Everyone in the Denver-made bluegrass band Jake Leg (guitarist and vocalist Eric Wiggs, mandolin player and vocalist Dylan McCarthy, and brothers Justin and Aaron Hoffenberg respectively on fiddle and bass) knew each other before forming the group. They played together in jams and occasionally in pickup gigs and other informal performances.

They started playing more structured performances as the tribute project All Wheel Drive, learning every song from the 1988 Béla Fleck instrumental album Drive. This project also featured Sam Armstrong-Zickefoose on banjo, Justin Konrad on dobro, and the original Jake Leg bass player Troy Robey. Jake Leg resulted from the group’s wishes to continue performing together, shifting the focus towards original, lyrical bluegrass music. The current lineup solidified recently, with Aaron Hoffenberg replacing Robey on bass in August 2023.

McCarthy started playing music at age six or seven. He took piano lessons for several years before moving to his mom’s acoustic guitar at around ten years old, teaching himself songs from his mom’s acoustic songbook. He says his true passion for music sparked in middle school, listening to classic rock artists such as The Beatles, Led Zeppelin, and Jimi Hendrix.

McCarthy started a rock band with friends going into high school, playing electric bass and singing. Here, he considered pursuing music for the first time. At around eighteen, he went to the Telluride Bluegrass Festival with his brother, exposing him to the genre for the first time. He immediately fell in love, buying a mandolin, an instrument he has now played for thirteen years.

McCarthy remembers first trying to write a song at around age nine, not revisiting the process until high school. He often figured out lyrics to match the music his band’s guitar player created. He believes these rock origins continue bleeding into his songwriting, with songs from Jake Leg’s debut record Fire on the Prairie incorporating rock and bluegrass elements. He loves illustrating themes of his songs through a story or driving action prevalent through the lyrics.

McCarthy prefers playing in a group, mainly because of the creative input every member can give and how everyone feeds off each other while performing. He loves the freedom of live performances because the band members can make each song feel new every time they perform. He hopes that audiences enjoy themselves while also connecting to a deeper layer of their material than just the exciting musicality.

Jake Leg has gained momentum within the last few years, finding particular attention in 2024. In February, they were listed as one of “Ten of the Top Colorado Bluegrass Bands” by Denver Westword. Later, in July, the band was nominated for the Momentum Band of the Year Award by the International Bluegrass Music Association, with McCarthy receiving his own nomination for Momentum Instrumentalist of the Year (the winners will be announced on September 25 at the 2024 World of Bluegrass Convention). With this momentum, it’s clear that Jake Leg has a lot more in store.

Be sure to check out Jake Leg at the Gold Hill Inn, 401 Main Street in Gold Hill, on Friday, August 9, 2024, starting at 8 p.m. Check out their debut record, Fire on the Prairie, wherever you get your music, and check out their Instagram, Facebook, YouTube, or website at jakelegmusic.com.

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Music Events

Busey Brews

Friday, August 2 at 4 p.m. - The Sweet Lilies Duo

Saturday, August 3 at 3 p.m. - PJ Moon (Nederland 150th)

Sunday, August 4 at 2 p.m. - Stellar Jays Duo

Sunday, August 11 at 2 p.m. - Brandywine Duo

Sunday, August 18 at 2 p.m. - Chris Myth

Sunday, August 25 at 2 p.m. - Melt Family’s Darin and Ryan

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BuseyBrews/

Website: https://buseybrews.com/

Location: 70 E. 1st Street, Nederland

Phone: 1-855-633-2739

Gold Hill Inn

Friday, August 2 at 8 p.m. - The Alcapones

Saturday, August 3 at 5:30 p.m. - Many Mountains

Sunday, August 4 at 5:30 p.m. - Robin Davis Duo

Wednesday, August 7 at 5:30 p.m. - John Statz

Friday, August 9 at 8 p.m. - Jake Leg

Sunday, August 11 at 5:30 p.m. - Thunder and Rain

Friday, August 16 at 8 p.m. - Blue Canyon Boys

Saturday, August 17 at 6 p.m. - Johnny Blueheart Band

Sunday, August 18 at 5:30 p.m. - Benjamin Sproul Duo

Wednesday, August 21 at 5:30 p.m. - David Miner Trio

Sunday, August 25 at 5:30 p.m. - Ojo de Luna

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/GoldHillInn/

Website: goldhillinn.com

Location: 401 Main Street, Gold Hill

Phone: 303-443-6461

Gold Hill Store

Saturday, August 10 at 7 p.m. - Goldie and the Grindstones

Saturday, August 17 at 6:30 p.m. - Hundred Pound Housecat

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Gold-Hill-General-Store/

Website: https://www.goldhillstore.com/

Location: 531 Main Street, Gold Hill

Gregory Plaza

Saturday, August 3 at 5 p.m. - The Jimmy Lewis Band

Saturday, August 17 at 5 p.m. - The Kind Mountain Band

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/blackhawksharddistrict/

Website: https://blackhawkharddistrict.com/

Location: 317 Gregory Street, Black Hawk (Mountain Poppy Boutique)

