--- title: Mountain Grass Unit Talks Band Formation, Past Performances & Fests description: Insider conversation with Mountain Grass Unit on their back stories, journey, upcoming festival dates and more. Get news on Suwannee Amp Jam, Mountain Jam image: https://musicfestivalspodcast.com/hubfs/MGU_Logo_FullColor_NoTexture+(1).png --- [Skip to the main content.](https://musicfestivalspodcast.com/blog/mountain-grass-unit-talks-band-formation-past-performances-fests#main-content) [![MFP Logo - Stage 2 Flat Black Orange-1](https://musicfestivalspodcast.com/hs-fs/hubfs/MFP%20Logo%20-%20Stage%202%20Flat%20Black%20Orange-1.jpg?width=1600&height=1600&name=MFP%20Logo%20-%20Stage%202%20Flat%20Black%20Orange-1.jpg "MFP Logo - Stage 2 Flat Black Orange-1")](https://musicfestivalspodcast.com) [![MFP Logo - Stage 2 Flat Black Orange-1](https://musicfestivalspodcast.com/hs-fs/hubfs/MFP%20Logo%20-%20Stage%202%20Flat%20Black%20Orange-1.jpg?width=1600&height=1600&name=MFP%20Logo%20-%20Stage%202%20Flat%20Black%20Orange-1.jpg "MFP Logo - Stage 2 Flat Black Orange-1")](https://musicfestivalspodcast.com) - [Home](https://musicfestivalspodcast.com) - [Podcast](https://musicfestivalspodcast.com/podcast) - [Campfire Blog](https://musicfestivalspodcast.com/blog) - [Festival Documentaries](https://musicfestivalspodcast.com/music-festival-documentary-films) - [Band Interviews](https://musicfestivalspodcast.com/band-interviews) - [Get in Touch](https://musicfestivalspodcast.com/contact) Search Toggle Menu Search Toggle Menu - [Home](https://musicfestivalspodcast.com) - [Podcast](https://musicfestivalspodcast.com/podcast) - [Campfire Blog](https://musicfestivalspodcast.com/blog) - [Festival Documentaries](https://musicfestivalspodcast.com/music-festival-documentary-films) - [Band Interviews](https://musicfestivalspodcast.com/band-interviews) - [Get in Touch](https://musicfestivalspodcast.com/contact) - Example Link - Example Link - Example Link 4 min read # Mountain Grass Unit Talks Band Formation, Past Performances & Fests [![Picture of Neighbor N8](https://musicfestivalspodcast.com/hubfs/Neighbor%20N8%20-%20MFP%20Headshot.png) Neighbor N8](https://musicfestivalspodcast.com/blog/author/neighbor-n8) : Dec 13, 2024 11:45:27 AM [Billy Strings Renewal](https://musicfestivalspodcast.com/blog/tag/billy-strings-renewal) [bluegrass festivals](https://musicfestivalspodcast.com/blog/tag/bluegrass-festivals) [mountain grass unit](https://musicfestivalspodcast.com/blog/tag/mountain-grass-unit) ![Mountain Grass Unit Talks Band Formation, Past Performances & Fests](https://musicfestivalspodcast.com/hubfs/MGU_Logo_FullColor_NoTexture+(1).png) Last week, we explored Nashville’s TuneHatch, a startup shaking up the live music industry. This week, I’m thrilled to share my conversation with the talented gentleman of **Mountain Grass Unit**. We dive into their journey as a band, their musical inspirations, and what’s ahead for them in 2025. ![MGU_Logo_FullColor_NoTexture+(1)](https://musicfestivalspodcast.com/hs-fs/hubfs/MGU_Logo_FullColor_NoTexture+(1).png?width=209&height=201&name=MGU_Logo_FullColor_NoTexture+(1).png)Later in the post, we’ll cover updates you should know on killer fests including the **Suwannee Amp Jam**, **Mountain Jam**, and the **Tico Time Bluegrass Festival**. And, as always, we’ll close out with our festival performance of the week to leave you on a high note. Let’s jump into it, starting with my chat with the guys from MGU...         ---   ## Music Festival News We're picking up steam for 2025 with more announcements hitting the web every day.  Because some of the updates take time, I've separated out the news section from the main podcast that airs on Friday's.  As of next week, you can catch the video version of the news in YouTube Shorts and on the new Music Festival News playlist as of next week. ![scott-hopkins](https://musicfestivalspodcast.com/hs-fs/hubfs/scott-hopkins.jpg?width=261&height=210&name=scott-hopkins.jpg)Likewise, if you are looking for even more news on festival recaps, performances and interviews, I definitely want you to check out [MusicFestNews.com](https://www.musicfestnews.com/). I met [Editor & Chief, Scott Hopkins](https://www.musicfestnews.com/our-team/), at the recent [Sunshine Hootenanny Music & Art Festival in Florida](https://www.musicfestnews.com/2024/12/sunshine-hootenanny-brilliant-debut/) (that link goes to his excellent and thorough recap of the inaugural event for this Spring fest...) and I am a huge fan of he and his diligent team's work in a wide variety of festivals. IN all honesty, Scott and his team of writers do a far better and more journalistically sound job of covering festival news than I do.  