A timeline of the history of bluegrass & old-time music in the San Francisco Bay Area: 1959-2001
NOTE: album releases in italics
1959
Redwood Canyon Ramblers form, are active through 1963. Original members: Mayne Smith, Scott Hambly, Neil Rosenberg, Pete Berg; later members included Betty Acyrigg (Mann), Franklin Miller III, Al Ross, Sandy Rothman, and Tom Glass. Neil's history of the RCR is here. Sandy Rothman wrote a 4-part history of the band for Bluegrass Unlimited, but it is unavailable online.
1960
Redwood Canyon Ramblers concert at Washington School, Berkeley on Aug. 27; band included Franklin Miller III and Tom Glass.
1961
- Concert with the Redwood Canyon Ramblers and Vern & Ray & the Carroll County Boys on Dec. 2 at Washington School, Berkeley.
- Release (on Starday) of a four-song EP by Vern & Ray & the Carroll County Country Boys. Ray Park and Vern Williams were joined by Clyde Williamson (who wrote “Cabin on a Mountain”), Luther Riley (“Bluegrass Style," “Carroll County Breakdown”), and Bill Carter. Vern & Ray's own “Thinking of Home” was the fourth track on the release. Matt Dudman's history of Vern Williams and Ray Park is here. Go here for Barry Brower's 1986 Bluegrass Unlimited article on Vern, as well as the transcription of a 1984 interview with him on which the article is based.
1962
- Formation of The Pine Ridge Ramblers (Sandy Rothman, Rick Shubb, and others).
- Formation of various old time bands with Jerry Garcia, including the Thunder Mountain Tub Thumpers and an unnamed group that included Ken Frankel, Joe Edminston, and Jim Edminston.
- Formation of The Hart Valley Drifters with Jerry Garcia, Robert Hunter, Ken Frankel, Jim Edminston.
- Sept. 21: the Stanley Brothers & the Clinch Mountain Boys play Garfield Junior High, Berkeley
- Nov. 11: the Hart Valley Drifters (Jerry Garcia, Robert Hunter, David Nelson, Ken Frankel, Norman Van Mastricht) records a show for the Stanford radio station. Released in 2016 as Folk Time (Round/ATO Records), which was the name of the radio show.
1963
- May 10 & 11: Bill Monroe & the Blue Grass Boys play Napredak Hall (Santa Clara) and Garfield Junior High (Berkeley).
Formation of several bands, including:
- The Westport Singers (Butch Waller, Herb Pedersen, Rich Conley, Dale Hollis)
- The Wildwood Boys (Jerry Garcia, David Nelson, Bob Hunter), who win the amateur band contest at the Monterey Folk Festival; Ken Frankel was in the band for that event.
- The Black Mountain Boys (Jerry Garcia, David Nelson, Eric Thompson)
1964
- The Pine Valley Boys (Butch Waller, Herb Pedersen, David Nelson) - later with Richard Greene - replaces the Westport Singers.
- Sandy Rothman replaces Eric Thompson (who goes to New York and plays with David Grisman) in The Black Mountain Boys.
- The Asphalt Jungle Mountain Boys (with Eric Thompson, Jody Stecher, and Jerry Garcia) debut.
- April 16-19: Kentucky Colonels play The Cabale, Berkeley
1965
- An unnamed band with Jody Stecher, Sandy Rothman, Fred Sokolow, Brantley Kearns, and Bing Nathan forms.
1966
Formation of The Smokey Grass Boys with David Grisman, Herb Petersen, Rick Shubb, Jill Haber.
July 2-3: The Greenbrier Boys with Frank Wakefield play the Berkeley Folk Festival
Late 1960s
- Vern & Ray (with, among others, Herb Pedersen, Rick Shubb, and Markie Sanders) are active.
- Formation of many bands, including:
- Styx River Ferry with Bob & Ingrid Fowler (plus Chuck Wiley, Ed Dye, Bruce Nemerov, Ed Neff, Bill McClellan, Gene Tortora, Robbie Macdonald, Marty Lanham); Bob & Ingrid convince Paul Lampert to begin presenting bluegrass at Paul's Saloon, SF.
- Dr. Humbead’s New Tranquility String Band with Sue Draheim, Mac Benford, Jim Bamford, Will Spires.
- Diesel Ducks with Eric Thompson, Sue Rosenberg, Hank Bradley, Rick Shubb.
- The Caffrey Family band.
- Yreka Bakery with Eric Thompson, Jody Stecher and Sue Draheim.
1968
- Butch Waller founds High Country with Mylos Sonka; some of those playing with them during the first year: Rick Shubb, David Nelson, Herb Pederson, and Bill Kirchen. After Mylos' departure, Butch forms a full band -- which continues to thrive. Debut performance (Butch & Mylos) at the Freight on Nov. 1st.
- July 25 (or 24): First performances at the Freight and Salvage in Berkeley; it also continues to thrive.
- Sept. 27-29: Flatt & Scruggs play the Avalon Ballroom, SF
1969
- Paul Lampert opens Paul's Saloon in the Marina district of San Francisco, establishing a home for bluegrass seven nights a week.
- Feb. 17-19: Mike Seeger plays the Freight & Salvage, Berkeley
- July, Aug., Oct., and Dec.: Vern & Ray play nine nights at the Freight & Salvage, Berkeley (plus four more dates in early 1970)
- Aug. 26-28: New Lost City Ramblers plays the Freight & Salvage, Berkeley
- Sept. 5: Hedy West plays the Freight & Salvage, Berkeley
Early 1970s
- The Homestead Act, Western Union, and The Caffrey Family often play a live broadcast from The Orphanage, 807 Montgomery St., SF, Saturdays on KNEW with DJ Mick Seeber.
- Many bands form, including:
- The Tonto Basin Boys with Paul King, Pat Enright (Nashville Bluegrass Band), Joe Zumwalt, and Robbie Macdonald.
- The Phantoms of the Opry with Pat Enright, plus (at one time or another) Chuck Wiley, Joe Zumwalt, Robbie Macdonald, Paul Shelasky, Gene Tortora, Brantley Kearns, and Laurie Lewis.
- The Arkansas Sheiks with Karana Hattersly, plus (at one time or another) Hoyle Osborne, Michael Drayton, Paul Shelasky, Laurie Lewis, Kate Brislin, Tony Marcus, Barbara Mendelsohn, and Tom Marion.
- Skunk Cabbage with Tom Rigney, Bob Bruen, Marc Brinitzer, Don Laughland, Steve Gallagher, and Dave Carpent.
- Fat City String Band (later the Highwoods String Band) with Mac Benford, Walt Koken, and Bob Potts.
- The Hired Hands with Rick Shubb, Markie Sanders, Rich Wilbur
- Elmo & Patsy/The Homestead Act (with John & Lynn Hedgecoth)
- The Boomtown Lulus [later Boomtown] with George Martin, John Kasley, Tom Vallowe, Jerry Long, David Garelick, and (later) Laurie Lewis.
- The Bear Creek Boys with Paul King, Joe Kimbro, Mark McCornack, Jeff Hawkins, Joe Billy Rudock, and Stanley Meidinger.
1970
Cuzin Al Knoth begins broadcasting bluegrass on KTAO; later his show was on KFAT, then KPIG, until his retirement in 2016. Al was also one of the "Monday Nite Bluegrass" DJs on KKUP until his retirement.
