There is little to compare to a Telluride summer. Heat that penetrates the bones, but doesn't wilt. Cool nights that refresh and invigorate. Music seemingly everywhere, all the time. It is my favorite time of year, hands down. I would market Telluride to music lovers who, in the summer, not only enjoy attending live music, both local and national, but find inspiration in these mountains - hiking, biking, contemplating. 

This weekend, July 23-25, Austinite Steve Stagner is bringing the Americana Music Weekend to the Sheridan Opera House. Steve is passionate about the American singer-songwriter idiom and has been bringing prime performers for the past two summers. In this, his third year, he has condensed the shows to a single weekend. The venerable Opera House stage is ideal for the music. Tift Merritt, Slaid Cleaves, Eric Bibb, Ilene Kelley Shannon Whitworth and Kevin Welch and Walt Wilkins comprise this year's stellar line-up. Like blues and jazz,  this rootsy genre can rock, roll or slow shuffle, and always with a story to tell. It can be argued that, in popular music, the song is the highest form of the craft. The best writers of Americana songs pen miniature novels into a few verses and a chorus. Couple that with some heartbreak-gorgeous voices and solid guitar chops, and the listener is captivated. Americana-roots-alt-country music is hugely popular in Europe, particularly in England, Scotland, France and Scandinavia where American acts are often better-known overseas than in their own country. 

 I will interview Steve on Thursday, July 23 at 11 a.m. MST. We'll talk about the festival, why this music speaks to him, and play music from not only the weekend's artists, but past year's performers. 

Got a little time this weekend? Pack the hiking boots and a nice going-out shirt. You'll love the trails and the tales. Tickets are available at tellurideticket.com or by calling the Opera House box office at 970-728-6363.