Every year, bluegrass cognoscenti descend on the Catskills for four days of some of the greatest string music on the East Coast. Grey Fox Bluegrass Festival has a long standing reputation as one of the most well organized music festivals in the country and considering the fact that attendees return year after year is a testament to how exceptional an event it is. Though it is undoubtedly the campsite jams that distinguish Grey Fox from the rest, the festival is also able to draw some of the biggest names in bluegrass to the stages every year, and 2014 was no exception.

Bluegrass has long been a haven for progressive string bands, many of which studded the Grey Fox lineup this year at the Walsh Farm in Oak Hill. Back by popular demand were The Deadly Gentlemen (featuring a new bass player after the departure of Sam Grisman), Keller Williams with the Travelin’ McCourys and the HillBenders, who offered sets at both the main stage and the dance tent. Highlight performances were delivered by the Steep Canyon Rangers and Jim Lauderdale, who was backed by all-girl group called Della Mae. As with every year, Grey Fox devotees must now patiently wait another year before returning to their Catskill home.

– Eric Russ