Radio Woodstock and guitarist Warren Haynes (Gov't Mule, The Allman Brothers Band, The Dead) are proud to announce that the Mountain Jam Music Festival (www.mountainjam.com) will return to Hunter, NY from Friday, June 4th-Sunday, June 6th, 2010.
GOV'T MULE will anchor the multi-band bill for the sixth year in a row with two headlining performances. Haynes' fellow Allman Brothers Band guitarist DEREK TRUCKS will introduce a new band featuring his wife, singer SUSAN TEDESCHI, to Mountain Jam. The new group will feature an original mixture of rock, soul, blues and roots songs by Trucks and Tedeschi, both of whom received 2010 Grammy Award nominations. Mountain Jam favorites MICHAEL FRANTI & SPEARHEAD, hot off the success of their breakthrough song, 'Say Hey (I Love You),' will make an exclusive northeast summer festival appearance with their return to Mountain Jam for a 5th consecutive year.
Mountain Jam's initial lineup also includes many performers who are making their debut at the Festival, including current indie darlings THE AVETT BROTHERS, touring behind their major label debut, I and Love and You, Primus bassist LES CLAYPOOL, performing a late-night outdoor set on the Mountain, reggae architect TOOTS AND THE MAYTALS, Colorado jamgrass sensations YONDER MOUNTAIN STRING BAND, Hassidic reggae star MATISYAHU, ALO, LETTUCE, JONATHAN TYLER & THE NORTHERN LIGHTS, ELMWOOD and THE LONDON SOULS.
Building on Mountain Jam's tradition of bringing legendary performers to the Mountain, this year's lineup will feature Traffic guitarist DAVE MASON. The author of such classics as 'Feelin Alright' and 'Sad and Deep As You,' Mason has shared the stage with Gov't Mule and the Allman Brothers Band in recent years. Haynes has also paid tribute to Mason by covering 'Sad and Deep As You' both with the Allman Brothers Band and during his solo sets. Additionally, DARK STAR ORCHESTRA will channel the magic of the Grateful Dead in their second Mountain Jam appearance.
Many more bands will be announced in the coming months, with 40 bands to appear on the 4 stages throughout the weekend. In addition to the two main outdoor showcase stages, live music will also be heard on the indoor Colonel's Hall Stage and an outdoor Acoustic Stage.
We are really honored to be able to present such an amazing array of some of the best live musicians in the world, said Mountain Jam Founder and Radio Woodstock President, Gary Chetkof. The music is and has always been the focus of Mountain Jam, and the artists on our bill will be bringing just the right energy and vibe to our mountaintop. For 3 days people will come together to enjoy the immense beauty of the Mountain, reinvigorate their spirit, and share in the creation of new friendships and experiences.
Originally conceived as a celebration for Radio Woodstock's 25th anniversary, Mountain Jam has grown into an annual stop for some of the biggest names in live music. Since its 2005 inception, Mountain Jam has hosted the likes of The Allman Brothers Band, Phil Lesh and Friends, Bob Weir & RatDog, Richie Havens, Drive-By Truckers, Dr. Dog, Medeski Martin and Wood, Mike Gordon, Grace Potter and the Nocturnals, Jackie Greene, G. Love & Special Sauce, Ozomatli, Galactic, Xavier Rudd, Umphrey's McGee, Brett Dennen, Sharon Jones and The Dap Kings, and Robert Randolph & The Family Band, among many others.
The Hunter Mountain Lodge will provide fans with 24-hour access to both food and indoor bathrooms, while onsite camping and a smorgasbord of nearby hotels and lodges will ensure that all attendees have a wide variety of accommodations. Mountain Jam will once again offer expanded VIP options, and will bring back its highly acclaimed Tavern in the Woods featuring a private bar area and hammocks, as well as a shaded hospitality tent, and a variety of gourmet food and beverages.
Hunter Mountain is located within a short drive from anywhere in New York, New Jersey and Connecticut and is considered the unofficial kick-off to the northeast festival season. Fans unable to attend will be able to experience the music as well, thanks to the festival's interactive blog and innovative webcast.
A limited number of discounted, Early Bird Festival Tickets and VIP Tickets will go on sale this Monday, January 25th, at 10AM EST through www.mountainjam.com. The Early Bird 3-Day Festival Passes are $141.50 or $161.50 with camping. A limited number of Early Bird VIP Passes will be available for $404.50. Ticket pricing is tiered, so that prices will be raised after allotments are met. Tickets will also be made available at www.mule.net.
A very small number of RV tickets are available at $205, plus a camping festival ticket. Single day tickets will be available at a later date - there will be no Friday Only single day tickets issued.
About Radio Woodstock:
Radio Woodstock is a global multi-media company that includes award-winning radio station, WDST, as well as internet radio stations, Radio Woodstock Live and Radio Woodstock 69 and Internet TV channel Woodstock TV. All are part of the online Woodstock social network community, WoodstockUniverse.com. Woodstock Universe recently launched its own digital download label that will feature live tracks and full sets recorded at Mountain Jam, in WDST/Radio Woodstock studios and at concerts at local Woodstock venues.
Listen online: wdst.com or WoodstockUniverse.com
About Warren Haynes:
Warren Haynes has been ranked by Rolling Stone magazine as the 23rd Greatest Guitarist of All Time and was most recently listed among the few top Guitar Gods. Haynes is a Grammy winner and seven time nominee for his work with Gov't Mule and The Allman Brothers Band. He's been called both an "American treasure" and a "legend in the making" by his peers.
Legendary drummer for The Band and longtime local Woodstock resident Levon Helm will celebrate his 70th Birthday by closing Mountain Jam on Sunday, June 6th with a little help from a few well-known friends. Billed as “Levon Helm & Friends,” the performance will feature a number of world class guests, many of whom will make the trip to Hunter, NY solely to pay homage to one of the most important musicians in rock history. Helm’s influence continues to be felt by a new generation of indie, folk, and jamband musicians, and the drummer won Grammys for both 2007’s Dirt Farmer and 2009’s Electric Dirt.
Listen online: 
Led by venerable guitarist Malachowski (Shania Twain, Savoy Brown, Commander Cody) the Woodstock based band features some of the best musicians in the world. Bassist Graham Maby and drummer Gary Burke are thought by many to be the definitive Joe Jackson rhythm section, and it was Burke, Maby and Malachowski (as leader) that formed the core of the Shania Twain Band in the mid-nineties seen by millions. Burke –now with Professor Louie & the Crowmatix-was on Bob Dylan’s Rolling Thunder Tour, and in the Rick Danko Band, Maby has also played with Natalie Merchant, They Might Be Giants and Joan Baez.