It was really enjoyable to rap with Scoot about his background, dead shows, stories about the late and great Phil Lesh, as well as other bands we love.  It's nice to connect with Neighbors who share passion for doing the nitty-gritty work to cover these events each season.   But, for my own take on Music Festival News for this week, I've picked 3 festivals that I believe you should know about. Aside from great line ups, beautiful venues and all kinds of other activities, these events have some amazing poster art for all you fellow poster collectors. 😎 Here we go... --- ### **![Music Fesivtal](https://musicfestivalspodcast.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Music%20Fesivtal.jpg?width=401&height=511&name=Music%20Fesivtal.jpg)** ### **Suwannee Amp Jam #1 2025** The inaugural **Suwannee Amp Jam** will take place March 6–8, 2025, at the stunning **Spirit of the Suwannee Music Park** in Live Oak, Florida. The venue is known locally for its lush surroundings and top-notch performance facilities, and hosting some of [Florida's most memorable festivals each year.](https://visitsuwannee.com/uncategorized/suwannee-annual-live-music-festivals)Annual fests at the venue include Suwannee Hulaween (diverse range of music genres, art installations, and interactive experiences), Suwannee Spring Reunion (traditional and contemporary roots), Suwannee Roots Revival (Americana, folk and bluegrass) and Resonate Suwannee (EDM). The Amp Jam is one of the newer music festivals to take place against the beautiful backdrop of the historic [Suwannee River](https://visitsuwannee.com/suwannee-river). the 2025 lineup is impressive and features **Gov’t Mule**, **Lettuce**, and **Dumpstaphunk** as headliners, with special guest performances by **John Scofield**, **Eric Krasno**, **Jennifer Hartswick**, and **George Porter Jr.**. The festival promises a unique mix of funk, jazz, and soul, capped by collaborative sets celebrating George Porter Jr.’s legendary career. Camping options include RV hookups and tent sites, providing a rustic yet comfortable experience. Tickets will be on sale soon, so keep an eye out for early bird deals. For updates and ticket details, visit [ampjams.com](https://www.ampjams.com). --- ### **![MJF-admat](https://musicfestivalspodcast.com/hs-fs/hubfs/MJF-admat.jpg?width=400&height=500&name=MJF-admat.jpg)Mountain Jam 2025** After a six-year hiatus, **Mountain Jam** is back from June 20–22, 2025, at the beautiful [Belleayre Mountain Ski Resort in Highmount, New York](https://www.belleayre.com/). This festival blends diverse music genres with outdoor adventure, creating a super unique and one-of-a-kind experience.  This festival has a rich history dating back to 2005 and has featured prominent artists across various genres, including rock, jam bands, blues, and reggae.  So, in it's 20th year, the lineup for next sumnmer's event is stacked with talent, including headliners **Khruangbin**, **Mt. Joy**, and **Joe Russo’s Almost Dead**. Other acts include **Trampled by Turtles**, **Michael Franti & Spearhead**, **[moe](https://youtu.be/7vnAxI8C3-A).**, **Molly Tuttle & Golden Highway**, and more. Belleayre Mountain’s scenic backdrop looks to add a lot to the festival’s overall vibe. Whether you’re camping on-site or staying nearby, this is an event you don’t want to miss. For ticket information, visit [mountainjamfestival.com](https://www.mountainjamfestival.com). --- ### **![Tico-Time-Bluegrass-Poster-2025-FOR-WEB-748x1200](https://musicfestivalspodcast.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Tico-Time-Bluegrass-Poster-2025-FOR-WEB-748x1200.jpg?width=360&height=578&name=Tico-Time-Bluegrass-Poster-2025-FOR-WEB-748x1200.jpg)Tico Time Bluegrass Festival 2025** From May 16–18, 2025, the Tico Time River Resort in Aztec, New Mexico, will host the **Tico Time Bluegrass Festival**. Nestled in the Animas River Valley, this festival offers a family-friendly mix of bluegrass music and outdoor activities.  