East Nash Grass:

East Nash Grass exemplifies the best of what bluegrass has to offer — as being named the 2024 IBMA [International Bluegrass Music Association] New Artist of the Year would suggest. But their breathtaking talent as singers, instrumentalists, and composers is just the beginning. While other acts chase their tail in search of nostalgia, the secret to East Nash Grass lies in their unflinching ability to be themselves. 

It certainly helps that they are a veritable supergroup of award-winners who have been performing longer than anyone would guess that they’ve been alive. With a lifetime of experience in both new and legacy acts (Dan Tyminski, Tim O’Brien, Sierra Hull, Rhonda Vincent, etc.), the tradition of bluegrass is fundamental to who they are as musicians and performers. Yet it’s their irreverent, adventurous, and audacious tendencies as next-gen performers that light a fire under audiences. Their ability to hone this edge was forged in the crucible of a dive bar outside of Nashville, TN that they all but single-handedly put on the (bluegrass) map during their seven-year weekly residency. 

After hundreds of sets (and countless late-night jams), through personnel changes, industry changes, and a never-ending string of unprecedented world events, East Nash Grass has coalesced into the hair-raising ensemble of Harry Clark [mandolin], Cory Walker [banjo], James Kee [guitar], and IBMA 2025 Fiddle Player of the Year Maddie Denton [fiddle], Their love of both bluegrass and the absurd can be felt in both their live shows and on their new album “All God’s Children” (Mountain Fever, 2025). Much like watching a bowling ball and feather fall together, expectations of what should and shouldn’t work are challenged as the paradox of authenticity is revealed. Shock leads to excitement as risks keep listeners on the edge of their seats and irrefutable mastery drives home that this is no mere imitation of bluegrass: this IS bluegrass.

Eugene Tyler Band:

Indie-bluegrass trio Eugene Tyler Band is a road band, cutting their teeth on the bluegrass festival circuit and clubs across the northeast. Sharing stages with bands like Mountain Grass Unit, Sicard Hollow, The Kitchen Dwellers, and Michigan Rattlers, they've carved out a unique voice in the bluegrass scene, with sharp songwriting and high-energy performances. Blending indie spirit with bluegrass grit, their live shows strike a balance between tight musicianship and loose, conversational banter. Called “a trio that punches above its weight”, ETB is back on the road this spring, bringing their charismatic brand of new acoustic music to audiences around the country.

Eugene Gardner (vocals/guitar/mandolin/tenor guitar), Danny Tyler (banjo/guitar) and Marc Jaffee (upright bass/vocals) all grew up within a few miles of each other in New York’s Hudson Valley, where they are currently based.