Village People, mother-daughter dynasty and Bluegrass

by Chris Aaland 

I’m not sure when the tradition of bagpipers serenading the opening-day land rush at the Telluride Bluegrass Festival began. I do know the tradition dates back to 1997, when I made my first pilgrimage. This week marks my 16th consecutive trek to Colorado’s premier music festival. For the record, the event celebrates its 39th anniversary this weekend (today through Sunday). It also marks John Fogerty’s virgin performance in San Miguel County, which is more than enough to garner my interest. All ye Durango faithful are welcome to join me on the Spencer/Aaland tarp, usually second or third row center. Just bring beers.

If you aren’t trucking on over Lizard Head Pass this weekend, don’t cry. A Macho Man wouldn’t do that.

Young man, there’s no need to feel down. I said young man, pick yourself off the ground. I said young man, the Village People are coming to town. Seriously. Three original members (the Indigenous fellow, the construction worker and the sailor) shake their fiftysomething booties at the Sky Ute Casino and Resort at 8 p.m. Saturday. And there’s no need to be unhappy.

If you thought country music ain’t what it used to be, think again. Every once in awhile I sing the praises of an up-and-coming band that harkens back to country’s classic era. J.P. Harris & the Tough Choices fall into this vein. Fortunately for you, they play back-to-back nights in southwest Colorado. On Friday, Harris & company will entertain the Montezuma County masses at the Dolores River Brewery. Then on Saturday, they’ll bring their twang upstairs to the Summit. Harris’ debut album, “I’ll Keep Calling,” is the latest gem issued by the brilliant little East Coast label, Cow Island Records … and my front-runner for album of the year. If you like George and Merle and you prefer your stars wearing Carhartts and grease-stained T-shirts, then these guys are for you.

However, if you want to see a bunch of sequined, pretty boys strut their Top 40 stuff, then by all means head on up to Grand Junction for Country Jam this weekend. I’m a DJ who plays real country music, therefore I only play music from just one act on that bill: the Charlie Daniels Band. Meanwhile, Zac Brown, Blake Shelton, Trace Adkins and dozens of other Nashville-approved wankers more inspired by “American Idol” than by Hank and Lefty will croon to the minions of armchair rednecks and honky-tonk homies.

It seems the mother-daughter combo of Beth and Kathrine Warren aspires to create a music empire in these parts modeled after “Bill Graham Presents.” Mommy is booking Wednesday happy hour concerts at the Rochester Hotel, while her baby girl is filling the Sheridan Opera House in Telluride … on the same day, no less. Beth must have the maternal instincts of a starving rodent. It’s common knowledge that rats, ground squirrels, lemmings, hamsters, mice, voles, muskrats, gerbils, prairie dogs and marmots have infanticidal tendencies from time to time.

Daughter Kathrine booked reggae artist Trevor Hall in the latest of a surprisingly strong Sheridan Opera House series this summer. Hall will play Telluride’s top intimate venue at 8 p.m. Wednesday. Recording on the Vanguard label, his T-Ride date immediately follows a Salt Lake gig in which he supports the legendary Jimmy Cliff.

Mama Beth, meanwhile, presents Bruce Mandel at 5:30 p.m. Wednesday on the Rochester patio. A former Durangotang, Mandel now traverses the country with his own blend of folk, Americana and bluegrass.

Moe’s lineup includes Salsa Night with DJ Caliente at 8 p.m. tonight, FAC on the patio with the Crags at 6 p.m. Friday and dancing with sonar at 9 p.m. Saturday.

Also on tap: singer-songwriter Robby Overfield plays tonight’s Ska-B-Q from 5-7 p.m.; Black Velvet entertains at Mountain Madness (formerly Sweeney’s) at 5:30 p.m. Friday; Jack Ellis returns to the Animas River Café patio at 5 p.m. Saturday; the Jelly Belly Boogie Band rocks Vallecito’s Schank House on Saturday night; and there are four — count ’em, four! — Pete Giuliani dates (tonight at the Derailed, Friday at El Rancho, Saturday morning at Homeslice Pizza and Saturday night at the Balcony).

In what’s become a Telegraph tradition, this week’s Top Shelf list is provided by Planet Bluegrass public relations guru Brian Eyster. It seems Eyster has shared the Planet’s message with the rest of the planet for nearly as long as Sam Bush has strummed a mandolin … or nearly a decade, whichever is less.

“Fogerty’s Telluride debut this Friday night will be predictably epic, but what about the lesser-known bands (at the time) that have astounded the Telluride audience?” he asked before supplying his own answers. “Here are 10 that have stolen the show during my last seven years with the festival — including two well-known but thoroughly surprising bluegrass stars.”

1. The Swell Season (2008) — A genuine connection of hearts between stage and tarps. Pure marshmallow magic.

2. Mumford & Sons (2010) — Capping a passionate set (and thrilling NightGrass) with Jerry Douglas, Cadillac Sky, Sarah Jarosz and Omar Hakim on “Hey Jude” was the makings of future legend.

3. Trampled by Turtles (2011) — Their thrashing string band power created a dust storm rivaling even the mighty Yonder.

4. Paolo Nutini (2008) — Who knew the Scottish folk-soul singer would be jamming with Rob McCoury and Drew Emmitt?

5. Avett Bros (2007) — Singing “We Came for Salvation” felt thoroughly cleansing, clearing the way for the Brothers’ future roots stardom.

6. Stephen Kellogg & the Sixers (2006) — Bassist “Goose” stripping down to his boxers, breakdancing, and circling the entire park made them Telluride stars forever.

7. Sharon Jones & the Dap Kings (2006) — On a cold Saturday night, Sharon schooled us on dancing in a sequin dress.

8. Brett Dennen (2008) — Simultaneously groovy and goofy made him instantly the coolest guy in town.

9. Barenaked Ladies (2006) — They begged to play the festival for years, and their opening acoustic tunes around a single mic showed us why. Even the cynics were laughing along by the end of the first song.

10. David Byrne (2009) — No one understood why this legend was playing a bluegrass festival, and three years later, the town still can’t stop talking about this brilliant spectacle — one of the festival’s all-time most unforgettable shows.

The color of the sun and his eyes were green? Email me at chrisa@gobrainstorm.net.