It is with great sadness that we have to announce that Joe K. Walsh has had to return home for a family emergency and will not be able to play for us with Grant Gordy on Saturday night, our thoughts are with him and his family and hope to see him back in the UK soon. The good news is Grant Gordy will be playing a solo set with the possible addition of some guests to mix things up.

For several years Brooklyn-based guitarist Grant Gordy has been a major voice on the American “acoustic music” scene, and one of the most highly regarded young instrumentalists of his generation. Having held the guitar chair in the legendary David Grisman Quintet for six years, he’s also worked alongside such musical luminaries as Edgar Meyer, Steve Martin, Tony Trischka and Darol Anger. Grant has performed all over North America and Europe. You do not want to miss seeing and hearing one of the finest flatpicking guitarists in the world today!

http://www.grantgordy.com/

The full line-up for Didmarton 2019 has been announced and it’s a bumper year for amazing music! Check out the ‘Line-Up’ page for the full list. Top of the bill are the incredible Grant Gordy and Joe K. Walsh from the USA, you really do not want to miss this pair!

Early-Bird tickets are still on sale until the 1st June when the Advance ticket price will come into effect, so don’t wait, grab a bargain while you still can! At £65 for Early-Bird tickets you will not find a better value festival, 14 bands, workshops, camping included for 4 nights, a communal bonfire, trade stalls, lots of picking sessions, an Open Mic stage, real ale bar, the list is almost endless! Plus, if you are a member of the British Bluegrass Music Association you can get a further discount on the Early Bird Ticket Price. Don’t wait, buy your tickets today!

You may remember at Didmarton 2018 there was a collection being held to raise funds for a young boy called Jackson who suffers from an undiagnosed neurological condition, between OGRI MCC and Didmarton Bluegrass Festival goers the amazing amount of £2011 was raised. We have just been sent a link to a newspaper article about the Lucy Air Ambulance which flew Jackson to Great Ormond Street Hospital for specialist tests and we thought you would like to read it too.

https://www.newspostleader.co.uk/news/grand-support-for-children-s-air-ambulance-1-9625719

You can find out more about Jackson on his website:

https://www.thelittleweeman.org/

Warm enough? Lets hope this weather holds for you to enjoy our fabulous outside location. We have a slightly larger marquee this year and the return of our very popular army cookhouse.

The festival is gearing up to be a hot one.

Get your advance tickets and don’t miss out!

(You’ll be glad to hear, we have NO emergency show to compete with this year!)

On Sunday 3rd September we will be sharing the airport site with the Emergency Services Show from 10am-4pm. The exit will be therefore be busier than normal around 4pm, but there will be police organising traffic out on to the main road, so traffic should flow. Departure will be signed and marshalled, with two exits, one for travelling north and one for travelling south.

Hard to believe it, but Didmarton 2017 kicks off in just 4 weeks time!

We have a fantastic line-up for you, plus the usual workshops, real ale and cider, picking sessions, dancing, etc., etc., etc..

2017 Line-Up:
Ragged Union – USA.
Sweet Water Warblers – USA
Jack Lawrence with Dick Plank and Alan Ward – USA/UK
The Small Glories (Cara Luft & J.D. Edwards) – Canada
Jeni Hankins – USA
The Horsenecks – USA/UK
The Rip Roaring Success – UK
Hot Rock Pilgrims – UK
Dan Walsh & John Dowling – UK
The Jaywalkers – UK
New Essex Bluegrass Band – UK
Cardboard Fox – UK
Bill Smarme & The Bizness – UK
Midnight Skyracer – UK
Next Generation – UK
The Rosellys – UK

More information on the bands can be found on the Line-Up page.

Get your tickets in advance and get a discount, if you’re a member of the BBMA, you can also get an additional discount, see the Ticket page for details.

If you want to ask us anything, take a look at the Contact page, or find us on Facebook.

Full programme now available, just go to LINE-UP then PROGRAMME 2016.

We hope you’re going to enjoy the whole weekend and everything it has to offer.

JUST CONFIRMED – we have ROB ICKES and TREY HENSLEY playing on the Friday night.

 
ROB ICKES has been playing bluegrass with his much-decorated band Blue Highway for over twenty years, during which time he has been adjudged Bluegrass Dobro Player Of the year fifteen times. Rob has played on countless sessions, recording with artists such as Merle Haggard, Dierks Bentley, Patty Loveless, and Alison Krauss.
TREY HENSLEY is bursting at the seams with freshness and musical excitement. His resonant baritone voice is rich, expressive, and equally at ease with classic bluegrass, traditional country, and original compositions. Raised in Jonesborough, Tennessee, Trey began playing guitar and singing when he was 10 years old. Invited by Marty Stuart and joined from the wings by Earl Scruggs, Trey Hensley landed on the Grand Old Opry when he was only 11.

Must be seen – along with the rest of our amazing line-up!

Thank you to all who have purchased an Early Bird Ticket, it helps us out massively with pre-festival costs.

There is still a saving on an Advance Weekend Ticket at only £60 for a full weekend of fabulous music, bonfires, beer, burgers, bikers and banjos (also fiddles, mandolins, guitars, double basses, dobros and more!)

Not forgetting the traders market, children’s corner and the chance to win an Ashbury Concert Ukulele AU24 in our one day raffle.

A Bluegrass Festival not to be missed, an atmosphere like no other.