Phone: 720-669-0665

Howlin Wind Brewing

Saturday, August 3 at 5 p.m. - Shakedown Strings

Saturday, August 10 at 5 p.m. - Violet Breeze

Saturday, August 17 at 5 p.m. - Moonstone Quill

Saturday, August 24 at 5 p.m. - Solvera

Saturday, August 31 at 5 p.m. - Stone-Hall

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/howlinwindbrewing

Website: https://www.howlinwindbrewing.com/

Location: 51 A Main Street, Rollinsville

Phone: 309-825-5245

Jamestown Mercantile

Thursday, August 1 at 7 p.m. - New Family Dog

Friday, August 2 at 7 p.m. - Rolling Harvest

Sunday, August 4 at 12:15 p.m. - Haley Harkins

Thursday, August 8 at 7 p.m. - Wind-Up Birds

Friday, August 9 at 7 p.m. - Poorfree

Sunday, August 11 at 12:15 p.m. - Eli Lev

Thursday, August 15 at 7 p.m. - Ryan Dart

Friday, August 16 at 7 p.m. - Sturtz

Sunday, August 18 at 12:15 p.m. - David Tilmon

Thursday, August 22 at 7 p.m. - Mighty Holler

Friday, August 23 at 7 p.m. - Gas Pops Duo

Sunday, August 25 at 12:15 p.m. - Lost Penny

Thursday, August 29 at 7 p.m. - Lost Bobcat

Wednesday’s at 5 p.m. - Open Mic

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jamestown.mercantile/

Website: https://www.jamestownmercantile.com/

Location: 108 Main Street, Jamestown

Phone: 303-442-5847

JKQ BBQ

Friday, August 2 at 6 p.m. - Coyote Circle

Saturday, August 3 at 5 p.m. - Coyote Circle

Friday, August 9 at 6 p.m. - Boys of the Town

Saturday, August 10 at 5 p.m. - Boys of the Town

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JkqBbq/

Location: 200 Gregory Street, Black Hawk

Phone: 720-316-1361

Knotted Root Brewing

Saturday, August 17 at 1 p.m. - Melt and the Family Band

Saturday, August 31 at 2 p.m. - Tober and the Sound Ideal

Fridays at 7 p.m. - DJ Night; Every Second Friday at 7:30 p.m. - Reggae DJ Night

Sundays at 5 p.m. - Jazz Sundays

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/knottedrootbrewing/

Website: https://www.knottedrootbrewing.com/home

Location: 250 N. Caribou Street, Nederland

Phone: 720-248-7129

Nederland Farmers Market

Sunday, August 4 at 10:30 a.m. - Shawn Cunanne

Sunday, August 18 at 10:30 a.m. - Robby Wicks

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NederlandFarmersMarket/

Website: https://www.nederlandfarmersmarket.org/

Email: nederlandfarmersmarket@gmail.com

Location: 85 E. 1st Street, Nederland

and 80 E. 2nd Street, Nederland

Nederland Summer Concert Series

Saturday, August 3 at 4 p.m. - Diggin’ Dirt with The Guerrilla Fanfare Brass Band (1st Street, Nederland)

Saturday, August 17 at 4 p.m. - Atomga and Selassee/Fafa Family

Saturday, August 31 at 4 p.m. - The River Arkansas/Silas Herman and Jack Cloonan (both at Chipeta Park)

Website: https://www.timeservedproductiongroup.com/

Old Gallery at Allenspark

Saturday, August 10 at 6 p.m. - Shanna in a Dress

Friday, August 16 at 6:30 p.m. - Open Mic with Tim Merkel

Saturday, August 24 at 6 p.m. - Beth Gadbaw Trio

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheAPOldGallery

Website: https://www.theoldgallery.org/

Location: 14863 Highway 7, Allenspark

Phone: 303-747-2906

Very Nice Brewing Co. (Gilpin County)

Friday, August 2 at 6 p.m. - One Drum

Saturday, August 3 at 5 p.m. - David Tilmon

Friday, August 9 at 6 p.m. - Ravin’ Wolf

Saturday, August 10 at 5 p.m. - Blue Moose Jazz

Saturday, August 17 at 5 p.m. - Aaron Mitchell

Friday, August 23 at 6 p.m. - Eric Stone

Saturday, August 24 at 5 p.m. - Reservoir Fog

Friday, August 30 at 5 p.m. - Andreas Boehmer

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/verynicebeer

Website: https://www.verynicebrewing.com/

Location: 180 Jankowski Drive, Black Hawk

Phone: 303-582-2015

Very Nice Brewing Co. (Nederland)

Friday, August 2 at 6 p.m. - NoGo Gilbillies

Saturday, August 3 at 7 p.m. - Stone-Hall

Sunday, August 4 at 3 p.m. - Magnum Mike

Friday, August 9 at 6 p.m. - Windy Pines

Saturday, August 10 at 5 p.m. - FastFloyd

Friday, August 16 at 6 p.m. - Ravin’ Wolf

Saturday, August 17 at 5 p.m. - Steepland String Band

Saturday, August 24 at 5 p.m. - Strangebyrds

Sunday, August 25 at 5 p.m. - Ella Wren

Friday, August 30 at 6 p.m. - Mountain ReVerb

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/verynicebeer

Website: https://www.verynicebrewing.com/

Location: 20 E. Lakeview Drive, #112, Nederland

Phone: 303-258-3770

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Did we miss you? Want to submit your music listing in the Peak to Peak area? Do you have updates to your business? Please call 303-810-5409 or email info@themountainear.com to be included in the next edition.