NedFest is an annual three-day outdoor music, arts and microbrew festival with camping located in the mountains of Nederland Colorado, just 17 miles west of (3, 000 ft. above) Boulder.  Today NedFest announced their inital line-up, including Keller Williams, Steve Kimock, Kyle Hollingsworth, Melvin Seals, Jimmy Herring, Vince Herman and many more.

The music featured @ NedFest is in the Bluegrass, Jazz, Jamband, Jamgrass and World genres, or moreover, a sound that blends these styles and others together. Up to six bands perform each day on one stage with acoustic 'tweener sets between each band.

When "Michigan Mike" Torpie passed away there was a lot of doubts in the community about what was going to happen to NedFest.  Well I'll tell you.

A group of his friends got together and asked his family what they would like to do with the festival. The Torpie family told us they did not want to make money from Mike's death. Since this was never our intention either we formed a non-profit organization named "Peak to Peak Music Education Association" or PPMEA for short.  This organization intends to help in the education of music for children and various other child related education things.  The Torpie family liked the idea and gave us their blessings to continue NedFest.

The 14th annual NedFest - returning August 24-26, 2012 to the Jeff Guercio Memorial Ballfield on the banks of Barker Reservoir in the beautiful high-country town of Nederland, Colorado - is proud to officially announce its daily scheulde along with single-day ticketing and camping information. Additional artists will be added to the scheulde as "tweeners," which will play in between the main acts, at a later date. Early-bird, three-day tickets are available now at www.nedfest.com; while two-day and single-day tickets will be available online Friday, June 15. With a dependable yearly lineup, partnerships with local breweries, tickets capped at 2,000 and a true scene of devotees that returns year after year, NedFest continues to keep the mountain town’s homegrown musical legacy alive.

TICKETING:
3-day Pass: $130; $140 day of show
2-day Pass: $120
Friday single-day: $35 advance
Saturday single-day: $55 advance
Sunday single-day: $55 advance

CAMPING:
Camping is available in beautiful Chipeta Park in Nederland during NedFest. The camping area features flat, grassy, stream-front area for tent camping; parking area for RVs; permanent bathroom facilities; short walk to festival. Camping passes will be $10 per person per day. There is an added charge of $10 per day for vehicles over 20 feet (RVs, busses, etc.). Camping passes will be available for purchase on Friday, June 15.

SCHEDULE:
Friday
Gates:11:30am
noon-1:30pm: She Said String Band
2-3:30pm: Jeff Scroggins and Colorado
4-5:30pm: Yarn
6-7:30pm: Fox Street Allstars
8-10pm: Melvin Seals and the JGB
10:30pm-1:30am: Jet Edison at First Street Pub

Saturday
Gates: 11:30
noon-1:30pm: Fruition
2-3:30pm: New Monsoon
4-5:30pm: Hot Buttered Rum
6-7:30pm: Jimmy Herring Band
8-10pm: Secret Headliner (multi-Grammy-winning artist)
10:30pm-1:30am: Smooth Money Gesture at First Street Pub

Sunday
Gates: 10:30 am
11am-noon: TBA
12:30-2pm: Grant Farm
2:30-4pm: Great American Taxi
4:30-6pm: Kyle Hollingsworth Band
6:30-8:30pm: Keller Williams, Steve Kimock, Kyle Hollingsworth & Dave Watts

The complete list of currently confirmed artists is included below. "Tweener" act times to be announced.

NedFest’s list of confirmed 2012 performers is as follows:

• Steve Kimock, Keller Williams and Kyle Hollingsworth
• Special, Grammy-winning Headliner TBA
• Jimmy Herring Band featuring Jeff Sipe
• Melvin Seals and JBG
• Kyle Hollingsworth Band featuring Dave Watts of The Motet
• Great American Taxi featuring Vince Herman of Leftover Salmon
• Hot Buttered Rum
• New Monsoon
• Yarn
• Grant Farm
• Fox Street Allstars
• Fruition
• Jeff Scroggins and Colorado
• She Said String Band
• The No Go Gillbillies
• Magnolia Row
• Danny Shafer
• Whiskey Bottles
• Blackdog
• Jubal
• Jaden Carlson

