This year’s festival host band will feature Albuquerque’s own award-winning, Higher Ground Bluegrass band. Based in Northern New Mexico, Higher Ground Bluegrass’ members reside in Albuquerque, Santa Fe, and LosAlamos.
Founded in 1998, HGB plays original,contemporary, and traditional music informed by the American traditions
of folk, bluegrass, country, and rock and roll.

This year's festival headliner is Grammy nominated Shawn Lane and his family band. Also appearing are Texas troubadours Augusta Road, Colorado's Blue Canyon Boys, Hard Road Trio, Mystic Lizard, local favorites the Fritz Davis Band, Old Time balladeers the Tarsal Tappers Band and festival Master of Ceremonies Mike Powell.
Advance Tickets are available at: http://southwestpickers-festival.org
This project is made possible in part by New Mexico Arts, Red River Tourism and Lodger’s Tax and the New Mexico Music Guild.