I was looking through the line-up archives today and got to thinking, if I could have a time machine for one trip back in time, which TBF would I travel back to? I am still wondering for myself, but now am also interested to see how others would answer it. I know a lot of you on here have been at all of them, so I will be very interested to see all of the answers.
Sorry if this post has already been done before. Curiosity killed the cat today!
Wow, I think for me it was Johnny Cash. He was just so flippin swingin’, bigger than life persona…
Slammed me down and kept me there till he was finished with me. Just a riviting performance.
I was a changed woman after that fest…not sure what year that was…anyone?
1997
Here is a link to the past lineups, which should help with this game…
Wow, 1997 is a killer lineup.
For me, gotta go back to where it really started (well, almost): 1975.
:thumbsup
I’d agree with 1975 for sure. :cheers :thumbsup
Toss up between 1987, 1993 and 1997.
I’d probably have to go with 1987 or 1993 because most of the bands from 1997 I could still see, but it’d be tough to pull of Bill Monroe or John Hartford. And with my final choice I’d probably choose 1987 because of New Grass.
Tough decision for a girl who’s still a relative newbie, but I keep coming back to 1982. Maybe I’m just a sucker for Willie, but the addition of Norman Blake, Ricky Skaggs and what appears to be the first Band Contest…sounds pretty good to me :thumbsup
Although I think the correct answer to the question is ALL OF THEM!!! :cheers
1997 was a special year for us. I loved Johnny Cash- brough back memories of my father. He was a huge fan when I was a little girl. In fact, my first concert was Johnny Cash at Madison Square Gardens in 1969 (?).
The rest of the line-up was amazing as well. This was also the year that we got to experience it as a “whole family”… Alex was just a tiny weeks old newborn- Matthew was 1 1/2. …
I can’t decide between 1990 and 1991:
1990 had Alison Krauss and Union Station, Laurie Lewis and Grand Street, David Grisman Quintet, Bela, Jerry, Strength in Numbers, Tim O’Brien, Tony Trishka, and James Taylor!!! Man what a Lineup!!! :eek :eek :eek
1991 had most of the above plus John Hartford, Lyle Lovett, Tony Rice Unit, Seldom Scene and Mark O’Connor!!! Insane lineup as well!!! :eek :eek :eek
So who wins? Laurie Lewis + David Grisman + Tony Trishka
or John Hartford + Tony Rice + Mark O’Connor :huh :huh :huh
I can’t decide…
In any case I was 4 years old at the time, so even if I had been there, I wouldn’t remember it! :eek :lol
The 17th Annual Telluride Bluegrass Festival
June 21-24, 1990
Powder Ridge • Michael Tomlinson • David Wilcox • Chris Proctor • Bill Monroe • Alison Krauss and Union Station • Chris Daniels and the Kings • Runaway Express • New Tradition • Béla Fleck and the Flecktones • Peter Rowan and Crucial Country • William Eaton • Laurie Lewis and Grant Street • The David Grisman Quintet • James Taylor • Left Hand String Band • Loose Ties • The Subdudes • Tony Trischka • Tim O’Brien • Strength In Numbers • John Cowan • Harvey Reid • Mary Chapin Carpenter • Nanci Griffith • Nitty Gritty Dirt Band • Bryan Bowers • Jonathan Edwards • Shawn Colvin
Monroe, O’Brien, The Flecktones 1st Year, Grisman, Trischka, AKUS, Rowan, Stregnth in Numbers… and it all started on the Solstice. Amen. :cheers
Second Choice Pick: The 9th Annual TBF
Although, I do have a vintage fan club t-shirt from 1991. Hummmm… :festivarian2
Auntie Hope 
:green
I really liked Barenaked Ladies in 2006, Counting Crows 07, and David Byrne last year, but if I must choose, I think my pick would be 1989. Hot Rize, Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, Hornsby was fantastic, New Grass Revival, and Strength in Numbers all in the same weekend. Wow. I wish I could remember more of it!
The 16th Annual Telluride Bluegrass Festival
June 22-25, 1989
Harvey Reid • The Subdudes • Good Ol’ Persons • Michael Martin Murphy • Runaway Express • Hot Rize • Riders in the Sky • New Grass Revival • William Eaton • Maura O’Connell • Jerry Douglas • Béla Fleck • Edgar Meyer • Russell Smith • Weary Hearts • Blue Rose • Peter Rowan • Nitty Gritty Dirt Band • Alison Krauss and Union Station • Red Knuckles • David Grisman • Bruce Hornsby • Tim and Mollie O’Brien • Russ Barenberg • Sam Bush • Mark O’Connor • Strength in Numbers • Chris Daniels and the Kings
1976, the third, will always be special for me, because that was my first, the beginning of one of the most wonderful aspects of my life. :cheers