Late Night @ First Street Pub (Nederland)
• Jet Edison
• Smooth Money Gesture

We are excited to announce that some of the founding fathers of funk will be coming to Nederland for NedFest's Saturday headliner! George Porter, Jr. has been our guest a few times, but this year he will return with his buddies Art Neville, Brian Stoltz, and Russel Batiste, the funky Meters.Art and George: Playing together for 48 YearsIn New Orleans back in 1965 keyboardist and singer Art Neville got together with bassist George Porter, Jr., guitarist Leo Nocentelli, George's cousin drummer Joseph Modeliste, and later Art's brother Cyril Neville to form The Meters. The band first became known as the studio musicians for Allen Toussaint's record label, then went on to record albums as the backing band for Paul McCartney, Robert Palmer ("Sneaking Sally Through the Alley"), and their fellow New Orleans native (and 2006 NedFest artist) Dr. John. It's them on Dr. John's hit "Right Place, Wrong Time." They are probably most know for "Cissy Strut" and "Fiyo on the Bayou." They joined the Rolling Stones for two full tours, the Tour of the Americas in 1975 and the Tour of Europe in 1976. After that Art and Cyril Neville joined with their other two brothers Aaron and Charles, and also with guitarist Brian Stoltz to make the Neville Brothers. Sometime around 1989 Art and George Porter reunited and started playing with Stoltz. They added Russell Batiste on drums and became the funky Meters.Sample KingsOver the years their music has been covered by bands from the Grateful Dead to the Red Hot Chili Peppers. Nowadays millions of hip hop and rap lovers know Meters music without even realizing it, through samples used by the likes of Beastie Boys, NWA, Public Enemy, LL Cool Jay, and so many more. One survey declared that they were the 11th most sampled band in albums that reached the top 100. Another survey counted over 100 Meters samples in singles that hit the charts. George Porter's ringtone used to be Jay-Z's sampling of George! Their timeless groove is sure to please the discerning ear of the NedFest crowd.NedFest  2013 is August 23-25. Tickets are available at www.nedfest.org. Three-day tickets are on sale for $110 until May 1st. Saturday advanced tickets will be $55, Single-day tickets will be available starting Friday, April 26th.

It's surprising that Tea Leaf Green hasn't ever been to NedFest, since they would have fit well with so many of our artists over the years. So we are very pleased to finally get this mainstay of the jamband world up to a new venue in a state that they dearly love. For this band, the word "jamband" only describes the way they play, not what they play. Their music is so diverse that in a set you might hear songs that are totally pop, a song that has a soulful Motown groove, a jazzy upbeat rockish fusion tune, a song with a county tinge, and a jam with an old school Grateful Dead feel. You simply cannot pigeon-hole these guys except to say that they consistently put on performances to rave reviews.

Like so many bands, Tea Leaf Green had it's beginnings on a college campus. This time it was San Francisco State University circa '96, where drummer Scott Rager, keyboardist and vocalist Trevor Garrod, and the band's first bassist hooked up. Guitarist Josh Clark, who grew up with Rager in southern California moved upstate to join them. By '99 they were regulars at The Elbo Room. The San Francisco music scene at the time was flourishing with similar bands like New Monsoon and Animal Liberation Orchestra (both former NedFest artists also). In 2007 Reed Mathis replaced the band's original bassist. Recently in 2011 when the drummer Rager had a foot injury they enlisted the help of Cochrane McMillan on percussion. They apparently had so much fun that they kept Cochrane on as a permanent member of the band. When you hear the way the two of them brilliantly meld you will see why.

These guys are hard workers and have toured prolifically, playing all the biggest festivals from Wakarusa and Bonnaroo to High Sierra. Their eighth studio album, "In the Wake" will be released this month. In 2006 Bill Kreutzmann's son Justin directed a movie entitled "Rock and Roll Band" that featured Tea Leaf Green with footage of them at Boulder's Fox Theater. Check out a great YouTube clip of the film here:

Tea Leaf Green will be opening for (the last spot before) the Funky Meters on Saturday, August 24th.

