Grey Fox Bluegrass Festival: 40+ bands including Bela Fleck & Chris Thile, Del McCoury, David Grisman, Jerry Douglas & the Earls of Leicester, The Wood Bros, SteelDrivers, Steep Canyon Rangers, Sierra Hull, Sara Watkins, Della Mae, Elephant Revival, and more! 5 stages. Camping. Family activities. Dancing. Jamming. July 14-17, Oak Hill, NY
Grey Fox is held on the Walsh Farm
1 Poultney Road (off County Route 22)
Oak Hill, NY 12460
Festival: https://greyfoxbluegrass.com/
Superstar phenom Billy Strings returns as Artist-in-Residence, joining 40+ award-winning bluegrass acts including the Del McCoury Band, Leftover Salmon, Tommy Emmanuel and many more at the 2019 Grey Fox Bluegrass Festival from July 18-21.
Always a deep and wide mix of Grammy, IBMA, CMA, and AMA winners and nominees, Grey Fox presents the best of bluegrass and acoustic music. In its 35th year, Grey Fox is the largest and most-established bluegrass festival in the Northeast, featuring traditional, contemporary, and progressive bluegrass to old-time, Americana, jamgrass, Celtic, and dance music.
The festival is a homecoming every summer for campers from more than 30 states and at least a dozen countries. Held on the Walsh Farm in the bucolic Catskill Mountains, the festival has six stages, with shaded performance venues and workshop stages, along with entertainment for children and families. In all, more than 175 performances are scheduled over the festival’s four days, from Thursday through Sunday (camping gates open early on Wednesday, July 17).
The lineup is always eclectic and on the cutting edge, a “Who’s Who of Bluegrass” that offers something for everyone. Bands this year also include the Earls of Leicester, I’m With Her (Sara Watkins, Sarah Jarosz, and Aoife O’Donovan), Tim O’Brien, Balsam Range, Steep Canyon Rangers, Molly Tuttle, the Gibson Brothers, Sierra Hull, and host band Dry Branch Fire Squad. The Travelin’ McCourys will present “A Grateful Ball,” a collaboration of the music of The Grateful Dead.
Over the past few years, Billy Strings has made his mark on the Grey Fox faithful, with dynamic performances that have left audiences spellbound. The young guitarist has been turning the dyed-in-the-wool bluegrass world on its head. Rolling Stone magazine says that Strings sounds like “The head-banging speed of a thrash metal band channeled through flat-picked guitar and mandolin, with a touch of end-of-the-world psychedelia.” As Artist-in-Residence, Strings will be performing with his own band and with other bands from Thursday through Saturday.
In addition to the main stages, there are impressive Emerging Artist Showcases of young bands hailing from around the country, music and dance workshops, a much-loved Open-Mic Night, red-hot jam sessions around the campgrounds, ethnic and festive foods, unique vendors, Grey Fox Bluegrass Academy for Kids, (now in its 21st year) and a stage entirely devoted to children’s activities. Everyone from music fans to foodies, beginning pickers to serious players, singles to multi-generational families will find something to capture their imagination and heart.
GIVING BACK: Sunday is unique at Grey Fox. Admission is free with a donation to local food banks upon arrival. ‘A Taste of Grey Fox’ starts with Dry Branch Fire Squad and ends with the 21st Annual Grey Fox Bluegrass Academy for Kids bookending performances by some of the festival’s top artists. Donations of non-perishable pantry items or cash go to Community Action of Greene County who distributes food and supplies to area food banks. Grey Fox invites residents and visitors alike to enjoy Sunday’s musical performances and help feed needy local families. Acceptable pantry items are listed at https://cagcny.org/food-donations.
For tickets, information and a complete list of all the bands, visit the Grey Fox website at http://greyfoxbluegrass.com.
The beautiful, rolling foothills of the Catskill Mountains of Greene County, will not be filled with banjo rolls, mandolin chops, or three-part harmonies this summer. After monitoring the Covid-19 situation for months with the health and safety of guests in mind, Grey Fox Bluegrass Festival, scheduled for July 15-19 in Oak Hill, NY, has determined that a live event cannot be held this year. This is the first in the event’s 35-year history.
While this is difficult and sad news for the festival’s fans, musicians, and staff, Grey Fox will host an online event to bring the beloved musical community together on the same weekend. The “Spirit of Grey Fox 2020” is being planned by the same team that deftly brings stellar music, fun, and a sense of wonder to thousands of fans from around the world each summer.
