Bluegrass on the Grass
Celebrating 25 Years of Success
Photos By A. Pierce Bounds
As early as 1802, Pennsylvania was referred to as the Keystone State. This designation was placed on Pennsylvania due to its location and providing stability in holding the original 13 states together, architecturally speaking, similar to that of the function of a keystone in an arch.
In that context, bluegrass itself can be distinguished as a “musical keystone.” Many times, bluegrass music has been known to bridge different musical genres. That said, bluegrass often finds complete strangers, who are various distances on the musical spectrum, and brings those strangers together through their mutual love for the music. Considering those two overall concepts, at one time, Pennsylvania would have never been considered a bluegrass state. However, presently that assumption would be misleading. Pennsylvania is currently home to some of the longest-running and most attended bluegrass festivals and concerts in the United States.
One of those distinguished events has the honor of celebrating its upcoming silver anniversary. Next year, July 2021, marks the 25th year for the one-day music festival, Bluegrass on the Grass. This event takes place on the campus of Dickinson College, situated in the center of the historically rich town of Carlisle in south-central Pennsylvania. Interestingly enough, this past July of 2020 was slated to be their original anniversary show. However, with the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, the festival had to forego their best-laid plans and postpone the festivities until the following year with hopes that by that time, everything will proceed as scheduled.
Like many genuinely great things, Bluegrass on the Grass has humble beginnings. After moving to central Pennsylvania in the early 1980’s to take a faculty position at Dickinson College, Dr. Davis Tracy (an accomplished guitar player in his own right) began having music parties at his home. As word spread and attendance grew, the musical gathering eventually transitioned to the college campus in the form of a one-day, free festival. The instant popularity of the festival quickly outgrew its original location and was ultimately moved to its current setting at the steps of Bosler Hall, which is situated on the Academic Quad, with its lush green grass, beautiful old limestone walls, stately iron gates, and giant oak trees providing a canopy of leaves for those wanting to avoid the sun on a hot July day. Bluegrass on the Grass has grown to be one of the largest community events that the college hosts and averages between four and five thousand people from a variety of states including: New Hampshire, New Jersey, Maryland, New York, Virginia, West Virginia, Tennessee, Georgia, and Massachusetts.
For 25 years, Tracy and Dickinson College, with the help of their many sponsors, donors, and volunteers have continued to put on a one-day music festival featuring an eclectic array of top-tier bluegrass and old-time performances that remains completely free and open to the public. In regard to the overall goals of this festival, Tracy stated that it was his desire to, “Provide superlative musical performance, keep the festival free to all, build community through service and outreach,” as well as “perpetuate the tradition and the welcoming of anyone to campus.”
The illustrious lineup of stellar musicians that has played BOTG over the years is exceptional and extremely well-rounded. This list is comprised of musical greats and icons such as: Rob Ickes, Becky Buller, the Gibson Brothers, Russell Moore & IIIrd Tyme Out, Danny Paisley, Junior Sisk, Ronnie Reno, Dale Ann Bradley, Bill Emerson, Kenny & Amanda Smith, The Special Consensus, Blue Highway, Mike Compton, High Fidelity, Frank Solivan, Chris Jones, Audie Blaylock, Lynn Morris, Butch Baldassari, Emory Lester, Mark Johnson, Claire Lynch, and Steep Canyon Rangers, among so many more fine performers.
Tracy, in conjunction with his talent committee, has continuously strived for a diverse and wide-ranging group of entertainers, once again using bluegrass as a keystone or catalyst for bringing together different facets of a rather large genre of music. Utilizing this distinctively all-inclusive lens, next year’s presumptive lineup is no different. The tentative roster of performers will include: The New Dismembered Tennesseans, Circus #9, Charm City Junction, Mile Twelve, and Michael Cleveland and Flamekeeper.
Aside from keeping the attendees delighted with a free, first-rate music festival, free parking, remarkable amenities, a picturesque atmosphere, along with a diverse selection of food vendors, the music artists themselves also look forward to being a part of this amazing festival.
Grammy-nominated, IBMA award-winning banjo player and leader of The Special Consensus, Greg Cahill, conveyed, “I have always thoroughly enjoyed being part of the Bluegrass on the Grass festival. The artist roster is always top notch and the festival atmosphere is very welcoming and relaxed.” Cahill also pointed to how a great promoter and audience can make the difference, affirming, “Davis Tracy does a fabulous job of bringing great bands to the festival and he takes care of all the details that make it a very pleasant experience for the touring bands. The audiences are most responsive and supportive and make the performers feel as if they are playing for friends and family on the green. A wonderful event for all who attend!”
Six-time IBMA Male Vocalist of the Year, Russell Moore added, “We, [Russell Moore & IIIrd Tyme Out] have only performed at Bluegrass on the Grass one time, but I definitely remember the show and what a good time we had. It was a beautiful day and the performance area was set up perfect for both the bands and the audience with shade trees and a very relaxing atmosphere. The crowd was excitable and very receptive to the bluegrass music being showcased that day.” Talk to anyone who knows him, and you will quickly find that Davis Tracy has an affinity for music and the joy it can bring to others. You will also find that he is quite good at putting together a flawless program that continues to grow from all angles.
Twelve-time IBMA Fiddle Player of the Year and most recent Grammy award winner, Michael Cleveland noted, “The festival itself is just a well-run, well-organized venue and it’s almost like a family reunion.” He continued, “We’ve known Davis for years and when we first started a band, it’s like he took us under his wing from the start and still is really great to us. All the bands that are there are people we know and love to play with and yet don’t get to see all that often and it’s just overall one of our favorite places to play.”
Next July will mark the fifth time that Cleveland and his band will have played at Bluegrass on the Grass. “It means a lot for us to get to play there. With it being there at the college, it’s kind of a different audience and we love to play for people who might not have ever heard of bluegrass before. At this festival, there’s so many friends of ours…It’s just one of those special places.”
Dr. Tracy retired from his position at the college and has been director emeritus for several years now. However, he maintains his bluegrass radio show on campus 4 days a week. According to Tracy, the key components that make this festival an overall success are that it’s a kind and safe atmosphere, it’s free to all, and correspondingly, has a crowd that has a variety of socioeconomic statuses. Tracy remarked, “We’ve been told, very kindly by many of the bands and performers, that we have something very special here and I believe it’s the diversity of the crowd that makes it so special.” When asked about his wish for the future of the festival, Tracy stated, “I hope that the festival continues on and that I can take a declining role and foster the growth of the staff so that they are more comfortable taking over certain aspects of the festival and I think I’ve got a good crew to do that.”
Given the ever-successful combination of free admission, amazing food, an outstanding venue, and a revolving congregation of some of the most eclectic and talented musicians in the world, it is safe to say that the Bluegrass on the Grass annual performance will be around for many years to come. Speaking from experience, I truly feel that the Keystone State has some of the best under-the-radar, off-the-grid destinations in the United States and this particular event is no exception. Should the opportunity arise, travel to the historic college town of Carlisle, Pennsylvania on the second Saturday in July and see firsthand why their Silver Anniversary is just the beginning for Bluegrass on the Grass.
Dr. Imes is a full-time history teacher and part-time banjo player living in Central Pennsylvania.
