The spontaneity that happens during a
jam session is often lost within the
structure of a rehearsed band with set
members. Giving professional musicians
the space to exchange ideas, improvise,
and jam casually with each other is part
of the magic of WWG. In taking that fresh
energy and elevating it to the stage, artists
are encouraged to step outside of their
comfort zones, displaying authentic
excitement and nerves.
Brittney recalls the moment when she and
Scott witnessed WinterWonderWomen’s
first performance on a side stage in
Steamboat Springs—and instantly
recognized that it had to be a main-stage
act.
“It was so packed that people were outside
the tent. Everybody came to see them.
They played some really rocking songs
that people could sing along to and it just
became this huge experience in the tent. It
was so much fun, and I was holding back
tears because it was so authentic and a
really vulnerable performance. Everyone
was moved by them. It was incredible to
have will include members of Della Mae,
an all-female, Grammy-nominated
bluegrass band headlining all three
festivals in 2020. It is a return home to
Vermont for Celia Woodsmith, who grew
up in Norwich, began playing in a band
when she was 18, and was a student at
UVM. In 2011, after spending five years
in Boston with various projects, she was
recruited to be the lead vocalist and
guitarist for Della Mae. The band’s mission
is to showcase top female musicians and
to improve opportunities for women and
girls through advocacy, mentorship,
programming, and performance.
Celia is quick to point out that Winter-
WonderGrass’ focus on gender inclusivity
does not go unnoticed, as members of
Della Mae are frequently the only wom-
en who step on stage at many bluegrass
festivals.
She explains, “Della Mae was [at one time]
basically the only all-female bluegrass
band and now we’re starting to see more
of them. And the cool thing is that you
have these young women who come up to
you after the show and say, ‘I first started
watching you when I was 10, and now I’m
18 and I have my own band now.’ And
Le Jardin du Gourmet
Start a garden without spending a fortune:
you can choose from over 200 varieties of herbs,
flowers, and vegetables at just 40¢ per packet.
Our
66 th
year!
Send $1.00 for catalogue, instructions, recipes,
and 4 sample packets of herb seeds.
Le Jardin du Gourmet
Box 75V, St. Johnsbury Ctr., VT 05863
phone: 1-800-659-1446
www.artisticgardens.com
Join the Vermont Covered Bridge Society
The Vermont Covered Bridge Society was
founded in 2000 to address the loss of covered
bridges and to preserve those that remain.
Membership includes a quarterly newsletter.
To learn more, visit vermontbridges.org or
@vermontcoveredbridgesociety
on facebook.
Write to: V.C.B.S., Inc.
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