- Jan. 7-8: Bill Monroe & His Blue Grass Boys play the Freight & Salvage, Berkeley
- Feb. 28: Kilby Snow plays the Freight & Salvage, Berkeley
1971
album release: High Country: High Country (Raccoon/Warner Bros)
- May 7: Ralph Stanley & the Clinch Mountain Boys play the Freight & Salvage, Berkeley
1972
High Country: Dreams (Raccoon/Warner Bros)
1973
- The Fiction Brothers (Howie Tarnower and Alan Senauke) play regularly in SF; other members included Tom Stern, David Garelick, Dan Goldensohn, and Hal Hughes.
- David "Gus” Garelick hosts "Devil's Dream” KPFA for about 18 months; later hosts “The Fiddling Zone” on KCRB from 1998-2012.
- Old & In the Way (Jerry Garcia, Peter Rowan, David Grisman, Vassar Clements, and John Kahn) forms and plays gigs for a few months around San Francisco; four albums of live recordings have since been released.
1974
- The Golden State Country Bluegrass Festival takes place on April 26-28 at the Marin Veterans Memorial Building & Grounds, San Rafael. Produced by Judy Lammers, the performers include Jimmy Martin & the Sunny Mt. Boys, Ralph Stanley & the Clinch Mt. Boys, Jim & Jesse & the Virginia Boys, Doc & Merle Watson, Vassar Clements, Great American String Band, Old & In the Way, Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, Mac Wiseman, Merle Travis, Norman Blake & Tut Taylor, Frank Wakefield, Greenbriar Boys, Buck White & the Down Home Folks, Emmylou Harris, Doug Dillard & Donna Washburn, Ramblin’ Jack Elliot, Maria Muldar, High Country, Hired Hands, Phantoms Of the Opry, Skunk Cabbage, Bear Creek Boys, Western Union, Homestead Act, Cornbread, Steve Martin & John McEuen, … and others.
- Ray Edlund begins broadcasting “Pig In A Pen” on KPFA; it continues to thrive.
- Formation of The Great American Music Band aka the Great American String Band, predecessor of the David Grisman Quintet.
Jody Stecher: Snake Baked a Hoecake (Bay)
Vern & Ray: Sounds From the Ozarks (Old Homestead)
1975
- Good Ol' Persons begins as an all-women band with Dorothy Baxter, Barbara Mendelsohn, Sue Shelasky, Kathy Kallick, and Laurie Lewis. They are quickly gender-integrated, and have since included Paul Shelasky, John Reischman, Sally Van Meter, Markie Sanders, Bethany Raine, Beth Weil, Kevin Wimmer, Todd Phillips, and others. Their first show was at the Freight on 3-26-75, about six weeks after their open mic debut there.
- Formation of Fresh Picked with Joyce Hennessey, Steve Scott, Richard Brooks, John Kasley, George Martin.
- The California Bluegrass Association forms; performers at the first CBA sponsored-event (at the Fairfield Community Center on April 27): High Country, Phantoms of the Opry, Good Ol’ Persons, Ozark Standard, South Loomis Quickstep, The Caffrey Family, The Bear Creek Boys, Plowed Under, and The Overlook Mountain Boys.
1976
- Performers at the first CBA festival (June 18-20): Josh Graves, Good Ol' Persons, Vern Williams Band, Ray Park & Herb Pedersen, High Country, Caffrey Family, Bear Creek Boys, Long Valley Boys, New Depression String Band, Bill White, Touch Of Grass, Country Butter, and South Loomis Quickstep. The festival continues to takes place every Father's Day Weekend in Grass Valley.
- The Any Old Time String Band (Kate Brislin, Val Mindel, Genny Haley, Suzy Rothfield [Thompson]) forms, preceded briefly by The Beach Street Barn Dance Band (Kate Brislin, Val Mindel, Genny Haley, Linda Keane); later members of Any Old Time included Sandy Stark, Sue Draheim, Barbara Montoro, and Bethany Raine.
- Good Ol' Persons begin playing regularly at the Red Vest Pizza Parlor in El Cerrito, which became a bluegrass venue for the next 10 years.
- Formation of Done Gone, with Steve Pottier, Tom Bekeney, Sue Shelasky and Mark Hogan; later members: Don Humphries, Ed Neff
- Tom Diamant begins broadcasting “Panhandle Country” on KPFA; it continues to thrive.
- David Grisman Quintet steals the show at a Bread & Roses concert on Dec. 3rd.
David Grisman: The David Grisman Rounder Album (Rounder)
The Caffrey Family: Country Thoughts (Century Productions)
1977
- May 28: David Grisman Quintet records live album at the Great American Music Hall, SF.
- Oct.: Ralph Stanley & the Clinch Mountain Boys play the Great American Music Hall, SF.
The David Grisman Quintet: The David Grisman Quintet (Kaleidoscope)
Good Ol' Persons: Good Ol' Persons (Bay)
Any Old Time String Band: Any Old Time String Band (Arhoolie)
Jody Stecher: Going Up On the Mountain (Bay)
Country Ham: Country Ham (Vetco)
1978
- Formation of High & Lonesome with Pat Enright, Sandy Rothman, Ed Neff, Fred Weisz, Harry Yaglijian
- Oct.: Doc & Merle Watson record their Live & Pickin' album at the Great American Music Hall, SF.
- Oct. 22: Bill Monroe & the Blue Grass Boys play the Great American Music Hall, SF.
David Grisman: Hot Dawg (A&M)
1979
- Sidesaddle, another all-woman band, forms in San Jose. They remain active and resist gender-integration until the mid-'90s (adopting the name Sidesaddle & Co.)
- A Field Guide To Western Bands published in the CBA's Bluegrass Breakdown.
- March 5-6: David Grisman Quintet records a second live album at the Great American Music Hall, SF.
Done Gone: The Done Gone Band (Police) with Don Humphries, Tom Bekeny, Steve Pottier, Ed Neff, and Mark Hogan
High Country: Rough & Rocky (Storm)
Country Ham: Where the Mountain Laurel Blooms (Vetco)
Eric Thompson: Bluegrass Guitar (Kicking Mule)
Late 1970s & early ‘80s
- Old Friends (Kathy Kallick, Gene Tortora, Keith Little, Laurie Lewis, Nancy Josephson) forms; later included Eric Thompson, Beth Weil, and others.
- Oakum (Beth Weil, Brian Godchaux, Candy Godchaux, Alan Bond, Paul McBride) forms.
- Heartland, whose members included founder Amy Stenberg, plus Jim Nunally, Alison Brown, Tony Furtado, Rob Ickes, Debbie Cotter, John Blasquez, and Tom Enguidenos, never recorded, but was often heard at the Red Vest Pizza Parlor.
- Having left the Grisman Quintet, guitarist Tony Rice remains in the area, recording with Mike Marshall, Todd Phillips, John Reischman, and others, releasing Mar West in 1980, Still Inside in 1981, and Backwaters (1982), all for Rounder.
1980
Frank Wakefield: Blues Stay Away From Me (Takoma) with Keith Little, Kathy Kallick, Darol Anger, Markie Sanders, Todd Phillips, Paul Shelasky, Sue Shelasky, and others
Frank Wakefield: End of the Rainbow (Bay)
Country Ham: My Old Paint Mare (Vetco)
1981
Vern Williams Band: Bluegrass From the Gold Country (Rounder) with Delbert Williams, Keith Little, Ed Neff, and Kevin Thompson
A Touch Of Grass: A Touch Of Grass (Matador Records) with Bob Lawrence, Mike Sanders, Paul Sisi, Bert; liner notes by Cuzin Al.
1982
- The Santa Cruz Bluegrass Society is formed to promote and present bluegrass & related music.
- The first Strawberry Bluegrass (sic) Festival is held at Leland Meadows in Yosemite on Sept. 3rd. The Good Ol' Persons and High Country headline. The festival moved to Camp Mather the next year, and changed its name from 'Bluegrass' to 'Music' in 1989.
