Idaho Bluegrass Bands (in alphbetical order)
and Friends - Boise, ID
https://www.facebook.com/andFriendsBoise/
Music group doing bluegrass, country and gospel music. Features Daryl on guitar, Aaron with his fiddles, Janice with guitar and vocals, and Carla on bass, Gib with Banjo and guitar and the occasional accompaniment of guests.
Backwood Ramblers
- Boise, Meridian, Weiser ID
www.facebook.com/BackwoodRamblers/
A Boise bluegrass band that also loves to play old-time and blues. We've been playing locally for 6 years now at the Boise, Capitol City, and Eagle Public Markets during the summer; plus occasionally at Coffee Studio in Meridian.
Jason Young (on Banjo and guitar) and Hannah Young (mandolin and fiddle) are joined by Dennis Cooper on harmonica, David Gerthung on Mandolin, and Jay Fromlath on Bass.
- Boise, Meridian, Weiser ID
www.facebook.com/BackwoodRamblers/
A Boise bluegrass band that also loves to play old-time and blues. We've been playing locally for 6 years now at the Boise, Capitol City, and Eagle Public Markets during the summer; plus occasionally at Coffee Studio in Meridian.
Jason Young (on Banjo and guitar) and Hannah Young (mandolin and fiddle) are joined by Dennis Cooper on harmonica, David Gerthung on Mandolin, and Jay Fromlath on Bass.
Betty and Ozark Mountain Music - Nampa, ID
Their music has taken them from obscure churches in the Ozark Mountains to Branson, Mo., where they played four shows a day in Silver Dollar City for three consecutive years. Now in Idaho they also performed locally for assisted living centers, seniors, churches and prisons and are “Still Goin’ Strong.” (the title of the group’s latest CD).
The group consists of Betty Adams, Kent Craig, Bill Cates, Lorinda Yamamoto Norton and Harry Strang.
Betty and Ozark Mountain Music - Nampa, ID
Their music has taken them from obscure churches in the Ozark Mountains to Branson, Mo., where they played four shows a day in Silver Dollar City for three consecutive years. Now in Idaho they also performed locally for assisted living centers, seniors, churches and prisons and are “Still Goin’ Strong.” (the title of the group’s latest CD).
The group consists of Betty Adams, Kent Craig, Bill Cates, Lorinda Yamamoto Norton and Harry Strang.
Blueside Balladeers - Boise, ID
The Blueside Balladeers formed in Boise by musicians interested in developing a distinctive sound. The group’s style intersects traditions of Celtic, folk, old time, and bluegrass, with some original songs mixed in. The band features Kavi on guitar/ vocals, Dylan on fiddle, Murray on bass, and Jody on banjo.
Contact Blueside Balladeers here
Braid - McCall ID
BRAID hangs mostly in McCall, but have harmonies, will travel. A home-grown, eclectic, acoustic band, BRAID consists of Mark Stoeckl on clawhammer banjo and melodica, Barb Pyle on guitar and mandolin, Karla Miller on fiddle, Bill Cleaves on guitar, Pete Pride on mandolin, and rotating, but always good-looking, bass players.
Contact: [email protected]
CheatGrass - Boise, ID
/CHēt ɡras/ noun: cheatgrass 1. a tough wild, invasive, noxious grass of open land, sometimes growing as a weed among cereal crops and in pasture. 2. Also, a bluegrass band from Boise, Idaho Oldtimey, bluegrassy band that plays regularly at the Senior Center. and in Mark's living room..... Contact: https://sites.google.com/view/cheatgrass/home |
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Chicken Dinner Road - Middleton, ID
CHICKEN DINNER ROAD is a progressive bluegrass/acoustic band that has developed a unique sound rooted in bluegrass, gospel, blues, old country and rock and roll. With distinctive instrumental arrangements and tight vocal harmonies, the band takes pride in writing unique, heartfelt originals that stem from broad backgrounds and life experiences.
- https://www.reverbnation.com/chickendinnerroad
- https://www.facebook.com/Chicken-Dinner-Road-181987060674/
CHICKEN DINNER ROAD is a progressive bluegrass/acoustic band that has developed a unique sound rooted in bluegrass, gospel, blues, old country and rock and roll. With distinctive instrumental arrangements and tight vocal harmonies, the band takes pride in writing unique, heartfelt originals that stem from broad backgrounds and life experiences.