This is also a festival hosted at a standing campground so you can likely enjoy all the regular facilities and comfort that comes with more permanent festival grounds, including RV hook ups, the availability of flush toilets and more permanent facility-based activities like water slides. Aside from RV's and glamping arrangements and nearby lodging, forest tent camping is also on the grounds which always makes for a great weekend for neighbors that want to be closer to nature. And, just like Nelson Ledges Quarry Park in Ohio, the main stage is sits directly adjacent to the beach! Trust me in that that additional venue perk always makes for a fantastic weekend! Next year's headliners include **The Infamous Stringdusters** (one of my long-time favorite bands), **Leftover Salmon**, and **Railroad Earth**, with support from **Tim O’Brien & Jan Fabricius**, **Peter Rowan**, and many, many others. Beyond the music, attendees can enjoy yoga workshops, paddleboarding, hiking, ziplining, and a [wide variety of fun, non-musical activities](https://ticotimebluegrass.com/on-site-activities-2/). Accommodations range from riverside camping and glamping to RV spots with full hookups. Tickets and details can be found at [https://ticotimebluegrass.com/](https://ticotimebluegrass.com/). --- ### Up Next Week That’s it for this week’s post and podcast episode. A big thank you to [Luke](https://www.instagram.com/lukeblack_music), [Drury](https://www.instagram.com/dlaw_jamz), [Sam](https://www.instagram.com/stwilson_music/) and [Josiah](https://www.instagram.com/josiah_nelson/) from [MGU](https://www.mountaingrassunit.com/) as well as [Linsey Thagard](https://www.linkedin.com/in/lindsey-rochelle-2021/) for helping to coordinate everything.  I'm grateful for each of you who tune in each week—there are now thousands of you across our platforms, which pretty cool. 😎 ![Sara & Nate with Trey Hensley @ CaveFest 2023 copy](https://musicfestivalspodcast.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Sara%20%26%20Nate%20with%20Trey%20Hensley%20@%20CaveFest%202023%20copy.jpeg?width=428&height=322&name=Sara%20%26%20Nate%20with%20Trey%20Hensley%20@%20CaveFest%202023%20copy.jpeg)If you’re enjoying the podcast, please rate the show wherever you listen. And if this is your first time here, welcome! I’d love to have you join **The Neighborhood** by subscribing however suits you at [musicfestivalspodcast.com](https://musicfestivalspodcast.com). Next week, I'm talking with GRAMMY®-nominated musician and singer/songwriter and 2023 IBMA Guitar Player of the Year, [Trey Hensley](https://www.treyhensley.com/). It was a delightful conversation and I also have a lot of respect for Trey for how he balances being a touring musician with his duties as a husband a father. He's just an all-around good guy, so make sure to tune in for that conversation. You won't be disappointed... I hope to be your camp neighbor soon! - [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share) [![ETSU Bluegrass Pride Band: An Inside Look with Professor Dan Boner](https://musicfestivalspodcast.com/hubfs/professor%20dan%20boner.webp)](https://musicfestivalspodcast.com/blog/etsu-bluegrass-pride-band-professor-dan-boner) #### [ETSU Bluegrass Pride Band: An Inside Look with Professor Dan Boner](https://musicfestivalspodcast.com/blog/etsu-bluegrass-pride-band-professor-dan-boner) ![Picture of Neighbor N8](https://musicfestivalspodcast.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Neighbor%20N8%20-%20MFP%20Headshot.png?width=30&name=Neighbor%20N8%20-%20MFP%20Headshot.png) [Neighbor N8](https://musicfestivalspodcast.com/blog/author/neighbor-n8) : Jan 24, 2025 10:34:41 AM Heyo Neighbors—we're changing the strings on this week on the episode away from WinterWonderGrass. A few weeks back, I had the chance to sat down... [music festival venues](https://musicfestivalspodcast.com/blog/tag/music-festival-venues) [music festival news](https://musicfestivalspodcast.com/blog/tag/music-festival-news) [winter festivals](https://musicfestivalspodcast.com/blog/tag/winter-festivals) [Read More](https://musicfestivalspodcast.com/blog/etsu-bluegrass-pride-band-professor-dan-boner) [![Colorado Bluegrass Festivals & Campground Jams with Ms. Amy](https://musicfestivalspodcast.com/hubfs/ms%20amy%20and%20the%20jet%20set%20colorado%20bluegrass%20band.jpg)](https://musicfestivalspodcast.com/blog/colorado-bluegrass-festivals-campground-jams) 4 min read #### [Colorado Bluegrass Festivals & Campground Jams with Ms. Amy](https://musicfestivalspodcast.com/blog/colorado-bluegrass-festivals-campground-jams) ![Picture of Neighbor N8](https://musicfestivalspodcast.