“This One Is At the Top” Yonder Mountain String Band Rocks The Yard Amphitheater

Yonder Mountain String Band‘s recent performance at The Yard Amphitheater at Ray Brothers Barbeque was nothing short of a homecoming celebration, infused with heartwarming moments, camaraderie, and connections to the roots of bluegrass and the community that left both the band and the audience in awe. This show held special significance for Nick Piccininni, a local member of the band, who was surrounded by his family, friends, and mentors who had played a pivotal role in his musical journey. [See our interview with Nick about joining Yonder Mountain to help get a deeper understanding and appreciation for the full-circle ride to this show].

With faces of supporters, well-wishers, and family filling the venue, Piccininni said, “It felt like a gathering of almost everyone who had ever contributed and supported my music, my career, and life lessons, in general. I was overwhelmed by faces that I hadn’t seen in some time.”

The choice of The Yard as the venue for the concert was fitting, as both Tucker and brother Colin Ray, the venue’s owners, had always been supportive of Nick and the bands he has been a part of. Piccininni, the mandolin (and banjo and fiddle and guitar and vocal) maestro who calls the local area home, shared, “Well, for me personally, it was one of the most memorable shows I’ve ever played.” Nick’s words echoed the sentiments of a musician who had come full circle in his journey. The Yard Amphitheater, with its rustic charm and serene rural setting, provided the perfect backdrop for this intimate and heartfelt performance. Nick added, “This show marked the very first time that my sister has been able to see Yonder and I together. That was incredibly special to me me.”

The love didn’t stop there. Piccininni’s reflections on the show’s location revealed a deep sense of gratitude. “Tucker and Colin Ray are at the top of that list of folks who have always been supportive towards me and the bands I’ve been in,” he said.

Tucker Ray couldn’t have been prouder. He had seen Nick’s potential long before this memorable evening as he and his brother used to watch bluegrass bands with their dad, and they had a hunch that Piccininni was destined for greatness. Ray exclaimed, “What an absolute honor to host such a band here at the Yard Amphitheater. And Nick – we knew he would do amazing things, just given the opportunity. What a great show! This one is at the top,” he elated. The show’s significance went beyond entertainment; it was a tribute to their father’s love for bluegrass. Ray added, “Our father was such a huge bluegrass fan, and to have Yonder here meant a ton to us, like we were following in his footsteps.”

Their intuition about Piccininni was proven correct as Nick and the band’s performance ignited a spark that spread like wildfire throughout the crowd. Ray continued, “Not only was he on fire for this show, but the crowd seemed to feed off of his energy.”

Nick’s bandmates were equally enamored with crowd and The Yard itself. He revealed, “I think they felt more than fitting for the concert to take place at this venue, far removed from the hustle and bustle of urban life, allowing music and nature to seamlessly blend, creating a space where everyone could momentarily escape from the outside world.” Amen to that. At one point during the show, bassist Ben Kaufmann said to the crowd, “You know, Nick, was asking us ‘Do you get it now?'” Kaufmann smiled and confirmed, “Yeah, we get it now.” Piccininni added, “The combination of great music and mouthwatering food sealed the deal for an unforgettable evening. When I finally made it back into the green room from visiting friends and family post-show, they had another plate of barbeque and were happily chowing down! They only had positive things to say.” More on that below.

Aside from hosting a slate of amazing summer shows, Ray Brothers Barbeque is also known for their award-winning food, creating some of the best barbeque in the country.

It wasn’t just Nick and the band that cherished this special night. John Naegele, a seasoned music enthusiast in the audience, shared their excitement. “What a full-circle show indeed,” he said. “He’s an amazing talent. I was first introduced to him by Jay Barady, their duo Nick & Jay, then their jazz quintet with Vinnie Amico (of moe.), and then their band Floodwood. I have lots of great memories of seeing all of those iterations perform. And now, with the recognition of Nick’s skill by a band – with a massive fan base – was akin to a fairy tale. And the chemistry between them is so obvious.” The band had even been recently nominated for a Grammy after bringing Piccininni aboard, for their album Get Yourself Outside.

The crowd, numbering around 700, was clearly electrified by the energy radiating from the band and shared Naegele’s sentiment. Even with other notable events happening nearby, including a somewhat impromptu Phish benefit concert at SPAC and concerts at the New York State Fair, The Yard and Yonder drew a devoted audience nonetheless. Naegele added, “I bought tickets for Yonder at Ray Brothers as soon as they came out. I was anticipating this show all summer. I love Phish, but I was still coming here. And even with the summer-long waiting, this still blew my expectations out of the water.”

The Yard’s unique layout, with concertgoers practically on the stage, allowed for a level of interaction that enhanced the experience over the non-stop, nearly 3-hour show. Tucker noted, “I think both the band and the concertgoers felt it and fed off one another’s energy for sure. If they played another three hours, no one would have left.” It was this electric atmosphere that made the show stand out among the many memorable performances at The Yard.

The band members themselves are focused on songwriting and have plans to start working in the studio in the fall. Ray expressed he hoped that this show was just the beginning of a beautiful relationship with Yonder Mountain String Band. “We hope this will foster more shows with Yonder in the Yard”. Nick added, “My bandmates mentioned to both of the Ray brothers that they’d love to make this show an annual thing. Obviously, there are a lot of logistics, but I feel I can safely say that the sentiment to make this a yearly effort is there.”

Naegele described the future anticipation by reaffirming what is so great about both the Yard and about Yonder, saying, “Everything feels special here, this show even more so for obvious reasons. The atmosphere at The Yard is unfailingly amazing. From the the food, to the music, to the atmosphere – they don’t cut corners. It feels like a place I used to read about – a tucked-away secret venue in some holler or canyon or beach. Places where great shows happen, and most people only find out about them after the fact. It truly feels like family, and it’s so relaxed. Everyone lets their guard down and smiles more.”

From the heartfelt thoughts of Nick, Tucker, and John, it is clear that this show was a true celebration of music, friendship, and community. And with such an enthusiastic and warm reception – and a deep connection to the venue and the crowd – it’s safe to say that Yonder’s return to the Yard would be a much welcomed and cherished tradition.

Setilist: Oklahoma > New Dusty Miller, I Just Can’t, Don’t Worry Happy Birthday, Out of the Pan > Into the Fire, On the Run > Mother’s Only Son > On the Run, Left Me in a Hole, Bound to Ride, Sharecropper’s Son, Polka On the Banjo, unnamed fiddle tune, Landfall, 40 Miles From Denver, Beside Myself, Girlfriend Is Better (Talking Heads cover), Ruby Don’t Take Your Love to Town (Waylon Jennings cover). Encore: Dancing in the Moonlight (King Harvest cover), Walk On the Wild Side (Lou Reed cover).