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.

 

In this week's issue...

September 11, 2025
Back on top

After harrowing flying accident, local highliner steps back out with renewed mission
 

September 11, 2025
New order

Rule change for Land and Water Conservation Fund raises alarms

September 4, 2025
Armed with knowledge

Local community organizers work to ensure immigrant neighbors know their rights