FESTIVAL SCHEDULE
The Earl Scruggs Music Festival will be hosted at the Tryon International Equestrian Center in Mill Spring, NC from Friday, September 1 through Sunday, September 3, 2023. There are three stages: The FLINT HILL Hill Stage presented by WLOS (main stage), The FOGGY MOUNTAIN Stage presented by Lakeside Mills, The LEGENDS WORKSHOP Stage presented by Gibson Gives. ESMF will include a family area with children’s activities. We are also offering our exclusive ESMF EXPERIENCES.
We encourage all patrons to bring their instruments and join us at the IBMA Jammin’ Area: Earl’s Pickin’ Pavilion. BYO Instrument! All instrument cases will be subject to search at the festival gate. Lets celebrate Scruggs the best way we know how!
GENERAL FESTIVAL SCHEDULE
THURSDAY:
6:00 to 9:00
Free concert onsite, restaurants open
FRIDAY:
10 am – 12:30am
SATURDAY:
10:00 am – 1:00am
SUNDAY:
10:30 am – 7:00 pm
GATES OPEN
8:00am each morning
FRIDAY, SEPT 1
FRIDAY : FLINT HILL
presented by WLOS
3:00pm-3:15pm
Welcome: J.T. Scruggs & Jerry Douglas
3:15pm-3:30pm
Banjo Kickoff: Bringing Scruggs Style Home
with Gena Britt, Charlie Cushman, Rob McCoury, Pete Wernick, Tony Trischka, & Ben Wright
4:00pm-5:00pm
Sister Sadie
5:30pm-7:00pm
The Earls of Leicester
7:30pm-9:00pm
Del McCoury Band
9:30pm-11:00pm
Infamous Stringdusters
*All artist schedules subject to change
FRIDAY : FOGGY MOUNTAIN
10:00am-11:30am
BRNHA* Fine Tuned Project
*Blue Ridge National Heritage Area Project
11:45am-12:15pm
The Wilder Flower
12:45pm-1:45pm
ETSU* Bluegrass Pride Band
*East Tennessee State University
2:00pm-3:00pm
Ages Past
4:00pm-5:00pm
Pretty Little Goat
5:30pm-6:30pm
Jake Blount
7:00pm-8:00pm
Henhouse Prowlers
8:30pm-9:30pm
Shawn Camp
10:30pm-12:00 am
Foggy Late Night: Armchair Boogie
*All artist schedules subject to change
FRIDAY : LEGENDS WORKSHOP
presented by Gibson Gives
11:00am-12:00pm
Secrets of Scruggs Style
“Secrets of Scruggs Style,” featuring Tony Trischka, the long-time Scruggs friend and banjo educator. Top-rank five-string men Charlie Cushman, of the Earls of Leicester, and Pete Wernick, co-founder of Hot Rize, will join Trischka in illuminating the basis of Scruggs’s revolutionary style, its fire and its subtleties. For absorbing the mind-boggling inner architecture of Scruggs’s playing, it’s the best show in town. Thomas Goldsmith brings ‘em on.
12:30pm-1:30pm
Bluegrass: Big Shows. Big Future?
Acts such as the Del McCoury Band and the Infamous Stringdusters, display hardcore bluegrass ties as well as counterculture appeal, as they draw big festival crowds and new fans. What’s coming next? Rob McCoury and Ronnie McCoury, and Deanie Richardson from Sister Sadie will discuss what the trend means for the music, the musicians and the fans. Thomas Goldsmith moderates.
*All artist schedules subject to change
SATURDAY, SEPT 2
SATURDAY : FLINT HILL
11:45am-12:00pm
Welcome: J.T. Scruggs
12:00pm-1:00pm
Tony Trischka: From Flint Hill to the World; A Tribute to Earl Scruggs
1:30pm-2:30pm
Tray Wellington Band
3:00pm-4:00pm
Darin and Brooke Aldridge
5:00pm-6:00pm
Jon Stickley Trio
6:30pm-7:30pm
Jerry Douglas
8:00pm-9:00pm
Della Mae
9:30pm-11:00pm
Greensky Bluegrass
*All artist schedules subject to change
SATURDAY : FOGGY MOUNTAIN
10:00am-10:30am
PacJAM Ramblers
10:45am-11:15am
The Biscuit Eaters
11:30am-12:00pm
Newfound Gap
12:30pm-1:30pm
Into the Fog
2:00pm-3:00pm
Pete Wernick
3:30pm-5:00pm
The Earl Scruggs Revue Tribute Album: Live! From Austin City Limits featuring Tony Trischka Band & Friends
6:00pm-7:00pm
Zoe & Cloyd
7:15pm-8:30pm
I Draw Slow
8:45pm-10:30pm
Twisted Pine
11:00pm-12:30pm
Foggy Late NIght: Della Mae
*All artist schedules subject to change
SATURDAY : LEGENDS WORKSHOP
11:30am-12:30pm
High Lonesome Songs: Then & Now
Tunes written by bluegrass founders Bill Monroe, Earl Scruggs, and the Stanley Brothers became crucial to a distinctive, self-sustaining identity for the new music style. Thomas Goldsmith and award-winning songwriter/educator Louisa Branscomb chair a lively discussion as contemporary songwriting stars Jon Weisberger and Celia Woodsmith explore themes that made early bluegrass songs memorable, and the elements and influences that have since shaped the tunes.
