2026 Performers
John Reischman and The Jaybirds put their own particular stamp on bluegrass, old time and acoustic roots music, with a satisfying blend of traditional and modern styles, and a clear indication that they really enjoy playing together.
There’s plenty here to please both bluegrass traditionalists and lovers of modern American folk music, especially for those with an appreciation of great harmony singing as well as masterful instrumental playing. Bluegrass Unlimited calls John Reischman “one of the world’s undisputed masters” of the mandolin, famed for outstanding tone and taste.
Many of his dozens of original instrumentals have become popular favourites for sessions and covers, such as the jam standard Saltspring. Like Reischman, the powerful mandolinist and composer at its helm, The Jaybirds fashion a stylish take on Bluegrass that seamlessly blends original songs and instrumentals with Appalachian Old-Time music for a truly unique band sound.
John Reischman and the Jaybirds
Seth Mulder & Midnight Run was born in the holler of Tennessee’s first legal moonshine distillery, where the spirit of tradition still runs strong.
Since forming in 2018, the band has been on a mission to blend the roots of traditional bluegrass with the energy of modern performance, crafting a sound that is both deeply authentic and refreshingly original.
With genuine songwriting, tasteful arrangements, and a knack for breathing new life into forgotten covers, the band combines elements of bluegrass, classic country, and folk music in a way that resonates with both traditionalists and new audiences alike. Their high-energy live shows have taken them across the U.S., Canada, and Europe, earning them a reputation as one of the most exciting young acts on the bluegrass circuit today.
Seth Mulder & Midnight Run
Taking cues from the second wave of bluegrass in the 80s, the boys take inspiration from the likes of Ronnie Bowman, JD Crowe & The New South, New Grass Revival and The Bluegrass Cardinals. Recent appearances at the Yarra Junction Fiddlers Convention, Big Earles Roadhouse, The Drunken Poet, The Catfish and The Brunswick Artists Bar have seen this new outfit hone their live show in front of a wide range of audiences.
Oh Gibson
Marcus Church (guitar, The Borough and The Inadequates) and Paul Henderson (banjo, The Borough) push the boundaries of the traditional string band with a progressive sound shaped by the likes of Punch Brothers and Hawktail, and honed through studies with masters including Bryan Sutton, Chris Eldridge, Jake Workman, Béla Fleck, Tony Trischka, Wes Corbett and Greg Liszt.
For their Mountaingrass shows they're joined by Lucy Kammermann (The Borough, Lucy and Luisa), an up-and-coming young fiddle player from Adelaide and winner of the 2026 Mountaingrass Young Performer of the Year award. Together they'll explore modern bluegrass alongside contemporary takes on old-time and Scandinavian fiddle music.
Marcus and Paul with Lucy Kammermann
In this exciting new duo, coming together through their shared passion for American Old-time Stringband and traditional ‘Southern’ dance and social music veteran Australian Bluegrass, Western Swing and Old-time guitarist, banjo player and fiddler extraordinaire Donal Baylor (Dance Hall Racketeers, Baylor Bros, Slim Dusty Band, Rhiz and the Sugarplums) is joined by Melbourne based multi instrumentalist and traditional ‘Roots’ music specialist Craig Woodward (Headbelly Buzzard, Flying Engine Stringband, The ‘Johnny Can’t Dance’ Cajun Band, Woodward & Rough) to perform a dynamic mix of hard driving clawhammer banjo and fiddle duets, Breakdowns, Rags & Reels, hypnotic twin fiddling, Mountain Blues & Ballads, Cajun & Creole 2-steps, waltzes and Stomps from the Swamps!
Craig Woodward and Donal Baylor
Blending bluegrass tradition with contemporary folk, You, Me, Everybody have become one of Aotearoa’s most distinctive acoustic acts. Built around rich three-part harmonies and the interplay of guitar, banjo, mandolin, fiddle and double bass, their music is rooted in bluegrass while continually stretching its boundaries.
Finalists for Best NZ Folk Artist at the 2021 Aotearoa Music Awards, the band are known for dynamic musicianship, thoughtful songwriting and a uniquely New Zealand perspective on acoustic music.
Their latest album, Midnight, debuted at #2 on the Aotearoa Album Charts, capturing the band’s most expansive and confident sound to date.
You, Me, Everybody
Bluegrass Parkway remains faithful to the 1940s by playing to a single microphone and incorporating strong three and four part harmonies. Whether it be the traditional sounds of Monroe and the Stanley Brothers or material closer to the 'cutting edge', this band delivers.
