TELLURIDE — What do the Dixie Chicks, Johnny Cash, Elvis Costello, David Byrne, John Fogerty, Jackson Brown, Emmylou Harris, David Crosby, John Prine, Linda Ronstadt, Levon Helm, Steve Winwood, and Robert Plant have in common?

Answer: They have all played at the Telluride Bluegrass Festival in southwest Colorado.

From big names to up-and-coming acts, the festival always offers an entertaining blend of talented performers. Tucked in a valley beneath the rugged peaks of the San Juan Mountains, the Telluride Bluegrass Festival was held this year on June 18 through 21. It was the 53rd time that up to 12,000 people per day showed up to enjoy the varied musical offerings.

A Rhinestones musician feeling the guitar and wind in his hair.

Photo by Dave Gibson

A scenic and exciting gondola ride from adjacent Mountain Village to Telluride dropped the concertgoers a few blocks from the entrance of the festival in Town Park.

Thursday’s highlights included an inspired set by Peter Rowan and the Walls of Time Band. Susan Tedeschi and the Tedeschi Trucks Band rocked the grounds from 10 p.m. until midnight to close out the day.

Twelve more hours of music awaited concertgoers on Friday. Dom Flemons & The Traveling Wildfires took the main stage at noon. Known as “The American Songster,” multi-instrumentalist Flemons’ music covers American roots, neo-traditional country, and Piedmont blues. He ended his performance with an impressive display of guitar spinning, tossing, catching, and weaving the instrument around himself while playing the final number.

"The American Songster" Dom Flemons.

Photo by Dave Gibson

Perhaps inspired by his tricks, hula hoopers demonstrated a few of their own during the four days of the festival. A play area had been set aside for kids, with planned activities and an assortment of games and inflatable balls to engage them.

East Nash Grass took the stage next with some high-energy traditional bluegrass. Harry Clark gave his mandolin a workout and International Bluegrass Music Association 2025 Fiddler of the Year Maddie Denton was sensational.

Banjoist Béla Fleck and his band attract a crowd wherever they play. Their appearance with 5-time Grammy Award winning soprano Renée Fleming kept things rolling into the early evening.

Another day, another round of music. Hailing from Denver, Clay Street Unit’s singer/guitarist/ringleader Sam Walker related that “whenever we’re onstage, we’re just trying to throw a party.” Dan Andree played a furious fiddle and battled it out with banjo player Chris Pandolfi when he sat in.

A natural performer possessing one of alt-country’s promising new voices, singer and songwriter Maggie Antone brought measures of spunk and tenderness to the stage. She and her band The Rhinestones entertained until Sam Bush’s performance at 7:30 p.m.

"The King of Telluride," Sam Bush.

Photo by Dave Gibson

Appearing at every Telluride Bluegrass Festival since its inception, virtuoso mandolinist and fiddle player Bush is officially known as “The King of Telluride.” Many people attend the festival year after year just to catch his act. His performance with all his musical friends—and he has a lot of friends—blew everyone away as it always does.

If you hadn’t already sampled enough great music the previous three days, there was Sunday, which included Boy Golden, Sierra Hull, and Flatland Cavalry. And the ever-popular Infamous Stringdusters made their 16th appearance at the venerable festival.

For more information about Telluride Bluegrass Festival and upcoming summer festivals hosted by Planet Bluegrass, go to bluegrass.com.