McAwesome: A Backyard Festival with a Really Big Heart

Tucked into the juniper-filled rolling hills of Castle Rock, Colorado, an intimate

bluegrass festival has quietly grown into one of the most beloved gatherings in the Front Range music community. McAwesome isn’t just a clever name—it’s a celebration of music, connection, and the kind of grassroots spirit that transforms a small farm into a legendary music venue. It’s become an early summer fixture for hundreds of pickers, fans, and friends. McAwesome thrives thanks to the dedication of its creators, Matt McMurray, Rachel Peterson and Michelle Lee, and the tight-knit community of volunteers, musicians, and attendees that supports the festival each year.

Humble Beginnings

Sitting between the Front Range communities of Fort Collins and Colorado Springs, McAwesome has become a rare meeting point for bluegrass picking communities who don’t often cross paths. It’s not uncommon to see old friends reconnecting while welcoming new pickers and attendees into the fold, making it a unique weekend that brings together a geographically diverse crowd, a range of acoustic styles, and musicians of all ages and experience levels.

Figure 1: That McAwesome Vibe (guest appearance by Tiny the Dog)

The seed for McAwesome was planted in 2015 when Matt, a self-described bluegrass enthusiast with a tractor and a dream, envisioned turning his property into a space where music and community could flourish. Friends in the Colorado bluegrass scene—including members of Meadow Mountain—gave the idea early momentum. With a few layers of amphitheater benches, a homemade stage, and thousands of hours of work and plenty of grit, the first McAwesome was born. That year, nearly 500 people showed up, a whole lot more than expected. And just like that, a festival was born.

The Name Behind the Heart

Rumor has it the name ‘McAwesome’ started as a nod to the sheer McAwesomeness it took to get the festival off the ground, an inside family joke about all the behind-the-scenes effort and heavy lifting Matt poured into the early years.  But over time, it’s come to reflect the true McAwesomeness of the vision behind the gathering and the community that continues to bring it to life year after year. The festival is the definition of inclusive, welcoming people of all ages, backgrounds, and abilities. Campground jam circles are open and encouraging, with seasoned pickers making room for novice players. Dogs are welcome too (on-leash, of course) and it's not unusual to see a pup and sometimes an owner snoozing on the top row of the amphitheater while the music is playing.

More Than Music

Camping at McAwesome is spacious and flexible, accommodating both tent campers and large RVs with room to spare.  Some of the most memorable festival meals have happened right in the campground. One crew was known for making fresh, stone-baked pizza on site, while another hosted a community paella feed. And while picking circles go late into the night, the campground has enough space for folks who prefer to turn in early without being disturbed by the music.

Figure 2. Paella in the campground

From the start, McAwesome wasn’t about profit. It was about passion. Matt, Michelle, and Rachel made sure bands were paid fairly, often giving bonuses out of pocket and refusing to let ticket prices dictate the spirit of the weekend. “Our goal is always to break even,” Matt said with a laugh, exchanging a high five with Michelle. “This year we got close and that’s a great price for the best party of the year,” Michelle added. Matt also admits he hopes to eventually recoup some of the hard-fought investment they’ve poured into the festival, but the priority has always been building and sustaining something meaningful. The result is a place where artists feel truly valued, and that magic shows in their performances.

Traditions That Stick

Figure 3. Whispergrass in the Barn

McAwesome has cultivated a set of traditions that are as meaningful as they are fun. This year, the campground concert on Friday evening was kicked off by Bear Hat with an acoustically rich set in the campground field. Putting Friday’s music in the campground was a thoughtful move, designed to let late-arriving campers ease into the weekend without having to choose between setting up camp and catching live music at the amphitheater.  The campground music and communal potluck brought everyone together. Yoga, dubbed ‘Whispergrass’, and the golf tournaments have become festival staples.  Other organic contributions, like the “free stuff table” at the Martin camp, show how much the broader McAwesome community shapes the experience.  As Matt noted, many of the most beloved elements now come not from the organizers but from the energy and creativity of attendees, and they are excited to see what new ideas take root in the years to come.

Figure 4. The skyline after the storm

Colorado weather, especially in early summer, can be unpredictable, and McAwesome has seen its share of biblical rain and hail. Instead of sending attendees back to their camps to hunker down and wait it out, the festival simply moves the music inside the barn. The transition happens quickly, often in the time it would take for a band to finish another song, a testament to the McAwesome volunteer crews and crack sound team. What would be a hassle at other festivals becomes part of the fun at McAwesome. “The hail was so bad last year, we had to sprint for cover, but five minutes later everyone was dancing in the barn like nothing happened,” one attendee laughed. The barn fills with people, the music continues, and the energy stays high. And when the skies clear, the view from the amphitheater is unforgettable, whether it’s stars overhead or distant lightning flashing behind the stage.

