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Winery's Bluegrass Fest Brings Hundreds to Oregon Coast in August

Outdoor scene at the winery

(Nehalem, Oregon) – It all started as an impromptu showcase of bluegrass musicians from a nearby band camp, but quickly became its own large festival after people driving by wanted to check it out too.

On Wednesday, August 15, Nehalem Bay Winery will hold its 13th annual Bluegrass ‘n’ BBQ, a festival that includes big name bluegrass players, up-and-comers, families, and a lot of food and wine.

This year’s event will feature Grammy-nominated musician Laurie Lewis, mandolin player Tom Rozum, a collection of big names from the Ashland area called Super Lucky Cats and a group of teenage sisters called The Emmons Sisters. The dinner runs from 5 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., and the music starts at 6 p.m. Price is $30 with dinner, $20 for music only.

Tom Rozum and Laurie Lewis at right, with David Grisman at far left

Nehalem Bay Winery manager Melissa Stetzel said this year’s dinner would include fish, chicken and various side dishes. Wine from the winery and beer will also be for sale.

What began as an informal show in 1994 has blossomed into one of the biggest music festivals on the Oregon coast. Some years have seen as many as 800 attendees at this charming little place, nestled between the lush hills of the coast range hills, serene pastures and the beach. It’s not hard to imagine you’re in the winemaking regions of France or Germany in these surroundings.

Yet it’s very much a family affair, with plenty of kids – and almost as many dogs – running around this outdoor event that is very pet friendly.

David Grisman performs at the winery

It has always been closely connected to the Bluegrass at the Beach band camp for bluegrass players, which happens every August in Nehalem, at the North County Recreation Center. There, some big names – like Lewis and Rozum – regularly teach students of all ages about bluegrass music. Lewis is actually the program coordinator for this unusual band camp on the north Oregon coast.

Every year, those teaching the courses are the bands that perform at Bluegrass ‘n’ BBQ.

“It started with that workshop in Nehalem,” Stetzel said. “The teachers wanted to put on a show for the students, and they asked us if they could use our stage. Pretty fast, people driving by would notice what was going on and wanted in on it. That’s how the festival was born.”

Nehalem Bay Winery

Past festivals have featured national bluegrass acts like Austin Lounge Lizards and Hit and Run. David Grisman – the bluegrass legend and progenitor of “dawg” music, has been a regular at many of these shows over the years.

The festival is always held on a Wednesday, in the middle of the week. This has created some confusion, where a few visitors each year assume the performances happen on a weekend. “We really have to work hard to spotlight that it’s on a Wednesday,” Stetzel said.

Laurie Lewis was nominated for a Grammy for the 1996 album, "The Oak and the Laurel," which also featured Tom Rozum. She is a multi-instrumentalist, playing fiddle, guitar and upright bass, as well as a talented singer/songwriter who is always praised for her interpretations of traditional music as well as her own material.

Laurie Lewis and her band, performing at the winery in 2003

Mandolin player Tom Rozum is a long-time fixture on the Bay Area music scene and a cohort of Lewis for many years. He recently released his solo debut album, "Jubilee" - a deft mixture of bluegrass, old time and western swing.

Lewis and Rozum headline the festival.

Also on the bill is a super group of sorts from the Ashland area: Super Lucky Cats. Members only get together for this group for special festivals. During the rest of the year, they are members of bands like Borderline, Siskiyou Summit and Out of the Blue – the house band for “Prairie Home Companion.”

The Emmons Sisters is a bluegrass/gospel group comprised for four sisters from Grants Pass, who are ages 13, 15, 17, and 19.

The Nehalem Bay Winery is located on Highway 53, one mile from Highway 101, between Wheeler and Nehalem. Advance tickets are on sale now. Call 888-368-9463.

Nehalem Bay Winery’s Bluegrass ‘n’ BBQ
Wednesday, August 15
Music at 6 p.m. Dinner 5 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.
Laurie Lewis and Tom Rozum
Super Lucky Cats
The Emmons Sisters
$30 with dinner, $20 for music only.
Dinner: fish, chicken and various side dishes. Wine and beer will also be for sale.
Nehalem Bay Winery
Hwy 53, between Wheeler and Nehalem
888-368-9463
www.nehalembaywinery.com

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