Annapolis Baygrass 2026 Welcomes Allie Kral, Alvin Lee, and Patrick Rainey as Artists-at-Large
(Dreamspider) The 4th annual Annapolis Baygrass Music Festival returns to its beachfront location at Sandy Point State Park along the Chesapeake Bay in Annapolis, Maryland, on Saturday and Sunday, September 19-20, 2026. The festival is thrilled to announce three Artists-at-Large-Allie Kral, Alvin Lee, and Patrick Rainey-to join the already outstanding lineup that includes Little Feat; Yonder Mountain String Band; Bela Fleck: My Bluegrass Heart (with Michael Cleveland on fiddle, Dominick Leslie on mandolin, Jeff Partin on Dobro, Mark Schatz on bass, and Jake Stargel on guitar); Sam Bush; Mountain Grass Unit; TopHouse; Shadowgrass; SCYTHIAN; Sister Sadie; Fireside Collective; Midnight North; Jammy Buffet; Melody Trucks & The Fitzkee Brothers Band; and Geraldine.
Annapolis Baygrass has grown into one of the country's top eco-focused destination festivals since its inception in 2022 and first festival in 2023. Lovers of progressive bluegrass, improvisational jam, and American roots music have traveled from 38 U.S. states, Canada, and Europe to enjoy the country's top eco-friendly destination festival along the shores of the Chesapeake Bay.
Performances will take place on two alternating beachside stages across the course of two days. Fans can expect to see the artists-at-large making their rounds, creating unique moments with their special improvisational magic.
Allie Kral: To watch Allie Kral perform is to witness a passionate mixture of musical styles, from J. S. Bach to Pink Floyd, and maybe even a David Gilmour lick. With a background in classical violin turned enthusiastic, heart-forward improvisationalist, Allie has now recorded on dozens of albums and has played with the most well-known bluegrass players out there and just about every jamband on the scene (including 10 years with Yonder Mountain String Band and two with Cornmeal).
Alvin Lee: Alvin Lee, the founder and bandleader of The Lee Boys, brings his modern expression of Sacred Steel to the Baygrass stages. This isn't "sitting and listening" music: it's joyous, funky, and Gospel-infused with a hard-driving, blues-based beat. Lee, a multi-instrumentalist including electric guitar and pedal steel guitar, explains, "The inspiration and feeling that comes along with our music is the reason that people feel good."
Patrick Rainey: Based in Baltimore, Patrick Rainey is renowned for his dynamic saxophone work with The Bridge. With a soulful style and improvisational flair, Patrick's eclectic and versatile playing features his shapeshifting blend of rock 'n' roll, funk, and roots music. Last year JamBase journalist Matt Hoffman wrote about how "bands used the bluegrass framework to interpret songs from far outside the tradition [including] a Rainey-supported cover of Modest Mouse's 'Float On' (with The Last Revel) that brought at least one attendee to tears." Baygrass can't wait to have him back!
"From the beginning, Annapolis Baygrass has brought people together through music to support Chesapeake Bay restoration and mental wellness," says Ron Peremel, CEO/Founder. "Through the passion and actions of our fans, musicians, staff, volunteers, and partners-each playing a role in advancing our mission-we have witnessed the realization of our vision. Recognizing that restoration begins with the Bay and grows through the people who care for it, our new tagline, Every Jam Heals the Bay, better expresses that ethos. Updating our tagline reflects what our community already knows-music heals."
Annapolis Baygrass believes in the transformative power of music to inspire change and build community. The Baygrass mission is to create a one-of-a-kind, environmentally responsible music festival that brings joy to attendees and artists alike while actively educating, funding, and advocating for the protection of the Chesapeake Bay and supporting mental wellness. Baygrass blends music, conservation, and community engagement into a festival experience where fun and purpose come together.
The music connects people with the Baygrass mission, and a portion of every dollar spent on tickets, beverages, and merchandise supports Annapolis Baygrass nonprofit partners-Watershed Stewards Academy, Oyster Recovery Partnership, and Alliance for the Chesapeake Bay. The event has raised over $114,000 since its inception for Chesapeake Bay conservation. In addition, Baygrass artists and nonprofit partners will host interactive workshops during the festival at the Workshop Pavilion. The festival has created two dedicated areas that bring mental wellness and conservation educational programming for festival-goers to explore-the Bay Guardian Village and Wellness Way.
Co-founder Ron Katz says, "For me personally, I like to say Baygrass makes sound waves to create clean waves. In the beginning, Baygrass primarily focused on trying to heal an ailing Chesapeake Bay. As time progressed, we began to understand the importance of mental wellness and how Baygrass could acknowledge and facilitate awareness about it. In essence, sound waves creating clean waves now applies to both the Bay and our community."
Integral to the Baygrass philosophy are the wellness initiatives led by Baygrass Co-Founder, John Way-an Army veteran and mental health first aid instructor. Way works steadfastly to bring together key mental health and well-being resources to Baygrass. This includes offering a sober space at the festival, daily beachfront yoga, workshops and information booths with mental wellness partners.
The Art Behind Baygrass 2026
This year's poster was created with intention, purpose, and a deep connection to the Baygrass mission. Dave Caron, the festival's graphic designer says, "I was drawn to working with Baygrass because it's far more than a music festival-it's about community, conservation, and mental wellness."
Each element of the new artwork carries meaning, designed to educate, inspire, and deepen understanding of the Chesapeake Bay and the festival's mission. The rockfish and blue crab represent the Bay's vital wildlife and the importance of protecting and healing the waters that sustain these iconic species, the local economy, and the region's celebrated cuisine. The coneflower and milkweed highlight how native plants nourish pollinators while helping protect and heal the Bay through cleaner water, stronger habitat, and healthier ecosystems. The skipjack sailboat honors the Chesapeake's maritime heritage as the iconic oyster workboat that helped shape the Bay's economy and way of life. The lotus flower symbolizes mental wellness and renewal, reflecting Baygrass's belief that music heals and that caring for our community strengthens the people who care for the Bay.
[an error occurred while processing this directive]
[an error occurred while processing this directive]