photos by David Halterman

The 14th annual Bluegrass Meltdown, what may arguably be Durangos best-kept secret in live entertainment, flowed into local venues, coffee shops, hotels and street corners last weekend with virtually nonstop music throughout the three-day event. Four venues within blocks of each other offered a walking smorgasbord of performers ranging from growing local and statewide bands, to critically acclaimed Grammy-award winning musicians. Whether at Saturday nights highly anticipated Superjam at the Durango Arts Center, the late night pickin of Waiting for Trial at Carvers, or the impromptu acoustic circles in the Strater lobby, crowds could be found and seats could not, as audiences stood shoulder to shoulder to turn an ear to the harmony of strings. These photographs are a tribute to the memory of Bluegrass Meltdown friend and contributor Linda Paulmeno.

The Blue Canyon Boys guitarist Jason Hicks performs Cry From the Cross Sunday morning at the Henry Strater Theatre. Impromptu pickin sessions endured late into the night in the Strater Hotel lobby. World renowned Dobro player/vocalist/producer Randy Kohrs winds up some fresh strings after performing with headliner Jim Lauderdale on Saturday at the Durango Art Center. It was hard to sit still as Sweet Sunny South played its third set of the day on Saturday during the Barndance at the Elks Lodge. Bassist Austin Ward plays Shenendoah Wind with his father Eric Uglum on Saturday at the DAC. Waiting for Trial plays to an eager and well-hydrated crowd Saturday night at Carvers Brewing Co. The Infamous Stringdusters have a bit of warm up in the green room just before playing to a capacity crowd at the Durango Arts Center on Saturday. Gary Dark smiles after a particularly rousing set with his band, The Blue Canyon Boys.