Saturday advance tickets are $55. Currently 3-day tickets are on sale for $120.
For tickets visit:  https://www.facebook.com/NedFest/app_322122111144788

Famed slide guitar player Sally Van Meter and Nederland's best performing guitarist Jon Ridnell, more commonly known as Blackdog, have teamed up with the amazing bassist Kerwin Brown and drummer Dean Oldencott lately for some great music as RIDNELL VAN METER, and we're looking forward to what they have in store for us this year on Sunday at NedFest!Sally is well known for her performances & recorded works ranging from solo work to collaborations with artists such as Jorma Kaukonen, Jerry Garcia, David Grisman, Chris Hillman, Jerry Douglas, Mary Chapin-Carpenter, Taj Mahal, Peter Rowan, Tony Rice, and Ned favorites Yonder Mountain String Band and Leftover Salmon. In 1995, Sally joined with David Grisman and Jerry Garcia for a special project, The Songs of Jimmie Rodgers-A Tribute produced by Bob Dylan. She was a featured performer on The Great Dobro Sessions (producers Jerry Douglas/ Tut Taylor), which earned the 1994 Grammy Award for Best Bluegrass Recording. In addition, Sally’s solo album All In Good Time was a finalist nominee for the International Bluegrass Music Awards (IBMA) Instrumental Album of the Year. She was an IBMA Finalist Nominee for Dobro Player of the Year 7 times and in 1996 won two IBMA awards, for Best Instrumental Recording and Recorded Event of the Year (The Great Dobro Sessions). Film and television credits include the film Gather at the River, and the celebrated CBS' Northern Exposure. From 1977 -1996, Sally was a member of the Good Ol' Persons. For nearly three decades, Sally's musical journeys have taken her from the US to the United Kingdom, Europe and Japan. These days Sally resides in Colorado. Alongside touring, you can find her wearing the Producers Hat producing recordings for national touring acts that include The Yonder Mountain String Band and the Open Road Bluegrass Band.Jon Ridnell is one of the most well-known musicians in Nederland and surely one of the hardest working ones. He plays over 250 shows a year and has been for twenty years. He plays with several different bands of widely varying genres in addition to Ridnell Van Meter, including New Family Dog with his sons. He has put out at least twelve albums, solo, with his Blackdog band, and other collaborations.

We've got quite the supergroup in store for you Saturday night at NedFest: Dave Schools, Neal Casal, Todd Snyder, Chad Staehly, Duane Trucks (yes, another one of those Truckses), and Jesse Aycock will knock your socks off with high-energy working class rock and roll! Want a taste? Check out the trailer from Justin Kreutzman's movie "The First Waltz" that he filmed about the band last year:   https://youtu.be/mIV0SsIX0gE

Hard Working Americans will play on Saturday, August 29th at 5:30 pm. NedFest is a three day music and arts festival in Nederland. Colorado on August 28-30. Limited camping is available. The festival is put on to benefit the Peak to Peak Music Education Association and all profits go to music education programs for local kids. For tickets please visit: https://nedfest.webconnex.com/2015tickets

Chris Robinson Brotherhood to close out Saturday night double header!

Now that their jaw-dropping spring run of Colorado shows is over we are allowed and so very proud to announce that the Chris Robinson Brotherhood will be our Saturday night closing band. Unquestionably the hottest band on the jamband scene, these guys have taken the state by storm and we are so excited to get them up to Nederland, Colorado for the 17th annual Nederland Music and Arts Festival.

The 17th annual Nedfest, also known as the Nederland Music and Arts Festival is a 3 day outdoor festival August 28-30, in Nederland, Colorado with camping, multiple Colorado microbrews, and cool artist booths. It is kid-friendly (12 and under free and special kids' tent) and 100% non-profit with all the profits going to music programs for local kids.