Blue Flame Stringband: Blue Flame Stringband (Flying Fish) with Eric & Suzy Thompson, Kate Brislin, Alan Senauke, and Beth Weil
Peter Rowan: The Walls Of Time (Sugar Hill)
1983
- Formation of Grass Menagerie with Sean Brennan, Rick Cornish, Ron Cotnam, Bill Schneiderman, and Bill Hamburgen
Grant Street String Band: Grant Street String Band (Bonita) with Laurie Lewis, Beth Weil, Greg Townsend, Tom Bekeny, Steve Krouse
Any Old Time: Ladies' Choice (Bay)
Good Ol' Persons: I Can't Stand To Ramble (Kaleidoscope)
Here Today (with David Grisman, Herb Pedersen, Vince Gill): Here Today (Rounder)
Rose Maddox & the Vern Williams Band: Beautiful Bouquet (Arhoolie)
David Grisman: Acoustic Christmas (Rounder)
1984
High Country: Home To Me (Swallow)
Country Ham: Songs Of Yesterday (Vetco)
1985
- The Golden Gate Bluegrass Quartet (Jody Stecher, Kate Brislin, Fred Sokolow, Brantley Kearns) forms.
- The Bay Ramblers (Sandy Rothman, Alan Senauke, Tom Bekeny, Markie Sanders, Paul Shelasky) are active.
Good Ol' Persons: Part Of A Story (Kaleidoscope)
Peter Rowan: The First Whippoorwill (Sugar Hill)
Sidesaddle: Saratoga Gap (Faultline)
1986
- Jan. 18: first Santa Cruz Bluegrass Society show at Redwood Estates Pavilion (Grant Street String Band & Tim O'Brien)
- April 4: Good Ol’ Persons’ last show at Red Vest Pizza, El Cerrito
Laurie Lewis: Restless Rambling Heart (Flying Fish)
Eric Thompson & Alan Senauke: Two Guitars (Flying Fish)
1987
Jerry Garcia Acoustic Band: Almost Acoustic (Grateful Dead) with Sandy Rothman, David Nelson, John Kahn, and Kenny Kosek
High Country: Blue Highway (Turquoise)
1988
David Grisman & Friends: Home Is Where the Heart Is (Rounder)
Peter Rowan & NBB: New Moon Rising (Sugar Hill)
Eric & Suzy Thompson: Adam & Eve Had the Blues (Arhoolie)
Country Ham: Anchored In Love (Vetco)
Sidesaddle: The Girl From The Red Rose Saloon (Turquoise)
1989
- Oct. 14: Last event in the Redwood Estates Pavilion (SCBS concert with Good Ol' Persons), 3 days before the Loma Prieta earthquake
- The All-Girl Boys (Mary Gibbons, Chris Lewis, Carolyn Cirimele, Debby Cotter, and Kathy Barwick) begin.
Jody Stecher & Kate Brislin: A Song That Will Linger (Rounder)
Good Ol' Persons: Anywhere The Wind Blows (Kaleidoscope)
High Country: Sunset On the Prairie (Turquoise)
Laurie Lewis: Love Chooses You (Flying Fish)
Blue Rose: Blue Rose (Sugar Hill) with Laurie Lewis, Sally Van Meter, Cathy Fink, Marcy Marxer, and Molly Mason
1990
- David Grisman forms Acoustic Disc Records
Laurie Lewis & Grant Street: Singin' My Troubles Away (Flying Fish) with Tom Rozum, Scott Nygaard, Tony Furtado, Tammy Fassaert
Scott Nygaard: No Hurry (Rounder)
Peter Rowan: The First Whippoorwill (Sugar Hill)
Peter Rowan: Dust Bowl Children (Sugar Hill)
Various Artists: The Bluegrass Suspects (Kaleidoscope) - earlier recordings of the Good Ol' Persons, Peter Rowan & Tony Rice, Don Reno & Family, Frank Wakefield
1991
- Paul's Saloon closes, an event that many consider the death of bluegrass in San Francisco. The last band to perform at Paul’s: The Rhythm Rasslers (Evan Morgan, Ed Neff, Gerry Szostak, Jeff King, and Mark Hogan).
- Redwood Bluegrass Associates begins presenting national and regional band in concerts and workshops in the South Bay. First show (on Nov. 2nd) is with Alison Krauss & Union Station at the Old Town Theater, Los Gatos. The RBA continues to thrive until 2017; a list of all its presentations can be found here.
Laurie Lewis & Kathy Kallick: Together (Kaleidoscope)
Kathy Kallick: What Do You Dream About? (Kaleidoscope)
Sandy Rothman & Steve Pottier: Bluegrass Guitar Duets (Tone Bar/Sierra)
Jody Stecher & Kate Brislin: Blue Lightning (Rounder)
David Grisman, Red Allen, Herb Pedersen, Jerry Garcia, et al: Bluegrass Reunion (Acoustic Disc)
Peter Rowan: The Walls Of Time (Sugar Hill)
Peter Rowan: All On a Rising Day (Sugar Hill)
Sidesaddle: Daylight Train (Turquoise)
Due West: Due West (Musix)
1993
- July 25: final broadcast of Bay Area Bluegrass on KCSM
- Jerry Garcia, David Grisman, and Tony Rice make home recordings which are "borrowed" by a pizza delivery person. The tapes circulate as bootlegs, later to be released by Acoustic Disc as "The Pizza Tapes." (2000)
Laurie Lewis: True Stories (Rounder)
Jody Stecher & Kate Brislin: Our Town (Rounder)
Sandy Rothman: The Old Road to Home (Tone Bar) with Steve Pottier, Brian Godchaux, Paul Knight, Butch Waller, Larry Cohea
Kathy Kallick: Matters Of the Heart (Sugar Hill)
John Reischman: North Of the Border (Rounder)
Rich Wilbur: In the City (Sophronie)
Peter Rowan: Awake Me In the New World (Sugar Hill)
Country Ham: I'll Be Leaving (Vetco)
Live At Grass Valley (Wolf Mountain Music) with the Vern Williams Band, Good Ol' Persons, High Country, Kentucky Rose, All Girl Boys, Sawtooth Mountain Boys, Tenbrooks, and Coyote Brothers
1994
- The Santa Cruz Bluegrass Society hosts the first Good Old Fashioned Bluegrass Festival on July 8-10 at Bolado Park, Hollister; the focus then (and now) is on California- and Bay Area-based bands.
- The long-running Sunday afternoon show "Bay Area Bluegrass" is dropped as KCSM changes to an all-jazz format.
All Girl Boys: Heart's Desire (Wilder Shore)
Kathy Kallick: Use A Napkin (Not Your Mom) (Sugar Hill)
David Grisman & Tony Rice: Tone Poems (Acoustic Disc)
Peter Rowan & the Rowan Brothers: Tree On a Hill (Sugar Hill)
The Tony Rice Unit: Acoustics (Rounder)
Rose Maddox: $35 and A Dream (Arhoolie)
Mid 1990s
- Dark Hollow begins playing bluegrass at Radio Valencia in the Mission district of San Francisco. The Crooked Jades join in, followed by High Country, helping establish a regular Sunday night bluegrass venue in the city.
- The Atlas Cafe in SF’s Potrero Hill starts hosting a monthly bluegrass & old-time jam.
1995
- "Bluegrass Signal," produced and hosted by Peter Thompson, debuts on KALW radio on Oct. 7th.
- Redwood Bluegrass Associates host IBMA’s regional conference (World West '95) in Palo Alto.
