Marshmallow war errupts on Yonder Mountain in Telluride

Yonder Mountain String Band performs June 22 at the 40th Telluride Bluegrass Festival. (Photo by Hans Lehndorff)
Yonder Mountain String Band performs June 22 at the 40th Telluride Bluegrass Festival. (Photo by Hans Lehndorff)

6 p.m. June 22, 2013, Press Tent, Telluride Town Park –  The dust has finally settled after a driving, dancing set by Yonder Mountain String Band. As has become traditional, a fusillade of large marshmallows were launched toward the stage at some predetermined moment. In a first for your loyal bluegrass reporter, I was hit twice in the head and enjoyed it. I also enjoyed Yonder’s 14th consecutive set at Telluride much more than the first few years I saw them. The musicianship and the songwriting have tightened up as the players have become more relaxed in the spotlight.

From my archives: The 20-page festival guide for the 12th Annual Telluride lists the lineup for Saturday, June 22, 1985: Hobo Jim, Nashville Bluegrass Band, Hot Rize, Tony Rice, New Grass Revival (with Bela Fleck), David Grisman Quartet and Peter Rowan and Crucial Country. That year was the first appearance by Emmylou Harris and the Hot Band.

Still to come today: Feist, Sam Bush Band and Leftover Salmon. Koto.org is streaming music from the festival.

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