August Fest Jam Camps

2026 Bluegrass & Old-Time Jam Camps
August 4-6, 2026

Attention All Bluegrass and Old-Time Players! 

This year we will again feature both bluegrass and old-time music instructional camps in advance of the festival.

This is your chance to take your playing to the next level and learn how to play with others in an ensemble setting!

Join our all star instructor lineup for Bluegrass or Old-Time Instructional Camp (also known as Jam Camp). Bring your bass, guitar, mandolin, banjo, or fiddle to this fun, intensive event and get more out of your playing!

This year, bluegrass ambassadors, Special Consensus will be the instructors of Bluegrass Jam Camp!

The Old-Time Jam Camp leaders will be announced soon!

Age: 12–99. Students should have facility with their instruments.

Camps Begin: Tuesday, August 4 at 7:00 p.m.

Cost: $130 until June 30  ($160: July 1 – July 31)

Registration Deadline: July 31st

What to Expect: Classes and breakout sessions covering work in instrument groups (all divided into the 5 standard bluegrass/old-time instruments: guitar, banjo, bass, fiddle and mandolin), ensembles, seminars on lead and harmony singing, music theory, song arrangement, jam etiquette, and more.

The camp will close out with all students performing their recitals on the Main Stage at 5pm on Thursday, August 6.

Camping Info: If you want to camp at El Rancho Mañana during the Jam Camp, you need to reserve your site directly with ERM for Tuesday and Wednesday. For rates & information, visit El Rancho Mañana’s website

Quick Links

Get Passes

Passes to August Fest are sold through Etix. Visit the MBOTMA Store.

For Complete Details on Pricing and Camping Options,
CLICK HERE

Vendor Registration

Vendors May Now Sign Up for August Fest 2025 Food Vendor Info & Registration CLOSED

Faculty

ABOUT THE HENHOUSE PROWLERS - Bluegrass

With two decades proudly under their belts, the Prowlers’ sight remains fixed on the future. Ever constant in the group’s enthralling performances is their ability to showcase their passion for music and people. All four members possessing a knack for storytelling, compelling songwriting and intricate instrumentation, each offers the utmost artistic prowess, building on one another’s magic night after night.

Reverence for tradition coupled with willingness to explore beyond the ordinary lands the Prowlers in a category difficult at times to define but explosively intriguing around every bend. To date, the Prowlers have toured 29 countries on 5 continents working with the U.S. State Dept & their own nonprofit, Bluegrass Ambassadors. The group’s experiences with people & musicians across the globe have shaped their worldview & bolstered the bridges they establish between cultures. For this troupe, the work doesn’t end at making music – they are actively striving toward a kinder world.

ABOUT SAMMY LIND & NADINE LANDRY - Old-Time

Nadine Landry and Stephen “Sammy” Lind are members of the internationally acclaimed Foghorn Stringband, out of Portland, Oregon, USA. They play traditional fiddle music that has been passed on for hundreds of years, classics of the south west Louisiana Cajun dance halls and songs that could have filled a 50s smoky bar jukebox.

Nadine Landry was born and raised in a musical family on the Gaspe Peninsula on the east coast of Quebec. Equally comfortable on guitar and upright bass, she has leant her talents to various bands ranging from old time to honky tonk to swing and Cajun. Described as deeply passionate and powerful, her voice has been capturing the hearts of fans across North America, Ireland, England, Scandinavia and Australia.

Born in Minnesota, Stephen “Sammy” Lind has established himself as one of the most critically acclaimed old time fiddle players in the country. Co-founder of the Oregon based Foghorn Stringband, Stephen has traveled the world playing and teaching a vast repertoire of tunes from Appalachia and the Midwest.  His playing reflects tremendous respect and passion for all the fiddle players and old recordings he spent countless hours learning from.

Together they play fiddle tunes, early country and Cajun songs. Their new recording “Granddad’s Favorite” reflects their versatility in genres and instrumentation.  Alternating between fiddle, banjo, guitar and accordion, they play true to the roots of American music with energy and respect. They are members of the Foghorn Stringband, the Dirk Powell Band and play with Cajun extraordinaires Jesse Lege, Joel Savoy and the Cajun Country Revival and have collaborated with Alice Gerrard, Laurie Lewis and Tom Rozum and Tim O’Brien.

PA Management with Aaron Niehus

The PA is the connection between you as a performer and the audience. It is critical that you have a solid understanding of how to make the most effective use of all the technology available to you. This workshop will be in 3 segments. 11 am will be setting up the PA  then at 11:30 learn to work with the single Mic  Everyone is welcome. Draw bands are highly encouraged to come.  At noon Aaron will shift to PA Management

Song Analysis with Tim Stafford & Phil Nusbaum

Three songwriters will each present an original song.  Tim and Phil then will offer thoughts and advice on structure and presentation.  Phil Nusbaum will offer thoughts on what broadcasters are looking for when you seek to get your songs played on the air. You do not have to be a songwriter to attend or benefit from these perspectives. Everyone is welcome!

Stagecraft, The Art of Putting on a Show

With Brent Fuqua and Becky Schlegel These two veteran performers go beyond the setlist to discuss ways you can take your next show to a new level. Entertain your audiences, have more fun and get more bookings!

Stagecraft will be at noon on Saturday in Studio 2.  Q&A is a big part of these Panels so bring your questions!

Booking and Promoting Your Band

With Ellen Stanley, Katryn Conlin and Tom Peschges

This panel promises to be a lively discussion of how to build an audience, and book better gigs!  We will cover topics like, Websites, EPK’s, Booking emails, social media strategies and more.  As with all of our panel discussions, please bring your questions!