Washington Bluegrass Music Festival Events

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Special Notice

We are looking for bands for the 2023 Mt St Helens Festival. Please send promo hard copy to:
WBA P.O.box 490 Toledo Wa. 98591 

Central Valley Boys

The Central Valley Boys are dedicated to playing homage to the greats of the beautiful and fertile Central Valley of California. No frills or fancy stuff, just down-home Bluegrass music at it’s finest. Their show typically includes songs such as “Bald Knob Arkansas” and “Oh, Susannah!” performed in the traditional style in respect to Vern Williams who they believe was the greatest bluegrass musician to live in California. The band also likes to pay tribute to other Bluegrass Musicians such as: Del Williams, Ray Park, Rose Maddox and the Maddox Brothers, The Farmer Boys, and more!

Randy Hackworth
& Kentucky Sky

Kentucky Sky is a new traditional Bluegrass band, featuring Randy Hackworth on guitar, Fred Frank on banjo, Emily Frank on bass and Chad Fadely on mandolin.

Fred and Emily, a married couple have played with Chad Fadely in the Fred and Emily Band for a number of years, but with the addition of Randy Hackworth’s true, Kentucky soulful Bluegrass voice, it was felt that a new band name was called for.

Both Randy and Emily also write a significant portion of the band’s songs in a traditional Bluegrass style. This makes for a refreshing, yet familiar sound the band offers.

Annie Staninec
& Whiskey Deaf

Whiskey Deaf plays a lively mix of lesser-known traditional bluegrass, old-time and early country tunes, and brings together a unique blend of styles and talents. They are all seasoned professionals, but most importantly they share a genuine joy playing this music with one another, and it comes through in every performance.

Annie Staninec is a uniquely gifted fiddle player, bringing driving rhythm, musicality and joyful exuberance to every performance. She has performed in over 20 countries with artists spanning from Peter Rowan to Rod Stewart, and is on countless recordings in a variety of musical styles. Annie has been receiving musical recognition and awards since a young age, and her fiddling is 100% guaranteed to put a smile on your face!

Annie will be joined by her musical partner John Kael on banjo. John is a founding member of Whiskey Deaf, a multi-instrumentalist and award-winning songwriter, and has toured and taught internationally for over 20 years.

On vocals and guitar will be the powerhouse singer Jered Widman. An Oregon native, Jered was introduced to early country music at a young age by a musical family, and his voice has been showcased in numerous country and bluegrass bands for decades, including local favorites Great Northern Planes.

Playing mandolin and also singing lead and harmony vocals is Jeff Smith, who has been playing bluegrass on the west coast for over four decades. Jeff is a founding member and contributing songwriter for the renowned Sam Hill, and has also performed with Broken Top, the Leah Larson Band, Old Friends and others.

Anchoring the bass is the rock-solid Dee Johnson, who has graced the stages of nearly every northwestern festival with numerous bands including Sunny South, Fern Hill, The Loafers, Wild Mountain Honey, and of course - Whiskey Deaf!

Dave Baker
& Heart Wood

The HeartWood Bluegrass Band formed in 2000 around the powerful duet singing of Billy Moore and Dave Baker. Billy, while in his early 20s, learned to sing with Dave and they developed a close harmony style akin to brothers or a father-son duet. They perform many songs as a duet all the way through, when traditionally the song may have been solo or harmony on the chorus only. Little Davey Baker IV, who now towers over his father, has been performing on the bass since he was 12. Dave transferred his Monroe style mandolin playing over to flatpicking guitar which fit Billy’s hard driving banjo style perfectly. Billy went on to perform with Vern Williams’ son Delbert in True Blue, The Bow Ties and Central Valley Boys. A Northwest fiddler will be joining the band.

Robert Catlin
& Powell Mtn Band

THE POWELL MOUNTAIN BLUEGRASS BAND* is Jimmy Hall, Robert Catlin, Kelly Erb, and John Brogan, a collection of outstanding bluegrass musicians drawn together from across the U.S.A. Their exciting style of traditional bluegrass music, or True-grass as many call it, includes driving fiddle tunes, breakdowns, good ol' honky tonk, soulful ballads and gospel from the sacred side. I know you'll enjoy this band.

