RockyGrass Academy

[Daijoki]

Hi all,

I'm considering entering the lottery for the RockGrass Academy and was wondering if anyone has any feedback on their experience. I'm especially interested in the ROI (return on investment) given that I live on the east coast so would need to include airfare, etc.

Thanks in advance!

[Mattg]

I'm torn here, I should tell you that Rocky Grass Academy is a waste of time cause you will be just one more person I will be compeating against in the lottery for a ticket. But I can't do it. RGA is Awesome! There, I said it.

Been there twice. Once to build a flattop mando (which started my current obsession) and a few years later to be in the mandolin class. Most fun I ever had.

I live 45 minutes away so it's a no brainer for me. But still, it would be worth the travel. It is so much fun to be totally emersed in music all day and all night. Learning from big name pros. Hanging with a bunch of really nice folks (is it just me or are bluegrassers all really cool people). Jamming till your fingers hurt. Going to sleep by the sound of the Mighty St. Vrain river and the heart beat like sound of a distant double bass. I could go on.

The only drawback I've seen for folks that fly is that it's hard to figure out how to get camping gear there. Only a few small motels nearby.

[Jimmyrus]

I should also tell you that Rockygrass is a complete waste of time, but as I do not think I will make it this year, I will tell you the truth, it was great. I also flew in from the east coast with my 9 yo daughter and my bass playing brother. ( he rented a bass in Denver)

I do not know about the BG scene in Boston, but the Colorado BG is quite different than my area, ( Delaware Maryland, Pa.) I really liked it, more progressive, but respectful to the traditional BG sound. Also a younger more energetic group than I typically jam with in my area. ( Rockygrass academy was my 50th birthday present from my wife). Camping may present a small challenge, as you will be limited with what you can carry on the plane. If you backpack, and have that type of equipment you should be fine, people are great, and you may meet some folks who befriend a light traveler. ( i would almost guarentee this)

If you are lucky enough to attend, be sure to sign up for the band scramble, that was an unanticipated highlight. My band made it to the finals! Also, the jams at night were some of the best I have ever participated in. I was really sleep deprived towards the end of the week, 4:00 am quitting time was the norm! I went for mandolin, which I only have been playing seriously for a couple of years, (long time guitar player) and really learned alot Not so much by studying, more by total complete musical immersion for 5 days straight. We never even made the festival, instead we decided to spend some time with family in the area, and I heard and played so much great music throughout the week, I did not really miss it.

I grew up in Colorado, so I was able to bum camping equipment from one of my Brothers who live in nearby Boulder. Also we had coolers, but you could probably pick up a small cooler in Colo. Or you could buy great food at the site, not bad prices for what you get. Breakfast was free, and excellent.

Once agin, if you can afford to do it give it a shot. One problem I foresee, if you do attend, and can not attend again, you will really miss it! Good luck.

[Treblemaker]

Rockygrass Academy is an amazing educational, musical, social and recreational experience. I can't say enough good about it. I have been twice (once for mandolin with instructors Mike Marshall, Ronnie McCoury, Tom Rozum) and another time on bass with instruction from Marc Schatz, Missy Raines, Joel Landsberg (of the Krueger Bros) and Alan Bartram of the Del McCoury Band.

The jamming alone is incredible, but watch out in Lyons cause some of the the hottest pickers there seem to be child prodigies.... Like anything of this nature, you only get out of it what you put into it and it's up to you to assert yourself as a learner and musician in order to get the ear and time of the instructors outside of the established class settings.

For me there was all kinds of amazing one off special experiences like an opening day AM private concert with Del and the Boys joined by Peter Rowan doing all Bill Monroe Music, telling pricesless stories and impersonating the Big Mon... or sitting at the feet of Brian Sutton and Mike Marshall blazing through Django tunes, or asking questions of Chris Thile while he rips endlessly on fiddle tune variations....

The social scene is awesome too with all sorts of picking opportunities and musical networking possibilities...

Both times I attended I managed to be in bands at the Band Scramble that won!!! (If anyone remembers "Canned Meat" get in touch!!!!

Rockygrass is one of the best musical weeks you could have if you are into bluegrass....

Ted 'Treblemaker" Silverman
SF, CA