by Chris Snyder

Montage Mountain in Scranton, PA will be host to the 5^th annual Susquehanna Breakdown on Friday, May 19th & Saturday, May 20th.The festival was created by local bluegrass heroes, Cabinet, who have evolved into one of the premier bands on the bluegrass/jamgrass circuit. 

The lineup this year is one of the best to date. Kicking off the festival is The Dishonest Fiddlers a folk/bluegrass quartet also from Northeast PA.  The one man show, Keller Williams follows, and it’s anyone’s guess what the genre bending Williams will have in store, but it gets better. Friday brings a double dose of Keller, as he joins Cabinet for a special set, before they perform a set of their own. The late night slot is filled by Organ Freeman. The California based trio will bring their instrumental grooves and have the crowd jamming to close out day one.  

On Saturday, two stages will provide non-stop music. Kicking off the day at the Breakdown Stage, are the young, Lehigh Valley based bluegrass pickers, Serene Green. Opening the day under the Pavilion (  Susquehanna Stage) is Driftwood, who combines Americana with a variety of contemporary influences.

On Saturday The Breakdown Stage will see groups such as The Kitchen Dwellers who bring their own version of “galaxy grass” to the event, up and coming picker Billy Strings and Tom Hamilton’s Breakdown Allstars. Hamilton, a staple in the jam band scene will perform with a cast of unannounced “all stars”. 

Gracing The Susquehanna Stage will be The Wood Brothers, Chris and Oliver Wood, along with Jano Rix bring their unique spin to the folk sound. Cabinet will grace the crowd with two sets, one being an acoustic take by the band.  Greensky Bluegrass is up next as the rocking bluegrass outfit is sure to have the crowd moving.  Adding their own special color, and closing out the festivities for the weekend will be Brooklyn based funk masters Turkuaz.  

Check the web site for more information on this family friendly event and how you can get tickets for what is sure to be a magical weekend. See you at The Breakdown!