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.
Playing monthly:
1st and 3rd Wednesday at Ironwood Bar and Grill, ( 5467 N Glenwood, Garden City, ID) 6-8pm
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.
Playing monthly:
1st and 3rd Wednesday at Ironwood Bar and Grill, ( 5467 N Glenwood, Garden City, ID) 6-8pm
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.
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.
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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://cheatgrassband.weebly.com |
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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.
Easy Pickin's - Treasure Valley, ID
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Easy Pickin’s is a new Idaho “bluegrass” band of old timers (as their gray hair and around a century of collective playing/performing experience would indicate) who still enjoy making music. The EP band currently is a quartet which includes Rick Lampkins (guitar), Mike Gardner (banjo & dobro), Dale Domerese (“magic stick” bass), and Rick Veeh (mandolin). The group members generally come from a folk/bluegrass/country/swing background (not to mention a little R&R), but there’s certainly some blues and “adapted” songs we’ve added to diversify our repertoire a bit. Needless to say, there is a strong vocal component to the band’s sound with due emphasis on 2-part harmony. Most importantly, as the name applies, we ARE easy, but NOT cheap…however, we can be had!…in the vernacular, LOL!
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Contacts: Rick Lampkins: (615) 788-5877, Rick Veeh: (805) 674-4775, or Mike Gardner: (208) 921-9772.
False Bottom String Band - Boise, ID
https://www.facebook.com/falsebottomstringband/
An five member band focusing on traditional bluegrass songs that feature love gone wrong, drinking, murder, trains, prison, and occasionally redemption. A dose of mando, guitar threat, fiddler on fire, banjo bringing it home, and a bass player trying to keep it all together make up the False Bottom String Band
Playing monthly:
3rd Tuesday - at White Dog Brewing (705 W Fulton St, Boise)
1st Wednesday - at Powderhaus Brewing Company
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: richemma26@yahoo.com
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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.
This four-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). Brian Carrington guitar flat-picking could woo even the most elusive of sasquatches out of the woods. 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!
Contact: highpinewhiskey@gmail.com or Chad Lamer - (785) 218-4994
This four-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). Brian Carrington guitar flat-picking could woo even the most elusive of sasquatches out of the woods. 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!
Contact: highpinewhiskey@gmail.com or Chad Lamer - (785) 218-4994
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 Jet Boat 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
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Matt Phipps Band - Boise, ID Matt Phipps Band was formed in Boise Idaho in 2021. We play bluegrass, newgrass, folk and Americana.
Check them out here: https://www.facebook.com/Angelique.CMT/videos/798010191490312/? 
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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
Red Boots & Basil - Boise & McCall, ID Web: https://redbootsandbasil.weebly.comFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/RedBootsandBasil Red Boots&Basil is a boot-stompin’, harmony-deliverin’, trio serving up a variety of spicy fiddle tunes, americana, bluegrass, and a dash of old standards. Bobbie Blue on guitar (ukulele); Petra Schwarthoff on fiddle (cello, recorder), Barbara Kemp on banjo (guitar) |
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Reilly Coyote - Boise, ID
https://www.facebook.com/Reilly-Coyote-194148180615635/
Original, traditional, and modern bluegrass.
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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 straubingera@gmail.com |
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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.
Wilder - 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.
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 Nich Riveland. Named a stretch of the old Columbia River that was impassable without dam construction, today it is now known as Cascade Locks
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The Wooly Buggers - Boise, ID The Woolly Buggers play traditional bluegrass music. Isaac Helton is on lead and guitar. 
