughhewn dynamism, and emotional impact of traditional bluegrass to new audiences. The Ackermans have had the opportunity to play many festivals in the Colorado, Nebraska, and Utah region, including Pueblo Bluegrass on the River, Mid-Winter Bluegrass festival in Denver and High Mountain Hay Fever in Westcliffe, Colorado.

August 16 - Expedition Quarter
While rooted in the string band tradition, the Expedition Quartet is not bound by any one tradition. Their set is as likely to include bluegrass stomps, traditional fiddle tunes and swing standards, as an Argentine tango, Brazilian choro, or an original modern string band composition. The Expedition Quartet didn't form like an ordinary group, and it follows that their music is far from ordinary. In 2006, after hearing banjoist Jake Schepps' solo CD, the Durango Meltdown Festival insisted Jake put together a band to perform. Seizing the opportunity to showcase Jake's unique vision of adventurous string band music, he recruited some of the most accomplished acoustic musicians from Colorado's thriving acoustic music scene. Despite being the most adventurous group at a fairly traditional festival, The Expedition Quartet's sets were an unqualified success, and it was clear that the expedition had just begun.

August 23 - Boulder Acoustic Society
Old school but never old, Boulder Acoustic Society is the new wave of American roots music. It's what happens when four songwriters get together to mash up blues, folk, gospel, indie and world music to soothe their musical curiosity. Whether it's a festival stage, performing arts center, dive bar or a late night campground set, B.A.S. delivers musical diversity throughout their set as if it's normal. B.A.S.'s music is intense and exciting for listeners, with something new and interesting at every turn. The unique lineup of violin, accordion, bass and percussion support sharp vocal hooks and powerful grooves. All of this comes from four guys who wear vintage clothes, savor small batch bourbon and rock the ukulele.

August 30 - The New Familiars
From the foothills of Appalachia a new musical combo has appeared; grown from seeds of the folk, blues, and bluegrass found abundant in the Carolinas, yet shaped by the undeniable power of rock and roll. Known as The New Familiars, these five gentlemen combine an amazing passion for harmony and collaborative songwriting with multi-instrumental talent. The band has constantly stretched the boundaries of any one label by playing their blend of folk-infused rock ’n’ roll. Since their debut in late 2006, they’ve built a sound based upon their balance of traditional and modern instruments which takes listeners from the back porches of Appalachia to the floors of underground rock clubs.

September 6 - Lonepine Bluegrass Band
Since 1996, The Lone Pine Bluegrass Band has been keeping the bluegrass tradition alive in Aspen Colorado. It has seen many member changes since then they have remained a band to look out for. Their tight vocal harmonies and driving instrumentals have made Lone Pine a name to remember. Their song selections reflect the music of Bill Monroe, the Stanley Brothers, the Carter Family, Flatt and Scruggs, and tunes from the early 20th century. Western swing and gypsy jazz are always a favorite among the dance crowd, while original compositions fill out a typical set-list.