ETSU Bluegrass Pride Band: An Inside Look with Professor Dan Boner
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...
5 min read
Neighbor N8 : Jan 17, 2025 5:08:10 AM
Heyo Neighbors—my guest this week and her band are heating up the bluegrass scene in a big way. We’re continuing with another installment in the WinterWonderGrass 2025 Preview in a conversation with Deanie Richardson, long-time music industry veteran and fiddle player for Sister Sadie.
In Episode 25 of the Music Festivals Podcast, Deanie and I sat down to jam on her career, her band and music and her upbringing around the Nashville music scene that has shaped her exceptional career.
Her Nashville-based bluegrass band, Sister Sadie is one of the acts that will fire up the stage in Steamboat Springs next month. This stellar ensemble has gained national recognition as the IBMA Vocal Group of the Year three consecutive years (2019, 2020, 2021), also taking home the title of IBMA Entertainer of the Year in 2020, making them the first all-female bluegrass band to win this award in its 30-year history.
With a Grammy nomination for best bluegrass album for “No Fear” in 2024, the band has achieved remarkable success. Deanie, along with her talented bandmates—Gina Brit on banjo, Jaylee Roberts on guitar and vocals, Danny Flowers on guitar and vocals, Maddie Dalton on bass and vocals, and the latest addition Rainey Miyatka on mandolin—have concocted a sound that’s both robust and inviting.
Deanie herself was Nominated for the Academy of Country Music Awards Top Fiddle Player of the Year in 2010, and has appeared on shows nationally syndicated shows like Letterman, Leno, Conan, and the even the Today Show. Over the course of her career, she performed at prestigious venues such as Kennedy Center, Carnegie Hall, London's Royal Albert Hall and multiple times at the Grand Ole Opry.
Our conversation covers a lot of ground including the band's formation and evolution, their new EP, a new record in the works for 2025 and their upcoming appearance at WinterWonderGrass.
The Point Break Music Festival is scheduled to take place on June 21-22, 2025, along the scenic boardwalk of Virginia Beach, VA.
This festival takes place on the scenic Virginia Beach boardwalk, and features a blend of music, art, and cultural activities to keep you entertained in between sets. To get a feel for the video of this beach fest, check out photos from previous years on their Instagram Profile.
According the the FAQs on the festival's website, gates open each day at 1 PM, with re-entry permitted until 6 PM. This year's line up includes Slightly Stoopid and StickFigure with appearances from SOJA, Iration and 311.
In it's 5th year, the festival site is well-equipped with various amenities including ADA accessible entrances and facilities, plus multiple free water stations to keep attendees hydrated. For those planning to stay for both days, there are several hotel accommodations nearby, providing convenient options for visitors traveling from out of town. For more details or to purchase tickets, you can visit the official Point Break Music Festival website at pointbreakfestival.com.
The Northlands Music & Arts Festival, set to occur from June 13-15, 2025 at the picturesque Cheshire Fairgrounds in Swanzey, NH. With an out-of-this world lineup, this festival may be the best value you'll get all season.
Known for its cozy, community-focused atmosphere this year lineup The String Cheese Incident, Umphrey's McGee, and moe. alongside other notable acts like Mountain Grass Unit, Kitchen Dwellers, Karina Rykman, Holly Bowling and Daniel Donato's Cosmic Country.
The event provides a variety of experiences, including the Maple Barn Sessions, which showcase intimate performances, kids activities and campground wellness programs—all adding a unique touch to the festival's overall vibe.
For those planning to attend, various ticket options are available, including layaway plans. Attendees can also enjoy the comfort of nearby lodging options if they don't want to camp. More information about the festival, its offerings, and ticket purchasing can be found on the Northlands Music & Arts Festival website at www.northlandslive.com.
Camp Navarro is set to host the Camp Redwoods Music Campout from August 15-17, 2025 in Navarro, CA. You can find multiple video tours of this incredibly unique venue.
