The Festival Bands

The Desert Bluegrass Association is excited as the bands have been selected. We have signed on some great bluegrass bands to perform for the Eighth Annual Tucson Bluegrass Festival this year. This is certainly not a festival to miss with the venue at the Desert Diamond Casino and an incredible blend of some of the premier bluegrass bands across the nation. Once again, get ready for some great bluegrass music from this year's stellar musicians including -

Blue Moon Rising , The James King Band , Valerie Smith and Liberty Pike , The Bluegrass Patriots, Copper River, and Jam Pak Blues "n" Grass Neighborhood Band.

Blue Moon Rising

Blue Moon Rising is a youthful, spirited, talented, group of musicians that are true to the art of well crafted Bluegrass songs delivered with the intensity you would expect of hard-driving Bluegrass, heart-felt ballads, and beautifully sculpted lyrics. They write nearly all the songs they perform and put on an incredible performance. With Keith Garrett (Mandolin), Chris West (Guitar), Tim Tipton (Bass), Justin Jenkins (Banjo), and Justin Moses (Fiddle) Blue Moon Rising will capture your heart and soul - you're bound to become an avid fan.

- Visit the Blue Moon Rising Website -

The James King Band

You're in for a treat when you hear The James King Band. Nobody sings a wonderfully soulful Bluegrass ballad like James King. When you hear the High Lonesome Tenor of the incredible mandolin picker Kevin Prater layer on the harmonies you’re going to get emotionally energized. James King is an icon in the bluegrass community and considered one of the best lead singers in the genre. With talented musicians – Kevin Prater (mandolin), John Wade (guitar), Adam Haynes (fiddle), and Adam Poindexter (Banjo) – you’re going to experience some remarkable Bluegrass.

- Visit The James King Band Website -

The Bluegrass Patriots

We are very fortunate to have The Bluegrass Patriots perform at this year’s Tucson festival. They are graciously respected as one of the foremost Bluegrass groups performing traditional Bluegrass music. And considering they are celebrating their 27th year as The Bluegrass Patriots they are certainly one of the most popular and permanent performers in Bluegrass music today.

With Glenn Zankey’s guitar and lead vocals, Danny Rogers’ high tenor voice and bass fiddle, Willie McDonald’s mandolin, Dan Mitchell's fiddle & Guitar, and Ken Seaman’s banjo you’re going to feel what Bluegrass music was meant to be.

- Visit The Bluegrass Patriots Website -

Valerie Smith and Liberty Pike

Valerie Smith (Vocals & Guitar) and the high energy band Liberty Pike - Brandon Bostic (Guitar, Mandolin, Banjo, Vocals), Becky Buller (Vocals, Fiddle, Clawhammer Banjo, Guitar), Bobby Davis (Bass), Chad Gray (Resophonic Guitar) – promises to deliver a performance ranging from lively, spirited, energetic, Bluegrass tunes to touching, warm, lilting melodies that will not only touch your heart but will lift your spirits.

This Missouri-born country girl from the heartland can belt it out with a voice that is as big as the high plains of Missouri and the mountains of her home state – Tennessee.

- Visit the Valerie Smith and Liberty Pike Website -

Copper River Bluegrass Band

The Copper River Bluegrass Band is from our neck of the woods (or more appropriately - neck of the desert in Phoenix, Arizona). These four gentlemen of Bluegrass - Thomas Porter (Guitar), Jim Govern (Mandolin), Bob Denoncourt (Bass), and Dick Brown (Banjo) - are true to traditional Bluegrass music. With some new Bluegrass tunes, including a blend of original compositions, the Copper River Bluegrass Band puts on a wonderful performance that will certainly please your ears. Folks; these guys can pick and sing.

- Visit the Copper River Bluegrass Band Website -

Jam Pak Blues "n" Grass Neighborhood Band

The Jam Pak Blues "n" Grass Neighborhood Band is a regular at the Tucson Bluegrass festival. This group of young musicians will not only entertain you they will touch your heart as they perform traditional Bluegrass and gospel music.

- Visit the Jam Pak Blues "n" Grass Neighborhood Band Website -