1:00pm-2:00pm
Earl Scruggs: Music Man from the Piedmont
Our festival honoree didn’t just grow up and develop his style in Cleveland County. Earl Scruggs also felt a lifelong connection to the kinfolk, communities and countryside there and still shows up in the region’s best stories. With Earl’s nephew J.T. Scruggs, his friend Dean Jenks, veteran bluegrass journalist Penny Parsons and ESMF all-star Jerry Douglas. Thomas Goldsmith moderates the story fest.
*All artist schedules subject to change
SUNDAY, SEPT 3
SUNDAY : FLINT HILL
12:15pm-1:30pm
Rissi Palmer
2:00pm-3:15pm
Michael Cleveland & Flamekeeper
3:45pm-5:00pm
The Jerry Douglas Band
5:30pm-7:00pm
Emmylou Harris
*All artist schedules subject to change
SUNDAY : FOGGY MOUNTAIN
10:30am-11:30am
Gospel Brunch with Darin & Brooke Aldridge
12:00pm-1:00pm
Laura Boosinger & Josh Goforth
1:30pm-2:30pm
The Blue Ridge Girls
3:00pm-4:00pm
The Foreign Landers
4:30pm-5:30pm
Zoe & Cloyd
7:00pm-8:00pm
Reedy River String Band
*All artist schedules subject to change
SUNDAY : LEGENDS WORKSHOP
presented by Gibson Gives
1:00pm-1:45pm
Jerry Douglas: World-class Innovator
Resonator guitar standard-setter Jerry Douglas grew up on straightforward bluegrass and the influence of Earl Scruggs, Lester Flatt and dobro man Josh Graves. But like his mentor Scruggs, Douglas developed a striking new approach to his instrument. He’s come to excel in mainstream country, advanced jazz, songwriter folk, Celtic music, blues, and the “new acoustic” style he co-founded. Thomas Goldsmith asks: How did Douglas make all this work and how deep does Scruggs’s influence still run?
2:00pm-3:30pm
Wernick Method Jam Class
*All artist schedules subject to change
EXPERIENCES SCHEDULE
THURSDAY: EXPERIENCES
7:00pm until 7:30pm
Horse Jumping Demonstrations
- Each day in the Tryon Stadium ring (behind Legends), there will be horse jumping demonstrations for festival goers to enjoy. Even if you're not an equestrian, you will enjoy watching these beautiful horses run through their jumps.
5:00pm until 7:00pm
Pickleball Social
- Open courts and no registration required.
- Join your fellow festival goers at Fitness Wide Open and join in our Thursday Pickle Ball Social.
- Players of all skill levels are welcome and paddles and balls are available to use at no charge.
- Pick up games or doubles tournaments are common depending on the turnout.
- This is a great way to be introduced to the game or just meet some fellow players and music lovers.
6:00pm until 9:00pm
Live Music on the Foggy Mountain Stage
- Open to the public and early festival arrivals.
- Seating is limited, bring a chair.
- A festival ticket is not required.
- Featuring live music from:
- Reedy River String Band - 6:00 pm-7:00 pm
- Pretty Little Goat 7:30 pm-9:00 pm
7:30 pm - 8:30 pm
Bourbon & Bluegrass featuring Travis Book at Legends Club Patio
- Tickets: $50 per person
- Limited capacity: 125 patrons.
- Enjoy an evening of live music featuring Travis Book of the Infamous Stringdusters in an intimate setting at the Legends Club. Tasters will sample 4 premium bourbons with tasting notes for each, learning about the different types of bourbon. The event will also feature light appetizers that will pair perfectly with your bourbon. A full cash bar will be available.
- Four bourbon samples provided.
- Light appetizers will be served.