Camp Redwoods Music Campout has been designed as an end-of-summer musical retreat where attendees can enjoy not only the serene environment of the redwoods but also an array of performances on three stages and intimate campfire settings. The festival venue offers spacious camping and glamping options, along with outdoor showers, various onsite activities and some great trails for your exploration.
The event maintains a limited capacity to ensure an intimate atmosphere, encouraging attendees to engage closely with both the natural surroundings and the musical performances. Festival passes include access to all musical events, BYO tent camping, parking, nightly campfires with s’mores, and other recreational activities.
For more detailed information about the event, including additional ticket options and festival rules, you can visit Camp Navarro’s official website at www.campnavarro.com/campout.
Heading into it's 7th year, the annual Lazy Jam Music Festival is scheduled for September 18-21, 2025, in it';s usual spot at Lazy Acres in Hartsville, IN.
Eager attendees can secure their tickets early through Blind Faith Tickets available now at CincyTicket. These tickets are priced at $100 and include the convenience of camping by your car.
For those bringing RVs, a limited number of non-electric RV passes are available for $80, with only 5 spots remaining. An additional option for early arrivals on Thursday, September 18th, is available for $20.
With only 50 Blind Faith Tickets at the special price of $100, attendees are encouraged to purchase early. This is a secret gem of a music festival that feels like a backyard campout. Already, 50% of these tickets have been sold within just past two days.
Ticket prices are set to increase once these are sold out. This small, intimate festival brings amazing bands and offers a close-knit atmosphere and is an excellent opportunity for music lovers to enjoy the late summer vibes in a beautiful outdoor setting. Secure your spot before prices go up at www.cincyticket.com/lazyjam7
Thank you for tuning in each week. If you are reading this, you are part of a growing neighborhood of 5000+ other folks who absolutely love the vibes, the people and the music at festivals each year.
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Next week, we're going to shift gears into musical education — I am talking with Professor Dan Boner from the East Tennessee State University Bluegrass Pride Band. When it comes to collegiate bluegrass programs, ETSU's Old-Time and Roots Music program has been called "the nationwide gold standard" and has been a leading institution for bluegrass, old-time, and country music in higher education since 1982.
Professor Dan not only teaches in the program—he's also alumni, and an award-winning alumni at that. Other guests on previous music festival podcast episodes who have ties to ETSU include none other than Trey Hensley who is up for another Grammy this year. Josiah Nelson, fiddle player for Mountain Grass Unit also graduated from the program and now teaches as an instructor.
If you follow the show, you know I got to see the ETSU Bluegrass Pride Band preform at this past year's Industrial Strength Bluegrass Festival, so I can tell you first hand that Dan is doing a lot of great work with his amazingly talented students. And, that important work is what will keep folks like you and I entertained for many years to come.
If you found this website for the first time on a Google Search, I’d love to have you join The Neighborhood. This is the twice monthly email newsletter that also gets you some exclusive insider content as well as discounts and deals only available in your email inbox.
Within the month of January, you'll notice a new contests page on the site that will house ticket giveaways for various festivals throughout the year, including CaveJam, WinterWonderGrass, InkCarceration, the Sunshine Get Down and many more to come. Make sure to get on the list so that you can enter to win free passes to some killer fests!
You can also connect with me on Instagram @neighborn8fests or drop me an email with suggestions, new festival tips, or just to say “heyo.” If you see me out at a fest, don’t hesitate to come say hello.
So that you know I am serious, check out this performance "Gonna Paint this Town" by The Stanley Brothers, preformed just this past year at the Roberts Convention Center in Wilmington, Ohio.
The ETSU Bluegrass Pride band was joined by 15-year-old bluegrass mandolin sensation, Wyatt Ellis, who has been making waves in the bluegrass community with his extraordinary talent. You'll also see Dan pick with the group, showcasing his own impressive skills.
Video Credit: Music Festivals Podcast
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