These days, just about every major resort and ski town has some kind of music festival, and we just got word the Crested Butte is jumping on the, er, . . . bluegrass on March 27th at the first annual Ski Town Breakdown. Bluegrass, bud and burritos - sounds like the perfect way to say "hello" to spring.

Yonder Mountain String Band visited the legendary Cain’s Ballroom in Tulsa, Okla. last night. YMSB is based out of Nederland, Colo. The band is a . . . and Adam Aijala on guitar. This unique band deserves a look next time they are through Tulsa, if you like high-energy, crisp explorative bluegrass.

Pickers take long, strange, fun trip - During its first set in the Lifestyle Communities Pavilion last night, the Yonder Mountain String Band . . . which built like a midtempo dirge and later busted into a double-time bluegrass breakdown featuring banjo player Dave Johnston, was case in point.

Although Yonder Mountain String Band was born and still performs as a stripped-down bluegrass quartet, the group likes to experiment in the studio. . . . It leans to my acoustic side, and it will feature some great guest musicians. I still want to have an avenue to get back to the quiet acoustic stuff.