Farm Jamb Bluegrass Festival // McClurg Family Farm // 6.5-7.2025 -

Article and photos: Michael W. Bright

Baghdad Kentucky: The 4th annual Farm Jamb Bluegrass Festival returned to the tranquil McClurg Family Farm between Frankfort and Louisville, reaffirming its position as a must-attend event for bluegrass aficionados. Unlike sprawling, overcrowded festivals in inhospitable locations, Farm Jamb offers an intimate, family friendly setting that highlights the genre’s finest acts against a lush, green backdrop — a refreshing change of pace for both artists and audiences alike.

Larry Cordle highlighted Thursday afternoon and evening. The respected bluegrass artist known for his heartfelt storytelling, gained fame as the songwriter of “Murder on Music Row,” a classic that’s still paying his rent, since recorded by George Strait and Alan Jackson. His delivery of that audience favorite was a festival highlight.

Friday, day two of the festival, kicked off under a sky threatening rain, but the foreboding forecast didn’t seem to dampen either enthusiasm or sound quality. Larry Sparks & The Lonesome Ramblers introduced the evening performances with a memorable mix of traditional bluegrass, original tunes, and gospel. Sparks is celebrating 62 years bathed in bluegrass music, but he’s not done yet. He has a new album coming out at some point this summer called Way Back When. Pitney Meyer wrapped up Friday night with a vital performance that included a healthy portion of their debut album, barely two months old, Cherokee Pioneer. The youthful band included Ron Stewart, International Bluegrass Music Association (IBMA) award-winning fiddle and banjo player of the year (2000 and 2011 respectively). They balanced tradition with fresh compositions, demonstrating the genre’s vitality.

Saturday offered another day of exceptional music despite overcast skies and a looming chance of rain. Wildfire opened the day, setting an upbeat tone that continued with the engaging Kody Norris Show and powerhouse acts Rhonda Vincent & The Rage and Balsam Range. Returning later for a second set, Wildfire kept the energy high before giving way to the much-anticipated Dan Tyminski Band.

Tyminski, famed for his work with Alison Krauss & Union Station, and now enjoying a successful solo tour, played a healthy dose of songs from his latest album, Live At The Ryman, as well of those from the previous album, God Fearing Heathen (2023), and of course the huge hit going back to 2000, “Man of Constant Sorrow.” As his set closed, a torrential rain forced fans to either seek shelter or get saturated. It was a minor disruption in an otherwise seamless weekend.

This year’s Farm Jamb served as a reminder of what bluegrass festivals are meant to be — celebrating community, musicianship, and tradition in a scenic, welcoming environment. From rising stars to seasoned legends, the festival offered a balanced, engaging lineup without the hassle and expense of bigger events. For lovers of bluegrass, Farm Jamb remains a gem worth marking on the calendar.

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