The Matheson Music Festival

Matheson Music Festival 2026

February 11–16, 2026 · Graham County Fairgrounds · 527 W Armory Rd. Safford, Arizona 85546

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A Six-Day Celebration of Music, Community, and Inspiration
Bluegrass • Old-Time • Country •
Americana • Western Swing
The Matheson Music Festival is a six-day celebration of bluegrass, old-time, country, Americana, and traditional acoustic music — created to inspire the next generation of musicians. Hosted by the Matheson Music Foundation, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, the festival blends high-level performances with hands-on workshops, youth programming, and community events so everyone — kids, beginners, and pros — can participate.

About the Foundation

Festival Highlights
What’s Happening This Year

Wednesday
EAC Concert
Kickoff concert at Eastern Arizona College with touring acts.

Thursday
Schools & Gila Valley Idol
Student field trips, in-school performances, and local singing competition prelims.

Friday
Multi-Instrumental Contests!
Mandolin, Banjo, Fiddle, Specialty, Vocal Contest + main stage performances all day.

Saturday
Pros & Kids Band Scramble + Music & Play Zone
Youth-centered workshops, games, and performance opportunities.

Sunday
Gospel Morning & Farewell Jams
Community sing, family jams, and final sets.

Monday
Farewell Performance and Raffle Drawing
Final Show, Donation breakfast, Pictures, That's a Wrap!
Matheson Music Festival 2026
Featured Bands

1
Phoebe & Dominick
“Phoebe Hunt & Dominick Leslie: award-tipped strings and luminous songs—an intimate night of voice, fiddle, and mandolin from two celebrated Americana innovators.” Bluegrass Today
2
Edgar Loudermilk
Edgar Loudermilk is a celebrated bluegrass musician renowned for his rich vocals and masterful bass playing. His engaging performances and authentic sound have earned him a loyal following and critical acclaim within the Americana music scene.
3
Jam Pak Blues ’N Grass Neighborhood Band
Youth and family bluegrass collective inspiring generations through joyful community performance.
4
Honey Buckets
Honey Buckets, Southern California single-mic bluegrass band raised on heavy metal and smog bringing infectious rhythm, tight harmonies, and good-time festival vibes.
5
Cisco & the Racecars
Progressive Arizona bluegrass favorites known for their explosive stage energy and expert musicianship.
6
Tuesday String Band
A blend of bluegrass, swing, and old-time influences that gets every crowd tapping, clapping, and smiling.
7
Muddy Mountain West
Americana and bluegrass collide in this powerhouse band known for their soulful vocals and lively instrumentation.
8
North of Lonesome
North of Lonesome is an Arizona-based bluegrass band with deep roots in traditional bluegrass music. The North of Lonesome band is also known to veer off into grassed-up soft rock and blues, to the edge of folk and old-time music – but always with that bluegrass vibe.
9
Forest and Friends
Forest Thurman & Friends is high-energy band led by Forest Thurman, a singer, songwriter and 2025 AZ State Flatpicking Champion. With a talent for bringing together musicians who can shred, he applies skillful and intricate musicianship to hard drivin' Bluegrass, Country, and Americana.
10
Doghouse Drive
The new DogHouse Drive is John File, John Kennedy, John Regelado and Cory Winder. From bluegrass to western swing, gospel and old country, DogHouse Drive keeps their music upbeat and your toes tapping!
11
Alpine Divide
High energy, traditional and contemporary bluegrass, soulful ballads, tight harmonies and interesting originals is Alpine Divide Bluegrass. Having performed at festivals and other venues throughout the region, each member brings years of experience to the band. Each plays multiple instruments and sings, which adds versatility to the sound of the band.

12
WOAH Nelly!
Julie Sulivan brings from Flagstaff the sound of Bluegrass that brings back memories and get's your toes tapping!
13
Zera Starchild and the Aquarian Experience
Zera Starchild, a Humboldt County singer-songwriter whose 2024 debut album The Bard of Aquarius reached the Folk Alliance International charts, joins banjoist Braeden Lewis, fiddle master Joe Baxter, and vocalist Brianna DeRusha Baxter to bring an inspiring blend of Bluegrass, Folk, and Conscious HipHo
Phoebe Hunt & Dominick Leslie
Phoebe Hunt & Dominick Leslie are a rare conversation between voice, fiddle, and mandolin—equal parts songcraft, improvisation, and heart. Hunt is a Texas-raised, Nashville-based artist whose 2017 LP Shanti’s Shadow drew praise from Rolling Stone and the Austin Chronicle for its adventurous blend of roots and global colors; her 2023 album
Nothing Else Matters distills that vision to voice and violin alone.
Leslie, a dazzling picker known best for his work with Molly Tuttle & Golden Highway, is a two-time Best Bluegrass Album Grammy band member and one of his generation’s standout mandolin voices; he first turned heads winning the RockyGrass Mandolin Contest at 14, the event’s youngest champion.
As a duo, they’ve appeared at the Austin Music Awards in a “borderless love” segment and on major festival lineups including Telluride Bluegrass—bringing songs that breathe, burn, and bloom in real time. Expect sparkling interplay, vivid lyrics, and the kind of chemistry that only miles, craft, and devotion can forge.

Edgar Loudermilk
Edgar Loudermilk is a two-time, back to back winner of SPBGMA's “Bass Fiddle Performer of the Year." He is also
the winner of the 2024 Josie Music Awards “Bass Player of the Year.” Edgar Loudermilk’s signature voice, award-
winning bass skills, and songwriting have become his trademark, garnering over 50 industry awards and
nominations. Edgar Loudermilk’s distinctive and powerful vocals cut to the heart of a song, while the band’s stellar
musicianship provides a firm musical foundation.

