KGNU’s Mountain Fam Jam | July 19th at the Gold Hill Inn

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For Immediate Release

July 10, 2026

Boulder, CO

What: KGNU’s Mountain Fam Jam, featuring Tim O’Brien and Jan Fabricius, Taylor Sims Band and Lucy Moore.

When: Sunday, July 19th noon – 5:00 p.m., Doors open at 11:30 am

Where: Gold Hill Inn, 401 Main St, Boulder, CO 80302

Contact: Dave Ashton, [email protected]

KGNU continues its nearly four-decade tradition on Sunday, July 19th, when yet another musical line-up extraordinaire takes the stage in the Gold Hill Inn’s side yard for its Mountain Fam Jam.

Formerly known as The Charles Sawtelle Memorial Mountain Jam, the rechristened Mountain Fam Jam continues the tradition started by the beloved Hot Rize guitarist and staunch KGNU advocate Charles Sawtelle, who cofounded the event in 1989.

Now celebrating its 38th anniversary, The Mountain Fam Jam is a family-friendly mini-festival of al fresco Bluegrass and Americana music for discerning listeners who relish the experience of a picturesque mountain setting that only the rustic, former mining town can provide. Poster artist Rachel Faller captured that vibe perfectly with her folk-art poster depicting the quaint log cabin charm of the Gold Hill Inn.

This year’s lineup is unquestionably another blockbuster headlined by roots music icon Tim O’Brien, alongside his wife, Jan Fabricius. After moving to Colorado in the 70s, O’Brien immersed himself in Boulder’s acoustic music community, honing his multi-instrumentalist and songwriting skills. His biggest success came with the cofounding of Hot Rize with Sawtelle and Pete Wernick. Nick Forster joined a short time later. Bluegrass musicians often credit Hot Rize for modernizing bluegrass while respecting its time-honored tradition. Hot Rize’s contributions were honored when the band was inducted into the Colorado Music Hall of Fame in 2021 and the Bluegrass Music Hall of Fame in 2025.

As a solo artist, O’Brien isn’t confined to just bluegrass. His 19 solo albums have blended traditional bluegrass, folk, Americana, Irish, and country genres with singer-songwriter material. With his fruitful career spanning over half a century, O’Brien is a revered songwriter and is cited as a major influence by artists such as Sarah Jarosz and Chris Thile.

Making it’s the Mountain Fam Jam debut will be the Taylor Sims Band, a powerful string aggregation that will play new material from Sims’s upcoming album. Helping to fuel the fire will be Dylan McCarthy (mandolin), Chris Elliott (banjo) and Bradley Moss (doghouse bass).

The Fam Jam concept couldn’t be any more evident with this year’s line-up. O’Brien’s niece, Lucy Moore, will perform’ tweener sets, spotlighting her stellar vocals, guitar and accordion playing.

Also, in line with the family theme will be kids’ activities (beanbag toss, mask-making and more!) in the tent on the south meadow area of the Gold Hill Inn.

We’ll have food, soft drinks, beer and wine available for purchase. No outside alcohol or coolers permitted. Low-backed lawn chairs recommended, please. La-Z-Boy Rockers. No pets.

This event benefits KGNU Community Radio. KGNU is an independent community-powered, listener-supported Community Radio Station, broadcasting since 1978. Listen at 88.5 FM in Boulder and Denver, 1390 AM in Denver, 93.7 FM Nederland, 98.7 FM in Fort Collins, 99.1 FM in Central Denver, online at kgnu.org, and from our mobile app for Android or iPhone/iPad.

Tickets: