2024 Fete de la Musique Musicians

“Settle back easy, Jim…” The words of Robert Hunter in the song “Althea” seemed to fit the mold of the band when it began in the fall of 2018 . The laid back group of musicians from Gunnison and Crested Butte, Colorado found a common love for the music with one another and a desire to learn and perform the material. The six piece ensemble features the same instrumentation as the Grateful Dead including two drummers and four part vocal harmonies. Easy Jim is known for their exciting original improvisations, high energy performances, and attention to detail. No two shows are ever the same and it’s always Easy Jim’s mission to provide a visceral concert experience that pays tribute to one of the most infamous rock ‘n’ roll bands, The Grateful Dead.

Atlanta, Georgia-based songwriter, Christopher Paul Stelling has released 7 albums and played thousands of concerts across the US, UK and EU over the last decade.

Stelling has mostly toured solo but has also supported Son Little, Mavis Staples, The Devil Makes Three, Ben Harper and many others.  

Stelling released a trio of albums for indie favorite Anti-Records and has performed multiple times at Newport Folk Festival and on CBS Saturday Morning. 

Stelling is known for his intricate finger-style guitar work, road-tested vocal delivery, and introspective lyrics.

Sexbruise? is a satirical pop band from Charleston, SC that combines elements of improvisation, electronic music, poppy hooks, and audience participation to create an unforgettable live experience. Combining elements of funk, rock, funky rock, and rock-funk, they write funky melodies and soulful melodies.

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Sexbruise?’s shows can be described as a giant party. The tunes are memorable, the stage presence exciting, and the antics unpredictable. And there are snacks. Thrown from the stage. The band has prepared pancakes and pizza on stage, brought out dancers in animal costumes, hired fake demonstrators to protest their shows, and many more other cool things.

For a number of years, Mariachi San Jose has performed throughout Western Colorado. You may have seen them at various Cinco de Mayo events, churches, wedding receptions, and even a concert or two.

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At any given time Mariachi San Jose can consist of anywhere from six to 15 members. In all cases, though, the band is fronted by St. Joseph Catholic Church Music Director Javier De Los Santos.

Sweet T & Lady V, a lively duo originating from Grand Junction, is excited to bring their unique blend to beautiful Ridgway. Combining the sounds of their guitar and mandolin along with honeyed harmonies, Sweet T & Lady V is a band that will surely bring a smile to your face and leave you wanting more!

Featuring the music stylings of Ridgway musicians

Jill and Rod Craig (also Austin, TX), Leif Juell, Dean Kraft, Dave Carmen and Achim. 

Head inside the COOL (air conditioned) Sherbino where the BAR is OPEN and the music is charming and delightful -- with local young artist, Alex Birck on the Piano from 4-4:45 pm.

Kyle Harvey is a poet, filmmaker, photographer, graphic designer and musician.

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As a songwriter, and in various bands, Harvey has been fortunate to share the stage with Gregory Alan Isakov, Deerhunter, Daniel Johnston, The Mountain Goats, David Bazan, The Old 97’s, Spoon, Bright Eyes, The Good Life, Criteria, Frank Black (of The Pixies), The Stills, Jeffery Lewis, The Faint, Superchunk, Ben Kweller, William Elliott Whitmore, Eric Bachmann (of Crooked Fingers and Archers of Loaf), Jeremy Messersmith, Jay Farrar, David Rawlings, Darrel Scott, Jackson Emmer, Mike Ireland & Holler, Roger Clyne & The Peacemakers, The Great Lake Swimmers, Mason Jennings, Adam Franklin (of Swervedriver), Cursive, Art Alexakis, Charlie Parr, The River Arkansas, Willy Tea Taylor & The Good Luck Thrift Store Outfit, Mates of State, Dave Dondero, Milagres and many more. While living in Omaha, NE, he was nominated for multiple Arts & Entertainment Awards, and mentioned in Spin Magazine as, “One of the city’s best troubadours.”

