Mountain Music: Bluegrass in the Gorge this Summer

If you like roots music, June's a great time to visit the New River Gorge.

Here are some of the opportunities to catch some of mountain music's finest around the New River Gorge Bridge:

The Mountain Music Festival, June 5-7

The Mountain Music Festival will highlight folk, Americana and bluegrass greats from around Appalachia and beyond. ACE Adventure Resort is hosting the gathering, Jun 6 & 7, with a local band presto on June 5.

You can pair your music with adventure, combining festival passes with camping, rafting, zip lining, and other outdoor excursions.

The lineup includes the lively Keller Williams, known as a "one-man jam band" since his rise to independent popularity in the 90s, and the soulful The Wood Brothers, lauded as a top-rated folk band with an old-fashioned sound.

The pre-show, which is free to attendees, shows off local bands, including the stompgrassin' crazy Wild Rumpus, the smooth bluegrass band The Boatmen, soulful bluesy Black King Coal, and old-fashioned partiers Possum Holler Glee Club.

34th Annual Music in the Mountains Bluegrass Festival, June 25-28

This major bluegrass celebration in Summersville features more than 10 unique mountain musical acts each day, beginning at 11 a.m. and rolling all the way through the evening.

Among the headliners are:

• Gene Watson, who has had 70+ country hits throughout his career
• Ralph Stanley and the Clinch Mountain Boys, an inductee into the International Bluegrass Music Hall of Honor and the Grand Ole Opry
• Dailey & Vincent, a 2-time Grammy-nominated bluegrass band that has racked up more than 20 other major awards, including a Dove Award for "Best Bluegrass Album"
• Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver, a Grammy-nominated gospel and bluegrass group whose lead was inducted into the International Bluegrass Music Hall of Fame

The festival is outdoors with a shelter in the back, but you should bring your own chair. There will be food and other vendors on-site. Camping and parking are available.

Anstead Hometown Mountain Heritage Festival, June 19-22

While not only a musical festival, you can't really get into mountain heritage without some good old-fashioned Appalachian music.

Saturday is full of performances, which you can enjoy as you taste authentic Appalachian flavors or try your hand at horseshoes. Rounding out the showcases of great local talent and after the parade will be old-timey singer/songwriter Matt Brewster Band and country favorites Taylormade with their melodic harmonies.

On Sunday, traditional church tunes will flow through the festival with a gospel performance to cap off the event.

Sundays@Two at Tamarack

The weekly performances at "The Best of West Virginia" crafting center include swing, traditional musical storytelling, gospel and Americana in June. Check Tamarack's schedule for these and other performances and artisan demonstrations.

What's your favorite genre of mountain music?