Headstash

Organizers and YMSB Talk Northwest String Summit 2012

Photo Courtesy of Northwest String Summit Facebook

For over a decade, Northwest String Summit has been one of Oregon's – and the entire region’s – most anticipated festivals of the summer. Held on the legendary grounds of Horning's Hideout in North Plains, organizers say the 11th annual event should be no exception.

NWSS is as much a gathering of fellow string musicians as it is for the fans that come to see them. It's a truly family affair. This year, the four-day festival takes place from August 9 to 12 and will host a number of collaborative acts alongside three nights of Yonder Mountain String Band, who have played at the Hideout since the festival's beginnings.

Jeff Austin and Friends will kickoff the festival Thursday evening with an acoustic Jerry Garcia set, as NWSS begins on the anniversary of the beloved musician's death.

[FIND more information about Northwest String Summit on the festival's official website.]

Other exciting acts scheduled to perform include an electric tribute to Garcia with BanjoKillers!, Greensky Bluegrass, New Riders of the Purple Sage, 7 Walkers, Danny Barnes and Scratch Track Gospel Show, Elephant Revival and Karl Denson's Tiny Universe.

Photo Courtesy of Northwest String Summit Facebook

We spoke with Skye McDonald, a longtime organizer and co-owner of the event, and Yonder Mountain String Band bassist Ben Kaufmann about what makes NWSS such a special event year after year, why Horning’s Hideout is the perfect, magical venue to host and what to anticipate from this years festival.    

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Headstash Magazine: For people out there that have never been, what makes NWSS unique and special compared to other festivals? 

Skye McDonald: The fans really make this event unique and special. In that sense, it’s a family reunion of sorts. People come from all over and reunite with folks they may not see but once a year here at NWSS. Families make this their one event of the summer because everyone is so friendly.

HM: What sets the 2012 NWSS apart from year’s past? 

SM: It’s year 11 and we’re turning it up to 11. We’ve added some rock and roll and funk in addition to the bluegrass and newgrass this year.

Since the event falls on the anniversary of Jerry Garcia’s passing, we’re honoring his influence on all genres of music. We’re grateful for the doors he opened for all of the musicians involved this year – especially New Riders, 7 Walkers and of course, Yonder Mountain String Band.

HM: What acts shouldn't be missed this year and why?

SM: There will be very special sets played by many acts. Starting Thursday with Jeff Austin and Friends with Danny Barnes and The Keels doing an acoustic tribute to Jerry Garcia.

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We’ve really ramped up the second stage, the “Northwest Local Stage at Cascadia Acoustic Coffeehouse.” There will be tons of music early in a.m. and going late.

Photo Courtesy of Northwest String Summit Facebook

Yonder seems to have many of their best sets of the year at NWSS and we expect no different this year. Friday will have our yearly band competition with one of the best fields to date. Elephant Revival returns after popular demand and we’ll premiere the BanjoKillers!, featuring Tony Furtado and longtime Strummit artist Scott Law honoring Garcia as well.

Saturday brings out the big guns all day – newcomers The Deadly Gentlemen and Joy Kills Sorrow, then 7 Walkers feat. Bill Kreutzmann, Papa Mali, George Porter Jr. and Matt Hubbard followed by YMSB and then late-night with Karl Denson’s Tiny Universe. Who knows what kind of collaborations this could manifest?

HM: What’s your favorite part of the grounds at Horning’s Hideout?

SM: You have to see it to understand. Seriously. One word – magical. Everything is so close together, but hidden in the nooks and crannies of the Pacific Northwest rain forest of Tualatin Hills.

[FIND complete lineups, ticketing information and analysis of all your favorite festivals via our 2012 Festival Guide.]

You cannot leave from Horning’s Hideout without having the serenading soundtrack of string music accompanied by the familiar yet haunting sounds of screeching peacocks stuck in your head. Brings a smile to your face.

HM: What’s the most rewarding thing about organizing the event? 

SM: The excitement and smiles from everyone involved and attending NWSS. Whether there are 3,000 or 5,500 people, the energy is electrifying.

HM: What’s the biggest change you've seen since NWSS first started? 

SM: The new generation of festavarians coming now, including my daughter and my business partner Gregg Friedman’s children. Some kids that got in free in the past (we allow children 10 and under in free with paying adult) have their own children attending now. That is what it’s all about in my opinion.

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Headstash Magazine: Northwest String Summit is obviously a Yonder Mountain String Band tradition. How did this all start 11 years ago?  

Ben Kaufmann: Some friends of ours were looking for a good excuse to have a Sunday pig roast.

HM: How much involvement does the band have in organizing the event?  

Photo Courtesy of Northwest String Summit Facebook

BK: We certainly have a voice in who performs. It's no coincidence that our friends are regulars.

HM: How has the festival changed over the past decade?

BK: It's only changed in the sense that the family has gotten larger. The spirit is the same as it ever was. 

HM: What are you most excited about at the event this year?  

BK: It will be my son's first Yonder shows. Making some music with Bill Kreutzmann again will be great.

HM: What has been your most memorable NWSS?  

BK: The most memorable was last year. But then again, it's the one that happened most recently and I've got a notoriously poor memory for anything other than words and music.

HM: Tell me about your relationship with the Horning family. What brings you guys back to the grounds each year?

BK: This is like trying to tell someone who doesn't have a kid what it's like to have a kid. Words can't do it justice. Bob Horning is the steward of a magical place. And we are lucky to have fans with great character that are also great characters. Good people plus an almost Narnia-like environment. 

HM: What do you think of the future of bluegrass and your style of music?     

BK: Bluegrass music will continue to inspire people forever. Well, not forever, but for a very long time. 

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Northwest String Summit will take place at the famed Horning’s Hideout in North Plains, OR from August 9 to 12. Yonder Mountain String Band, Karl Denson’s Tiny Universe, 7 Walkers, Greensky Bluegrass, Elephant Revival and more. For more information and the full lineup, check out the festival's official website.