SamJam is now Route 23 Bluegrass Festival
We had mentioned last month that, owing to a reorganization of the company that produced a number of bluegrass festivals in Kentucky and Ohio, the popular SamJam Bluegrass Festival in Piketon, OH was due to be renamed. After a brief online consultation with fans, promoter Rick Greene has settled on Route 23 Bluegrass Festival going […]
Kentucky/Ohio bluegrass festivals announce reorganization
Former Sam Jam partners Sammy Carr and Rick Greene Sammy Carr and Rick Greene, who have co-promoted a number of popular bluegrass festivals this past ten years, SamJam Bluegrass Festival, the Spirit in the Bluegrass Music Fest, and Bluegrass in the Bluegrass, have announced a reorganization of their business. Rick will take charge of Sam […]
Spirit in the Bluegrass celebrates 50 years in Kentucky
Authentic Unlimited at Spirit in the Bluegrass 2024 – photo courtesy of the festival June 6-8 marked the fiftieth anniversary of the first Festival of the Bluegrass at the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington. The original festival began in 1974 at Walnut Hall Farms as a vision of Bob and Jean Cornett, and featured J. […]
Photos from SamJam Bluegrass Festival 2023
The Gracsals at SamJam 2023 – photo © David Kuehner Many thanks to David Kuehner who has shared these photos he took at last weekend’s SamJam Bluegrass Festival in Piketon, OH. David is a retiree living in southern Ohio, an amateur photographer specializing in bluegrass and the natural world. Next year will mark his 50th […]
Drone footage of Sideline at SamJam 2021
To close out a week full of festival coverage, here is video shot by a drone hovering over the 2021 SamJam Bluegrass Festival in Piketon, OH. It captures a power beginning to Sideline's closing set on September 4, which began with Skip Cherryholmes elevated above the stage in a cherrypicker, spotlit from behind the audience, [...] Against all odds – SamJam 2020
2020 has been a devastating year for bluegrass festivals, entertainers, and promoters, just to mention a few in the industry. With COVID-19 taking its toll on our great music, deep in southern Ohio, on the edge of Appalachia, Pike County was spared the brunt of the effects. With the cooperation of Pike County Health Commissioner, [...] Lots of great live bluegrass this weekend, in person and online
This is a big weekend for bluegrass fans, especially lovers of bluegrass festivals! After six months of no live music pretty much anywhere, there are two major festivals being held in person. Down in North Carolina, at the site of the original Carlton Haney festivals, the Camp Springs Bluegrass Festival is underway. And in southern [...] Stanley Brothers featured on commemorative SamJam bourbon bottle
Since last year, SamJam Bluegrass festival organizers Sam Karr and Rick Greene have helped promote the festival in a uniquely Kentucky way. They have teamed up with a craft distillery in the commonwealth to produce a special edition bourbon bottle, featuring an iconic figure in bluegrass music. The commemorative bottle for 2020 will feature the [...] SamJam 2019 report
Sideline with Styx Hicks after their set at SamJam 2019 - photo by Mike Sullivan The SamJam 2019 bluegrass festival was one for the record books! The energy at this festival is something rarely seen at bluegrass events these days. Sammy Karr and Rick Greene's story goes back to the days of the original location [...] SamJam honors Crowe with commemorative bourbon
The Ohio bluegrass community has seen unprecedented growth in the last few years. The number of festivals that have been started, and the growth of the music are skyrocketing, because of people with a passion for the music and the willingness to take risks for the sound we all love so well. In 2015, Sammy [...] 