Co-hosting the virtual “Spirit of Grey Fox 2020” will be nine-time Grammy winner and Grey Fox Artist-in-Residence, Jerry Douglas; Ron Thomason, raconteur extraordinaire and founder of the festival’s long-time host band, Dry Branch Fire Squad; and award-winning old-time banjo master and songwriter, Joe Newberry. Together they’ll welcome performances by 30-some artists who were scheduled to plat at Grey Fox 2020. By day, the four-day event will feature new music and stories from the all-star lineup; while streaming some of the most memorable sets of past festivals by night. Donations made during “Spirit of Grey Fox 2020” will benefit the IBMA COVID-19 Relief Fund, administered by the International Bluegrass Music Association.
In addition to Douglas, Thomason, and Newberry, the impressive list of acclaimed artists taking part in this virtual event include: Del McCoury, The Infamous Stringdusters, Steep Canyon Rangers, Della Mae, Peter Rowan, Rhonda Vincent, Michael Cleveland, Alison Brown, Rob Ickes, Trey Hensley, Fireside Collective, Che Apalache, Mike Compton, Charm City Junction, The U.S. Navy Band, and many more.
Festival organizers suggest that this is a perfect opportunity for a stay-at-home celebration in our own back yard. “Set up a tent… Hang out in your RV… Cook fun food on your camp stove… Keep drinks in your cooler… Learn a new bluegrass song… Have a watch party… And get into the spirit of being there,” imagines Mary Tyler Doub, founder and producer of Grey Fox Bluegrass Festival since 1985. “We may not be able to gather there in person, but this is the next best thing. It’s important to keep the magic alive.”
Ticket holders have the choice of supporting Grey Fox by donating their 2020 ticket, or they may request a full or partial refund. Donations to help sustain the organization through the year are gratefully accepted. Refund and donate buttons along with details about the upcoming “Spirit of Grey Fox” can be found at www.GreyFoxBluegrass.com.
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To thousands of music fans from around the world, Grey Fox Bluegrass Festival means outstanding entertainment, friendly people, beautiful surroundings, and a unique combination of relaxation and exhilaration. Each summer, fans from 30-some states and a dozen countries travel to upstate NY to be a part in this beloved event, now in its fourth decade. What is a hay farm the rest of the year is transformed into a pop-up tent city with six stages, workshops, dancing, vendors, round-the-clock picking, and great fun for thousands of happy campers, day visitors, artists, sponsors, and volunteers.
On July 16-20, 2025, new and long-time fans will gather for the Grey Fox Bluegrass Festival on the Walsh Farm in Oak Hill, NY, a historic village nestled in the Great Northern Catskills. They’ll come to see nearly 50 bluegrass, newgrass, and roots music groups including festival favorites Del McCoury Band, Sam Bush Band, I’m With Her, Sierra Hull, Della Mae, and others. They’ll also welcome, for the first time The California Honeydrops, Cris Jacobs, and more. The host band, once again, is Dry Branch Fire Squad, led by celebrated storyteller, Ron Thomason. This year’s Artist-in-Residence will be Grammy award-winning bluegrass guitarist, vocalist, songwriter, and producer, Woody Platt. As Artist-in-Residence, Woody will collaborate with various artists throughout the weekend and will perform with his own band, Woody Platt & The Bluegrass Gentlemen, a supergroup of the genre’s top musicians.
As always, Grey Fox attendees can look forward to a ‘Big Tent’ approach to the event’s lineup. While many of the festival’s artists are rooted in bluegrass, several push the boundaries of the genre, making them hard, if not impossible, to categorize. These include the innovative and jazzy Mr Sun, the black stringband New Dangerfield, indie-folk songstress Lindsay Lou, the rootsy-Americana phenom, AJ Lee & Blue Summit, and others.
It's safe to say that Grey Fox is a highly seasoned stew of bluegrass, newgrass, roots, and Americana, with a spicy international flavor. This year’s lineup features JigJam from Ireland; Larry & Joe who blend Venezuelan Musica Llanera with American roots music; IBMA International Tour Grant Recipients, Johnny & The Yooahoos from Germany; Campbell/Jensen from London; plus our Canadian friends who bring old-time, Cajun, Celtic, and Quebecois to the Grey Fox stages: Le Winston Band, Cécilia, and The Lonesome Ace Stringband.
