Introducing crying uncle
Award-winning bluegrass straight from Northern California. IBMA’s 2023 Momentum Band of the Year. Live on the Arkansas River.
Northern California’s Crying Uncle Bluegrass Band is widely recognized as one of the most exciting young acts in acoustic music today. Brothers Miles and Teo Quale, bassist Andrew Osborn, and 2023 National Flat Pick Guitar Champion Ian Ly bring a sound that is equal parts bluegrass tradition, Dawg music, jazz, and fearless original songwriting.
Since forming in 2017 they have earned IBMA’s Momentum Band of the Year, made their debut at the Grand Ole Opry, performed on TEDTalk twice, and graced the stages of Hardly Strictly Bluegrass, WinterWonderGrass, Strawberry Music Festival, Delfest, and Grey Fox, among many others. They have toured internationally across Japan, Korea, Finland, and France, and have shared stages with Marty Stuart and David Grisman.
In the summer of 2024 they signed with Engelhardt Music Group and released their latest album, I Still Remember June.
Seeing them live in the sand, right on the Arkansas River, doesn’t get more special than this.
David Lawerence & The Spoonful (Trio) with Coleman Smith & Kevin Johnson
Over a decade in Colorado has sharpened the edges of David Lawrence’s sound. From earthy fingerpicking blues to the refined flourishes of his Django-inspired jazz guitar, his music is best described as roots music. It fits just as well in a honky tonk at midnight as it does at an intimate songwriter showcase, a vintage swing dance, or a sun-drenched summer festival stage.
A master storyteller with soulful vocals and instantly infectious melodies, David draws listeners in with evocative imagery and a sound that feels both timeless and immediate. He has shared stages with Bros. Comatose, headlined sold-out shows at the Gold Hill Inn, and earned heavy rotation on Colorado radio with his celebrated album Lean In.
At Rhythms On The River, David brings his trio, David Lawrence & The Spoonful, joined by Yonder Mountain String Band’s own Coleman Smith on fiddle. Roots music, rhythm, and soul right on the Arkansas River. Do not miss it.
Morningside
Roma Ransom
Roma Ransom is the Colorado-based duo of Grace Easley and Gordon Lewis, two exceptional musicians and beloved educators at Coletrain Music Academy who have been performing together since 2010 and touring across America ever since.
Their sound is best described as eclectic bohemian world folk, weaving together old-time traditional ballads, Eastern European influences, and sonic landscapes that transport an audience somewhere entirely their own. Grace is a classically trained violinist and violist with a deep love of global folk traditions and an infectious sense of wonder. Gordon is a seasoned multi-instrumentalist, composer, and educator whose playing draws from Appalachian traditions, early Americana, gypsy jazz, and roots music. Together they create rich, textural soundscapes that pull from cultures across the earth while remaining distinctly Roma Ransom. Both have contributed music to creative campaigns for brands including Patagonia, Yeti, and Vice.
Great music should connect you to the past, inspire you to envision the future, and find you wholly in the present moment. Roma Ransom does all three. Catch them live on the banks of the Arkansas River at Rhythms On The River.
The Ark Valley String Ensemble
The Ark Valley String Ensemble is a growing collective of young string musicians from the Arkansas Valley, established in 2025 and directed by master violinist and Coletrain Music Academy founder Coleman Smith. The ensemble made their debut performance at the Merry Melodies concert at Buena Vista High School and are now preparing for their first large public festival performance, opening the inaugural Rhythms On The River on July 16th on the banks of the Arkansas River in Buena Vista, Colorado.
Under Coleman’s direction the ensemble brings together students of varying ages and skill levels, united by a shared passion for strings and a commitment to musical excellence. Coleman brings a rare combination of classical rigor and real-world performance experience to the podium. During his formative years in the Suzuki program he became one of the youngest people ever accepted to the Fort Worth Youth Orchestra, eventually earning solo performances with the Dallas Fort Worth Pops Orchestra. He has since led and conducted multiple orchestras in the Fort Worth area and built a 30-year career as one of the most respected cross-genre violinists in the country, currently performing as the fiddle player for the iconic Yonder Mountain String Band.
The Ark Valley Youth String Ensemble is more than a performance group. It is a community, a training ground, and a glimpse at the next generation of Arkansas Valley musicians. We cannot think of a better way to open Rhythms On The River.
Leanna Miller of The Whiskey Sweets
Leanna began her music journey in central Ohio before putting down roots in Buena Vista, Colorado in 2013. She studied under CMA founder Coleman Smith from 2021–2024, and has since performed and recorded with a remarkable range of artists including members of Rapidgrass, Trout Steak Revival, and Yonder Mountain String Band. As lead vocalist for The Whiskey Sweets, she has opened for Jeremy Garrett of the Infamous Stringdusters, The Fruition Trio, and The Band Perry.
Hunter Simmons
Hunter Simmons is a Texas-based singer-songwriter whose heartfelt originals blend country, Americana, and folk influences. A returning Camp Coletrain student and scholarship recipient, Hunter has become a familiar face in our community through his dedication to songwriting and growth as an artist.
Catch this special showcase performance inside the Beach Lounge at Rhythms On The River as he shares his authentic songwriting and soulful sound.
Casey Kinder
Casey Kinder is a 16-year-old singer, guitarist, and longtime Coletrain Music Academy student who has studied under Coleman Smith for the past six years. A familiar face at Camp Coletrain, Casey has performed at venues and festivals including The Lariat, The Surf Hotel, Smalltown Gathering, and the Moab Folk Festival. She also serves as a teaching assistant at Camp Coletrain pop-up camps and is an official Camp Coletrain Ambassador.
Don’t miss this special showcase performance inside The Beach Lounge as Casey shares her talent, confidence, and passion for music.
Hemmed-In Hollow
Hemmed-in-Hollow is a harmonious string trio born out of Coletrain Music Academy and rooted in Poncha Springs, CO. Blending pop, bluegrass, old time, folk, and fiddle traditions, they bring a fun, lighthearted energy that’s impossible not to move to.
Don’t miss this special showcase performance inside The Beach Lounge!
Main Street Minstrels
Main Street Minstrels is an acoustic duo born out of Coletrain Music Academy, featuring Matthew Maloney on classical guitar and vocals and Tim Arnold on double bass. Over the past two years these two dedicated musicians have built a rich, eclectic sound that spans Bach to the Rolling Stones — with jazz, folk, classic rock, and old country woven throughout. Their sets are dynamic, toe-tapping, and full of surprises. Expect sing-alongs, protest songs, and their signature take on what they call Baroque and Roll.
Don’t miss this special showcase performance inside The Beach Lounge!