8:00 am - 4:00 pm
Open gym
- Free use of the gym from 8:00am to 4:00pm for all festival patrons without an extra fee.
- Explore the Wide Open Fitness Center at the Tryon International Equestrian Center and stay in shape all festival weekend. The gym features a variety of fitness equipment and space including a full CrossFit Gym, weight and cardio machines and plenty of room for various floor exercises in an indoor climate controlled space.
FRIDAY: EXPERIENCES
9:30 am
JAM Golf Tournament at Cleghorn Golf Club
- $400 per team or $100 per player.
- 9:30 Shotgun Start at Cleghorn Golf Club.
- Join us at the beautiful Cleghorn Golf Club just 4 miles from the festival for a charity golf tournament benefiting the Junior Appalachian Musicians. Sign up as a team of 4 or individually and enjoy 18 holes of golf with fellow music lovers. Registration includes your green fee, cart fee, range balls and lunch. Prizes for the top teams as well as longest drive and closest to the pin. Hole Sponsorships are available.
Learn more about the Junior Appalachia Musicians program by visiting
https://jamkids.org/
5:00pm until 5:30pm
Horse Jumping Demonstrations
- Each day in the Tryon Stadium ring (behind Legends), there will be horse jumping demonstrations for festival goers to enjoy. Even if you're not an equestrian, you will enjoy watching these beautiful horses run through their jumps.
9:00 am - 10:00 am
Trail Rides
- Meet at 8:30 am at the General Store.
- Cost: $95 per person max of 10 people per day.
- Enjoy a Tryon Western Adventure 1 Hour (9:00 am- 10:00 am) Trail Ride. Participants meet at the Tryon General Store where a guide will provide instructions and gear. The trail ride will explore the beautiful wooded trails of the Tryon International Equestrian Center, guided by local experts. No experience is required, minimum age of 10 years old.
9:00 am - 10:00 am
Yoga
- No fee to attend with a festival wristband.
- Location: Wide Open Fitness Gym.
11:00 am - 1:00 pm
Intro to Pickleball in the Wide Open Fitness Gym
- No fee to attend with a festival wristband.
- No registration or additional fee required.
8:00 am - 4:00 pm
Open gym
- Free use of the gym from 8:00am to 4:00pm for all festival patrons without an extra fee.
- Explore the Wide Open Fitness Center at the Tryon International Equestrian Center and stay in shape all festival weekend. The gym features a variety of fitness equipment and space including a full CrossFit Gym, weight and cardio machines and plenty of room for various floor exercises in an indoor climate controlled space.
SATURDAY: EXPERIENCES
10:00am until 10:30am
02:45pm until 03:15pm
05:00pm until 05:30pm
Horse Jumping Demonstrations
- Each day in the Tryon Stadium ring (behind Legends), there will be horse jumping demonstrations for festival goers to enjoy. Even if you're not an equestrian, you will enjoy watching these beautiful horses run through their jumps.
10:00 am - 11:00 am
Bluegrass Brunch at Legends Club featuring Zoe & Cloyd
the Bluegrass Brunch is sponsored by Boyd Automotive
- Buffet with outdoor seating on Legends Patio.
- Price $25 per person.
- 200 seats available.
- Enjoy a gourmet brunch buffet at the Legends Club while listening to a private performance by Zoe & Cloyd on the Legends Stage. This is a great opportunity to enjoy some amazing music in an intimate and beautiful setting with a delicious gourmet brunch buffet.
9:00 am - 10:00 am
Trail Rides
- Meet at 8:30 am at the General Store.
- Cost: $95 per person max of 10 people per day.
- Enjoy a Tryon Western Adventure 1 Hour (9:00 am- 10:00 am) Trail Ride. Participants meet at the Tryon General Store where a guide will provide instructions and gear. The trail ride will explore the beautiful wooded trails of the Tryon International Equestrian Center, guided by local experts. No experience is required, minimum age of 10 years old.
9:00 am - 10:00 am
Yoga
- No fee to attend with a festival wristband.
- Location: Wide Open Fitness Gym.
8:00 am - 4:00 pm
Open gym
- Free use of the gym from 8:00am to 4:00pm for all festival patrons without an extra fee.
- Explore the Wide Open Fitness Center at the Tryon International Equestrian Center and stay in shape all festival weekend. The gym features a variety of fitness equipment and space including a full CrossFit Gym, weight and cardio machines and plenty of room for various floor exercises in an indoor climate controlled space.
11:00 am
Pickleball doubles tournament at Wide Open Fitness Gym
- $5 per player, registration required.
.
