Robert Thomas, Founder

The
Johnston
Bluegrass
Festival

A Message from Our Founder

Robert Thomas

Hi bluegrass fans. It has been one of the great joys of my life to be a part of the Johnston Bluegrass Festival—as founder, director, performer, and most of all, fan. With the help of so many, I think we’ve started something pretty special here in Iowa. While it was my dream to work on the festival for many years, life has taken an unexpected turn, and my family and I have moved to Florida. So I have turned the director’s reins over to the capable hands of Bob Marion, my friend, former band-mate in Grassy Knoll, and my able chiropractor! Bob, along with veteran committee members Jon Greising, Jon Duvick and Jerry Ranch (musicians all, and great friends), will carry on the tradition of bringing the finest bluegrass music to our fair town.

As “JBF 3” approaches, come on out to the festival, show your support to this cherished music of ours, and always know that your ticket dollars are going to help fine local causes.

While my family and I won’t be there this August 4th, we will turn our thoughts and hearts to the Johnston Commons—which, for that one Saturday in August, will again become the center of the bluegrass universe.

Thanks for being a part of our festival!

My heartfelt thanks and gratitude,

Robert Thomas
Founder
Johnston Bluegrass Festival

When I first heard that someone was trying to create a bluegrass festival in Johnston my first reaction was a snort of "good luck with that". Robert has created a fine one day festival out of whole cloth, apparently by sheer tenacity. For the most part, bluegrass festivals are three day events, off the beaten path, with camping and a tent/RV village feel. The Johnson Bluegrass Festival is in the metro area of Des Moines in what becomes a very nice venue for acoustic music with room for workshops in a historic restored barn and a guided jam in the historic house in Johnston Commons, the site of the Johnston Library.

Robert obtained donations from many of the major corporations in Johnston and the Des Moines area so that he could run the festival on donations and provide a value added donation to the Johnston Library from ticket sales, vendor fees and souvenir sales. This innovative solution to funding the festival makes it possible for the donation to the library to exceed any one individual donation and, as the festival grows it is likely that we will exceed the level of all donations.

Over and above the charitable aspects of the Johnston Bluegrass Festival Robert has created a new music venue in Johnston that serves as a stage for national, regional and local bands so that this uniquely American music is available, at least for one day, in the metro area. The festival exposes live bluegrass to many who would not have thought of attending a bluegrass festival at the same time as helping the library grow. I like to believe that we are nurturing both cultural as well as intellectual growth of central Iowa with the festival by providing both music and funds for the library. I would like to thank him personally for creating this festival, although not for leaving me in charge -- it will take some time to get over that one. All of us on the Johnston Bluegrass Festival committee wish you and yours luck in Florida.

Bob Marion, DC