Laurie Lewis & Tom Rozum: The Oak & the Laurel (Rounder)
Todd Phillips: In the Pines (Gourd Music)
The Good Ol' Persons: Good 'N Live - A 20th Anniversary Collection (Sugar Hill)
Jody Stecher & Kate Brislin: Stay Awhile (Rounder)
Bill Evans: Native & Fine (Rounder)
Celebrating the First 20 Years (California Bluegrass Association); live recordings of Vern & Ray, The Vern Williams Band, Ray Park & Friends, Rose Maddox, High Country, Good Ol' Persons, The Done Gone Band, Bill White & Friends, Grant Street String Band, Country Ham, Sidesaddle, Kenny Hall & The Long Haul String Band, Tenbrooks, Piney Creek Weasels, Sally Van Meter Band, The Caffrey Family, and non-Californians like Joe Val and the New England Bluegrass Boys, Del McCoury Band, Bluegrass Cardinals, and Weary Hearts.
1996
- Bluegrass Grammy awarded to True Life Blues: The Songs Of Bill Monroe (Sugar Hill), produced by Todd Phillips, and featuring Laurie Lewis, Kathy Kallick, Peter Rowan, David Grisman, John Reischman, Jim Nunally, Scott Nygaard, and others; also won IBMA's Album Of the Year and Recorded Event Of the Year award.
Peter Rowan: Bluegrass Boy (Sugar Hill)
Kathy Kallick: Call Me A Taxi (Sugar Hill)
Scott Nygaard: Dreamer’s Waltz (Rounder)
Roanoke: Thoughts Of Home (Iris Cool) with Bob Smith, Mike Wilhoyte, Ed Neff, John Kael, Chris Lewis
Megan B. Lynch: It’s About Time (self)
Lone Prairie: Desert Flower (self)
Peter Rowan (and Jerry Douglas): Yonder (Sugar Hill)
1997
- Redwood Bluegrass Associates holds two benefits for Charles Sawtelle with performances by David Grisman, Peter Rowan, Herb Pedersen, and other California luminaries.
- Redwood Bluegrass Associates hosts the only North American show of Together, an all-women band (Laurie Lewis, Kathy Kallick, Lynn Morris, Sally Van Meter, and Markie Sanders) formed for a two-week tour of Japan.
- Redwood Bluegrass Associates encourages a Hazel Dickens and Alice Gerrard reunion, and presents them in concert with a band that includes Jody Stecher.
Jody Stecher & Kate Brislin: Heart Songs - The Old Time Country Songs of Utah Phillips (Rounder)
1998
High Country: The Earthquake (Strictly Country)
Laurie Lewis: Seeing Things (Rounder)
Tom Rozum: Jubilee (Signature Sounds)
Crooked Jades: Going to the Races (Crooked Music)
Country Ham: Carpenter's Mill (self)
Country Ham: Old Cane Press (self)
1999
- The Atlas Cafe (SF) begins to present bluegrass bands every Thursday night, due to an increasing interest in the music (as well as an increasing number of local bands).
- The Santa Cruz Bluegrass Society changes its name to the Northern California Bluegrass Society (NCBS), to reflect the growth of its membership throughout the Bay Area.
The Kathy Kallick Band: Walkin' In My Shoes (Live Oak)
John Reischman: Up In the Woods (Corvus)
Laurie Lewis & Tom Rozum: Winter's Grace (Signature Sounds)
Jody Stecher: Oh The Wind And Rain/Eleven Ballads (Appleseed)
Butch Waller: Golden Gate Promenade (Rebel) w/ Kathy Kallick, Laurie Lewis, Herb Pedersen, Keith Little, Ed Neff, Jim Nunally, Sandy Rothman, Bob Waller, Steve Pottier, and others
David Grisman, Mike Seeger, John Hartford: Retrograss (Acoustic Disc)
Late 1990s - early ‘00s
- New bands forming include The David Thom Band, stringbean, All Wrecked Up, The Waybacks, The Avocado Brothers, The Circle R Boys, Detour, Crane Canyon, Adobe Creek, True Blue, The Bluegrass Intentions, Belle Monroe & Her Brewglass Boys, The Stairwell Sisters, and The Kathy Kallick Band, plus a variety of duos (Dix Bruce & Jim Nunally, Keystone Crossing, Hoof Hearted, The MacRae Brothers) presenting music of the "brother duets."
- Other venues presenting bluegrass & old-time music include Sweetwater (Mill Valley - "Bluegrass Gold" series), The Last Day Saloon (SF - "Five A.R.M.S." series), 3300 Club (SF), Bitterroot (SF), Cafe Romano (Martinez), The Merry Prankster (La Honda), Sam's BBQ (San Jose), and the Willowbrook Ale House (Petaluma). The last two and Sweetwater (although not with the “Bluegrass Gold” series) remain open.
2000
- The first San Francisco Bluegrass (sic) Festival is held in February, highlighting new venues (including Radio Valencia and the Atlas) and new bands; features a reunion of the Blue Flame Stringband (see 1982 above) plus the Kathy Kallick Band and the Crooked Jades at the Noe Valley Ministry on Feb. 5th.
- Radio Valencia closes in June, despite the continuing success of their bluegrass series.
- Both David Grisman and Peter Rowan sit in with the Del McCoury Band at Del's RBA concert in Palo Alto.
Laurie Lewis: Laurie Lewis & Her Bluegrass Pals (Rounder)
Jody Stecher & Kate Brislin: Songs of The Carter Family (Appleseed)
The Waybacks: Devolver (Fiddling Cricket)
The David Thom Band: Plays Bluegrass (Swollen Records)
The Crooked Jades: Seven Sisters - A Kentucky Portrait (Crooked Music)
The Crooked Jades: The Unfortunate Rake, Volume One (Crooked Music)
2001
- Debut of the Strictly (sic) Bluegrass Festival in Golden Gate Park, SF, on Oct. 27th. Performers: Hazel Dickens, Alison Krauss, Dale Ann Bradley, and Emmylou Harris.
- The San Francisco Bluegrass & Old-Time Festival enters its 2nd year with a longer name and an expanded program, including more venues, more nationally touring acts, and a film series; features a reunion of the Any Old Time String Band (see 1976 above).
- The Pine Valley Boys (see 1964, above) reunite for a concert at the First Presbyterian Church Of Mountain View, the first show in what became Redwood Bluegrass Associates' home until 2015.
Keith Little: Distant Land To Roam (Copper Creek)
Bill Evans: Plays Banjo (Rounder)
Jerry Garcia & David Grisman: Grateful Dawg (Acoustic Disc)
Dark Hollow: Thrilling Stories (Hollow)
MacRae Brothers: Old Country Church (Squirty) - Matt Dudman & Jake Quesenberry, plus Sandy Rothman, Dave Earl, Jerry Campbell
O Sister - The Women’s Bluegrass Collection (Rounder) with Laurie Lewis, Kathy Kallick, and many others
Kathy Kallick: My Mother’s Voice (Copper Creek) with Laurie Lewis, Peter Rowan, Keith Little, Jody Stecher, Kate Brislin, John Reischman, Darol Anger, Sally Van Meter, Bill Evans, Lynn Morris, Claire Lynch, Ron Stewart, Jones & Leva, and members of the Kathy Kallick Band.
About these notes:
A significantly-abbreviated version of this timeline was compiled by the 2001 staff of the San Francisco Bluegrass & Old-Time Festival (Tom Lucas, Chris Ereneta, and Barbara Hansen), with input from many Bay Area bluegrass and old time musicians and observers. Like all information on the internet, it is rife with errors and omissions.
Please send your corrections, additions, deletions, rants, and revisionist histories to Peter Thompson <[email protected]>, who's adding to and updating this timeline.
