The Annapolis Baygrass Music Festival has been on my radar for a few years. The festival is the only music event that promises “Every Jam Saves the Bay”. The annual festival is held at Stony Point Park in Annapolis, MD, in the shadow of the Bay Bridge. The festival’s theme is a melding of a live music event and protecting, restoring & preserving our natural marine resources.
The 2025 two-day Baygrass festival line-up has an excellent representation of top touring Bluegrass and Jam Bands on two stages, two days of marine life related workshops, Beach Yoga events on Saturday & Sunday with musical accompaniment by with LaMP & Grateful Ball, a Kids Zone full of family fun and learning in a setting that keeps everyone engaged.
The Saturday September 20th music line-up was:
(1) Geraldine
(2) Elliott Peck & Friends
(3) The Sam Grisman Project
(4) Larry Keel’s Electric Larry Land
(5) LaMP
(6) Kitchen Dwellers
(7) Greensky Bluegrass for 2 sets.
The Sunday, September 21st schedule included:
(1) Pressing Strings
(2) The Last Revel
(3) The Travelin’ McCourys
(4) The Kyle Hollingsworth Band
(5) Grateful Ball featuring The Travelin’ McCourys
(6) Molly Tuttle
(7) Railroad Earth.
On both days of the festival Artists-At-Large, (1) Holly Bowling, a master of the piano & keyboards, (2) Kyle Tuttle, a banjo player extraordinaire and (3) Patrick Rainey, a multi-genre talented saxophone player, could join the bands on the stage and jam at just about any time. Grateful Web had an opportunity to sit down with Holly Bowling and briefly discuss her musical journey. Holly has been playing piano since she was five years old. Her focus on the music and her attention to each note is apparent in her style of play. Holly takes the time to learn the material and she knows the songs inside & out. Utilizing her deep musical knowledge, Holly adapts the songs with her own style & arrangements, she give the music flourishes and conveys something unique & interesting with her own signature. Seeing Holly Bowling play in-the-moment with many of the bands was a real treat. A member of Greensky Bluegrass announced to the audience before their set that Holly Bowling is the sixth member of their band. That’s a huge compliment. Hearing the songs we know, played with a new arrangement, a new time, without a net, that’s what makes this festival so much fun.
The two days of performances on the Baygrass Stage and Every Jam Saves the Bay Stage were extraordinary. Highlights included, Elliott Peck performing a set that left the audience wanting more. Elliott’s performance of Keep Your Lamps Trimmed & Burning was powerful. The Sam Grisman Project was inspiring. Sam had a huge smile throughout his band’s set. His musical influences are many, and the band easily switches from a David Grisman Dawg Music composition to a perfectly rendered traditional Bluegrass number and then back to a Garcia-Grisman Not For Kids Only song.
On Sunday the Travelin’ McCoury’s played two sets. The first was a traditional bluegrass set. Then came the Kyle Hollingsworth Band playing on the adjacent stage. Kyle and his band performed a version of Aerosmith’s Sweet Emotion that literally stopped us in our tracks and commanded us to dance. Then it was back to Baygrass Stage for Grateful Ball featuring the Traveling McCourys. Their second set opened with Cumberland Blues, more dancing to familiar songs with new arrangements, Friend of the Devil, Mama Tried, Me and My Uncle, West L.A. Fadeaway — Kyle Tuttle joined on banjo — Franklin’s Tower, Loser, Candyman, Brown Eyed Women and then closing their set with Scarlet Begonias.
Molly Tuttle was a revelation. Having never seen Molly Tuttle perform previously, I had no expectations. When the band started playing the Rolling Stones, She’s A Rainbow, I was hooked and I can’t wait to see this band again. Greensky Bluegrass and Railroad Earth were the closing performers on Saturday and Sunday, respectively. Their light shows are an illuminating journey. These bands are fun to see and we always go home feeling fulfilled.
The Annapolis Baygrass Festival has something for everyone. This is a great weekend on the shores of the Chesapeake Bay. Walking on the beach, getting sandy and swimming makes for a near perfect festival experience.
The teams that are working the festival, sound & lighting, security & safety, food & catering are all well trained, respectful, helpful and courteous. We’re looking forward to seeing what’s jams are coming next year to save the bay.
