Recently, the Minnesota Bluegrass and Old-Time Music Association held their annual “Harvest Jam”. Scores of pickers and grinners packed into the Minneapolis Marriott West Hotel for a weekend gala of musical performances, entertainment, and jamming. Upon entering the hotel lobby, the bustling and excitement was contagious. Tunes like “Rolling in My Sweet Baby’s Arms” and “Will the Circle Be Unbroken” echoed throughout the building, as folks of all ages migrated to and from jam circles. The really big commotion, however, came with the “Race for a Place” band competition: the top prize was a chance to perform at the Minnesota Bluegrass and Old-Time Music Festival, twice nominated by the International Bluegrass Music Association for “bluegrass festival of the year”.

This year’s band competition was won by the new faces and sounds of Madison’s own SweetGrass, who dazzled their audience with an energetic set that would have made Bill Monroe smile. One unassuming listener remarked, “It was a joyride from the very beginning. They roped you in and by the end you were struggling just to stay in your seat.” Having formed less than a year ago, SweetGrass viewed the competition as an opportunity to hone their sound and expose themselves to MBOTMA’s dedicated community of bluegrass lovers. Next August they will share the stage with the nation’s top bluegrass acts at the prestigious MBOTMA Festival held at El Ranchero Manana.

SweetGrass will be featured on MadToast Live at the Brink Lounge on
December 8 and will headline at the Alchemy Café on December 10. For
a complete listing of SweetGrass throwdowns, check their schedule at
www.sweetgrassband.com or contact them at sweetgrasspickin@gmail.com.