Sometimes I find it truly incredible how different each festival is. Sure, when you poke around in different genres you’re going to have a different vibe, but even within the realm of strings and grass, you’ll find the good and you’ll find the bad. Northwest String Summit at Horning’s Hideout in Oregon doesn’t exactly make it into either category. I think it stands alone in the “this is the most amazing, beautiful, compelling, warming, etc.

Mandolinist, vocalist and songwriter Jeff Austin is unstoppable. He is celebrated for his fleet fingers and penchant for improvisation on stage, but those qualities also speak volumes about how he chooses to live. Austin has cultivated his natural musical abilities and allowed himself to be driven by his boldest instincts. In this way, he has been able to build positive, exciting momentum around his life’s greatest passion.

The 12th Annual Northwest String Summit returns to Horning's Hideout (North Plains, OR) with the finest acoustic pickers and standout electric bands from July 18 - 21, 2013. Located just 20 miles outside of Portland, OR, Horning's Hideout stands as one of the most scenic festival sites in the country. A family-friendly and locally-sourced festival, Northwest String Summit caps its capacity at 4,500 attendees to ensure an intimate experience for all festival-goers at an incredible ticket price.

At the first Wakarusa Music Festival they were invited to, Jeff Austin, mandolin player for Yonder Mountain String Band, says the band was so unknown he was frisked by security because they didn’t believe he was a band.

Now playing the tenth Wakarusa Music Festival, the band is in a very different place.

Jeff Austin will join The Travelin' McCourys for The Bluegrass Ball at Shoe Fest this year. Shoe Fest is a three day outdoor music and camping event, featuring live music performances, which will take place September 6-8, 2013 at Camp Shaw-waw-nas-see in Manteno, IL.