Article Contributed by Big Hassle Media
Published on 2026-06-11
Hardly Strictly Bluegrass will kick off its 2026 edition with a very special festival eve benefit concert honoring legendary singer and songwriter Steve Earle, who has performed at each edition of the much beloved San Francisco free music festival since HSB’s second year in 2002.
The tribute is set for Thursday, October 1 at San Francisco, CA’s The Masonic. “An Evening Honoring Steve Earle” will see the 3x GRAMMY® Award-winner joined by some of his closest friends and collaborators including Buddy Miller, Elizabeth Cook, Emmylou Harris, Gillian Welch & David Rawlings, Jackson Browne, Hot Tuna, Larry Campbell & Teresa Williams, Molly Tuttle, and other guests. Buddy Miller will serve as the show’s musical director, with Reckless Kelly, featuring Greg Liesz.
“We can think of no better way to bookend our silver anniversary than celebrating 25 years of Steve Earle at Hardly Strictly Bluegrass. We are so fortunate to have legacy artists like Emmylou and Steve who have embraced our annual gathering since the beginning. We wanted to recognize their efforts with concerts benefiting charities that are important to them. This year’s proceeds go to the non-profit Sweetwater Spectrum, a community that provides adults with autism or similar intellectual/developmental disabilities, innovative, community-based, long-term housing. Our final flourish is that Buddy Miller will be with us as musical director once again, bringing his unique, special sauce to this tribute,” said executive producer Sheri Sternberg.
Tickets for “An Evening Honoring Steve Earle” go on sale to the public on June 12 here.
Hardly Strictly Bluegrass will once again take place at San Francisco, CA’s iconic Golden Gate Park on October 2-4. As always, the three-day, multi-stage free concert will showcase an extensive lineup of eclectic performers spanning a wide array of musical genres and styles. Complete details will be unveiled in the months to come. For updates and additional information, please see hardlystrictlybluegrass.com.
Founded by Warren Hellman in 2001 and carried forward by his family, Hardly Strictly Bluegrass endures as the late financier/philanthropist's gift to San Francisco, a free annual celebration of American music in historic Golden Gate Park. Over the last quarter-century, Hardly Strictly Bluegrass has grown from a one-day local attraction to a world-renowned three-day festival. The one-of-a-kind, annual free event proudly presents a diverse assortment of artists spanning roots and Americana, funk, rock, soul, and more, highlighted by new and unexpected acts alongside annual favorites such as Emmylou Harris and Steve Earle.
About Sweetwater Spectrum:
In 2009, a group of families with children with autism collaborated with professionals and civic leaders to found a non-profit organization with a vision: to design and build a residential community for adults with autism and other developmental disabilities unlike anything available today. Since opening our doors in January 2013, we have grown, evolved and remain dedicated to providing a model for the nation’s families, who are struggling with the lack of housing options for their adult children.
Our community leverages and optimizes the insights and knowledge gained through autism research while embracing sustainable design and best practices. We have created a residential environment that reflects the beauty and spirit of the surrounding area while utilizing supported living services in close collaboration with the North Bay Regional Center. Created as a pilot community, and now operational for over 10 years, Sweetwater Spectrum is one model for community-based housing that works. Click here for our resources to help create special needs housing in your community.
