Fwd: Joe Val Artist Heritage Award Winner Announced

[Chris Reckling]

The Bluegrass Breakdown - Jan 30 2026

Main Stage Schedule and More

Bluegrass Breakdown January 30, 2026 Joe Val Artist Heritage Award Winner: Steve Watt  As we announced a few months ago, our long-standing Heritage Awards, which honor those who have made extraordinary contributions to bluegrass in Boston and throughout the Northeast, have been renamed the Joe Val Artist Award and the Stan Zdonik Industry Award. Today, we are delighted to announce that the recipient of this year’s Joe Val Artist Award will be Steve Watt, the long-time leader of the Third Set Jam at Bluegrass Tuesdays, and the father of incoming BBU President, Tony Watt. Steve starting playing bluegrass in his early teens while growing up in New York City in the late 1950s. He moved to Boston in 1967, in part because of the bluegrass scene in the city. Once in Boston, he started going to the Hillbilly Ranch, where he got to hear, and later sit in with the Lilly Brothers and Don Stover. Steve was a founding member of the BBU who ran sound for the early concerts at the “big brown church with the rooster on top”. He formed and played in various bands through the years, and eventually co-founded his current band, True Life Bluegrass, to play at the Joe Val Benefit, a fundraiser held shortly before Joe passed away in 1985.  Steve and his bandmate in True Life Bluegrass, Eric Levenson, became fixtures at the weekly Tuesday night bluegrass sessions at The Cantab Lounge. At The Cantab, and later at Lily P’s, Steve helped train countless young musicians, including many Berklee students who went on to become famous in bluegrass. Tony shared this brief reflection on his father’s legacy: “My Dad is my favorite bluegrass musician in the entire world, and has been since before I was born. But more than that, he is also one of the most beautiful people I’ve ever met, who loves and supports those around him unconditionally. On behalf of my entire family, I want to thank the BBU for honoring my Dad for his many decades of contributions to the bluegrass community in Boston and beyond.” Joe Val Main Stage Schedule Announcing our Main Stage Schedule! Friday, February 13th      1:00 PM – Gabe Hirshfeld’s Celebration of Life (open to all)      6:00 PM – Berklee Bluegrass Band      7:00 PM – The Joe Val All-Stars      8:00 PM – Danny Paisley & The Southern Grass      9:30 PM – Lonely Heartstring Band      Saturday, February 14th    11:00 AM – T.B.A.    12:00 PM – The Hazel Project      1:00 PM – Joe Sings Joe      2:00 PM – Tex's Troubadours      3:00 PM – Rock Hearts      4:00 PM – Special Consensus      5:00 PM – Joe Val Artist Heritage Award: Steve Watt      5:10 PM – Ashley Lilly & The Songcatchers      6:00 PM – Northern Lights      7:00 PM – The Hazel Project with Special Guest Alice Gerrard      8:00 PM – Stan Zdonik Industry Heritage Award: Stan Zdonik      8:15 PM – Special Consensus      9:15 PM – The Gibson Brothers Sunday, February 15th    10:00 AM – The Reunion Band    11:00 AM – Southern Rail    12:00 PM – The Joe Val Kids' Academy    12:30 PM – Rock Hearts      1:30 PM – Mile Twelve      2:30 PM – East Nash Grass      4:00 PM – The Del McCoury Band (Please note the lineup and schedule are subject to change): A Request for Those Staying On-Site Parking for the festival has always been tight, and we expect this year will be no exception. We are also trying to make space for people coming for Gabe Hirshfeld’s Celebration of Life, and those who aren’t staying on site. If you are arriving on Thursday or Friday and staying for the weekend, it would be very helpful if you would park your car at the far end of the parking lots (towards the Wendy’s) after unloading. Thank you! 8:30 am Yoga at Joe Val on Friday, Saturday & Sunday Curly Merzbacher and Marcia Dworkind will be hosting yoga sessions on the Lower Level at Joe Val on Friday, Saturday and Sunday from 8:30–9:30 AM. Interested parties should make sure to pack their yoga mats, although there will be a few extras on hand if you forget. PURCHASE FESTIVAL TICKETS

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