WHAT STARTED AS A BACKYARD HANGOUT in the 1980s has evolved into a three-day music festival among Kingston’s towering ponderosa pines. Featuring bluegrass, Americana, and folk, this year’s Pickamania festival honors founder Bill Bussmann, who passed away in May, with a special musical celebration of his life on Sunday. A musician and luthier known worldwide for the Old Wave mandolins he built, Bussmann served as Pickamania’s master of ceremonies and infused the festivities with his energy. “He had an amazing sense of humor,” says Catherine Wanek, owner of Black Range Lodge, which hosts the festival. “He never missed an opportunity to play music.” True to its roots and Bussmann’s vision, Pickamania remains an intimate festival that creates community around song in a special setting. “It’s a getaway into the national forest,” Wanek says. “It’s an outdoor music festival at the end of the pavement.”
One: Tim Weed, a Southern California surfer turned banjo player, has performed with Joan Baez, Ramblin’ Jack Elliott, MC Yogi, the Dave Matthews Band, and more. “He’s an amazing composer and banjo player,” says Wanek. “He can play anything from traditional to Bach concertos. He really is quite amazing.” Saturday, 4:30–5:30 p.m.
Two: A duo since 2004, Nashville’s Wil Maring and Robert Bowlin combine their individual talents for a unique brand of bluegrass, pop, and folk. Maring won the Chris Austin Songwriting Contest at Merlefest and has played the Grand Ole Opry. Bowlin, winner of the National Fingerpicking Guitar Championship, took the stage with the Father of Bluegrass Music Bill Monroe. “He’s very modest but also very accomplished,” says Wanek. Friday, 7:30–9 p.m.
Three ... let’s jam! On Saturday night, the Bluegrass Super Jam brings all the musicians together for one pick-tastic session. “It’s all about the graciousness and generosity of musicians playing together,” says Wanek. “It’s always the high-
light of Pickamania.” Saturday, 7:30–9 p.m.