Dewey, Pickette & Howe - Ketchum, ID (Sun Valley area)
http://deweypicketteandhowe.com/
Dewey, Pickette, and Howe have been dazzling bluegrass and non-bluegrass audiences with their tightly crafted arrangements, airtight harmonies, and superb musicianship. The electrifying blend of traditional, contemporary, and newgrass (not to mention a little Paul Simon or Tom Waits) in a Dewey, Pickette, and Howe performance is sure to get folks movin’ their feet!
http://deweypicketteandhowe.com/
Dewey, Pickette, and Howe have been dazzling bluegrass and non-bluegrass audiences with their tightly crafted arrangements, airtight harmonies, and superb musicianship. The electrifying blend of traditional, contemporary, and newgrass (not to mention a little Paul Simon or Tom Waits) in a Dewey, Pickette, and Howe performance is sure to get folks movin’ their feet!
Dry Buck - Treasure Valley, ID
https://www.facebook.com/Dry-Buck-1403529253254704/
www.reverbnation.com/drybuck
Dry Buck is a Traditional Bluegrass band hailing from Treasure Valley,
Featuring: Rand Thompson's Soulful vocals, Dave Skipper's high lonesome tenor, Matthew Skipper on lead guitar and mandolin, 'Lightening' Doug Jenkins on the fiddle, Jason Homey on Banjo and Mark Stolpe on the dog house bass.
https://www.facebook.com/Dry-Buck-1403529253254704/
www.reverbnation.com/drybuck
Dry Buck is a Traditional Bluegrass band hailing from Treasure Valley,
Featuring: Rand Thompson's Soulful vocals, Dave Skipper's high lonesome tenor, Matthew Skipper on lead guitar and mandolin, 'Lightening' Doug Jenkins on the fiddle, Jason Homey on Banjo and Mark Stolpe on the dog house bass.
Fiddle Express - Melba, ID
https://fiddleexpress.com/
Nine instruments, six members, countless state and national championships, make the family band of Fiddle Express. The Beck family starts them young - at age 3 - in contest fiddling and classical training of the violin. Fiddle Express enjoys sharing their music with retirements communities, centennial birthday parties, church functions, Bluegrass festivals and busking on the market streets. The Becks currently reside in Melba, Idaho. Their members include: Andrew on Mandolin/Ukulele/Fiddle; Rachel on Vocal/Fiddle; Eliza on Fiddle/Guitar; Isaac on Banjo/Fiddle/Drums. With Mom and Dad backing up the joy of it all with a Guitar and Double Bass.
Band contact: [email protected]
https://fiddleexpress.com/
Nine instruments, six members, countless state and national championships, make the family band of Fiddle Express. The Beck family starts them young - at age 3 - in contest fiddling and classical training of the violin. Fiddle Express enjoys sharing their music with retirements communities, centennial birthday parties, church functions, Bluegrass festivals and busking on the market streets. The Becks currently reside in Melba, Idaho. Their members include: Andrew on Mandolin/Ukulele/Fiddle; Rachel on Vocal/Fiddle; Eliza on Fiddle/Guitar; Isaac on Banjo/Fiddle/Drums. With Mom and Dad backing up the joy of it all with a Guitar and Double Bass.
Band contact: [email protected]
Fresh Cut Grass - Boise, ID
Fresh Cut Grass is a bluegrass ensemble out of Boise, Idaho. The band is a mix of New-Grass and Traditional that incorporates a three-piece harmony along with mandolin, dobro, banjo, guitar, standup bass, and fiddle.
Fresh Cut Grass - Boise, ID
Fresh Cut Grass is a bluegrass ensemble out of Boise, Idaho. The band is a mix of New-Grass and Traditional that incorporates a three-piece harmony along with mandolin, dobro, banjo, guitar, standup bass, and fiddle.
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/4H7kmOtU8z1AxZ7QjQpPXK?si=n81d5qTmSv2lrZthAjGJuQ
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/scott.sweet.5
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Freshcutgrassband
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/scott.sweet.5
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Freshcutgrassband
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Born out of a desperate need for craft beer, deep powder, plastic jug moonshine, fast-moving rivers, and a deep-seated fear that artificial intelligence will ruin hard-driving bluegrass... High Pine Whiskey Yell came together as a band in 2018 and released its first EP (The Orchard Sessions) in 2019. Its newest album "Garden City Double-Wide" was released June 2021 and continues to build on the band's Idaho roots.
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This five-piece group of modern-day rounders focuses on telling true stories about robots taking your job, banksters robbing from the poor, the trials of gold panning in Idaho, skiing/riding deep powder, UFOs, and a few other traditional bluegrass subjects (such as murder, drinking, and dogs).
