Charm City Bluegrass Festival A Twist on Old Themes

Charm City Bluegrass Festival took place at the Baltimore Peninsula, May 3-4, 2024, and celebrated its 11th year. the festival has become a musical tradition for the region and city of Baltimore. For the majority of its duration, the festival called Druid Hill Park its home.  This year brought new twists on a classic–the festival moved to a new location suited for cityscapes. Two stages sat along the edge of the Baltimore Harbor along the Patapasco River  making for scenic views and an ideal setting for the musical sounds of folk, bluegrass and innovative genres infusing the two. 

The lineup this year focused on highlighting up and coming local and touring artists.  The festival did a truly exceptional job of creating a lineup that was sure to please everyone.

Friday Nights Are For Bluegrass

Friday night began with a blistering set of performances, setting the tone for a tremendous weekend of music ahead.

The Po’ Ramblin Boys came on at 8pm for an hour-long set. The group was recognized as Emerging Artist in 2018 by the International Bluegrass Music Association and Grammy nominated for Best Bluegrass Album in 2020. 

They played traditional bluegrass music during their performance which was just a spectacle of color, costume and bluegrass. Beneath their flashy outfits were some of the most authentic good old bluegrass sounds with great harmonies. Towards the end of their set, they performed a traditional “Holler and Swaller,” saluting the crowd and inviting the audience to join them for a toast. They closed their set with a raucous classic “East Bound and Down” by Jerry Reed. The audience roared into the night. 

The final set of the evening featured DMV-based Scythian, whose roots are in Alexandria, Virginia and are now based out of Front Royal, Virginia. The band of world travelers perform across the US and host trips to Ireland. This year, they will sponsor and hold their own festival cruise.

Scythian is a fan favorite knowing how to play to any audience to energetic perfection and their Charm City Bluegrass appearance is just one week out from  their most triumphant festival appearances of the year – MerleFest.

Scythian brought an overflowing energy, stage presence and charisma to close out the Charm City Bluegrass Festival night one with a 90-minute performance.Their sound was a mix of Celtic, Ukrainian, Americana, Bluegrass, Country and Folk. This band’s explosive energy kept everyone dancing on a bitterly cold evening. The sounds of fiddle, accordion, washboard and guitars soared through the night. The set ended with a tremendous medley of songs including “Ghost Busters,” Paul Simon’s “You can Call Me Al” and a verison of the classic “You Got What I Need,” by Freddie Scott that had the audience waving their arms.

Baltimore’s Finest–Homegrown Artists 

Day two of the festival began on Saturday at 11am. The day was a cloudy and wet one as the rains poured. However, that didn’t stop festival-goers from bringing lively spirits in support of this Baltimore tradition.

As gloom hung overhead, concert goers saddled into their seats and before the stage ready for a day filled with musical performances by eleven artists.

Baltimore artist, Jacob Panic made his debut this year at Charm City Bluegrass Fest as an innovative artist. 

After years of playing the banjo in traditional scruggs style, Panic felt called to pair his knowledge with a passion that felt more authentic to him–death metal.

“I love it all, but we have a limited time and I feel it was really necessary to become a banjo player, because the style had to evolve into what it is now,” said Panic. “With the metal scene, I like how it’s pretty open to experimentation.”

Panic’s set featured an energetic performance of death metal set to high energy metal strumming on his M1-L banjo paired with screamo vocals. Panic played a well known original head-banging metal track to close his set. 

“I am very thankful for the Charm City Bluegrass Festival for being so progressive–to showcase banjo in a different spotlight, that has been my goal,” said Panic. 

And it was progressive.

At the Main Stage, Baltimore’s own Caleb Stine played Wille Nelson. The singer-songwriter showcased his own musical talents alongside a folk band while paying homage to Willie Nelson, an artist who has influenced his musical career. 

“He [Willie] is a songwriter which I also am, he’s a performer, a guitar player, a community connector, so there’s a lot of things that he does that personally inspire me,” said Stine.  “My philosophy on the setlist was to do something that hit some of my personal favorites, that might be more obscure, but that hit some of the high notes and gave a cross section of all the different styles and kinds of music he has done.” 

Stine, who has been playing for decades, moved to Baltimore twenty-four years ago and shared that he’s seen a lot of growth in the Baltimore music scene, or family, he calls it. The musician played at the very first Charm City Bluegrass Festival in 2014.

“I would say that in the 10 years of this festival, it’s just continued to blossom,” said Stine. “Any festival, any of this stuff, it’s a labor of love. So I think we’re all grateful to everyone who does this kind of thing. Every one that we get is a gift.” 

Caleb’s performance created an atmosphere of positivity for the audience that sparked dance between the members. He showcased a song from Willie’s poppiest album, “Teatro.” Caleb threw his bandana out into the crowd to sign off on his performance. 

Stine tours regionally and produces a new album every year. His newest album, When I Was a Cowboy” will be released this summer.

Rachel May and Friends also made their debut at the Charm City Bluegrass Festival this year. Rachel May, a young up and coming singer-songwriter from Baltimore joined four “friends” on stage for a young, bumping, fresh and fun performance that drew a crowd. 

Joining Rachel May on stage were Luke Boardman, Ari Pluznik, Danielle Williams, and Matthew Zuckerman, who she met at the inaugural Ramble Festival in 2022 in Darlington, Maryland.