*The name Powell Mountain is taken from a peak just outside Coeburn, Virginia; within spitting distance of The Stanley Brothers childhood home on Smith Ridge.

JIMMY HALL is the triple threat front man with Powell Mountain. Jimmy is quickly gaining a reputation as one of the finest flat pickers around. He is a fine lead singer and his natural tenor is a delight to hear. Jimmy started playing guitar at the age of 13 and has been deep into bluegrass for the last 10 years. He also plays mandolin and bass and leads several bluegrass jams around the Seattle area. In addition, he co-teaches the Ballard High School Fiddle Club. A native Northwesterner, he hails from Federal Way, Washington.

ROBERT CATLIN was raised up in Fairfield County, South Carolina. His grandfather A. Lundin, was a locally renowned fiddler in heavy demand at house parties, barn raisings and corn shuckins. On many occasions, “Bobby” was allowed to attend these gatherings. His “pap” gave him his first banjo at the age of 7 which he learned to frail in the old mountain style. In his mid-twenties, Bob converted to bluegrass after wearing out the grooves of a Red Allen & The Kentuckians album given to him by a friend. He has never looked back.

KELLY ERB, fiddler in Powell Mountain, was born and raised in The Willamette Valley of Oregon and has played fiddle since the tender age of 6, first studying classical music before taking up bluegrass in her teens. In addition, she plays in another Seattle based band and participates in other projects with both celtic and folk musicians.

JOHN BROGAN John grew up in Albuquerque, NM, playing violin in school orchestras. It was in college when he first heard Old & In The Way. Reading the liner notes, he discovered the likes of Bill Monroe, Flatt & Scruggs, and The Stanley Brothers and a love of traditional bluegrass music. He decided to learn the mandolin and sing that high-lonesome sound. He moved to Seattle in 2003 and quickly discovered the great bluegrass community. He has been playing mandolin with a popular Seattle based bluegrass band since 2005.

STEVE SNIDER was born and raised in Memphis Tennessee where he was exposed to and quickly learned to love Bluegrass music. In his early days one could find Steve playing Bluegrass guitar at the "Lucy Opry" and the "Bluegrass Shack". Moving to Missouri, he spent many years playing Hymns and Worship Tunes in various churches. Recently moving to Seattle, he has taken up the doghouse bass and enjoys playing for The Powell Mountain Bluegrass Band.

The Kevin Prater Band

Kevin Prater is proud to bring The Kevin Prater Band to Mount Saint Helen's Bluegrass Festival as part of his 40th Anniversary year of is musical journey, which began at age seven. Kevin has entertained in 24 Countries, 49 states. Forming his first band, "Elkhorn Grass" at age eleven, touring Kentucky and surrounding states for eleven years. On graduation day Kevin moved to TN to play for Dolly Parton at Dollywood for three years. In 1997 he was asked to audition for what would become, Grammy Nominated, James King Band. Spending 12 years as the Mandolin Player and Tenor Vocalist for James. During his time with James King Kevin was blessed to be part of two "Album of the Year", a "Song of the Year" and a "Recorded Event of the Year" award winning recorded projects. He then toured three years with The Bluegrass Brothers, earning a nomination as "Banjo Player Of The Year". Additionally Kevin has played/filled in with many legends including Charlie Waller & Country Gentlemen, Mac Wiseman, Mark Phillips & Third Generation, Melvin Goins & Windy Mountain and many others.

Nearly 14 years ago, Kevin formed The Kevin Prater Band. Currently touring the USA and Canada, averaging 100 shows annually. Completing the bands "Pure Kentucky Bluegrass" sound, on Guitar, Ryan Lester of VA. On Fiddle, Merle Johnson of VA., Jake Burrows of NC. fills the Banjo/Dobro slot and 18 year old Daniel Pugh, also of NC. fills the Bass position. Every member of the band plays multiple instruments and contributes to the bands vocals. In addition to traditional Bluegrass, the band preforms Classic Country, Original tunes, Grassed Up Vintage Rock and Bluegrass Gospel & Accapella.