The Bluegrass Generals assemble once a year in early Spring at Cervantes Masterpiece Ballroom Theater in Denver Colorado (occasionally making an additional cameo during the year). For a decade, Chris Pandolfi (banjo) and Andy Hall (dobro), both of The Infamous Stringdusters are the only constant members of the Generals. Both are New York natives now residing in Colorado. Fans of the Dusters, as they are nicknamed, will tell you they are so dialed in that they finish each other’s musical sentences. The pair call up new members for a weekend of an off the charts music collaborative. When you take musicians who play in the same circles, but have never before been in this configuration, there is room for spontaneity and there’s a playfulness (cheesy pun) to the stage. The fans are a mix of die-hard loyal followers for each band member that adds an excited energy to the room. Opener for both nights were Horseshoes & Hand Grenades and with sit ins by Sam Walker (Clay Street Unit), Adam Greuel (Horseshoes & Hand Grenades) and Jeremy Garrett (The Infamous Stringdusters).

Each year, Pandolfi and Hall recruit fresh blood to fill out a unique band experience. Donned in camo and military style jumpsuits to bring continuity to this task force. Recruits are as seasoned as the generals themselves. This year was no different. On it’s tenth anniversary, Daniel Donato was welcomed on guitar, Geoff Saunders who sets the upright bass on fire, usually backing Sierra Ferrell and our very own upstate New Yorker, multi-instrumentalist Nick Piccininni who plays mandolin and some fiddle for Yonder Mountain String Band to round out this impressive group.

They immediately went to work leveling the venue and taking no prisoners! Those who know, KNOW. Those who don’t never saw it coming… Trading solos, respectively blowing each other away was evident by the smiles and solid determination on each band member’s face. The Bluegrass Generals notoriously get together just days before to lock in song selections and create their famously all over the map, set lists from there. Seamless execution of the mission ensues, and we’re all left wondering if it was all just a fever dream.

Night one- set one:

9lb. Hammer, American Girl, Thunderclouds of Love, Hi-Country, Girl From the Noth Country, Shenandoah Break Down, Lonesome Onry & Mean, One Way Track, Boogie On, Black Elk

Night one- set two:

Poor Ellen Smith, Rose in the Garden, The Way It Is, Loser, Are You Waiting Just for Me, Angeline the Baker, Weathervane, Midnight Moonlight, Arkansas Traveler, Fire, Mama Tried, What the Night Brings, Gotta Travel On, ENCORE- Roll in My Sweet Baby’s Arms

Night two- set one:

40 Years of Trouble, New Minglewood, Southbound Break Down, Half Moon Night, Back on the Train, Brown Eyed Woman, Into the Fire, Shenandoah Break Down, Long Black Veil, Blue Ridge Cabin Home, No More to Leave You

Night two- set two:

 Going Back to the Blue Ridge Mountains, 14 Carat Mind, Hey Brother, Love For an Angel, Dance in the Desert, Casey Jones, East Bound and Down, Here I Go, Foggy Mountain Top, Deep Ellum, My Destination, ENCORE Sittin’ On Top of the World

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