The Mountain Music Fest will showcase multiple music genres in its lineup—from an Elvis tribute band to a rock orchestra, from a hip hop duo to the classic rock of Firefall. While an eclectic mix of musicians, every performer who takes the stage is united behind a common mission: to inspire, encourage and support the development of young musicians, no matter their circumstances. It’s a philosophy at the very heart of The Wooden Hawk Foundation, a nonprofit presenting the festival to raise awareness and funds for students aspiring to be involved in music, sports, civic organizations and academic clubs, but who lack the resources to follow their passions.
“Firefall’s desire to give back has extended to our Evergreen-based festival.”
For the Students, By the Students
“The festival has an incredible bill of musical performances,” said organizer Pam Lush-Lindquist. “While our two stages may be the biggest draw for attendees, nearby will be more than 30 student groups with activities to engage and educate festival visitors. The day will be run by the students, for the students with all net proceeds going to the high school projects of the Wooden Hawk Foundation.”
Student volunteers will get hands-on experience with event production under the guidance of stage manager and local musician Andy Potter. Fifteen of the nearly 40 student volunteers will be helping with lighting, sound, staging and assisting band members.
A Festival Rich in Diversity
The noon – 9 pm music event will begin with a stand-out electric guitar rendition of The Star-Spangled Banner, played by high school student Xander Sucich. Sucich will also perform at 6 pm with the American Legion Post 2001 providing the Color Guard. Attendees will then be treated to two stages of alternating performances. The full lineup is detailed at mountainmusicfest.org. Here are a few program notes on the bands:
Non-Prophet – a Conifer/Morrison trio and winner of the 2024 Conifer’s Got Talent competition.
George Gray and the Elvis Experience Band – a tribute band honoring the Elvis concert experience. Rumor has it that “Elvis” may stay for photo ops!
Jenna Weidner – a 2017 graduate of Evergreen High School and alum of the Evergreen Children’s Chorale, Jenna is a singer-songwriter of gospel/folk in Nashville with a job at Gibson Guitars’ headquarters.
Trouble Bound Band – a Denver group known for its Americana-infused rock music. The band has a philanthropic spirit, running a free after-school program for students who otherwise could not afford to pursue music.
Hand Turkey Band – Formed to preserve their sanity during the onset of the pandemic in 2020, this group performs “groove-centered” tunes to get the audience moving. Lead singer Andy Seracuse is a graduate of Evergreen High School.
Denver Rock Orchestra/Dirty Snowman Society – The festival will premiere this unique collaboration between an unconventional ensemble that brings orchestra stylings to rock music and a rock/grunge/world beat quintet of ski town musicians with serious credentials having worked with leaders in the music industry.
Steve Knight, singer-songwriter for Flipsyde, just back from a major tour in India, and Elle Green, a singer and lyricist from Denver, will combine to deliver a mix of soul, country, “chill” hip hop and jazz.
Firefall – With two platinum and three gold records to their credit, Firefall continues to record and tour as they mark their 50th anniversary. Hailing from Boulder, the country/rock band was catapulted into rock history when selected to open for the Fleetwood Mac Rumours tour in 1977.
Giving Students the Opportunity to Succeed
Firefall drummer Sandy Ficca is particularly attuned to the purpose behind the Mountain Music Fest and the philanthropic aims of the Wooden Hawk Foundation. Ficca established the Use Your Gift Foundation to provide mentoring, studio recording and live performance experience to aspiring young artists regardless of background or financial circumstances. Firefall plays an annual benefit concert in Portland to raise money in support of the foundation.
Firefall’s desire to give back has extended to our Evergreen-based festival. “Firefall has been very generous,” said Lindquist. “They are donating a percentage of merchandise sales to the festival and each member of the group has signed a commemorative poster which our students will use to enhance their fundraising efforts. They’ve even been selling our festival tickets on their website.”
Note: Go to mountainmusicfest.org for complete event details and tickets. To learn more about The Wooden Hawk Foundation, visit woodenhawkfoundation.org.
