High-octane Rocky Mountain dancegrass

By Katie Smith, Explorebigsky.com Contributor

BOZEMAN – Whitewater Ramble isn’t just another Colorado-based jam band. Made up of mandolin, fiddle, acoustic guitar, upright bass and drums, the quintet is a high energy, eclectic mix of bluegrass, rock and roll, jazz and funky beats.

Diversity is key to the group’s success as a nationally touring band. By combining musical genres, they’ve become appealing to a wide variety of listeners.

They sometimes play “odd or off-beat” cover songs, says mandolin player, Patrick Sites, “and our new music is always taking on a new personality.

Whitewater Ramble has been on tour for over a year promoting its first studio album, “All Night Drive,” which was produced by Tim Carbone of Railroad Earth and features a variety of talented artists including Grant Gordy from the David Grisman Quartet, Erik Yates from Hot Buttered Rum, and Josh Clark of Tea Leaf Green.

The band is familiar with playing in Bozeman, where they recorded a live album, “Live From the Big Sky,” in 2008 at the Zebra.

“We’re excited to be coming back to Montana,” Sites said. “It’s a place we truly love. We always have a pretty rowdy good time.”

The band has had a positive response from the crowds in Bozeman, and it is looking forward to another great show.

As for what concertgoers can expect from this show, Sites says there will be songs for everyone. Don’t be surprised to hear anything from a Michael Jackson cover to an impromptu dubstep dance party courtesy of the synthetic base.

“Rest assured you are going to get a high energy performance,” Sites said.

For a preview of the concert download “All Night Drive” for free at whitewaterramble.com.