Bringing experience from a multitude of projects, this Idaho string band is sure to win you over with its take on bluegrass and the Americana tradition. Its members have played in numerous bands and projects throughout the years incorporating those experiences into Idaho storytelling that is High Pine Whiskey Yell. Providing support for groups such as The Lil Smokies, Pixie and the Party Grass Boys, Laney Lou and the Bird Dogs, Boot Juice and numerous others... these fellas know how to bring the party.
Scotty Tyler's mandolin playing is aggressive enough to land an Idaho brown trout, yet soothing enough pacify a wookie in a festival hammock. Austin Clark's wielding of the fiddle is nothing short of broadsword-esque and captures the true essence of the fiddle's spirit animal (jaguar-rattlesnake). Don Hurda's guitar flat-picking could woo even the most elusive of Idaho sasquatches out of the woods. Mike Murry's dobro playing has been known spin festival goers into a three day dance-trance. And Chad Lamer's upright bass playing... well let's just say they sometimes give him water, beer, and let him ride inside the truck.
With all that in mind... if you like having a damn good time... then High Pine Whiskey Yell is your new band!
Email [email protected]
Bringing experience from a multitude of projects, this Idaho string band is sure to win you over with its take on bluegrass and the Americana tradition. Its members have played in numerous bands and projects throughout the years incorporating those experiences into Idaho storytelling that is High Pine Whiskey Yell. Providing support for groups such as The Lil Smokies, Pixie and the Party Grass Boys, Laney Lou and the Bird Dogs, Boot Juice and numerous others... these fellas know how to bring the party.
Scotty Tyler's mandolin playing is aggressive enough to land an Idaho brown trout, yet soothing enough pacify a wookie in a festival hammock. Austin Clark's wielding of the fiddle is nothing short of broadsword-esque and captures the true essence of the fiddle's spirit animal (jaguar-rattlesnake). Don Hurda's guitar flat-picking could woo even the most elusive of Idaho sasquatches out of the woods. Mike Murry's dobro playing has been known spin festival goers into a three day dance-trance. And Chad Lamer's upright bass playing... well let's just say they sometimes give him water, beer, and let him ride inside the truck.
With all that in mind... if you like having a damn good time... then High Pine Whiskey Yell is your new band!
Email [email protected]
Jughandle Parade - McCall, Idaho
Spawned from the Broken Horn jam in McCall. They play a bluegrass/americana mix, with many original tunes.
More here: https://www.facebook.com/jughandlers/
Spawned from the Broken Horn jam in McCall. They play a bluegrass/americana mix, with many original tunes.
More here: https://www.facebook.com/jughandlers/
Lonesome Jetboat Ramblers - Boise, ID
A bluegrass band with some heavy hitters collected from far flung reaches of this mighty land. Coalesced from the hills of Vermont, the swamps of Florida, the spruce bogs of Alaska, and the pine barrens of New Jersey, the Lonesome Jetboat Ramblers serve up red hot bluegrass and ballads that will make your lip quiver with memories of unrequited love. Featuring Dave McMeekin on banjo and guitar, Willy Dallas on mandolin, Ryan Blizzard on stand-up bass, Steve Baker on guitar and banjo, and the amazing fiddling of Adam Straubinger.
Check them out here:
https://lonesomejetboatramblers.bandcamp.com/ or on facebook
Mountain Strings - Idaho Falls, ID
Monty and Teresa Mortensen started Mountain Strings a few years ago with just the two of them. Since then, we have become a bluegrass band with 5 members. Monty plays the guitar and sings lead and harmonies. Teresa is the fiddler and sings lead and harmonies as well Gerry Grider is our mandolin player. He has played many different genres all over the country. Before moving to Idaho, he lived in Minnesota for over 10 years and played there with many bands. He sings lead and harmonies as well and the three can do some great harmonies together. Mountain Strings is known for their vocals.
