Music in the Catskills: Mountain Jam Returns with a Roar
After a pandemic hiatus, the Mountain Jam music festival returned this weekend to the Catskills in New York's Hudson Valley, with a new home at Belleayre Mountain Ski resort.
Michael Franti performs with his band, Spearhead, at the Mountain Jam music festival, on Saturday, June 21, in Ulster County, NY. Photo by John W. Barry
Clear skies, gently-sloping mountains as far as the eye could see and the return of the sacred, forgiving, enlightening, righteous, empowering and get-down-funky-feel-your-in-the Catskills-yo-Mountain Jam vibe commandeered Belleayre Mountain Ski Center, the community of Highmount, the County of Ulster and the entire Hudson Valley region this weekend.
In just a few words, I declare, for all the land to hear (ancient scroll unfurls), after a six-year, pandemic-triggered hiatus—MOUNTAIN JAM IS BACK, BABY!
Grace Bowers stole the weekend for me. Michael Franti & Spearhead once again made the hair on the back of my neck stand up. Mikaela Davis rocked, rocked and rocked some more. Our brothers in moe.—it was SO good to see and hear you. And Goose! Goose! GOOSE!
I learned to ski at Belleayre when I was about 12-years-old. That was many moons ago. And I saw Livingston Taylor perform at Belleyare, when they would put that tent up in the parking lot, in the late 1990s, I think it was.
So returning to this beautiful Catskill Mountain destination held tremendous meaning for me. And I’ve never missed a Mountain Jam! And my streak continues!
I rode the gondola to the top of the slope; enjoyed the buskers up there; and got chatting with Ben Cooper of Mike’s Amazing, a Mountain Jam sponsor. Mike’s is a condiment racket, and they deliver on the goods. I was stoked to receive a card for a free hot dog from Mike, which just elevated my entire Mountain Jam experience. Sure, Mick and Keith could have shown up at Mountain Jam and that would have been awesome. But I got a free hot dog, and that’s a major win for this hombre.
Anywho, I took pictures like a fiend this weekend and I’m very glad to share them with you here. Thanks to the Mountain Jam and Radio Woodstock teams for the warm hospitality. You always make me feel a part of your families, and I’m grateful to you all. As for the future, well, I’ll see you at Mountain Jam!
P.S.I gave the fellas in Goose their own Substack. Click here for the Goose!
The Mountain Jam stage at Belleayre Mountain Ski Resort in Ulster County, NY. Photo by John W. Barry
Mountain Jam founder is also Radio Woodstock/WDST/100.1 FM owner Gary Chetkof. Photo by John W. Barry.
Michael Franti performs with his band, Spearhead, at the Mountain Jam music festival, on Saturday, June 21, in Ulster County, NY. Photo by John W. Barry.
Michael Franti performs with his band, Spearhead, at the Mountain Jam music festival, on Saturday, June 21, in Ulster County, NY. Photo by John W. Barry
Michael Franti performs with his band, Spearhead, at the Mountain Jam music festival, on Saturday, June 21, in Ulster County, NY. Photo by John W. Barry
Radio Woodstock Program Director Greg Gattine at Mountain Jam. Photo by John W. Barry.
Trampled by Turtles perform at the Mountain Jam music festival, on Saturday, June 21, in Ulster County, NY. Photo by John W. Barry
Trampled by Turtles perform at the Mountain Jam music festival, on Saturday, June 21, in Ulster County, NY. Photo by John W. Barry
Trampled by Turtles perform at the Mountain Jam music festival, on Saturday, June 21, in Ulster County, NY. Photo by John W. Barry
A member of the band backing Mikaela Davis at Mountain Jam on June 22, 2025. Photo by John W. Barry.
Molly Tuttle performs at the Mountain Jam music festival, on Sunday June 22, in Ulster County, NY. Photo by John W. Barry.
Mikaela Davis performs at the Mountain Jam music festival, on Sunday, June 22, in Ulster County, NY. Photo by John W. Barry.
Al Schnier performs with moe. at at the Mountain Jam music festival, on Saturday, June 21, in Ulster County, NY. Photo by John W. Barry.
Molly Tuttle performs at the Mountain Jam music festival, on Sunday, June 22, in Ulster County, NY. Photo by John W. Barry.
Dogs in a Pile perform at the Mountain Jam music festival, on Sunday, June 22, in Ulster County, NY. Photo by John W. Barry.
Chuck Garvey performs with moe. at the Mountain Jam music festival, on Sunday, June 22, in Ulster County, NY. Photo by John W. Barry.
Dogs in a Pile perform at the Mountain Jam music festival, on Sunday, June 22, in Ulster County, NY. Photo by John W. Barry.
moe. performs at the Mountain Jam music festival, on Sunday, June 22, in Ulster County, NY. Photo by John W. Barry.
Rob Derhak performs with moe. at the Mountain Jam music festival, on Sunday, June 22, in Ulster County, NY. Photo by John W. Barry.