Jam Pak
The Jam Pak Band is a joyful, multigenerational group of musicians ranging in age from 5 to 76. Known for their lively performances of cherished traditional songs, Jam Pak has become a beloved fixture at Arizona’s top bluegrass festivals—including Pioneer, Tucson, Wickenburg, and Marana.
Their community spirit shines through performances at senior centers, city events, and Arizona Bluegrass Association gatherings. Led by Anni Beach, Jam Pak embodies the heart of community music—bringing people of all ages together through the shared joy of bluegrass.
link to article from BLUEGRASS TODAY!
https://bluegrasstoday.com/anni-beach-and-jam-pak-are-teaching-bluegrass/

FOREST THURMAN & FRIENDS
Forest Thurman & Friends deliver a high-energy mix of Bluegrass, Country, and Americana, led by multi-instrumentalist Forest Thurman.
Blending influences from Heavy Metal to Folk, they captivate audiences with tight harmonies, blazing solos, and irresistible rhythms—bringing unmatched energy, skillful musicianship, and pure foot-stompin’ fun to every performance.

Cisco and the Racecars
Blending bluegrass, folk, and Americana, Cisco and the Racecars deliver an energetic mix of tradition and innovation. Led by Arizona State Banjo Champion Francisco Briseno, the band features exceptional musicianship with guitar, fiddle, mandolin, cello, and bass.
Beyond performing at festivals and events, they mentor young musicians through the Jam Pak Blues ’N’ Grass Neighborhood Band, inspiring the next generation of players.
Known for their authentic sound and global reach, the group has toured Ukraine twice as part of a cultural exchange promoting international understanding. Cisco and the Racecars truly embody the heart and spirit of American roots music.

Ettore Buzzini
Charismatic. Creative. Romantic. Traditional. Unpredictable. Thrilling. All words that have been used to describe 17-year-old Swiss-American bluegrass prodigy Ettore Buzzini, whose unique songwriting, gifted picking, and show-stopping performances are drawing new young fans to cutting-edge bluegrass.
Imagine if Earl Scruggs, Led Zeppelin, and Chopin got together for an improvised jam on stage: it might sound something like young Swiss-American songwriting and banjo prodigy Ettore Buzzini's unique sound. To the casual listener, Ettore's might be mistaken for simply hard-driving Bluegrass. But anyone who listens a little more closely will quickly notice that Ettore’s virtuosic music blends the iconic acoustic sounds of Americana, youthful energy and hard drive of pop-rock, and, most forcefully, the epic, soul-stirring, romantic emotions of classical music.

Zera Starchild
Zera Starchild and the Aquarian Experience
Zera Starchild is a singer songwriter and recording artist based in Humboldt County, Northern California. Her debut album, The Bard of Aquarius, made the Folk Alliance International (FAI) Folk charts within a month of release in 2024, where it was listed among the Top Albums of the Month. In the "Aquarian Experience" she is joined by ace banjoist Braeden Lewis (founder of JamAlong Music and the Stealth Stand), fiddle maestro Joe Baxter (add brief bio text) and Brianna DeRusha (add brief bio text).
Together they bring a tour-de-force of musical hope and positivity, in the stylings of Bluegrass, Folk and Conscious HipHop.
View Full Lineup & Schedule
Schedule
Festival Highlights
Our festival is a must-attend event for music lovers!

♪ Interactive Music Workshops

Join our Interactive Music Workshops to learn guitar, vocals, fiddle, bass, mandolin, dobro, and banjo from skilled musicians. Gain hands-on experience, enhance your skills, and connect with fellow music lovers.

♫ Live Performances

Experience an incredible lineup of artists celebrating traditional acoustic music! From well-known acts to fresh new bands, enjoy unforgettable performances by:
Phoebe Hunt and Dominick Leslie • Edgar Loudermilk The Honey Buckets • Muddy Mountain West •
Forest Thurman & Friends • JAMPAK • Tuesday String Band • Crumpled Bills Kin • North of Lonesome
• Cisco and the Racecars • Catch and Chords • Alpine Divide • Doghouse Drive
Join us for a weekend of music, community, and inspiration—all in support of Music Education!

♬Family-Friendly Activities

Vendors
Discover a variety of unique vendors adding charm and excitement to the festival! Many have generously donated items for our amazing raffle prizes—don’t miss your chance to win!
Raffles
Join the fun and support a great cause! Enter our 50/50 raffles and win incredible prizes, including musical instruments. Grab your tickets and see what luck brings!
Fundraiser Breakfast – Friday, Saturday, and Monday 8–10 AM
Start your day with a delicious breakfast while supporting The Matheson Music Festival!
Open Mic – Thursday 9-11 PM
Show off your talent! Perform for 10 minutes and wow the crowd!
Presented by the Matheson Music Foundation.
The Matheson Music Foundation is dedicated to the transformative power of music, education, and community connection. Through the festival, school visits, and year-round workshops, we make music accessible to all ages while supporting local schools, teachers, and families. When you attend, sponsor, or volunteer, you help us build the next generation of musicians in the Gila Valley.

Support the Foundation
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Contact Us
Don't be afraid to reach out. You + us = awesome
527 W Armory Rd, Safford AZ 85546
+ 928-651-1648
+ 928-651-1648
mathesonmusicfoundation@gmail.com
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