The California Bluegrass Association presents...

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Four musicians from the John Jorgenson Bluegrass Band perform on stage with instruments. Concert details and logos appear at the bottom of the image.
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John Jorgenson Bluegrass Band (J2B2) is an all-star bluegrass supergroup featuring four legendary, award-winning musicians – John Jorgenson on acoustic guitar, mandolin and vocals; Herb Pedersen on banjo, acoustic guitar and vocals; Mark Fain on bass; and Patrick Sauber on acoustic guitar and vocals – delivering bluegrass like no one has ever heard it before. The band’s undeniable live shows have received stellar reviews and have the bluegrass world buzzing. The four combine forces to form a spot-on union of impeccable musicianship, incomparable songwriting, incredible harmony vocals (a fresh twist combining bluegrass with elements of West Coast folk rock) and seasoned showmanship. This is the “high lonesome sound” of American roots music at its finest.

 

Friday Night Showcase Band

The Soda Crackers

At the Marriott Ballroom
Included in All Access Wristband, or $10 at the door

With a goal to bring back the “classics,” The Soda Crackers – a five-piece band whose average age barely cracks the 30 – something barrier – are in full swing. Make that – full Bakersfield Sound with a nice helping of Western Swing thrown in
a side dish of sorts.

The Soda Crackers celebrate the unsung heroes of the Bakersfield Sound, the B-side gems that never get played, and the showmanship plus the instrumentation that all the greats brought to the smoky ol’ beer joints & dance halls from years gone by.

The Soda Crackers band, dressed in black western outfits and cowboy hats, stand with instruments in a vintage garage. Band logo appears on the left.

Friday Night Activities

Open Mic and Showcase Performances

Four musicians perform on stage with guitars, a fiddle, and an upright bass.

Stepping on the Grass. G48 2024. Photo by David K. Cupp

Bluegrass Open Mic

Friday, January 16

Limited sign-ups for the Open Mic performance will be available at the Welcome Desk starting at NOON on Friday. Performers will need to give a contact phone number, the name of their band/performers, and list the instruments that will need microphones. Performances will go on in sign-up order. If you are not present when your act is called, you will be skipped and perform at the end of the schedule, only if time permits.

Annie Staninec and John Kael perform

Annie Staninec and John Kael. Photo by David K. Cupp

Workshop Presenters’ Concert

Friday, January 16