The Mud Lake Music Society in partnership with the Friends of Dubuque County Conservation announce the return of the Mud Lake Bluegrass Sundays Series. This popular event draws music performers from all around the country. – This Free music series began as an effort to bring bluegrass music to an outdoor setting by the Mississippi River in Dubuque. The Dubuque County Conservation Board and friends promotes the series that is staged at Mud Lake Park along the Mississippi.

The Mud Lake Music Society has presented over thirty groups and countless individual performers, for audiences up to 2,000 per show! Jim Zmudka, series organizer said, “We are pleased to offer this type of recreation for the Dubuque Community, and to promote the parks, Bluegrass music, and a great Iowa lifestyle. We started Mud Lake Bluegrass Sundays with three things in mind: family, music, and the Mississippi River.  “People really love it.” Zmudka, a Dubuque native, who worked in Nashville as the agent for Bill Monroe, the “Father of Bluegrass Music,” and has promoted the popular series since its inception.” It’s the perfect picnic atmosphere, and with all we’ve been through lately, we need more picnics!”

With a focus on audience involvement, each event kicks off with the “Pickers Pick-nic” starting at 12 noon and goes till 2pm. It’s the perfect setting to meet and play with other aspiring pickers. Guest instructors help with tuning, answer questions and then organize the jam sessions.

Then at 2pm the main stage fires up with a regional opening act, followed by a national touring act at 3:30pm. They entertain till approximately 6 pm.

“The Friends 0f Dubuque County Conservation are very supportive of our efforts to put these shows together.” Their goal is to educate and promote to people, all the activities and opportunities available at our county parks.” says Zmudka.  Asking attendees only for free-will donations, the Society’s goal is to raise enough money to cover costs and retain a small fund to continue Mud Lake Bluegrass Sundays the next year.

Camping spaces are available at Mud Lake Park, along with food concessions and special Mud Lake Bluegrass souvenirs (shirts , instrument raffles) No alcohol is served but visitors may bring their own coolers, and it is recommended that people bring lawn chairs. People are also encouraged to bring their own instruments and participate in the free music clinics prior to main stage acts.

Information on the musicians is available on Facebook at Mud Lake Bluegrass. Look them up and give them a listen. For further information please contact Jim Zmudka at Mud Lake Music (563)-590-4004 or Friends of Dubuque County Conservation at (563)556-6745 or drop us an email at [email protected]

Super line up this year! Don’t miss a show! This year’s performers are as follows;

July 6,  Greg Garing Band

Long time Bluegrasser and former fiddler for JImmy Martin, Greg Garing has put together some hot pickers from around the country to entertain us this year at Mud Lake.

The group features multiple Iowa state banjo champion Darrin Manson, Mandolin master James Horak, Bass fiddler Keli Kingery and of course Greg on fiddle and guitar.

July 20,  Bigtooth

After years of sharing festival bills and bumping elbows at open jams, Starr Moss, Trent Cuthbert, Michael Falk, Claire Kannapell and Paul Kienitz have joined forces to make their own brand of Bluegrass inspired music. Bigtooth, the culmination of this shared history, keeps one hand on the book of Bluegrass standards and the other on the songwriting pen. Count on a distinctive repertoire that intertwines traditional material and original compositions, delivered with precision, finesse, and style.

With a special performance by the Mississippi Acoustic Trio !Dubuque’s Longest running musical group. Entertaining for your pleasure for over 50 years. Come see the “Boy’s” Dave, Cricket and Denny play some bluegrass, folk. Americana and country in their inimitable classic style!

August 3  Dig Deep

Foot stomping rhythm, sing along harmonies and infectious mandolin and banjo picking. DIG DEEP brings a youthful hard edged twist to the Mud Lake stage. Their blistering, boisterous live performance takes folk and Bluegrass to a new fun place! Not your mom and dad’s Bluegrass! Be prepared to dance and have fun to this energetic high speed show

With special guests; Denny and the Folk-ups!

A grouping of our area’s best and favorite musicians! Denny Garcia-multi inst. AJ Steils- guitar, Tim Knauss-Bass, Tim Connelly-drums.