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Hardly Strictly Bluegrass Festival Preview

Hardly Strictly Bluegrass Festival
Hellman Hollow - Lindley & Marx Meadows
Golden Gate Park
501 Stanyan St.
San Francisco, CA 94117
www.strictlybluegrass.comDates: October 5th to 7th - 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Warren Hellman
(1934–2011)

This three-day festival brings together over 90 leading and emerging musical groups gearing up to stomp, pick, twang, whistle, fiddle and sing their way into the welcoming ears of over 750,000 attendees. From its outset, the Hardly Strictly Bluegrass festival has been funded by venture capitalist and music enthusiast Warren Hellman. This year marks the first HSB since the music-loving millionaire passed away last December. Mr. Hellman has set in place a plan that would ensure the event receives necessary funding for at least 10 years after his death. The site of the festival has been named "Hellman's Hollow" in his honor.Related: Best Jazz And Blues Clubs In East Bay

Strictly Blue Grass Festival - Friday, October 5 - Sunday, October 7
Hellman Hollow, Golden Gate Park - San Francisco, CA

The first festival in 2001 was comprised solely of bluegrass musicians. Since then, other genres of musicians and their talents have also been included into the lineup. This necessitated the addition of the word "Hardly" to the event's title to reflect the 'expanded scope' of music being displayed during the festival.Past performing artists included Emmylou Harris, Hazel Dickens, Alison Krauss, Steve Earle, Jimmie Dale Gilmore, Willie Nelson, Joe Ely, Old Crow Medicine Show, John Prine and many others.

Warren Hellman was a true testament to living his life the way he wanted. His love of music was a constant passion during his life and now his memory lives on through the HSB festival. In a 2006 Forbes magazine quote, Hellman states "Giving really does move me. Part of it is selfish. It's fun to be appreciated. But the other part is that good things really are growing." Mr. Hellman described the bluegrass festival as a "selfish gift," something for himself and the community to enjoy. "How could you have more fun than that? What is money for if it isn't for something like that?"

Elvis Costello
Elvis Costello (Photo by Marc Andrew Deley/Getty Images)

The bands scheduled to play at this year's festival include Chuck Mead & His Grassy Knoll Boys, The Wandering, Mike Farris & the Roseland Rhythm Revue, Patty Griffin, Les Claypool, Little Green Cars, Sara Watkins, The Time Jumpers, Todd Snider, The Go to Hell Man Clan, Nick Lowe, The Soul Rebels, Patti Smith, Tiny Television, The Lumineers, Robert Earl Keen, The Milk Carton Kids, Amanda Shaw & the Cute Guys, Heartless Bastards, Son Volt, Buddy Miller, Patterson Hood & the Downtown Rumblers, Chris Robinson Brotherhood, Laurie Lewis & the Right Hands, Elvis Costello Solo, Glen Hansard, Chuck Prophet & the Mission Express, Lloyd Cole, Peter Rowan, Dwight Yoakam, The Del McCoury Band, Jerry Douglas, Steve Earle & The Dukes (and Duchesses), O'Brien Party of 7, Giant Giant Sand, Rubblebucket, Ralph Stanley & The Clinch Mountain Boys, Dirty Three, Red Baraat and The Head and The Heart.

It's hard to believe, but this concert is free. And if you love bluesy, jazzy melodies, country rock or just plain music that makes you want to put a wiggle to your middle, you're sure to be swinging and singing to the words sung by the best at this three-day music fest. What better way to spend a delightful fall weekend?

Related: San Francisco's Best Indie Music Venues

Kelly Gullo is a freelance writer in San Francisco, CA. Kellys topics are about music and nightlife. Kelly has also written a variety of articles on health and dieting and topics related to the environment. Kelly has a degree in journalism and public relations from Ferris State University in Big Rapids, MI. Her work can be found at Examiner.com.

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