A Win for the Connecticut Bluegrass Scene! Founder Receives International Bluegrass Music Association Industry Award.

CT Bluegrass Founder Austin Scelzo Wins Prestigious Momentum Industry Involvement Award for Outstanding Contributions to the Bluegrass Music Scene 

The award recognizes Austin’s contributions to the bluegrass community, extending beyond his own music releases and exposure. 

“Austin Scelzo, the bluegrass sensation known for his talents on the fiddle, has been honored with the Momentum Industry Involvement Award by the International Bluegrass Association on September 17, 2025, in Chattanooga, Tennessee. 

This award recognizes industry professionals new to bluegrass music who have reflected outstanding extra contributions to their music field. Roles in industry involvement can include journalists, broadcasters, historians, photographers, graphic designers, music producers, and other professionals. Matt Hutchinson was the recipient in 2023 and Katie Kirchner in 2024. 

From the achievements of On The Trail and Rock Hearts, to founding the Connecticut Bluegrass Association, facilitating music camps like JAMuary, Fiddle Heaven, Silver Bay Bluegrass Camp, Creative Strings Workshop Asheville, and Fiddles in the Forest…one of the many events at the Ashokan Center located in the Catskill Mountains of New York. All of this community engagement plus pushing out his own music? Providing free lessons on YouTube—and even creating the educational app teaching beginners to learn harmony? Austin received this award with arms wide open and a big smile–lighting up the stage unapologetically in Chattanooga mid-month this September. 

“Friends ask often, or even tease me about my remaining in New England. The truth is, my faith, principles, and conscious compel me to set my own personal desires aside for what I perceive as a greater service to my community…Folks of all ages share with me that they have found joy again in their lives through an introduction or return to this incredible music and the people who celebrate it. Families find encouragement in their ability to sing and make music together.”

Austin is quick to recognize the many mentors that helped him reach these heights, stating, “none of these successes would be possible without the careful and mindful mentorship I’ve received from Pete Wernick, Christian Howes, and Jay Ungar”–the village of voices that led him along the way. 

IBMA representative thanked Austin for his, “leadership and outstanding contributions to bluegrass music and [the] industry.”

What’s next for this accomplished musician? Continuing to “host, connect, lead, and inspire” in the bluegrass music industry. “

Press Contact:

Gabrielle Caravetta 

PR Rep

gcaravetta1@gmail.com “

10th Annual Farmington Valley Bluegrass Festival brings Grammy nominated bluegrass band Della Mae to CT

Come and celebrate the 10th year of this fall festival highlighting music from local, regional, and national acts. This year’s headliner will be Della Mae a GRAMMY nominated all-women string band. Hailing from across North America, and reared in diverse musical styles, they are one of the most charismatic and engaging roots bands touring today. They have traveled to over 30 countries spreading peace and understanding through music.

On the main stage is sponsored by Thomaston Saving Bank will also feature Buffalo Rose, Cold Chocolate, and the Tenderbellies. Award-winning artist Buffalo Rose hails from Pittsburgh, PA with a modern folk and Americana sound. This charismatic band weaves spiraling harmonies with gorgeously layered instrumentation. Cold Chocolate from Boston is a genre-bending band that fuses folk, funk, and bluegrass to create a unique sound of their own. The Tenderbellies are a Vermont-based string band that seamlessly blends Americana, bluegrass, new grass, jazz and rock. Our 2nd stage at the Boathouse will sponsored by McLean and feature Eric Paradine, Bill Benson, Steven Harz, Wires and Wood, and Riley Cotton. This daylong event gives attendees the opportunity to hear ten different performers. There will also be a Beer Garden featuring locally brewed craft beers from over 15 CT breweries sponsored by CLARKHIRTH CPAS. Food trucks and a vendor village will also be present. Special Thanks to our Corporate Sponsors – North American Underwriters, Riscassi & Davis, The Sounding Board, West Hartford Windows, and the Wood N Tap. Tickets are nonrefundable- event is held rain or shine! Service animals only, no pets please! Grab your Tickets here

Bluegrass Band and New Haven Symphony Orchestra team up to provide a one of a kind Concert Experience

On the Trail will join the New Haven Symphony in Shelton CT on Sunday October 19 for an unforgettable concert.

“Get ready for toe-tapping fun as classical meets country in this lively, family-friendly concert! Musicians from the NHSO team up with rising bluegrass stars Charlie Widmer & On The Trail to blend classical sound with foot-stomping fiddle, mandolin, guitar, and vocals.” Purchase Tickets here

New CT Bluegrass Band – Audrey Mae

Audrey Mae features the duet harmonies of bluegrass veterans Peter Winne and Joe Delillo accompanied by the tasteful stylings of banjo player Joe Lemeris and fiddle & mandolin player Sam McDougle. Despite being a generation apart, Winne and Delillo evoke brother harmony groups such as The Stanley Brothers, The Blue Sky Boys, The Everly Brothers, and yes, even The Beatles. Named after Delillo’s mother, an Alabama belle named Audrey Mae, the band delivers a brand of bluegrass that is at times high octane and at other times just plain … lonesome.