“I never played with other musicians before [Ramble Festival 2022], said Rachel May. “During that time, I felt as if my inspiration, drive and musicality increased exponentially as I was thrust into the position of playing with these talents musicians.”  The players performed a Joni Mitchell song with flute accompaniment that was harmonic, bouncy and fun.  “It felt absolutely surreal to play a whole set of original music for the audience,” she added. “The Baltimore music scene has proven to be a well of seemingly endless support and inspiration.”  Rachel May’s music is primarily lyrically driven and equal parts, cheeky as it is vulnerable. Rachel May has been working on recording her first EP–a single will be dropping soon.  

The Hampden Bluegrass All-Stars performed at the main stage. Unique to this five-piece, the band features Bradley Kolodner, son of Ken Koloder, world renowned hammer dulcimer bluegrass legend and a gourd banjo.

Their sound is traditional bluegrass-eclectic in the Americana style, but where it sparkles is in the glorious addition of the jam fiddle. The band’s rendition of Johnny Cash’s “I’ve Been Everywhere,” was a crowd pleaser–especially on the twist up of locations in Baltimore neighborhoods. They also played a soulful “Two Stepping,” as they neared the end of their set. 

Jams Making Spirits Bright 

Nearing lunch time, the rain continued, but the music did not stop, nor did the audience’s passion for the music as they stood in front of the main stage, for the sounds of The Slocan Ramblers. 

The Slocan Ramblers, are an award-winning band from Canada. The four-piece played a slew of traditional bluegrass songs. One especially fitting for the festival’s scene, was "The River Roaming Song"– an original written during the locked down times of Covid. Set against the backdrop of the Patapasco, the music transported the audience to a different, quiet time that was filled with hope and pondering.

Deadgrass brought quite the crowd. The five-piece band played deadhead favorites with a grassy flair, "Casey Jones", "Help On The Way / Slipknot" and two covers, “Wild Horses” by The Rolling Stones and “Like a Rolling Stone,” by Bob Dylan. The touring band’s set was a welcomed way to kick off the afternoon. 

Sicard Hollow, an up and coming band from Nashville, was a crowd favorite. This four-piece band brings a fluidly eclectic sampling of bluegrass, a 90s crunch and groove with a twist of Celtic influences making for a new jam grass and psychedelic punk-grass experience.  Their upbeat playing style sprinkled bubbly, poppy, groovy, funky beats that could not be denied. During their hour-long set, they treated the audience to a few of their hits, “Ain’t Nobody Gonna Miss Me When I’m Gone,” “Where I’m At” and “Motivation” which hit heavy peaks that pleased the audience. Most memorable and meaningful though, was their rendition of “Steep Grade, Sharp Curves” by Yonder Mountain String Band. The original by YMSB was vocally-led by the late Jeff Austin. As the song ended, the band honored Jeff Austin, who played at the 2019 Charm City Bluegrass Festival, just weeks before his untimely passing.

Willi Carlisle, a folk singer from the Ozarks of Arkansas, brought smiles to the audience on a dreary day. The one-man-band showcased a series of talents rooted in the traditional Americana style–from spoken word to true old time performance. Through his art, Carlisle sends messages upon themes of social justice and common humanness. 

Carlisle is an all-around entertainer and his performances speak truth in a comedic and heartfelt manner. Amidst the rainfall, he pleased the crowd by playing Pete Seeger’s “If I Had A Hammer.” A few others brought light to the audiences’ hearts: “The Cowboy Song,” played with an accordion and “Van Life.” Nearing the end of his set, Carlisle drew the crowd close to the stage for an interactive callback song called, “Your Head is a Big Tent.”

The Sweet Lillies from Boulder, Colorado drew an energetic crowd. The four-piece band, featuring two sets of vocals, know how to brighten a crowd. Traditional bluegrass instruments, ranging from the washboard, upright bass, mandolin and viola are blended with percussion to please the ears of all who listen. Hip-hop rap and harmonized vocals create a funky and uplifting sound. After playing originals, the band covered mashed-up hits, “Insane in the Membrane” by Cypress Hill, “Clint Eastwood,” by the Gorillaz and “Baby Got Back,” by Sir-Mix-Alot and closed their set with “Fight For Your Right,” by Beastie Boys. We are excited to hear that band will perform twice at DelFest later this month.

The festival crowd gathered before the main stage, for headliner, Wood Belly. Hailing from Colorado, the band brings a fresh perspective to bluegrass by infusing traditional instruments with the rhythmic punch of drums. Their unique blend of influences, includes echoes of California surf rock and subtle pop undertones. Their performance caught listeners’ ears with a sound that's both familiar and refreshingly innovative.

Noam Pikelny and Stuart Duncan, along with their talented friends, concluded the festival with an unforgettable performance. Pikelny, renowned for his banjo virtuosity and as a founding member of the Punch Brothers, brought his signature style to the stage, while Duncan, a masterful violinist, added depth and richness to the ensemble's sound. Together, their collaboration elevated the evening into a mesmerizing musical experience, leaving the audience in awe of their skill and artistry.

An Unforgettable Twist on Tradition

This year’s Charm City Bluegrass Festival brought a different experience to this Baltimore music tradition. Changes were welcome. The new location and focus on up and coming local and touring acts brought the region’s music community closer together for a more intimate experience. 

Charm City Bluegrass Festival longtime attendee and volunteer, Stu Ulman said, “I think it just shows how much people are craving being together with good music.” 

Shining the light on new artists, in a post-covid music scene is desired, even despite inclement weather.

And that, as Stine said, is a gift to us all.