If you haven’t played before, come learn to play on Friday and get some practice during the open gym. We have paddles and balls. Players come dressed in their own attire. The courts are indoor and climate controlled. If you don’t have a team we will pair you with another single.
SUNDAY: EXPERIENCES
10:30 am - 11:30 am
Bluegrass Gospel Set at the Foggy Mountain Stage with Darin & Brooke Aldridge
- Open to all.
- Bloody Mary and Mimosa Bar at Foggy Mountain Stage.
- Brunch Specials offered before and during the gospel set at Rogers Diner.
Seating located in the stage area.
Brunch specials and breakfast available for purchase at Roger’s Diner.
12:30pm until 01:00pm
Horse Jumping Demonstrations
- Each day in the Tryon Stadium ring (behind Legends), there will be horse jumping demonstrations for festival goers to enjoy. Even if you're not an equestrian, you will enjoy watching these beautiful horses run through their jumps.
9:00 am - 10:00 am
Trail Rides
- Meet at 8:30 am at the General Store.
- Cost: $95 per person max of 10 people per day.
- Enjoy a Tryon Western Adventure 1 Hour (9:00 am- 10:00 am) Trail Ride. Participants meet at the Tryon General Store where a guide will provide instructions and gear. The trail ride will explore the beautiful wooded trails of the Tryon International Equestrian Center, guided by local experts. No experience is required, minimum age of 10 years old.
9:00 am - 10:00 am
Yoga
- No fee to attend with a festival wristband.
- Location: Wide Open Fitness Gym.
8:00 am - 4:00 pm
Open gym
- Free use of the gym from 8:00am to 4:00pm for all festival patrons without an extra fee.
- Explore the Wide Open Fitness Center at the Tryon International Equestrian Center and stay in shape all festival weekend. The gym features a variety of fitness equipment and space including a full CrossFit Gym, weight and cardio machines and plenty of room for various floor exercises in an indoor climate controlled space.
AMENITIES SCHEDULE
TRYON Restaurants
Tryon Interntational Equestrian Center offers world class restaurants and bars.
Silo Bar: Th-Sun 3pm-1pm
Rogers Diner: Th-Sun 7am-11pm
Campagna: Th-Sun 11am-11pm
Legends: Th-Sun 11a-11pm
Blue Ginger (Sushi): Th-Sun 11am-9pm
Taco Mundo Th-Sun (near Silo Bar) 11am-4pm
General Store
(Starbucks, Sandwiches, Coffee, and general grocery items incl beer, wine, ice) 7am-11pm
Bears BBQ TIME: 11am-9pm
Earl Express Shuttle
Wide Open Fitness Gym
First floor International Pavilion – Tryon International Equestrian Center offers the Wide Open Fitness Gym, which includes a game room, workout room, and courts for pickleball and dodgeball.
Open gym (no free w/ festival wristband) Fri, Sat, Sun from 8a-4:00p;
Yoga Class (no fee w/ festival wristband) @ 9a-10a Fri, Sat, Sun (beginners welcome);
Pickleball (no fee for open play; $5 fee for tournament, registration required)
Thursday, Social 5p-8p;
Friday, Intro, 11a-1p;
Saturday, Tournament ($5/player, registration required, we will pair w/ team if you don’t have one) 11a-1p.
More info on Experiences Page and
More info at fitnesswideopen.com
LAND OF RHYTHM KID ZONE
The legacy lives on! Our Land of Rhythm Kid Zone offers kid-friendly activities, including face painting, games, an instrument “petting zoo”, and more! Thanks to our friends at @uptownshelby and @landofrhythm: Home of Earl Scruggs for hosting the Kid Zone as a way to celebrate Earl’s legacy and honor his commitment to teaching kids.
We are excited to share his story and passion for music with the next generation! Click the link in our bio for more details. Remember: Children 12 and under are admitted free to the festival with an adult with a General Admission pass!
Kid Zone Hours
Friday: 1pm – 6 pm
Saturday: 11am – 6 pm
Sunday: 12pm – 4 pm
JAMMIN'
We encourage all patrons to bring their instruments and join us at the IBMA Jammin’ Area: Earl’s Pickin’ Pavilion. BYO Instrument! All instrument cases will be subject to search at the festival gate. Lets celebrate Scruggs the best way we know how!
Weekend Jams will take place each day at the Jammin‘ Area: Earl’s Pickin’ Pavilion:
Friday 10:00 am – 1:00 pm & 5:00 pm- 8:00 pm
Saturday 10:00 am – 1:00 pm & 5:00 pm- 8:00 pm
Sunday 10:00 am – 1:00 pm
