IDAHO SPRINGS - In 2011, musically inclined brother and sister Mark and Sarah Morris decided that it might be a good idea to hold a bluegrass festival in Idaho Springs, Colorado. Mark recalled that, among other reasons, “I started the festival to give my band a gig, because nobody would hire us.”

It was Sarah’s idea to name the festival Rapidgrass, for which Mark then named his newly-formed group. The group Rapidgrass won the RockyGrass Band Competition in 2015. They have since traveled the world performing, and appear every year at the Bluegrass en la Roche festival in France.

The talented lineup that includes Mark Morris (guitar), Alex Johnstone (mandolin), Andy Reiner (fiddle), Charlie Mertens (upright bass, tenor banjo), and Jon Wirtz (keyboards) no longer has trouble being hired.

Rapidgrass prefers playing in the mountains, so that its members can ski and run the trails during downtime while they are engaged. Frontman Morris shared, “We don’t go to cities—we just go to cool mountain towns.

“Rapidgrass embodies the notion that nature, and particularly the mountains, can bring out the best in our art, and we have dedicated much of our creative energy into bringing that art back to the people of the mountains. Our music is motivated by and made for those who find peace in the mountains.”

This year, around 1,000 people from the Rocky Mountains and beyond attended the latest version of the Rapidgrass Bluegrass Festival in Idaho Springs on August 15 and 16.

Timber! opened the festival at 4 p.m. on Friday to a still-gathering crowd during a light rain shower. Next, Mark Morris on guitar and Dr. Joy Adams on mandolin performed the content of Willie Nelson’s 1975 album Red Headed Stranger in its entirety.

Hot Buttered Rum’s progressive bluegrass was showcased, then Rapidgrass engaged attendees from 8 p.m. until 9:30 p.m. Master mandolinist Silas Herman & Tone Unit wrapped up an entertaining late afternoon and evening.

Festival-goers were treated to 12 hours of music on Saturday. First onstage was The Kind Mountain String Band. Hailing from Idaho Springs, guitarist Nick Juenemann describes their sound as “boot stompin’, rough-around-the-edges (and all the way through), ol’ timey, rock and roll, booty shakin’, bluegrassish music!”

The band Local Folk performed the Grateful Dead’s “Bertha” along with a few other cover tunes and original numbers. Following Local Folk, Singer-songwriter Sarah Morris’ rich vocals reached the highest peaks and filled the lowest valleys. Easytiger, Pick & Howl, and the Shelby Means Band kept things lively.

Rapidgrass assumed their usual 8 p.m. time slot under the lights in front of their legion of faithful and appreciative fans. Popular Denver-based band Magoo played until 11 p.m., concluding another highly enjoyable and musically pleasing Rapidgrass Bluegrass Festival.