The AudreyMae Band will be playing at the Inishmor Pub on Friday, October 10, from 6-9pm.

CT Bluegrass Showcase on Friday October 24 Rock Hearts and On the Trail at New Park Brewing

Friday, October 24, two of CT’s premier bluegrass bands will perform in West Hartford CT at New Park Brewing. Purchase Tickets here

7 – 10pm – New Park Brewing, 485 New Park Ave, West Hartford, CT 06110, USA

Bluegrass at the Granite Church (Redding CT)

Max Wareham & the National Bluegrass Team

Friday, November 7th, 2025, Doors 7 PM, Show 8 PM
$20 in Advance, $25 at the Door

Max Wareham & the National Bluegrass Team are bringing their soulful, high-energy sound to the Granite stage.

After touring nationally with bluegrass legend Peter Rowan, Max hits the road with songs from his debut album “DAGGOMIT!” — a heartfelt nod to banjo tradition with a fresh, original twist. Max Wareham & the National Bluegrass Team features international mandolin prodigy Jean Baptiste Cardineau, singer and guitarist Jack Holland, and Boston bass stalwart Chris Sartori (Twisted Pine).

Originally from Middletown, CT, Max Wareham is a banjo player and composer based in Boston, MA. Max’s commitment to early innovators of the instrument shines on Dagommit!, his debut record of soulful original songs, highlighted by the hard-driving chemistry of Nashville’s preeminent bluegrass stars. Max tours nationally with the Peter Rowan Bluegrass Band, with whom he has performed at the Telluride Bluegrass Festival, Ryman Auditorium, Merlefest, Green Mountain Bluegrass Festival, IBMA Bluegrass Music Awards, and many more. Purchase Tickets Here

Bluegrass in the Hudson Valley – Westchester Bluegrass Club

The Scenic Lake Purdys Clubhouse hosts monthly live bluegrass music and jams.

Their next event which features On the Trail is Sunday November 2, 2025

• 3:00 PM – Doors open + pickin’ jam
• 3:30 PM – Open Mic
• 4:00–5:30 PM – Showtime
• $30 Suggested Donation
• BYOB and a snack to share

“Fresh off festival wins and national praise, On The Trail brings tight harmonies, inventive arrangements, and youthful energy to the stage. Their blend of bluegrass, folk, and Americana is both rooted in tradition and full of contemporary spark!” RSVP Here

Bluegrass Nights at the Granite

The first Bluegrass Night was a success! Join us on the first Thursday of the month for this great event. Looking for live bluegrass music in Connecticut? The Granite is a new home to bluegrass performers, jammers, and lovers alike.

On the first Thursday of the month, (Nov 6, and Dec 4, 2025) the Granite will host “a monthly celebration of bluegrass music”. The house band will perform at 8pm with open jamming before, during, and after the event. Come to listen, play, and learn! The event will feature a hosted slow jam, live music, and tons of fun. The Granite is filled with nooks and side rooms to jam, hang, and socialize. Come with or without an instrument and tell your bluegrass loving friends. BYOB or snacks/food. Some refreshments available for purchase.

Help this new event become a staple of the CT Bluegrass scene. Where: 5 N. Main Street, Redding CT

Other Jams

Thu Oct 9

7:30 – 10pm Bluegrass Jam in Easton – 59 Church Rd, Easton, CT 06612, USA

Sun Nov 2

1 – 4pm 1st Sunday Old Time Jam – Spruce Coffee, 952 State St, New Haven, CT 06511, USA

CT Bluegrass Showcase at the Bijou Theatre

Saturday, November 22, two of CT’s premier bluegrass bands will perform in Bridgeport at the Bijou Theater Purchase Tickets here

Harmony Singing Class in Connecticut

Love to sing? Looking for singing lessons in CT or Hudson Valley NY? This class will help you develop independence singing with others in three and four part harmony. Class will take place Monday Nights 7:00-8:30 PM November 17, 24 and December 8 and 15. Where? Redding CT, 5 N. Main Street. Sign up here

The class will utilize a new resource – an app designed to help make learning harmony fun and easy! Part By Heart helps you learn to commit your part to memory and practice your harmony singing skills from anywhere. Whether its a little extra guidance in your jam / band or its at home learning on your own, this app can help you find your starting pitch and learn your part by heart! Check it out at PartbyHeart.com or by searching “Part By Heart Music”

Austin Scelzo Bluegrass Brooklyn interview on founding CT Bluegrass, IBMA Award, and Harmony Singing

CT’s own CTBA President Austin Scelzo is interviewed by Bluegrass Brooklyn about his musical roots, community mission, and new harmony singing app. Click Here to listen to the full Interview

“Join your hosts Mike Willner and Liz Wolfe to meet the musicians and teachers, explore the venues and events, and share the stories and community in the Bluegrass Borough …. and beyond. We’ll talk classic bluegrass, bluegrass-adjacent music, vendors, instruments, jam camps, current events, gear … you know, all the good stuff! So give a listen, we’ll have a fine old time.”