NOTE: album releases in italics
1959
Redwood Canyon Ramblers form, are active through 1963. Original members: Mayne Smith, Scott Hambly, Neil Rosenberg, Pete Berg; later members included Betty Acyrigg (Mann), Franklin Miller III, Al Ross, Sandy Rothman, and Tom Glass. Neil's history of the RCR is here. Sandy Rothman wrote a 4-part history of the band for Bluegrass Unlimited, but it is unavailable online.
1960
Redwood Canyon Ramblers concert at Washington School, Berkeley on Aug. 27; band included Franklin Miller III and Tom Glass.
1961
- Concert with the Redwood Canyon Ramblers and Vern & Ray & the Carroll County Boys on Dec. 2 at Washington School, Berkeley.
- Release (on Starday) of a four-song EP by Vern & Ray & the Carroll County Country Boys. Ray Park and Vern Williams were joined by Clyde Williamson (who wrote “Cabin on a Mountain”), Luther Riley (“Bluegrass Style," “Carroll County Breakdown”), and Bill Carter. Vern & Ray's own “Thinking of Home” was the fourth track on the release. Matt Dudman's history of Vern Williams and Ray Park is here. Go here for Barry Brower's 1986 Bluegrass Unlimited article on Vern, as well as the transcription of a 1984 interview with him on which the article is based.
1962
- Formation of The Pine Ridge Ramblers (Sandy Rothman, Rick Shubb, and others).
- Formation of various old time bands with Jerry Garcia, including the Thunder Mountain Tub Thumpers and an unnamed group that included Ken Frankel, Joe Edminston, and Jim Edminston.
- Formation of The Hart Valley Drifters with Jerry Garcia, Robert Hunter, Ken Frankel, Jim Edminston.
- Sept. 21: the Stanley Brothers & the Clinch Mountain Boys play Garfield Junior High, Berkeley
- Nov. 11: the Hart Valley Drifters (Jerry Garcia, Robert Hunter, David Nelson, Ken Frankel, Norman Van Mastricht) records a show for the Stanford radio station. Released in 2016 as Folk Time (Round/ATO Records), which was the name of the radio show.
1963
- May 10 & 11: Bill Monroe & the Blue Grass Boys play Napredak Hall (Santa Clara) and Garfield Junior High (Berkeley).
Formation of several bands, including:
- The Westport Singers (Butch Waller, Herb Pedersen, Rich Conley, Dale Hollis)
- The Wildwood Boys (Jerry Garcia, David Nelson, Bob Hunter), who win the amateur band contest at the Monterey Folk Festival; Ken Frankel was in the band for that event.
- The Black Mountain Boys (Jerry Garcia, David Nelson, Eric Thompson)
1964
- The Pine Valley Boys (Butch Waller, Herb Pedersen, David Nelson) - later with Richard Greene - replaces the Westport Singers.
- Sandy Rothman replaces Eric Thompson (who goes to New York and plays with David Grisman) in The Black Mountain Boys.
- The Asphalt Jungle Mountain Boys (with Eric Thompson, Jody Stecher, and Jerry Garcia) debut.
- April 16-19: Kentucky Colonels play The Cabale, Berkeley
1965
- An unnamed band with Jody Stecher, Sandy Rothman, Fred Sokolow, Brantley Kearns, and Bing Nathan forms.
1966
Formation of The Smokey Grass Boys with David Grisman, Herb Petersen, Rick Shubb, Jill Haber.
July 2-3: The Greenbrier Boys with Frank Wakefield play the Berkeley Folk Festival
Late 1960s
- Vern & Ray (with, among others, Herb Pedersen, Rick Shubb, and Markie Sanders) are active.
- Formation of many bands, including:
- Styx River Ferry with Bob & Ingrid Fowler (plus Chuck Wiley, Ed Dye, Bruce Nemerov, Ed Neff, Bill McClellan, Gene Tortora, Robbie Macdonald, Marty Lanham); Bob & Ingrid convince Paul Lampert to begin presenting bluegrass at Paul's Saloon, SF.
- Dr. Humbead’s New Tranquility String Band with Sue Draheim, Mac Benford, Jim Bamford, Will Spires.
- Diesel Ducks with Eric Thompson, Sue Rosenberg, Hank Bradley, Rick Shubb.
- The Caffrey Family band.
- Yreka Bakery with Eric Thompson, Jody Stecher and Sue Draheim.
1968
- Butch Waller founds High Country with Mylos Sonka; some of those playing with them during the first year: Rick Shubb, David Nelson, Herb Pederson, and Bill Kirchen. After Mylos' departure, Butch forms a full band -- which continues to thrive. Debut performance (Butch & Mylos) at the Freight on Nov. 1st.
- July 25 (or 24): First performances at the Freight and Salvage in Berkeley; it also continues to thrive.
- Sept. 27-29: Flatt & Scruggs play the Avalon Ballroom, SF
1969
- Paul Lampert opens Paul's Saloon in the Marina district of San Francisco, establishing a home for bluegrass seven nights a week.
- Feb. 17-19: Mike Seeger plays the Freight & Salvage, Berkeley
- July, Aug., Oct., and Dec.: Vern & Ray play nine nights at the Freight & Salvage, Berkeley (plus four more dates in early 1970)
- Aug. 26-28: New Lost City Ramblers plays the Freight & Salvage, Berkeley
- Sept. 5: Hedy West plays the Freight & Salvage, Berkeley
Early 1970s
- The Homestead Act, Western Union, and The Caffrey Family often play a live broadcast from The Orphanage, 807 Montgomery St., SF, Saturdays on KNEW with DJ Mick Seeber.
- Many bands form, including:
- The Tonto Basin Boys with Paul King, Pat Enright (Nashville Bluegrass Band), Joe Zumwalt, and Robbie Macdonald.
- The Phantoms of the Opry with Pat Enright, plus (at one time or another) Chuck Wiley, Joe Zumwalt, Robbie Macdonald, Paul Shelasky, Gene Tortora, Brantley Kearns, and Laurie Lewis.
- The Arkansas Sheiks with Karana Hattersly, plus (at one time or another) Hoyle Osborne, Michael Drayton, Paul Shelasky, Laurie Lewis, Kate Brislin, Tony Marcus, Barbara Mendelsohn, and Tom Marion.
- Skunk Cabbage with Tom Rigney, Bob Bruen, Marc Brinitzer, Don Laughland, Steve Gallagher, and Dave Carpent.
- Fat City String Band (later the Highwoods String Band) with Mac Benford, Walt Koken, and Bob Potts.
- The Hired Hands with Rick Shubb, Markie Sanders, Rich Wilbur
- Elmo & Patsy/The Homestead Act (with John & Lynn Hedgecoth)
- The Boomtown Lulus [later Boomtown] with George Martin, John Kasley, Tom Vallowe, Jerry Long, David Garelick, and (later) Laurie Lewis.
- The Bear Creek Boys with Paul King, Joe Kimbro, Mark McCornack, Jeff Hawkins, Joe Billy Rudock, and Stanley Meidinger.
1970
Cuzin Al Knoth begins broadcasting bluegrass on KTAO; later his show was on KFAT, then KPIG, until his retirement in 2016. Al was also one of the "Monday Nite Bluegrass" DJs on KKUP until his retirement.
- Jan. 7-8: Bill Monroe & His Blue Grass Boys play the Freight & Salvage, Berkeley
- Feb. 28: Kilby Snow plays the Freight & Salvage, Berkeley
1971
album release: High Country: High Country (Raccoon/Warner Bros)
- May 7: Ralph Stanley & the Clinch Mountain Boys play the Freight & Salvage, Berkeley
1972
High Country: Dreams (Raccoon/Warner Bros)
1973
- The Fiction Brothers (Howie Tarnower and Alan Senauke) play regularly in SF; other members included Tom Stern, David Garelick, Dan Goldensohn, and Hal Hughes.