Bluegrass Parkway is very excited to be able to introduce its brand new guitar player, Ben Tremlett to MountainGrass audiences this year!
Bluegrass Parkway
Ashlee Watkins & Andrew Small make music from a time when old-time, bluegrass, and country shared the same stage. Shifting between fiddle, banjo, mandolin, and guitars, they breathe life into classics and original songs with close harmony singing that has stirred audiences around the world.
Based in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Southwest Virginia, they lead The Alum Ridge Boys & Ashlee, a traditional bluegrass band, and The New Floyd County Ramblers, an old-time string band. Top prize winners at Galax, Mount Airy, Clifftop, and the Chris Austin Songwriting Contest at MerleFest, they have been featured on the cover of Moon Shiner (Japan) as well as in Bluegrass Unlimited, and have appeared twice in the IBMA Songwriter Showcase.
Ashlee Watkins & Andrew Small
Rain Of Animals is the euphonious collaboration between Pepita Emmerichs (Oh Pep!) and Theodore Barnard (Wire & Wool) and their love of all things mandolin, fiddle, guitar, harmony vocals, bluegrass, oldtime, trad, improvisation, tunes and songs.
Their sound is both new and old, unique in it's instrumental wizardry and musical integrity all at once. Since the release of their debut album Nali's World in 21' they have toured extensively around Europe, Australia, New Zealand and the UK, where they are now based in Scotland. 26' will see them release their sophomore album, which includes all original songs, tunes and special guest musicians from their travels.
Rain of Animals
Fast-paced and infectious, Charley Castle leads her Boys in the Well to a unique brand of Australian 'grass. Described as “refreshing”, the quartet connects elements of bygone country and folk with modern sensibilities, spanning the songwriting spectrum from heartbreaking to holler-inducing.
In string-band style, the group features acoustic guitar, mandolin, double bass and harmonies galore. The quartet were the Best of the Busking Champions at Tamworth Country Music Festival 2025, out of over 500 acts.
Charley Castle - lead vocals, acoustic guitar, harmonica, Reuben Ryan - acoustic guitar, harmonies
Henry Junor - double bass, harmonies, George Teasdell - mandolin, harmonies (ABOTMA Young Performer 2025) and William Louis - banjo, harmonies.
Charley Castle & the Boys in the Well
The Old Crossroads is a five-piece bluegrass band that brings a full and vibrant sound reminiscent of the bluegrass performed by its founders. The group, lead by Ashton Edgley, strives to deliver the classics and deep cuts of the genre across the 50's and 60's inclusive of high paced instrumentals and powerful high and lonesome harmonies.
With seasoned members in Mick Harrison, one of Australia's most renown banjo players and Bruce Packard holding the band down on Bass, they provide a wall of sound. Justin Vilchez, Monroe mandolin extraordinaire keeping the offbeats well punctuated and the breaks filled with southern flavour while Jess plays the long bow fiddle backup and breaks. With a deep love for this traditional style, The Old Crossroads have delighted many audiences across Victoria and share their passion for bluegrass with audience members alike!
The Old Crossroads
We’re a Bega Valley band that values the history of the genre. We play the songs we love, and strive to play them the way they were intended to be played, hoping to offer a bit of the authentic Bluegrass experience to whoever is listening.
Our sets are a collection of the standards and stories that define the genre, and a few originals played with a respect for the tradition and a genuine appreciation for the community that keeps it alive. We’re not here to reinvent the wheel, we’re just here to help keep it turning.
Geese Fly South
Nara and Gareth have both developed well-earned reputations as stand out fiddle players and leaders in old time fiddle tunes in Australia, with Nara (and Karina) hosting a monthly session in Blackwood, VIC and Gareth hosting a weekly session in Uki, NSW.
Having played music together for almost 30 years you won’t be the first to mistake them as brothers! Annette Mundy is well known in the Tasmanian music scene having played at regular dances and varied bands and musical projects for many years, her musicianship abounds as she frails the banjo, Karina Demasson holds it all together and drives the tunes with her steady guitar and infectious rhythm.
Hanging Rock Stringband
Known for their rich harmonies, breakneck instrumentals, and heartfelt songwriting, The High Street Drifters bring a fresh and unmistakably Australian voice to the genre.
The High Street Drifters
John sings and plays old time songs and tunes using guitar and banjo. Apart from solo performances, he has been a member of several string bands over the years. He has also performed in England and America. Audiences enjoy his varied repertoire, and interesting song introductions. His first solo album 'Still Rollin' On' features a mixture of traditional songs and tunes, and several original banjo and guitar instrumentals.