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Other acoustic Bands
Aldape Bootstompers - Boise, ID
https://aldapebootstompers.com/
The Aldape Bootstompers are a Boise-based band of bluegrass hounds that were conceived in the mountains outside of Boise. Taking their name from the summit on which they first plucked some strings and got super drunk as they discussed various Americana and bluegrass musicians, the Aldape Bootstompers — composed of Christy Rezaii, Ethan Mansfield, “Mustang Mark” Stolpe, and Connor Jay Liess — play an assortment of Americana music, including bluegrass, folk, indie folk, newgrass, and even a left field pop numbers. We'll play you a sappy love ballad if you ask us nicely, but we prefer the darker numbers, grimy folk steeped in murderin, druggin, whiskey lovin', adulteratin, coffin crackin, boot stompin arrangements.
https://aldapebootstompers.com/
The Aldape Bootstompers are a Boise-based band of bluegrass hounds that were conceived in the mountains outside of Boise. Taking their name from the summit on which they first plucked some strings and got super drunk as they discussed various Americana and bluegrass musicians, the Aldape Bootstompers — composed of Christy Rezaii, Ethan Mansfield, “Mustang Mark” Stolpe, and Connor Jay Liess — play an assortment of Americana music, including bluegrass, folk, indie folk, newgrass, and even a left field pop numbers. We'll play you a sappy love ballad if you ask us nicely, but we prefer the darker numbers, grimy folk steeped in murderin, druggin, whiskey lovin', adulteratin, coffin crackin, boot stompin arrangements.
Country Roads - Nampa, ID
http://singlecargarageband.weebly.com/
Country Roads is playing everything from classic country to gospel to old standards. Their repertoire includes songs by John Denver, Willie Nelson, Waylon Jennings, Neil Diamond, Merle Haggard, Kris Kristofferson, George Jones, Elvis Presley, Sons of the Pioneers, Patsy Cline, Lefty Frizzell, Bob Wills, Roge Miller and many others. Please contact Bill McKeeth at bill@mckeeth.org for more info.
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.
Idyltime - Bosie, ID
https://www.reverbnation.com/idyltime
https://www.facebook.com/Idyltime/
Fiddle, banjo, mando, dobro, guitar, upright bass.
Four voices, eight hands, forty fingers. Let’s pick.
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.
Slackline - Boise, ID
https://www.facebook.com/Slackline-367451703816329/
Slackline is an Americana/Roots band featuring Daniel Reed on bass, Jen Pierce on oboe, Rick Johnson on guitar and Glenn Oakley on Dobro and mandolin.
Contact: Glenn Oakley Photography & Video
www.glennoakley.com or 208-863-9506
Slackline - Boise, ID
https://www.facebook.com/Slackline-367451703816329/
Slackline is an Americana/Roots band featuring Daniel Reed on bass, Jen Pierce on oboe, Rick Johnson on guitar and Glenn Oakley on Dobro and mandolin.
Contact: Glenn Oakley Photography & Video
www.glennoakley.com or 208-863-9506
The Trees, the Trees -
https://www.thetreesthetrees.com/
A local Bluesy Folk band with saucy fiddle solos, tight guitar fills, moody, driven piano rhythms, and harmonies that would make the angels weep.
We have been working so hard to get to where we are now and the train just keeps on rolling.
https://open.spotify.com/artist/7bdYtfiFfnJk4ciD08E88D?si=VRnA8oqVSFOF8lbzmChhqQ
https://www.thetreesthetrees.com/
A local Bluesy Folk band with saucy fiddle solos, tight guitar fills, moody, driven piano rhythms, and harmonies that would make the angels weep.
We have been working so hard to get to where we are now and the train just keeps on rolling.
https://open.spotify.com/artist/7bdYtfiFfnJk4ciD08E88D?si=VRnA8oqVSFOF8lbzmChhqQ
WestRock - Boise, ID
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https://www.facebook.com/westrockmusic/
WestRock is a Red-dirt Americana band that is a blend of Cody Johnson, the Lumineers, and Bob Dylan. From classical to self-taught, the music of the group emanates from where we come from, and reflects the people and way of life we strive to embody. Earthy & full tones, lyrics that reflect or tell a story, and multi-part harmonies are all distinctives of the sound of West Rock. While the band is based out of Boise, our members come from Texas, California, and Minnesota, and as such we resonate with searching for a home, building and committing to a community, and appreciating today because tomorrow may change. Our mission as a band is to connect and serve those who need empathy in finding purpose. We don’t have all the answers, but we will walk the road together. |
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