Crestone Music Festival History

In 1999, local citizens and musicians produced the first annual Crestone Music Festival, bringing diverse musical traditions to a rural mountain region that is traditionally under-served by the arts. The Festival continued to grow in quality and size each year and, in 2002, festival founders created Crestone Performances, Inc. (CPI), a non-profit corporation and member of the National Folk Alliance's group exemption program. In 2003, CPI began to bring professional artists into area schools to enhance children’s exposure to the arts and other cultures throughout the year. Over the years, other area agencies began to tap in to the expertise of CPI to piece together sound equipment, provide technical assistance and contribute to the planning for their events. Our goal is to create a high-quality, sustainable small- to mid-size festival, with an affordable yet limited amount of available tickets, to preserve the intimate quality of the event. 

The Crestone Music Festival has maintained a high level of quality throughout the years, striving for cultural diversity and multi-genre appeal.

Local, regional, national and international performers grace the stage at the Crestone Music Festival.  Richie Havens was our headliner in 2000.  We felt that his message of hope and humanity would be a good fit for the festival. In 2001, we had our first celebration with two nationally known headliners.  John Sebastian entertained the crowd with both his music and his stories - a little musicology, if you will.  On Sunday, the founders of the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band had people up and dancing with their compilation of old favorites.  For CMF 2002, we featured Dave Mason, with one platinum and four gold albums to his credit.  On Sunday night we featured BeauSoleil, the country’s premier Cajun band with twelve Grammy nominations and two awards. In 2003, we were wowed by Grammy-nominated artist Michelle Shocked on Saturday night and totally entranced by Tony Furtado on Sunday, who is accepted as one of the major innovators on the acoustic scene today.

Headliners in 2004 were Peter Rowan and Dan Hicks and the Hot Licks.  Peter has been a country/bluegrass icon and his collaboration with Jerry Garcia of the Grateful Dead, David Grissman and Vassar Clements on their 1973 album “Old & in the Way” remains the biggest selling bluegrass record of all time. The Shumei International Institute's Taiko Drummers were simply amazing at the 2003 Festival with their choreographed explosion of energy.

Our 2005 Saturday headliner was Buckwheat Zydeco, who is recognized as the premier Zydeco band in the country. They were the first zydeco act ever signed to a major label, the first to perform on a national television show, the first to have their music featured in major motion pictures and national commercials and basically the first to introduce zydeco music to the mainstream. Sunday featured blues and jazz diva Hazel Miller, multiple winner of Denver Westword's readers' poll as best blues/R&B band.

In 2006, the Crestone Music Festival was proud to present John Mayall and the Bluesbreakers. What an honor it was to experience this blues legend as he and his band rocked the crowd into the night. On Sunday, shamanic rock band Kan'Nal mesmerized the crowd with their tribal rhythms and exotic dancers.

2007 was our biggest year yet! Leon Russell rocked the crowd Saturday night with his repertoire of award-winning songs, and charismatic John Lee Hooker, Jr. brought down the house Sunday evening with his rockin' blues.

Our Saturday headliner in 2008 was Eileen Ivers & Immigrant Soul. This was one hot Celtic show! The Argentinean band Los Pinguos thrilled the crowd with their Latin grooves on Sunday evening.

Crestone is home to many talented artisans. Through our vendor program we offer a valuable opportunity to showcase their talents. These products include hand-woven rugs and original designs in clothing, jewelry and pottery. 

Every year, a variety of food vendors provide excellent international cuisine. In 2006, a partnership was begun with Ska Brewery from Durango and the Winery at the Holy Cross Abbey in Canon City to provide micro-brewed beers and regionally-produced wines.

The Festival strives to share broader perspectives on music, art, lifestyle and culture. Opportunities in the San Luis Valley to sing and dance to live music, or to experience theatre and poetry, are rare.  For adults this is unfortunate; for children this is especially distressing.  By presenting different genres such as bluegrass, blues, salsa, jazz, rock, reggae, country, a cappella and swing, and then bringing more international flavors including Celtic, Japanese Taiko Drummers, Cuban, African, Mariachi, Middle Eastern music and dance, Aztec song and dance, and steel drums, we provide a unique, palatable, and intimate glimpse into other traditions and cultures.