- David "Gus” Garelick hosts "Devil's Dream” KPFA for about 18 months; later hosts “The Fiddling Zone” on KCRB from 1998-2012.
- Old & In the Way (Jerry Garcia, Peter Rowan, David Grisman, Vassar Clements, and John Kahn) forms and plays gigs for a few months around San Francisco; four albums of live recordings have since been released.
1974
- The Golden State Country Bluegrass Festival takes place on April 26-28 at the Marin Veterans Memorial Building & Grounds, San Rafael. Produced by Judy Lammers, the performers include Jimmy Martin & the Sunny Mt. Boys, Ralph Stanley & the Clinch Mt. Boys, Jim & Jesse & the Virginia Boys, Doc & Merle Watson, Vassar Clements, Great American String Band, Old & In the Way, Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, Mac Wiseman, Merle Travis, Norman Blake & Tut Taylor, Frank Wakefield, Greenbriar Boys, Buck White & the Down Home Folks, Emmylou Harris, Doug Dillard & Donna Washburn, Ramblin’ Jack Elliot, Maria Muldar, High Country, Hired Hands, Phantoms Of the Opry, Skunk Cabbage, Bear Creek Boys, Western Union, Homestead Act, Cornbread, Steve Martin & John McEuen, … and others.
- Ray Edlund begins broadcasting “Pig In A Pen” on KPFA; it continues to thrive.
- Formation of The Great American Music Band aka the Great American String Band, predecessor of the David Grisman Quintet.
Jody Stecher: Snake Baked a Hoecake (Bay)
Vern & Ray: Sounds From the Ozarks (Old Homestead)
1975
- Good Ol' Persons begins as an all-women band with Dorothy Baxter, Barbara Mendelsohn, Sue Shelasky, Kathy Kallick, and Laurie Lewis. They are quickly gender-integrated, and have since included Paul Shelasky, John Reischman, Sally Van Meter, Markie Sanders, Bethany Raine, Beth Weil, Kevin Wimmer, Todd Phillips, and others. Their first show was at the Freight on 3-26-75, about six weeks after their open mic debut there.
- Formation of Fresh Picked with Joyce Hennessey, Steve Scott, Richard Brooks, John Kasley, George Martin.
- The California Bluegrass Association forms; performers at the first CBA sponsored-event (at the Fairfield Community Center on April 27): High Country, Phantoms of the Opry, Good Ol’ Persons, Ozark Standard, South Loomis Quickstep, The Caffrey Family, The Bear Creek Boys, Plowed Under, and The Overlook Mountain Boys.
1976
- Performers at the first CBA festival (June 18-20): Josh Graves, Good Ol' Persons, Vern Williams Band, Ray Park & Herb Pedersen, High Country, Caffrey Family, Bear Creek Boys, Long Valley Boys, New Depression String Band, Bill White, Touch Of Grass, Country Butter, and South Loomis Quickstep. The festival continues to takes place every Father's Day Weekend in Grass Valley.
- The Any Old Time String Band (Kate Brislin, Val Mindel, Genny Haley, Suzy Rothfield [Thompson]) forms, preceded briefly by The Beach Street Barn Dance Band (Kate Brislin, Val Mindel, Genny Haley, Linda Keane); later members of Any Old Time included Sandy Stark, Sue Draheim, Barbara Montoro, and Bethany Raine.
- Good Ol' Persons begin playing regularly at the Red Vest Pizza Parlor in El Cerrito, which became a bluegrass venue for the next 10 years.
- Formation of Done Gone, with Steve Pottier, Tom Bekeney, Sue Shelasky and Mark Hogan; later members: Don Humphries, Ed Neff
- Tom Diamant begins broadcasting “Panhandle Country” on KPFA; it continues to thrive.
- David Grisman Quintet steals the show at a Bread & Roses concert on Dec. 3rd.
David Grisman: The David Grisman Rounder Album (Rounder)
The Caffrey Family: Country Thoughts (Century Productions)
1977
- May 28: David Grisman Quintet records live album at the Great American Music Hall, SF.
- Oct.: Ralph Stanley & the Clinch Mountain Boys play the Great American Music Hall, SF.
The David Grisman Quintet: The David Grisman Quintet (Kaleidoscope)
Good Ol' Persons: Good Ol' Persons (Bay)
Any Old Time String Band: Any Old Time String Band (Arhoolie)
Jody Stecher: Going Up On the Mountain (Bay)
Country Ham: Country Ham (Vetco)
1978
- Formation of High & Lonesome with Pat Enright, Sandy Rothman, Ed Neff, Fred Weisz, Harry Yaglijian
- Oct.: Doc & Merle Watson record their Live & Pickin' album at the Great American Music Hall, SF.
- Oct. 22: Bill Monroe & the Blue Grass Boys play the Great American Music Hall, SF.
David Grisman: Hot Dawg (A&M)
1979
- Sidesaddle, another all-woman band, forms in San Jose. They remain active and resist gender-integration until the mid-'90s (adopting the name Sidesaddle & Co.)
- A Field Guide To Western Bands published in the CBA's Bluegrass Breakdown.
- March 5-6: David Grisman Quintet records a second live album at the Great American Music Hall, SF.
Done Gone: The Done Gone Band (Police) with Don Humphries, Tom Bekeny, Steve Pottier, Ed Neff, and Mark Hogan
High Country: Rough & Rocky (Storm)
Country Ham: Where the Mountain Laurel Blooms (Vetco)
Eric Thompson: Bluegrass Guitar (Kicking Mule)
Late 1970s & early ‘80s
- Old Friends (Kathy Kallick, Gene Tortora, Keith Little, Laurie Lewis, Nancy Josephson) forms; later included Eric Thompson, Beth Weil, and others.
- Oakum (Beth Weil, Brian Godchaux, Candy Godchaux, Alan Bond, Paul McBride) forms.
- Heartland, whose members included founder Amy Stenberg, plus Jim Nunally, Alison Brown, Tony Furtado, Rob Ickes, Debbie Cotter, John Blasquez, and Tom Enguidenos, never recorded, but was often heard at the Red Vest Pizza Parlor.
- Having left the Grisman Quintet, guitarist Tony Rice remains in the area, recording with Mike Marshall, Todd Phillips, John Reischman, and others, releasing Mar West in 1980, Still Inside in 1981, and Backwaters (1982), all for Rounder.
1980
Frank Wakefield: Blues Stay Away From Me (Takoma) with Keith Little, Kathy Kallick, Darol Anger, Markie Sanders, Todd Phillips, Paul Shelasky, Sue Shelasky, and others
Frank Wakefield: End of the Rainbow (Bay)
Country Ham: My Old Paint Mare (Vetco)
1981
Vern Williams Band: Bluegrass From the Gold Country (Rounder) with Delbert Williams, Keith Little, Ed Neff, and Kevin Thompson
A Touch Of Grass: A Touch Of Grass (Matador Records) with Bob Lawrence, Mike Sanders, Paul Sisi, Bert; liner notes by Cuzin Al.
1982
- The Santa Cruz Bluegrass Society is formed to promote and present bluegrass & related music.
- The first Strawberry Bluegrass (sic) Festival is held at Leland Meadows in Yosemite on Sept. 3rd. The Good Ol' Persons and High Country headline. The festival moved to Camp Mather the next year, and changed its name from 'Bluegrass' to 'Music' in 1989.
