Hardly Strictly Bluegrass - History

History

Hellman first mentioned his dream of holding a festival for bluegrass music in the park to Jonathan Nelson in 2001. Nelson had worked for Bill Graham Presents, and introduced Hellman to booker, Dawn Holliday, and producer Sheri Sternberg at a lunch. Holliday and Sternberg agreed to help and would continue to book acts and produce the festival, respectively, each year thereafter.

From the start, Hellman most wanted Hazel Dickens to perform at the festival. But Dickens, who was known for political songs about workers' strikes, was wary to perform because of Hellman's wealth and background. She later agreed, and went on to perform at the festival every year until her death in April 2011.

The festival name and scope was changed when, at the very first festival in 2001, Emmylou Harris played with her not strictly bluegrass band. Hellman was a fan of her bluegrass sound under the band name, Nash Ramblers, but at the time she was touring as Spyboy. She played the festival as Spyboy, which had a New Orleans style rhythm section. Hellman didn't complain, and "Hardly" was eventually added to the name of the festival in 2004.

Before her set in 2009, Emmylou Harris was awarded an honorary doctorate from Berklee College of Music by the president of the college.

The 2011 festival was dedicated to the memory of bluegrass icon and personal friend of Hellman, Hazel Dickens, who died five months earlier and had performed at every HSB since 2001.