Past WinterFests

Last Year's (2025) bands:

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. CDR has six albums out to date.

Tater Patch

was formed in 2018 under the direction and inspiration of fiddler, guitarist and vocalist Adam Straubinger. The cast of characters has changed over the course of time, and has in the past included the legendary Bill “Wild Bill” Parsons on bass and Larry Brandon on mandolin. Currently, Justin Moore is Adam’s accomplice in singing and fiddling, and the two can harmonize like the Stanley Brothers, Delmore Brothers, Louvin Brothers, or any other brothers you can think of. Their powerful harmonies send the listener to new heights and it’s hard not to feel their double fiddle energy in your bones. “Shaky” Dave Manion is playing the resonator guitar, or dobro, as it were, and delivering licks so lonesome and beautiful it could make you cry. He’s been known to let his commanding baritone voice out occasionally as well. Holding down the 5 string banjo (or maybe it’s holding him down cause he’s so happy when he’s picking you think he might float away) is Tate Mason, who is equally comfortable playing 3 finger Scruggs or clawhammer style. Either way he spices up the sound with his tasty banjo pickin. Rounding out the sound and keeping them in time is Beth Mason on the upright bass. She takes an occasional turn singing lead on some songs and harmonizing on others. All told, this is a fun and energetic ensemble sharing their version of old time, bluegrass, traditional and original music. You don’t want to miss Tater Patch!

Ridgerunner

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/

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.

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.

High Pine Whiskey Yell

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 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).

An original song written by our banjo player Tom Middleton

Mountain Strings

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. 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

The Old Time Harvest String Band

is a unique blend of Traditional, Old Time, Bluegrass, Appalachian, Gospel, Irish, Fiddle Tunes and Original Music.
John Simpson guitar/vocals
Tammy Tanaka fiddle/vocals

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.

River City Rounders

River City Rounders are a 5 piece old-time ensemble playing jigs and reels and all the familiar fiddle tunes to tap your toe and do-si-do! Twin fiddles of Dave Daley and Renee Homey, Jason and Declan Homey on guitar and banjo and Ottis Daley on the dog house bass.

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

CheatGrass is an Oldtimey, bluegrassy band that plays regularly at the Senior Center. and in Mark's living room.....