David Nunn is an experienced local musician, playing hundreds of gigs in the last few years in Montrose, Ouray and San Miguel counties.

David’s vast repertoire spans 5 decades with a constantly expanding collection of over 900 songs from  originals, classic rock, jazz, blues and Americana.  David performs as a solo singer songwriter guitarist, as a guitar-cello duo, and as a rock and roll trio. 

Did you know Ridgway has been home base to Weehawken Creative Arts and Weehawken Dance for over 17 years? Their high-quality dance education program nurtures over 350 youth dancers in the area!

In addition to their 28-week dance program with two full-scale public dance performances (Nutcracker or Polar Express in December and then another big show each May such as Wizard of Oz, etc), they have a thriving and expanding aerial arts and aerial conditioning program for youth and adults!

This is a program that really enhances the Ridgway experience and our overall quality of life as a community!

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Did you know this festival is co-produced by both The Sherbino and Weehawken Creative Arts (two separate, but similarly-minded nonprofit organizations)?

Learn more at weehawkenarts.org

Donny Morales is a guitarist, vocalist, and harmonica player hailing from Montrose, Colorado. Donny has been entertaining crowds around the Western Slope for over 20 years with his unique selection of covers and original tunes. 

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He's a gosh-darn Western Slope treasure.

Til Willis, born in the heat of 1980, has been making music for a long time.

Currently, when not performing solo, he makes noise with Erratic Cowboy. The style of music is lyric driven rock, that draws influence from many sources. Some have described it as Tin-Roof-Rain-Water-Bop. In his years of touring the country, Til has had the pleasure to perform with such notable talents as Pete Seeger and more.

Step inside the COOL (air conditioned) Sherbino for some fresh tracks by DJ Blanche.

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Accompanied by the BAR (which will be open!) inside the Sherb, it's great spot to vibe and chill for a bit!

It’s the quiet awe of wild places that most animates Natalie Spears’ music.

Outside her home in Colorado’s Roaring Fork Valley, she listens to the language of birds, notices patterns of migration and sees the cosmos in the countryside. For Spears, the natural world offers a constant invitation to open the aperture of life to something wider, something wilder.

Her forthcoming album, “ Hymn of Wild Things,” (out June 28th) chronicles her experience of wonder, loss and metamorphosis. This is a collection of songs about the intimate corners of humanity, hers and ours alike. 

Like local folk duo Doug and Heather say, “We like to leave the category of music we fall into for someone else to say…”throw down your heart” and “serve the song” are sentiments that we keep in mind when we bring our voices, guitars, and the upright bass to bare on a good story…..a heartfelt ballad…a fun romp… if we can find a harmony and figure out a way to play it, anything is fair game. we love to share live music with our friends both old and new”

Stefan grew up just outside of New York City on an artist's community in Rockland County, NY with his world renowned Medieval and Renaissance musician parents who both taught and performed across the globe. He and his three brothers were raised in music and music has been, and remains, integral to his life and being.

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Stefan graduated Magna Cum Laude from the prestigious Berkee College of Music in Boston and has performed with rock, rhythm and blues, funk, disco, club date, doo wop and jazz bands. His own unique jazz-bluesy style incorporates many of these genres with influences from Hendrix, Clapton, Larry Carlton, Robben Ford, Wes Montgomery and Charlie Parker. His youngest son, in fact, is named Wes.

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Currently performing on the West Slope of Colorado and beyond with two bands playing Disco and Afro Cuban Music, Stefan can also be seen performing Jazz Standards on his “Fat Bodied” mellow toned jazz guitar. A chef and musician, Stefan believes that food and music are the creative world wonders that bring people together.

Ridgway's favorite folk group!

Dave Carman and Polly have been good friends, neighbors and the driving force behind Old Man Polly for years. Dave's skillful guitar beautifully compliments Polly's vocals as they cover iconic tunes from Janis Joplin and Joni Mitchell to the contemporary.