Blue Flame Stringband: Blue Flame Stringband (Flying Fish) with Eric & Suzy Thompson, Kate Brislin, Alan Senauke, and Beth Weil
Peter Rowan: The Walls Of Time (Sugar Hill)
1983
- Formation of Grass Menagerie with Sean Brennan, Rick Cornish, Ron Cotnam, Bill Schneiderman, and Bill Hamburgen
Grant Street String Band: Grant Street String Band (Bonita) with Laurie Lewis, Beth Weil, Greg Townsend, Tom Bekeny, Steve Krouse
Any Old Time: Ladies' Choice (Bay)
Good Ol' Persons: I Can't Stand To Ramble (Kaleidoscope)
Here Today (with David Grisman, Herb Pedersen, Vince Gill): Here Today (Rounder)
Rose Maddox & the Vern Williams Band: Beautiful Bouquet (Arhoolie)
David Grisman: Acoustic Christmas (Rounder)
1984
High Country: Home To Me (Swallow)
Country Ham: Songs Of Yesterday (Vetco)
1985
- The Golden Gate Bluegrass Quartet (Jody Stecher, Kate Brislin, Fred Sokolow, Brantley Kearns) forms.
- The Bay Ramblers (Sandy Rothman, Alan Senauke, Tom Bekeny, Markie Sanders, Paul Shelasky) are active.
Good Ol' Persons: Part Of A Story (Kaleidoscope)
Peter Rowan: The First Whippoorwill (Sugar Hill)
Sidesaddle: Saratoga Gap (Faultline)
1986
- Jan. 18: first Santa Cruz Bluegrass Society show at Redwood Estates Pavilion (Grant Street String Band & Tim O'Brien)
- April 4: Good Ol’ Persons’ last show at Red Vest Pizza, El Cerrito
Laurie Lewis: Restless Rambling Heart (Flying Fish)
Eric Thompson & Alan Senauke: Two Guitars (Flying Fish)
1987
Jerry Garcia Acoustic Band: Almost Acoustic (Grateful Dead) with Sandy Rothman, David Nelson, John Kahn, and Kenny Kosek
High Country: Blue Highway (Turquoise)
1988
David Grisman & Friends: Home Is Where the Heart Is (Rounder)
Peter Rowan & NBB: New Moon Rising (Sugar Hill)
Eric & Suzy Thompson: Adam & Eve Had the Blues (Arhoolie)
Country Ham: Anchored In Love (Vetco)
Sidesaddle: The Girl From The Red Rose Saloon (Turquoise)
1989
- Oct. 14: Last event in the Redwood Estates Pavilion (SCBS concert with Good Ol' Persons), 3 days before the Loma Prieta earthquake
- The All-Girl Boys (Mary Gibbons, Chris Lewis, Carolyn Cirimele, Debby Cotter, and Kathy Barwick) begin.
Jody Stecher & Kate Brislin: A Song That Will Linger (Rounder)
Good Ol' Persons: Anywhere The Wind Blows (Kaleidoscope)
High Country: Sunset On the Prairie (Turquoise)
Laurie Lewis: Love Chooses You (Flying Fish)
Blue Rose: Blue Rose (Sugar Hill) with Laurie Lewis, Sally Van Meter, Cathy Fink, Marcy Marxer, and Molly Mason
1990
- David Grisman forms Acoustic Disc Records
Laurie Lewis & Grant Street: Singin' My Troubles Away (Flying Fish) with Tom Rozum, Scott Nygaard, Tony Furtado, Tammy Fassaert
Scott Nygaard: No Hurry (Rounder)
Peter Rowan: The First Whippoorwill (Sugar Hill)
Peter Rowan: Dust Bowl Children (Sugar Hill)
Various Artists: The Bluegrass Suspects (Kaleidoscope) - earlier recordings of the Good Ol' Persons, Peter Rowan & Tony Rice, Don Reno & Family, Frank Wakefield
1991
- Paul's Saloon closes, an event that many consider the death of bluegrass in San Francisco. The last band to perform at Paul’s: The Rhythm Rasslers (Evan Morgan, Ed Neff, Gerry Szostak, Jeff King, and Mark Hogan).
- Redwood Bluegrass Associates begins presenting national and regional band in concerts and workshops in the South Bay. First show (on Nov. 2nd) is with Alison Krauss & Union Station at the Old Town Theater, Los Gatos. The RBA continues to thrive until 2017; a list of all its presentations can be found here.
Laurie Lewis & Kathy Kallick: Together (Kaleidoscope)
Kathy Kallick: What Do You Dream About? (Kaleidoscope)
Sandy Rothman & Steve Pottier: Bluegrass Guitar Duets (Tone Bar/Sierra)
Jody Stecher & Kate Brislin: Blue Lightning (Rounder)
David Grisman, Red Allen, Herb Pedersen, Jerry Garcia, et al: Bluegrass Reunion (Acoustic Disc)
Peter Rowan: The Walls Of Time (Sugar Hill)
Peter Rowan: All On a Rising Day (Sugar Hill)
Sidesaddle: Daylight Train (Turquoise)
Due West: Due West (Musix)
1993
- July 25: final broadcast of Bay Area Bluegrass on KCSM
- Jerry Garcia, David Grisman, and Tony Rice make home recordings which are "borrowed" by a pizza delivery person. The tapes circulate as bootlegs, later to be released by Acoustic Disc as "The Pizza Tapes." (2000)
Laurie Lewis: True Stories (Rounder)
Jody Stecher & Kate Brislin: Our Town (Rounder)
Sandy Rothman: The Old Road to Home (Tone Bar) with Steve Pottier, Brian Godchaux, Paul Knight, Butch Waller, Larry Cohea
Kathy Kallick: Matters Of the Heart (Sugar Hill)
John Reischman: North Of the Border (Rounder)
Rich Wilbur: In the City (Sophronie)
Peter Rowan: Awake Me In the New World (Sugar Hill)
Country Ham: I'll Be Leaving (Vetco)
Live At Grass Valley (Wolf Mountain Music) with the Vern Williams Band, Good Ol' Persons, High Country, Kentucky Rose, All Girl Boys, Sawtooth Mountain Boys, Tenbrooks, and Coyote Brothers
1994
- The Santa Cruz Bluegrass Society hosts the first Good Old Fashioned Bluegrass Festival on July 8-10 at Bolado Park, Hollister; the focus then (and now) is on California- and Bay Area-based bands.
- The long-running Sunday afternoon show "Bay Area Bluegrass" is dropped as KCSM changes to an all-jazz format.
All Girl Boys: Heart's Desire (Wilder Shore)
Kathy Kallick: Use A Napkin (Not Your Mom) (Sugar Hill)
David Grisman & Tony Rice: Tone Poems (Acoustic Disc)
Peter Rowan & the Rowan Brothers: Tree On a Hill (Sugar Hill)
The Tony Rice Unit: Acoustics (Rounder)
Rose Maddox: $35 and A Dream (Arhoolie)
Mid 1990s
- Dark Hollow begins playing bluegrass at Radio Valencia in the Mission district of San Francisco. The Crooked Jades join in, followed by High Country, helping establish a regular Sunday night bluegrass venue in the city.
- The Atlas Cafe in SF’s Potrero Hill starts hosting a monthly bluegrass & old-time jam.
1995
- "Bluegrass Signal," produced and hosted by Peter Thompson, debuts on KALW radio on Oct. 7th.
- Redwood Bluegrass Associates host IBMA’s regional conference (World West '95) in Palo Alto.
