2019 GREY FOX BLUEGRASS FESTIVAL July 18-21, 2019 • Oak Hill, New York Featuring Billy Strings • Del McCoury Band • I’m With Her • Leftover Salmon • Tommy Emmanuel A Grateful Ball presented by Jeff Austin & Travelin’ McCourys and many more! A Who’s Who of Bluegrass in the Catskill Mountains Guitarist, Billy Strings ~ 2019 Artist-in-Residence Billy Strings Band returns as 2019 Grey Fox Artist-in-Residence July 18-20, joining 40+ award-winning, internationally acclaimed bands on six stages. Oak Hill, NY – For immediate release (6/20/19) THE MUSIC: Topping this year’s award-winning lineup of 40+ bands are Billy Strings, The Del McCoury Band, I’m With Her (Sara Watkins, Sarah Jarosz, and Aoife O’Donovan), Tommy Emmanuel CGP, Leftover Salmon, Earls of Leicester, Steep Canyon Rangers, Molly Tuttle, Sierra Hull , and Jeff Austin Band & The Travelin’ McCourys present A Grateful Ball — and that’s just the beginning. Always a deep and wide mix of Grammy, IBMA, CMA, and AMA winners and nominees, Grey Fox presents the best of bluegrass music, together with its close cousins from Oldtime to Jamgrass. (full lineup and artist bios link). To thousands of music lovers from across the United States and around the world, July means packing up the camping gear and heading to the Walsh Farm, in Oak Hill, New York for a musical homecoming that runs the gamut from traditional, contemporary, and progressive bluegrass to old-time, Americana, jamgrass, Celtic, and dance music. The lineup is always eclectic and on the cutting edge of bluegrass and acoustic music — a “Who’s Who of Bluegrass.” Australian guitar guru, Tommy Emmanuel (CGP), will set the stage on fire Saturday, July 20 with pyrotechnic playing, tales of his illustrious career, and surprise collaborations with other artists. The powerful trio, I’m With Her, features soaring vocals and stunning instrumentals by Sarah Watkins, Sara Jarosz, and Aoife O’Donovan, who sell out venues around the world. See them Sat, July 20. During the four days of Grey Fox (Note: gates open Wednesday morning for early campers), Grey Fox boasts six venues with more than 175 performances. In addition to the main stages, there are impressive Emerging Artist Showcases of young bands hailing from around the country, music and dance workshops, a much-loved Open-Mic Night, red hot jam sessions around the campgrounds, ethnic and festive foods, unique vendors, Grey Fox Bluegrass Academy for Kids, (now in its 21st year) and a stage entirely devoted to children’s activities. Everyone from music fans to foodies, beginning pickers to serious players, singles to multi-generational families will find something to capture their imagination and heart. The Grey Fox Bluegrass Academy for Kids teaches 100+ young musicians to play, sing harmony and perform bluegrass music each day during the festival. Above: Sunday’s “BGA” graduation gig. COMMUNITY: As the gates open, the warm and welcoming community of Grey Fox quickly comes to life, and a temporary village pops up in the middle of a working hay farm. Fans camp along ‘streets’ named for Bluegrass Hall of Fame members such as Monroe Blvd, Scruggs St, or Flatt Ave. Jam sessions spontaneously erupt. Aromas of camp cooking waft in the breeze. New and old friends share stories and get settled in for the long weekend — all before the stage entertainment actually begins. FAN’S PERSPECTIVE: Grey Fox is on the bucket list of fans and artists alike. Fans from thirty-plus states and a dozen countries know that it’s as much about community as it is about the stunning music they are about to enjoy. Glen Mazur of Washington, DC, explains why he’s looking forward to returning to Grey Fox. “Firstly, it’s the inventive lineup: the mix of traditional and new directions for acoustic music… the one-of-a- kind collaborations between artists that just don’t happen anywhere else…and the amazing jamming around the grounds. Secondly, it’s the beautiful setting and the fact that all ages can enjoy a safe and fun environment as little or as much as you want. And thirdly, the Grey Fox staffers care about the people who come to the festival, from booking stellar bands to making sure we’re comfortable during the event. They create a warm and welcoming environment for everyone whether it’s their first or 20th time. We all feel the magic. And, once you feel it, you’re hooked. I can’t wait to get back.” The festive community of Grey Fox pops up magically every July on a Catskill Mountain hay farm, inhabited by music fans from 30+ states and a dozen countries. Many have made Grey Fox an annual pilgrimage for decades. Aerial photo by Tyler Campbell. GIVING BACK: Sunday is truly unique at Grey Fox. Admission is free with a donation to local food banks upon arrival. ‘A Taste of Grey Fox’ starts with Dry Branch Fire Squad and ends with the 21st Annual Grey Fox Bluegrass Academy for Kids bookending performances by some of the festival’s top artists. Donations of non-perishable pantry items or cash go to Community Action of Greene County who distributes food and supplies to area food banks. Grey Fox invites residents and visitors alike to enjoy Sunday’s musical performances and help feed needy local families. Acceptable pantry items are listed at cagcny.org. WHEN & WHERE: July 18-21, 2019 on the Walsh Farm, 1 Poultney Road, Oak Hill, NY 12460. Camping gates open at 7am Wednesday, July 17. Day gates open at 8am Thursday-Sunday. Drive times: Catskill, NY 20 min; Albany, NY 50 min; NYC 2.5 hr; Syracuse, NY 2.5 hr; Boston, MA 3.5 hr; Baltimore/DC 5-6 hours. TICKETS & INFO: www.GreyFoxBluegrass.com 888.946.8495 315.404.5738 www.facebook.com/greyfoxbluegrass [email protected] PRESS CONTACT Mary Burdette, Assistant Director [email protected] 603-677-2178 .