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Tom Middleton hails from Virginia where he learned to play banjo as a youth. He started playing on stages with bluegrass bands at the age of 12 and has never stopped. He is the songwriter for the band as well and writes amazing songs. Jack Poulson rounds out the band playing bass and keeping us all in line. Together they make up Mountain Strings. They have been a band for about 1.5 years now. They hosted the most recent Idaho Bluegrass festival in September of 2024 in Idaho Falls. Bluegrass on the Snake was successful and has now grown into a full weekend festival in Rigby Idaho the weekend after Labor Day every year moving forward
Contact: [email protected] |
An original song written by Tom Middleton
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Ridgerunner - Moscow, ID
Ridge Runner is a Moscow-Troy Idaho based band with the King brothers Brent and Gregg. They have been playing together since they were both in college in the early 1990s, along with Warren “Wa” Baab and Don Cox. They always have a high energy show with a variety of material and a good time for all. Contact the band via Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/RidgerunnerIdaho/
Ridge Runner is a Moscow-Troy Idaho based band with the King brothers Brent and Gregg. They have been playing together since they were both in college in the early 1990s, along with Warren “Wa” Baab and Don Cox. They always have a high energy show with a variety of material and a good time for all. Contact the band via Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/RidgerunnerIdaho/
Tree City Travelers - Boise, ID
Tree City Travelers is a dynamic 5-piece bluegrass band based in Boise, Idaho. Drawing inspiration from both traditional and contemporary bluegrass music, the band creates a unique sound that blends rich harmonies, intricate instrumental arrangements, and heartfelt songwriting. Formed in 2020 by a group of talented musicians who moved to Boise from various parts of the country, Tree City Travelers has quickly gained recognition for their captivating live performances and their ability to captivate audiences with their energetic stage presence.
Check them out here:
https://treecitytravelers.com/
NW Higher Ground - North Central Idaho
www.northwesthigherground.com/Index.html
Higher Ground is a traditional bluegrass band that plays a blend of Gospel with Bluegrass songs of yesterday and today. The band has been together since August 2009. We perform at festivals, coffee houses, care centers, and Churches whenever we can. The band consists of Scott Lombard (guitar, vocals), Adam Leavitt (banjo, guitar, vocals), Dave Herzog (mandolin), Denis Hackwith (bass) and Cassidy Arnot. We are all from Lewiston and Clarkston except for Dave who comes from Craigmont ID. More: 509-780-3730
www.northwesthigherground.com/Index.html
Higher Ground is a traditional bluegrass band that plays a blend of Gospel with Bluegrass songs of yesterday and today. The band has been together since August 2009. We perform at festivals, coffee houses, care centers, and Churches whenever we can. The band consists of Scott Lombard (guitar, vocals), Adam Leavitt (banjo, guitar, vocals), Dave Herzog (mandolin), Denis Hackwith (bass) and Cassidy Arnot. We are all from Lewiston and Clarkston except for Dave who comes from Craigmont ID. More: 509-780-3730
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Tater Patch - Boise, ID Live, original bluegrass/Americana music . Playing every Tuesday at Barbarian Brewing Downtown (1022 W Main St, Boise, ID 83702) Contact: Adam Straubinger [email protected] |
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Teton Shadow Band - Rexburg, ID This Idaho bluegrass band consists of a couple guys born and raised in the Mountain West with pretty gals to make them look good. All having a great love for music, you'll hear anything from newgrass to solid traditional bluegrass, not to leave out country, folk, and celtic music styles.
and Nyk and Diane have teamed up as a duo for smaller settings as
Teton Shadow - Rexburg, ID
www.tetonshadow.com
Teton Shadow plays acoustic music covering most genres. Both Nyk and Diane have been playing instruments and singing for over twenty years. Their music foundation is in Folk, Western, Bluegrass, and Celtic music making them appealing to all walks of life.
www.tetonshadow.com
Teton Shadow plays acoustic music covering most genres. Both Nyk and Diane have been playing instruments and singing for over twenty years. Their music foundation is in Folk, Western, Bluegrass, and Celtic music making them appealing to all walks of life.
Turtle Poppers - Boise, ID
https://www.facebook.com/TurtlePopperstheband
Forged in the backyard by mandolinist Adam Engel, guitarist Connor Burke and fiddle player Ethan Mansfield, joined by guitarist Grayson Gable and Bassist Brandon to bring the best of their blended styles to the bluegrass and jam genres.
https://www.facebook.com/TurtlePopperstheband
Forged in the backyard by mandolinist Adam Engel, guitarist Connor Burke and fiddle player Ethan Mansfield, joined by guitarist Grayson Gable and Bassist Brandon to bring the best of their blended styles to the bluegrass and jam genres.
The Whiskey Flats Band - Boise ID
https://www.facebook.com/TheWhiskeyFlats
Whiskey Flats is a country/bluegrass trio formed by Adam Fleck, Nathan Vital, and Nick Riveland.
