This year, Frozen Dead Guy Days welcomes Yonder Mountain String Band as one of its headlining acts, marking a notable connection between the band and the origins of this eccentric festival.

Formed in 1998 in Nederland, Colorado, Yonder Mountain String Band has since made a name for themselves in the world of bluegrass, captivating audiences with their vibrant performances and unique sound. Ben Kaufman, the band's bassist, reminisces about their humble beginnings, stating, "We met in Nederland, Colorado, just kind of same place, same time. Having met and played music together, you know, very, very briefly in this one evening, we just felt some sort of energy together."

Now, twenty-six years later, the band continues their musical journey, touring extensively across the country. Currently on tour, they are set to wrap up just in time for their appearance at Frozen Dead Guy Days.

Reflecting on their musical evolution, Dave Johnston, the band's banjo player, shares, "You start playing music, you get really excited about making noise and playing music, and then you find people you can play with, and that's exciting."

Yonder Mountain String Band describes their music as a fusion of bluegrass influences with a twist, which they've termed "progressive bluegrass." Kaufman explains, "We wanted to harken back to a traditional sound without being a traditional energy. We were lucky enough to establish ourselves and have a career."

Drawing inspiration from a diverse range of musical influences, the band has crafted a sound that's uniquely their own. "You're sort of channeling all of those influences through those bluegrass instruments," Kaufman remarks.

Excited to return to their roots, the band looks forward to performing at Frozen Dead Guy Days, where they can reminisce about their early beginnings. "To play it, it's kind of a cool full-circle thing,”  Kaufman expresses.

Don't miss the chance to experience Yonder Mountain String Band live at Frozen Dead Guy Days on March 16th in Estes Park! Secure your tickets now at frozendeadguydays.com.