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Neighbor%20N8%20-%20MFP%20Headshot.png?width=30&name=Neighbor%20N8%20-%20MFP%20Headshot.png) [Neighbor N8](https://musicfestivalspodcast.com/blog/author/neighbor-n8) : Nov 1, 2024 10:43:31 AM Episode 14 of the Music Festivals Podcast features my chat with the incredibly talented Ms. Amy Heron, a picker and singer in in the Colorado... [Buena Vista CO](https://musicfestivalspodcast.com/blog/tag/buena-vista-co) [bluegrass festivals](https://musicfestivalspodcast.com/blog/tag/bluegrass-festivals) [Colorado](https://musicfestivalspodcast.com/blog/tag/colorado) [Read More](https://musicfestivalspodcast.com/blog/colorado-bluegrass-festivals-campground-jams) [![Watermelon Pickers' Fest in Berryville, VA — 2026 Festival Preview](https://musicfestivalspodcast.com/hubfs/2025.09.06-Watermelon%20Pickers%20Photos%20(MFP)%20FINALS%20(1).jpg)](https://musicfestivalspodcast.com/blog/watermelon-pickers-2026-festival-preview) #### [Watermelon Pickers' Fest in Berryville, VA — 2026 Festival Preview](https://musicfestivalspodcast.com/blog/watermelon-pickers-2026-festival-preview) ![Picture of Neighbor N8](https://musicfestivalspodcast.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Neighbor%20N8%20-%20MFP%20Headshot.png?width=30&name=Neighbor%20N8%20-%20MFP%20Headshot.png) [Neighbor N8](https://musicfestivalspodcast.com/blog/author/neighbor-n8) : Jun 28, 2026 12:26:05 PM In this episode of Music Festivals Podcast, I sat down with promoter Stacy Sinclair for a preview of the 2026 Watermelon Pickers’ Fest in Berryville,... [festival venue preview](https://musicfestivalspodcast.com/blog/tag/festival-venue-preview) [music festival news](https://musicfestivalspodcast.com/blog/tag/music-festival-news) [MFP Brand Partner](https://musicfestivalspodcast.com/blog/tag/mfp-brand-partner) [Read More](https://musicfestivalspodcast.com/blog/watermelon-pickers-2026-festival-preview) ##### About Music Festivals Podcast About Music Festivals Podcast ![NeighborN8 No Background](https://musicfestivalspodcast.com/hs-fs/hubfs/NeighborN8%20No%20Background.png?width=323&height=242&name=NeighborN8%20No%20Background.png) I'm your host [@neighborN8fests](https://www.instagram.com/neighborn8fests/) (follow me on Instagram) and I am stoked to be your neighbor in this little festival adventure we're on.  Join me every Friday as we dive into the music festival scene with onsite footage, interviews, performances and even festival camping hacks so that you can know before you go... Music Festivals Podcast is a weekly podcast with new episodes every Friday everywhere you get your podcasts. Find daily videos of live festival performances and more on the [YouTube Channel.](https://www.youtube.com/channel/UClgQs3tJlctNKPDLJ0_Fgyg) Want to get in touch? [Email Neighbor Nate.](mailto:neighborn8@musicfestivalspodcast.com) ##### Featured Festival Highlights Featured Festival Highlights   - Privacy Policy - Become a Guest - Sponsor a Season © 2026 Music Festivals Podcast is a production of NRMedia Group, LLC | All Rights Reserved ```json { "@context" : "https://schema.org", "@type" : "BlogPosting", "author" : { "@type" : "Person", "name" : "Neighbor N8", "url" : "https://musicfestivalspodcast.com/blog/author/neighbor-n8" }, "dateModified" : "2024-12-13T16:45:27.240Z", "datePublished" : "2024-12-13T16:45:27.000Z", "headline" : "Mountain Grass Unit Talks Band Formation, Past Performances & Fests", "image" : [ "https://musicfestivalspodcast.com/hubfs/MGU_Logo_FullColor_NoTexture+(1).png" ], "mainEntityOfPage" : { "@id" : "https://musicfestivalspodcast.com/blog/mountain-grass-unit-talks-band-formation-past-performances-fests", "@type" : "WebPage" }, "publisher" : { "@type" : "Organization", "logo" : { "@type" : "ImageObject", "url" : "https://musicfestivalspodcast.com/hubfs/MFP%20Logo%20-%20Stage%202%20Flat%20Black%20Orange-2.jpg" } } } ```