Pickin’ In The Pines Only Gets Better!

Standing on the side of the stage during the Sam Bush performance at the Pickin' In The Pines festival in Flagstaff, AZ this past weekend we met a young journalism student from Arizona State University's Walter Cronkite School of Journalism.  She was there on assignment to cover the festival and was eagerly awaiting the chance to catch Sam after the show for a quote for her story.   Her story is published in the State Press  and we are please to present it here.


by: Brittany Morris / State Press

Festival Emcee, Brian McNeal,
talks with Sam Bush Backstage

The aromatic scent of pine wafted through the grassy field, whisking unkempt hair from the nape of the spectator’s necks. Children weaved in between lawn chairs, their bare feet leaving faint sweat marks in the pavement.

On stage, the incessant twang of the banjo synchronized with the cacophony. The children’s laughter, and the vocalists’ southern drawls accented one another, yielding the heart-wrenching, love-struck scene of a bluegrass song.

The Annual Pickin’ in the Pines Bluegrass & Acoustic Music Festival in Flagstaff, Arizona took place this past Friday, Saturday and Sunday. The event was host to revered artists, up-and-coming groups and the precocious dreamers of the folksy, rock mixture of bluegrass music. Set on the Coconino County Fairgrounds, fans from much of the southwest flocked to the three-day event and camped on the nearby grounds for a weekend of music and living amongst the roots.

#6 For Flagstaff’s Pickin’ In The Pines Promises Not to Disappoint!

Sixth Annual “Pickin' in the Pines” in two weeks!

On September 16th, 17th, and 18th, Flagstaff’s Pepsi Amphitheater at Fort Tuthill will be home to Pickin' in the Pines Bluegrass & Acoustic Music Festival. In the sixth year of this award–winning, multi-day music festival the planning committees are celebrating with another stellar line-up of national and local musical acts, informative workshops with festival performers, engaging children's programs, a suspenseful band contest, tasty food and refreshing drink, camping under tall pines, and rewarding time spent with old and new friends.
  
PIP #6 will be hosting both Sam Bush and the David Grisman Sextet this year, as well as Michael Cleveland and Flamekeeper, The HillBenders, The Blue Canyon Boys, Honey Don’t and lots more regional and local bands.

Northern Arizona Prepares for 6th Annual Pickin’ in the Pines Bluegrass and Acoustic Music Festival

On September 16th, 17th, and 18th; Flagstaff’s Pepsi Amphitheater at Fort Tuthill is home to Pickin’ in the Pines Bluegrass and Acoustic Music Festival. This award –winning; multi-day music festival is celebrating its 6th year with a stellar line-up of national and local musical acts to entertain; informative workshops with festival performers; engaging children’s programs; a suspenseful band contest; tasty food and refreshing drink; camping under tall pines trees; and rewarding time spent with friends old and new.

Pepsi Amphitheater at Fort Tuthill is in a spectacular setting in the high country of beautiful Flagstaff, Arizona. Come spread your blanket on the lush green lawn under vanilla-scented ponderosa pines and enjoy the cool September breezes and music that brings joy to young and old alike. Camping is a short walk or free shuttle ride away and is a favorite part of the festival experience.

Steve Martin To Autograph Banjo for Flagstaff Friends of Traditional Music!

A Deering Steve Martin Crow model banjo autographed by Martin himself will be auctioned to the highest bidder at Martin’s Saturday evening, August 20th, performance in Flagstaff, AZ.  The comedian’s bluegrass banjo concert along with The Steep Canyon Rangers will be at the Pepsi Amphitheater at Fort Tuthill County Park.

The Steep Canyon Rangers last performed in Flagstaff at the 2009 Pickin' in the Pines Bluegrass & Acoustic Music Festival.

Pickin' In The Pines Announces Early Bird Ticket Special!

Hurry - Get This Year's Tickets At Last Year's Price!

Flagstaff Friends of Traditional Music is proud to announce that Early-Bird tickets for the 6th Annual Pickin' in the Pines Bluegrass & Acoustic Music Festival are on sale now!