We are incredibly proud to announce that the Taj Mahal Trio will take the stage at 8:15 pm Saturday, August 27th for the 18th annual NedFest! With a half-century-long career this 2 time Grammy Award winning (9 times nominated) legend is often cited as a major influence by superstars like Ben Harper and Greg Allman. He has worked with greats like Buddy Guy, Muddy Waters, Etta James, and the Rolling Stones. He's played on Fallon's Late NIght with The Roots and with Eric Clapton at the Lincoln Center. Known the world over for his blues guitar, he is actually a multi-instrumentalist who studied classical piano, trombone, and clarinet as a kid. He got interested in African music at a very young age and that influence has always added a different twist to his style. This unbelievable performer will blow you away!

Get ready to dance when Fletcher's Grove takes the stage at 2 pm Saturday, August 27th for the 18th annual NedFest!

Known for their high-energy shows, Fletcher's Grove mixes a fierce rhythmic foundation, dual guitar solos, and an Appalachian tinged mix of genres that makes standing still nearly impossible. By focusing on musical intricacy and creating seamless improvisation, Fletcher’s Grove has captured the imaginations of thousands in the Mountain State and beyond. See more: https://youtu.be/ZlV_VafWer8

NedFest Friday headliner to be Steve Kimock and Friends, including Jeff Chimenti of the 2016 Dead and Company tour, Bobby Vega, Leslie Mendelson and more!

Since Steve announced from the stage at the Fox Theatre that he would be headlining Friday NedFest, we've been getting tons of very excited messages, so we figured we had better let the rest of our fans know that one of NedFest's favorite artists would be returning this year!

He will be joined by several of his standard crew, including fellow RatDog bandmate, Jeff Chimenti, on keys. They will take the stage at 8 pm Friday, Aug. 26th after Kyle Hollingsworth Band, who will start at 6.

NedFest is a 3-day music and arts festival in cool, beautiful Nederland, Colorado August 26-28 with Colorado microbrews, camping, and tons of fun!. Kids 12 and under are free with an adult and we have a special kid's tent and activities! And did you know that NedFest is an all-volunteer organization hosted by the Peak to Peak Music Education Association? We are a recognized 501c3 non-profit and use all of our profits to support music education for local kids!

Join us Sunday, August 28th at 2:00 pm for otherworldly, energetic music from Taarka,  the husband-and-wife team of David Pelta-Tiller (mandolin, tenor guitar, vocals) and Enion Pelta-Tiller (five-string violin, vocals). 

Taarka’s live shows strike a balance between well-crafted songs and spirited instrumentals, expanding on its beginnings as a purely instrumental string band putting a modern spin on Gypsy and Eastern European folk music. Taarka has drawn from wide-ranging influences over the past 10 years. Sophisticated listeners would be able to distill flavors of Western and Eastern folk traditions, jazz, rock, bluegrass, old-time, gypsy, Indian, and Celtic music all in a string band setting.

Regardless of your musical tastes, Taarka is a band that simply must be witnessed.

Stick around after Taarka for Sunday headliners, Paper Bird.

Clearly one of Nederland's favorite NedFest artists, when we didn't invite Kyle to play at last year's festival we caught all kinds of flack.

"Where's the Cheese?!!" was one of the many resounding exclamations. Well we heard you loud and clear and the Kyle Hollingsworth Band will be the kick-off act on Friday, August 26th for the 2016 Nederland Music and Arts Festival.

Kyle's 19 years with The String Cheese Incident have made him a big presence in the jamband world, and he has played and toured with many of the other greats in the scene like Phil Lesh, Bruce Hornsby, Bob Weir, Little Feat, Mickey Hart, Steve Kimock, Warren Haynes, George Porter, Dave Watts, and Keller Williams. Don't miss your opportunity to see him again this year at NedFest.

And stick around after Kyle to watch Steve Kimock & Friends!

We are so proud to announce Roosevelt Collier's Colorado Get Down featuring Bill Nershi of The String Cheese Incident! They will take the stage at 4:00 Saturday afternoon August 27th.

"Rosie" Collier's jaw-dropping steel guitar and Nershi's soulful hollow body blend for a match made in blues rock heaven! There is not a lot of videos of these two together but this clip gives you a great taste of how hard they can jam! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DQsyS24e24w