Another beloved tradition at Grey Fox is presenting hot, up-and-coming artists through its Emerging Artist Showcase. Competition is fierce as dozens of artists apply from around the country and beyond for a handful of spots. This year’s official Emerging Artists include The Wilder Flower (NC), High Horse (MA), The Litch Brothers (WA), Pythagoras (TN), Rakish (NC), and Berklee College of Music’s Catfish in the Sky and The Jean-Baptiste Cardineau Show. Fans can catch them at Creekside, Grassroots, and New Belgium-Bells Gig Rig stages throughout the weekend.
Tyler Campbell, a pilot, photographer, and Grey Fox fan from Chestertown, MD, says, “It’s all about community and the sense of belonging. Once you go, you know. Add the finest music I can imagine and it’s the week I look forward to all year round. It’s my place to unwind, relax, and connect with things that really matter.”
Kindness and generosity abound at Grey Fox Bluegrass Festival. Campers look out for one another, share meals, jam together, and welcome the chance to help strangers. Likewise, the festival is sensitive to the needs of the larger musical community. Grey Fox 2025 is honored to present several North Carolina bands whose lives or communities were greatly impacted by Hurricane Helene’s devastating floods last fall, among them Grammy-winning Steep Canyon Rangers, Unspoken Tradition, Casey Driessen’s Red Shoe Stringjam, Tanasi, and others.
Three very special performances will take place at Grey Fox 2025. On Thursday, Hazel at 100: Della Mae with Laurie Lewis and Alice Gerrard will celebrate the extraordinary life and music of Hazel Dickens. Also on Thursday, The Special Consensus will bring its 50th Anniversary Tour to the festival. On Saturday, Grey Fox will present A Woodstock Celebration in Memory of Happy Traum — the iconic recording artist, songwriter, publisher, founder of Homespun Music Instruction, and beloved figure in the Woodstock music scene. This one-of-a-kind tribute will feature Adam Traum, Cindy Cashdollar, Jay Ungar, Molly Mason, Mike Merenda, Ruthy Ungar, Darol Anger, Eugene Ruffolo and others.
Much, much more is in store for festival goers. The Family Stage provides music, crafts, dances, puppets, movies and more for kids from 2 to 92. The Grey Fox Bluegrass Academy for Kids, the nationally recognized music program, returns for three days of learning and a performance on the main stage. Academy registration for kids from 8 to 17 years of age begins April 1 for classes in guitar, fiddle, mandolin, banjo, bass, and cello. There is no charge for the program.
Grey Fox Bluegrass Festival 2025 Lineup: Host band: Dry Branch Fire Squad, Artist-in-Residence: Woody Platt, Del McCoury Band, Sam Bush Band, The California Honeydrops, I'm With Her, Sierra Hull, Steep Canyon Rangers, JigJam, Woody Platt & The Bluegrass Gentlemen, Lindsay Lou, Henhouse Prowlers, Hazel at 100: Della Mae w/ Laurie Lewis & Alice Gerrard, New Dangerfield, AJ Lee & Blue Summit, Steve Riley & The Mamou Playboys, Noam Pikelny & Friends, Mr Sun, Cris Jacobs, Danny Paisley & The Southern Grass, The Lonesome Ace Stringband, Larry & Joe, Campbell/Jensen, The Special Consensus, Compton & Newberry, The Mammals, A Woodstock Celebration in Memory of Happy Traum, featuring Adam Traum, Cindy Cashdollar, Jay Ungar & Molly Mason, Mike+Ruthy (of the Mammals), Darol Anger, Eugene Ruffolo, and more, Casey Driessen's Red Shoe Stringjam, Mike+Ruthy, Le Winston Band, Tony Furtado Trio, Tanasi, Cécilia, Unspoken Tradition, Jim Gaudet & The Railroad Boys, Johnny & The Yooahoos, The Wilder Flower, Mark Gamsjager & The Lustre Kings, High Horse, The Litch Brothers, John, Trish & Quickstep, Rakish, Pythagoras, Catfish in the Sky, The Jean-Baptiste Cardineau Show & MORE!
Camping is available from Wed-Sun, July 16-20 with the purchase of a full festival ticket. Camping options include dry camping, electric hookups, and glamping. Day tickets and senior discounts are available for Thurs-Sat. Kids 12 and under are free with ticketed adults. Day parking and shuttle buses are free. Handicapped parking, camping, and transportation are available. Service animals only. Foods, beer, wine, crafts, clothing, and more are for sale Wed-Sun. ATMs on site.
Tickets are on sale now. Details of ticket options including how to purchase instructions them can be found at greyfoxbluegrass.com For more information, please visit the website.