This year, Pickin' in the Pines will be held September 16-18, 2011 - as always, that's the second weekend after Labor Day. We have a fabulous lineup this year, featuring Sam Bush, the David Grisman Sextet, Michael Cleveland & Flamekeeper, the Hillbenders, the Blue Canyon Boys, Honey Don't, and other surprises.

Early-Bird tickets are your chance to lock in a screamin' deal for the entire weekend. They go on sale March 15 and will be available until June 30. This year, Early-Bird tickets are $60 for a three-day pass. Because Pickin' in the Pines is sponsored by Flagstaff Friends of Traditional Music, we're also offering our members a $5 discount from the Early-Bird price until June 30. But wait, there's more! 

Prescription Bluegrass Host Brian McNeal Emcees PIP

To celebrate the kick-off of ticket sales, 

we're offering the first 100 tickets to be purchased before April 1, 2011 at last year's rate of $50.    

For now, you can only purchase these tickets on the Pickin' in the Pines website at http://pickininthepines.org/tickets. A small transaction charge for on-line purchases will apply. Get 'em while they last!

Check out the You-Tube Pickin' In the Pines Channel

In just 6 short years, this festival has quickly become a force to be reckoned with in the festival pandemonium. If you've never been, you owe it to yourself to find out what everyone is talking about. From Flagstaff you're just literally minutes away from two of the most wonderful places on earth: The Grand Canyon and Canyon De Chelly (pronounced Canyon De Shay). Monument Valley where John Wayne produced many of his Westerns is close by. 

Get more information on Flagstaff and Northern Arizona tourist attractions here: http://www.flagstaffarizona.org/

Pickin' In The Pines 2011 Announces Headliners

David Grisman & Sam Bush

Two of Bluegrass' biggest names scheduled to appear in Flagstaff, AZ

The Pickin' In The Pines Bluegrass and Acoustic Music Festival has announced their Main Stage Headline acts along with a few more who have been firmed up for 2011.


Bluegrass Legends Sam Bush and David Grisman top the list of quality bluegrass and acoustic entertainment for the 6th annual Flagstaff Pickin' In The Pines which will take place on September 16, 17 & 18, 2011.

Year 6 promises to be a blockbuster with both mandolin heros Sam Bush and David Grisman.   Bush and Grisman have carried the torch of modern string music into our generation, forever influencing its flavor and style. How could we get so lucky to have them both on our stage for year 6?  -Julie Sulllivan,  Pickin' In The Pines Talent Director

 Newgrasser Sam Bush will be making his first appearance at Pickin' In The Pines but has played to Flagstaff audiences as recently as September of last year.  His home state of Kentucky recently passed legislation declaring Bowling Green the Birthplace of Newgrass and Bush himself the Father of Newgrass. The bill passed through both the Kentucky state house and state senate without a single NO vote.

Grisman will be returning to Pickin' In The Pines. He brought his "Bluegrass Review" to the festival in 2007. This time around he'll be showcasing the David Grisman Sextet. 

The Complete Lineup so far - More announcements forthcoming:

• Sam Bush 
• David Grisman Sextet 
• Michael Cleveland and Flamekeeper
• The HillBenders 
• The Blue Canyon Boys 
• Honey Don’t 
• X Train 
• Burnett Family Bluegrass
• Jack Webb New Orleans Jazz Band
• Mars Hillbillies

More to be announced.

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Sam Bush Interview                              David Grisman Interview

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Check out the Pickin' In The Pines Youtube channel with over 140 videos  Pickin' in the Pines channel on Youtube

There have been several terrific photographers roaming around past festival. Here's a sampling of the images taken by Kyra Oellig, Kate Watters "Flagstaff Rob" Dutton, and Missing Frame Photography. Maybe you're in one! (Click on the caption icon -- the little box on at the left -- to see who's who.) 

If you can't see the slide show above, you can visit our Picasa gallery

Pickin' In The Pines Website