RIP Northwest String Summit (2002-2022)

Just got back from the 20th and final Northwest String Summit - the Best Fest in the West.  The festival has been held almost every year since 2002 at world famous Horning's Hideout in a lush canyon in the foothills of the Oregon Coast Range 30 miles west of Portland.   The owner, Bob Horning, has decided he no longer wants to hold music festivals, and will focus all their attention on hosting weddings on their amazing property, which are less of a hassle, easier on the land, and apparently make as much money for his family as music fests do.  

The final verse of this magical musical saga naturally featured a line up of great music, including JRAD on Friday night.   Although I have seen Russo many times with Furthur, this was my first JRAD show and it was intense.   While DSO can consistently sound like the Grateful Dead on a good night, JRAD take's the band's catalog, makes it their own, and would arguably blow away the GD on a good night using the same songs.  Ironically, the highlight of their set was a smoking cover of ABB's "Jessica." 

Rest of the fest was great too with performances by Ghost Light, Umphrey's (did an outstanding "Can't You See" by the MTB), Greensky Bluegrass (with Holly Bowling sitting in), RRE, Keller, Leftover Salmon, and of course several sets from the organizers and musical hosts YMSB (with one late night set completely electric).   Trumpeter and vocalist extraordinaire Jennifer Hartswick was around and sat in with a number of the acts.  For what started off as a bluegrass festival, 80% of the bands had drummers and there was serious rocking and psychedelic jams all weekend long.  The young players on the side stages are always a treat and a great way to discover new talent and if a band out of St. Louis called "One Way Traffic" comes to your town, go and see them.   

I have been going since 2003 and this was my 10th Summit (Phish has a habit of booking the Gorge the same weekend).   My son grew up going to NWSS and as far as fests that are both family friendly and off the walls fun, this is it.   Hornings and NWSS has always felt like home to me (been up there for lots of other parties and weddings too) and this weekend was a bittersweet experience.  But as Keller implored the crowd to do, just get married up there and invite everyone to continue the party.