John's involvement with old-time country music and bluegrass began in Melbourne in the late 1960's when the folk music revival was in full swing. Since then, he has remained true to the spirit of old-time music as a performer and teacher. John plays clawhammer banjo and guitar. Apart from performing in Australia, he has performed in both England and the USA. He has been greatly influenced by Clarence 'Tom' Ashley, The New Lost City Ramblers, The Carter Family and The Delmore Brothers.
John Boothroyd
The Cartwheels are Golden Guitar winning Wendy Phypers (acoustic guitar and vocals) and Dave Patterson (double bass and vocals) along with wonderful musicians Glen Rae (fiddle and vocals) and Jenny Shimmin (banjo).
The Cartwheels are influenced by old country, western swing and bluegrass and bring their own unique style with an entertaining and heartwarmimg show.
With five studio albums under their belt the Cartwheels are known for Wendy’s incredible vocals and heartfelt originals. Performing since the early 90’s with bands like The Happening Thang and The Sparnetts, Wendy and Dave continue to delight audiences nationwide.
The Cartwheels
The Quarry Hillbillies deliver a lively blend of bluegrass, old time country, and harmony driven acoustic music with plenty of heart and a healthy dose of humour.
Featuring tight picking, rich vocals, and the occasional surprise, this special festival appearance sees the band joined by a few musical friends along the way. Equal parts seasoned musicians and well dressed troublemakers, they bring a polished show, dry wit, and the kind of chemistry that only comes from years on stage together.
From Bluegrass toe-tappers to country tear jerkers… from rockabilly hits to blues classics: the Quarry Hillbillies are a blend of fine musicianship, sweet vocal harmonies and elaborate dance routines*.
(*band members may not actually be able to dance… at all… but they do have a sense of humor)
The Quarry Hillbillies & Mystery Guest
My-T-Fine Stringband plays acoustic old-time traditional country music, 1940’s bluegrass and lively stringband dance tunes, with a serving of humour and anecdotes. Fans say their music is sweet and authentic, like winding the clock back several decades.
Rod Jones (fiddle & mandolin), Lindsay Mar (guitar) and Judy Jones (clawhammer banjo) have played music together for 20+ years and are well-versed in the traditional sounds, tunes and playing styles of old-time music.
Rod & Judy have won instrumental & vocal awards at fiddler’s conventions in the USA. The band was featured at the famous Carter Family Fold in Virginia. Lindsay’s Bluegrass News column in Trad & Now has been spreading bluegrass & old-time news for many years.
My-T-Fine Stringband
The Rusticators
The Rusticators bringing their vintage perspective on mountain tunes, vintage
bluegrass and classic country.
All members of the band are multi-instrumentalists and singers and we do change it around a bit but the default combo is Mark on banjo and vocals, Fred on vocals and guitar, Reuben (Freds son) on mandolin and Sam (Marks son) on double bass. We play old 1920’s style blues, vintage bluegrass, oldtime country music, through covers of more contemporary music to some originals.
Expect foot-stomping instrumentals, ballads of love, longing and a little mischief and the essential murder ballad or train song.
Come along and enjoy some easygoing music with this talented Tasmanian crew.
StompKats are an old-timely duo that loves playing old-timey, bluegrass and gutbucket blues. Reminiscent of the sounds of rural America sometime between the 19th and early 20th century, Stompkats hard‘n fast Bluegrass gutbucket rhythm and blues and High lonesome singing will take you on a journey when life was a little simpler.
Stompkats raw acoustic driving rhythms are reminiscent of twangin country and Delta blues and just like the good ol’ days, the Stompkats will make you want to get up and stomp.
Come on that journey with the Stompkats and get back to traditional roots where “vocal, harmony and instrument” are unadulterated by technology and where songs come from the heart.
StompKats
Calico Corn serves up a lively, feel-good set of fiddle-driven music that’s made for festival fun.
Mixing Ross’s original tunes—steeped in Old Time and Appalachian traditions—with spirited traditional numbers, they bring a bright blend of foot-stomping rhythms, warm harmonies, and playful instrumental spark.
With Ross Smithard on fiddle and Annette Mundy on clawhammer banjo, they move with ease from high-energy dance tunes to sweet, laid-back moments that draw the crowd right in.Expect plenty of toe-tapping, big smiles, and a joyful dose of old-time magic.
Calico Corn
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