The Neighbors Approve

Unlike larger bluegrass festivals, McAwesome offers a refreshingly relaxed experience—no tarp runs, no long lines, no bag checks. You can bring your own beer or grab one on-site with a simple donation for the cup. The festival thrives not on regulation, but on mutual trust and respect among the organizers, musicians and attendees, all those people who love it most.

Despite its location in an increasingly developed neighborhood, McAwesome has earned the respect of its neighbors. Attendees always clean up after themselves, the event ends promptly, and the festival has built a reputation for being as courteous as it is joyful. “You’d expect there to be trash,” one neighbor remarked, “but it’s spotless by Monday morning.”

What It Means to Them

For Michelle, Matt, and Rachel, McAwesome is deeply personal. “It’s like a big family reunion,” Michelle said. “It’s not just about the music—it’s about connection.” Matt echoed that sentiment: “I hope people leave as supporters of the artists, not just attendees of a party.”

Choosing the Soundtrack and the 2025 Lineup

Bands are handpicked by Matt and Rachel based on both talent and fit. Colorado-based acts are a focus, with the occasional out-of-state gem discovered through their barn concert series. Headliners now play two nights, giving them time to bond with the crowd and settle into the McAwesome vibe. Every set is arranged with care, balancing high energy with Sunday morning soulfulness. This year’s Memorial Day weekend brought a fresh mix of local and regional bluegrass talent, paired with yoga and the Par 3 golf Challenge.

On Friday, Bear Hat opened the weekend with a killer set in the campground field. Bear Hat weaved together original material and tasteful covers to create a blend of Bluegrass, Old Time, Swing, Blues and Rock ’n’ Roll. Their driving but soulful style set the tone for the festival and gave early and late arrivals a chance to settle in without missing out on the music. The set featured the band’s signature original songs, with frontman Charlie White delivering soulful vocals that brought both grit and warmth to the evening. During the set, a communal potluck was staged next to the big tent, where returning regulars and first-timers shared a meal and swapped stories and listened to the music.

Figure 5. Jake Leg

On Saturday, after a morning round of golf and yoga, Tonewood String Band brought their high-energy, harmony-driven sound to the stage. With roots in Colorado’s Front Range and a new album just completed, they blended classic bluegrass with polished modern arrangements. Jake Leg followed with their tight rhythm, swinging groove, and a soulful mix of traditional and original material. Their set folded in vintage jazz and blues flavor woven into a solid acoustic foundation, keeping the energy lively and the crowd engaged. Slay & Stinson delivered a powerful set with deep harmonies and seamless acoustic interplay. Drawing from the experienced songwriting traditions of Slay, Einterz, and Stinson along with raw vocals, their performance moved between their songwriting originals and unique versions of standards. With gravity and grit, they fully owned the stage. Arkansauce closed the night with their fiery take on progressive bluegrass. Arkansauce leaned into genre-crossing jams, powerful solos, and dynamic musical shifts. With five albums to their name and a growing national following, they brought intense energy to the barn stage.

On Sunday, the final full day of music began with Whispergrass yoga and the second round of the Par 3 Challenge. Mighty Holler, a collaboration between Grateful Holler and  Brandywine and the Mighty Fines opened the afternoon with a hard-driving blend of old-time, bluegrass, and fresh takes on classic songs.  Their harmonies, and original tunes kept the audience moving.

Stillhouse Junkies followed with their signature fusion of blues, swing, folk, and rock. Their inventive arrangements and tight three-part harmonies brought a fresh, cross-genre sound that stood out in an already strong lineup. Never Come Down, from Portland, Oregon, delivered a lyrical and emotionally rich set that combined traditional bluegrass with indie folk influences. Their polished sound and thoughtful songwriting made them a perfect lead-in to the festival’s finale. Arkansauce returned to close out the main stage with another high-octane set, bringing the weekend full circle with a closing set full of drive, connection, and energy that left everyone smiling.

On Monday the festival wrapped with a mellow morning. Campers lingered over coffee, sharing one last tune, and helping clean up the property.  Finally, everyone said their goodbyes, already thinking about next year.

Looking Ahead—Together

The future of McAwesome remains intentionally flexible. “It’s year-to-year,” Matt explained, “but my dream is that someday the community helps book the headliners. Imagine organizing and pre-donating to bring in a Grammy-winning act. That’s the dream.” With the Colorado bluegrass community behind it, that dream might be closer than it seems.  For now, Matt, Rachel, and Michelle will keep building what they love—a place where the lines between friends, artists, and family blur under the ever-dynamic Colorado sky.