Contact: 1 208-996-0294
Wilder Band - Pickles Butte, ID
Wilder consists of veterans Gary "Slim" Eller (guitar, banjo), Jay Fromlath (bass), and David Gerthung (mandolin). The trio is joined on occasion by a talented fourth musician, often Earl Hughes (guitar, dobro, fiddle) or Dennis Cooper (harmonica). Wilder emphasizes the driving, hard-edged sound of pre-1970 bluegrass as well as early country music. The band’s name was inspired by the town near Jay’s home along Snake River in Southwest Idaho.
Wildwood - Boise, ID
https://www.facebook.com/wildwood.637118
Wildwood is a four-piece acoustic Americana band heavily influenced by bluegrass and roots music, featuring strong harmonies and tasty instrumentals. Wildwood is a new band that joins the duo of Scot Oliver and Mary Beth Whitaker with two members of Slackline—Glenn Oakley and Rick Johnson. The band features Rick Johnson on guitar and vocals, Mary Beth Whitaker on guitar and vocals, Glenn Oakley on mandolin, dobro and vocals, and Scot Oliver on standup bass and vocals.
Contact: Glenn Oakley Photography & Video
www.glennoakley.com or 208-863-9506
Wildwood - Boise, ID
https://www.facebook.com/wildwood.637118
Wildwood is a four-piece acoustic Americana band heavily influenced by bluegrass and roots music, featuring strong harmonies and tasty instrumentals. Wildwood is a new band that joins the duo of Scot Oliver and Mary Beth Whitaker with two members of Slackline—Glenn Oakley and Rick Johnson. The band features Rick Johnson on guitar and vocals, Mary Beth Whitaker on guitar and vocals, Glenn Oakley on mandolin, dobro and vocals, and Scot Oliver on standup bass and vocals.
Contact: Glenn Oakley Photography & Video
www.glennoakley.com or 208-863-9506
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The Wooly Buggers - Boise, ID The Wooly Buggers play traditional bluegrass music. Isaac Helton is on lead and guitar. https://www.facebook.com/thewoollybuggersband 
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Other acoustic Bands
Celtic Shadow - Rexburg, ID
www.CelticShadow.com
Celtic Shadow plays Irish and Scottish music in pure sense using the Whistle, Fiddle, and Mandolin as their main instruments. Their tight Vocals will have you dancing to the jigs and swaying to the ballads.
The Country Club - Boise, IDThe Country Club is playing original and traditional music from the front lines of the nostalgia wars. While their sound is clearly drawn from the well of classic country, honky tonk, old time, and bluegrass, it rings and twangs with modernity and occasional urbanity. From dark and dirty to clean and pristine, the sound of the Country Club is as at home on the range, in a barn, as it is downtown, in the club or a bar.
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Deviant Kin - Boise, ID
https://www.deviantkin.com/ Deviant Kin is a not-so-traditional string band, though an accordion makes it into the mix sometimes....careening between Americana and bluegrass, and bouncing off Cajun, Latin, and Celtic adventures along the way, this group of seasoned musicians has bypassed boy band status entirely, and perform proudly as a man-band. Influenced by southern rock and Irish ballads, Appalachia and world music, you never quite know where the evening will lead. |
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Mia Edsall is a Performing Songwriter who plays guitar and banjo in Americana, Old Time, Bluegrass genre.
She specializes in Appalachian style harmony singing. Some of her biggest influences have been Del McCoury, Bill Monroe,Townes VanSandt, James McMurtry |
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Hillfolk Noir - Boise, ID
http://www.hillfolknoir.com/
www.facebook.com/hillfolknoir
Fronted by singer, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Travis Ward, Hillfolk Noir is a trio of neo-traditionalists playing traditional music on traditional instruments for non-traditional times. They call it Junkerdash, and it’s a sound brewed from folk, bluegrass, punk, string-band blues and other influences musical and otherwise. Recommended pairings: Drinking and dancing.
http://www.hillfolknoir.com/
www.facebook.com/hillfolknoir
Fronted by singer, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Travis Ward, Hillfolk Noir is a trio of neo-traditionalists playing traditional music on traditional instruments for non-traditional times. They call it Junkerdash, and it’s a sound brewed from folk, bluegrass, punk, string-band blues and other influences musical and otherwise. Recommended pairings: Drinking and dancing.
Scott Knickerbocker - Boise, ID
www.facebook.com/ScottKnickerbockerMusic
Instagram handle: @prof.banjobocker
A mix of original songs and traditional Americana
(bluegrass, old-time, early blues and country).
He performs a few times a month solo or with his drummer.
The listing of bluegrass bands provides a single location where the bluegrass community can share information on bands. IBA’s role is to post information provided by others as a public service to the bluegrass community. Posting of bands does not imply IBA sponsorship or endorsement