Laurie Lewis & Tom Rozum: The Oak & the Laurel (Rounder)
Todd Phillips: In the Pines (Gourd Music)
The Good Ol' Persons: Good 'N Live - A 20th Anniversary Collection (Sugar Hill)
Jody Stecher & Kate Brislin: Stay Awhile (Rounder)
Bill Evans: Native & Fine (Rounder)
Celebrating the First 20 Years (California Bluegrass Association); live recordings of Vern & Ray, The Vern Williams Band, Ray Park & Friends, Rose Maddox, High Country, Good Ol' Persons, The Done Gone Band, Bill White & Friends, Grant Street String Band, Country Ham, Sidesaddle, Kenny Hall & The Long Haul String Band, Tenbrooks, Piney Creek Weasels, Sally Van Meter Band, The Caffrey Family, and non-Californians like Joe Val and the New England Bluegrass Boys, Del McCoury Band, Bluegrass Cardinals, and Weary Hearts.
1996
- Bluegrass Grammy awarded to True Life Blues: The Songs Of Bill Monroe (Sugar Hill), produced by Todd Phillips, and featuring Laurie Lewis, Kathy Kallick, Peter Rowan, David Grisman, John Reischman, Jim Nunally, Scott Nygaard, and others; also won IBMA's Album Of the Year and Recorded Event Of the Year award.
Peter Rowan: Bluegrass Boy (Sugar Hill)
Kathy Kallick: Call Me A Taxi (Sugar Hill)
Scott Nygaard: Dreamer’s Waltz (Rounder)
Roanoke: Thoughts Of Home (Iris Cool) with Bob Smith, Mike Wilhoyte, Ed Neff, John Kael, Chris Lewis
Megan B. Lynch: It’s About Time (self)
Lone Prairie: Desert Flower (self)
Peter Rowan (and Jerry Douglas): Yonder (Sugar Hill)
1997
- Redwood Bluegrass Associates holds two benefits for Charles Sawtelle with performances by David Grisman, Peter Rowan, Herb Pedersen, and other California luminaries.
- Redwood Bluegrass Associates hosts the only North American show of Together, an all-women band (Laurie Lewis, Kathy Kallick, Lynn Morris, Sally Van Meter, and Markie Sanders) formed for a two-week tour of Japan.
- Redwood Bluegrass Associates encourages a Hazel Dickens and Alice Gerrard reunion, and presents them in concert with a band that includes Jody Stecher.
Jody Stecher & Kate Brislin: Heart Songs - The Old Time Country Songs of Utah Phillips (Rounder)
1998
High Country: The Earthquake (Strictly Country)
Laurie Lewis: Seeing Things (Rounder)
Tom Rozum: Jubilee (Signature Sounds)
Crooked Jades: Going to the Races (Crooked Music)
Country Ham: Carpenter's Mill (self)
Country Ham: Old Cane Press (self)
1999
- The Atlas Cafe (SF) begins to present bluegrass bands every Thursday night, due to an increasing interest in the music (as well as an increasing number of local bands).
- The Santa Cruz Bluegrass Society changes its name to the Northern California Bluegrass Society (NCBS), to reflect the growth of its membership throughout the Bay Area.
The Kathy Kallick Band: Walkin' In My Shoes (Live Oak)
John Reischman: Up In the Woods (Corvus)
Laurie Lewis & Tom Rozum: Winter's Grace (Signature Sounds)
Jody Stecher: Oh The Wind And Rain/Eleven Ballads (Appleseed)
Butch Waller: Golden Gate Promenade (Rebel) w/ Kathy Kallick, Laurie Lewis, Herb Pedersen, Keith Little, Ed Neff, Jim Nunally, Sandy Rothman, Bob Waller, Steve Pottier, and others
David Grisman, Mike Seeger, John Hartford: Retrograss (Acoustic Disc)
Late 1990s - early ‘00s
- New bands forming include The David Thom Band, stringbean, All Wrecked Up, The Waybacks, The Avocado Brothers, The Circle R Boys, Detour, Crane Canyon, Adobe Creek, True Blue, The Bluegrass Intentions, Belle Monroe & Her Brewglass Boys, The Stairwell Sisters, and The Kathy Kallick Band, plus a variety of duos (Dix Bruce & Jim Nunally, Keystone Crossing, Hoof Hearted, The MacRae Brothers) presenting music of the "brother duets."
- Other venues presenting bluegrass & old-time music include Sweetwater (Mill Valley - "Bluegrass Gold" series), The Last Day Saloon (SF - "Five A.R.M.S." series), 3300 Club (SF), Bitterroot (SF), Cafe Romano (Martinez), The Merry Prankster (La Honda), Sam's BBQ (San Jose), and the Willowbrook Ale House (Petaluma). The last two and Sweetwater (although not with the “Bluegrass Gold” series) remain open.
2000
- The first San Francisco Bluegrass (sic) Festival is held in February, highlighting new venues (including Radio Valencia and the Atlas) and new bands; features a reunion of the Blue Flame Stringband (see 1982 above) plus the Kathy Kallick Band and the Crooked Jades at the Noe Valley Ministry on Feb. 5th.
- Radio Valencia closes in June, despite the continuing success of their bluegrass series.
- Both David Grisman and Peter Rowan sit in with the Del McCoury Band at Del's RBA concert in Palo Alto.
Laurie Lewis: Laurie Lewis & Her Bluegrass Pals (Rounder)
Jody Stecher & Kate Brislin: Songs of The Carter Family (Appleseed)
The Waybacks: Devolver (Fiddling Cricket)
The David Thom Band: Plays Bluegrass (Swollen Records)
The Crooked Jades: Seven Sisters - A Kentucky Portrait (Crooked Music)
The Crooked Jades: The Unfortunate Rake, Volume One (Crooked Music)
2001
- Debut of the Strictly (sic) Bluegrass Festival in Golden Gate Park, SF, on Oct. 27th. Performers: Hazel Dickens, Alison Krauss, Dale Ann Bradley, and Emmylou Harris.
- The San Francisco Bluegrass & Old-Time Festival enters its 2nd year with a longer name and an expanded program, including more venues, more nationally touring acts, and a film series; features a reunion of the Any Old Time String Band (see 1976 above).
- The Pine Valley Boys (see 1964, above) reunite for a concert at the First Presbyterian Church Of Mountain View, the first show in what became Redwood Bluegrass Associates' home until 2015.
Keith Little: Distant Land To Roam (Copper Creek)
Bill Evans: Plays Banjo (Rounder)
Jerry Garcia & David Grisman: Grateful Dawg (Acoustic Disc)
Dark Hollow: Thrilling Stories (Hollow)
MacRae Brothers: Old Country Church (Squirty) - Matt Dudman & Jake Quesenberry, plus Sandy Rothman, Dave Earl, Jerry Campbell
O Sister - The Women’s Bluegrass Collection (Rounder) with Laurie Lewis, Kathy Kallick, and many others
Kathy Kallick: My Mother’s Voice (Copper Creek) with Laurie Lewis, Peter Rowan, Keith Little, Jody Stecher, Kate Brislin, John Reischman, Darol Anger, Sally Van Meter, Bill Evans, Lynn Morris, Claire Lynch, Ron Stewart, Jones & Leva, and members of the Kathy Kallick Band.
About these notes:
A significantly-abbreviated version of this timeline was compiled by the 2001 staff of the San Francisco Bluegrass & Old-Time Festival (Tom Lucas, Chris Ereneta, and Barbara Hansen), with input from many Bay Area bluegrass and old time musicians and observers. Like all information on the internet, it is rife with errors and omissions.
Please send your corrections, additions, deletions, rants, and revisionist histories to Peter Thompson <[email protected]>, who's adding to and updating this timeline.