KGNU’s 34th Annual Charles Sawtelle Memorial Mountain Jam; Sunday, July 24

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KGNU will continue a three-decade tradition on Sunday, July 24 with another musical performance extraordinaire at the Gold Hill Inn (Gold Hill Inn, 401 Main St, Gold Hill, CO ).  The 34th Annual Charles Sawtelle Memorial Mountain Jam, aka “The Charles,” is named for the beloved Hot Rize guitarist, Charles Sawtelle, who helped start the event in 1989 and was a great supporter of KGNU Community Radio. After his passing in 1999, the station renamed the event in his memory. Celebrating its 34th anniversary this year, The Charles is a family-friendly mini-festival of al fresco bluegrass and Americana music aimed at fans who enjoy the clear mountain air and dazzling acoustic music in a spectacular outdoor setting.

This year, we’re featuring three Colorado Bluegrass/Roots Music bands: Jake Leg, Greg Schochet & Little America, and Megan Burtt Band. Jake Leg is an acoustic band from Colorado that includes Eric Wiggs on guitar and vocals, Dylan McCarthy on mandolin and vocals, Justin Hoffenberg on fiddle, and Troy Robey on bass. Jake Leg’s music reflects a shared love of bluegrass. Drawing on their favorite elements of the genre, they focus on delivering good, original songs through the framework of bluegrass music. The vivid story-telling in each song is beautifully supported by top-notch musicianship and engaging arrangements. With a true passion for performing live, these accomplished musicians take the music to new heights with extended improvisations that take the audience on an exciting and unique journey.

Greg Schochet is a full-time performer, teacher, and producer in Boulder, Colorado. Greg Schochet & Little America may be a newly formed band, but one that has been a long time coming. Greg is twenty-plus years into a Colorado performing career, and his first foray into fronting a band is heavy on musical vision and loaded with accomplished players.  Already renowned as a first-call country and bluegrass picker, Greg has assembled a crew to funnel that experience into a Western Swing powerhouse that harkens back to Colorado’s halcyon 70s era. With pedal steel and alto sax bringing the country and swing bona fides, upright bass and drums keep it dancing. Sure there are Bob Wills, Emmylou Harris, and Red Knuckles nods, but also original songs and deep cuts from unexpected sources. The band has been warmly received in its first touring season, with appearances at the Pagosa Folk ’n Bluegrass Festival, Dairy Center for the Arts, and the Boulder Theater.

Megan Burtt is a Denver native and international touring singer/songwriter decorated with national recognition. She is the winner of the Kerrville NewFolk, Rocky Mountain Folk Festival, and Westword Music Award and a finalist in Mountain NewSong, Songwriter Serenade, and Great American Song Contest. She has played music on almost every continent, summited Mt. Kilimanjaro, and survived a gluten-free diet for a decade now. She and Oprah share the same enneagram number. She wishes she’d learned music in a Southern Gospel church and dreams of becoming an olive farmer in Spain. And, you never know, life is a long time…and longing is a great source of inspiration. Megan is currently working on her fourth and fifth full-length albums in Colorado. Somewhere between Bonnie Raitt, Kathleen Edwards, and Tom Petty you’ll find Megan’s songwriting. She, along with her roots/groove/Americana band will be closing out the night at Gold Hill.

Tickets are $35 for KGNU members, and $40 for non-members and are available online at kgnu.org. All ticket prices will be $5 higher on the day of the show. Children 12 and under are free. Beverages are available for purchase; they are not included in the price of admission. No pets, please. Food will be available for purchase by Rat’s Woodshack BBQ. We recommend low-backed lawn chairs for seating.

The event is made possible thanks to the generous support of our sponsors including Natural Grocers, McDonald Carpet One Floor & Home, Hands & Needles Acupuncture, Z2 Entertainment, OZO Coffee Company, Hazel’s Beverage World, Sweet Cow Ice Cream, Eldorado Natural Spring Water, Avery Brewing Company, Stem Ciders, Redstone Meadery, Rowdy Mermaid Kombucha, Gold Hill Inn, and Rat’s Woodshack BBQ. General operating support provided by Boulder Arts Commission.

This event benefits KGNU, an independent volunteer-powered, listener-supported community radio station, heard locally at 88.5 FM in Boulder and Denver, 1390 AM in Denver, 93.7 FM in the Nederland and Ward area, 98.7 FM in Fort Collins, streaming online at kgnu.org and via our mobile app for Android or iPhone/iPad.

What: 34th Annual Charles Sawtelle Memorial Mountain Jam

When: Sunday, July 24, 2022, Doors at 11:00 a.m., and the first band starts at 12 noon. The event will wrap up by 4:30 p.m.

Cost: Tickets are $35 for KGNU members, $40 for the general public, and will be $45 at the door. Tickets are available online at Eventbrite https://www.eventbrite.com/e/34th-annual-charles-sawtelle-memorial-mountain-jam-tickets-375249560537 and kgnu.org.

Questions? Email [email protected] or call 303-515-4522.