Video from John Smith’s Aug 8-13, 2017 Middle Fork of the Salmon Music Adventure

In 2015 MFRE began offering professional musician trips to our offerings.  The result has been amazing.  The guests, musicians and MFRE guides all agree that these trips are the best, as there is a way music can connect the group to nature and the canyon itself, not to mention the “tribe” that is formed through music.  We have 9 Music trips offered in 2020 so far.

How do they work?  –  All musicians have their different style and personality, of course.  Musicians play each evening around the campfire, but also at scenic grottos, waterfalls along the way, and even while soaking in a hot spring.  It is up to the musician when and where they want to play but it is always coordinated with the MFRE Expedition Leader.

Many novice guest musicians ask whether they can play with the musicians as well and in many cases this is allowed and encouraged.  If you want to bring an instrument please do and we will bring an extra dry bag for you.  Just be sure it is in a hard case.

Here is our line up for 2022. See our “Dates and Prices” section fo the website for cost and availability.

Middle Fork of the Salmon Musical Adventures

John Smith- Middle Fork July 31- Aug 5, 2023

Johnsmith is one of those artists so often under-recognized – he possesses a genius that cannot be denied, ignored, or overlooked. For the past thirty-plus years, Johnsmith has been sharing his music all across America and abroad. He has become a favorite at festivals, clubs, and house concerts alike. In addition to being a Kerrville New Folk Winner, Johnsmith has released eight solo CDs to rave reviews, leads musical tours to Ireland, teaches songwriting, and has served as a staff songwriter in Nashville.

With his faded jeans, his twinkly blue eyes, and his infectious smile, John immediately connects with audiences. You get the sense of a man who loves his life, his family and friends, and who loves nothing more than sharing that love in song and stories all across this land.

Moors and McCumber Middle Fork Aug 8-13, 2023

James Moors and Kort McCumber grew up in different places and listening to different kinds of music – classical, rock, bluegrass, you name it. But when they met ten years ago they knew they’d found something golden. Since then, they’ve been cultivating their wide-ranging musical influences in songs that delve into love and life through haunting lyrics, soaring harmonies, and dazzling instrumental proficiency. As Grammy award-winning producer Lloyd Maines puts it, “These guys should be playing every major festival in the country. They bring it all to the stage and deliver it in a big way.”

Darrell Scott Middle Fork Aug 24-29, 2023

Darrell and his wife Angela joined us in 2017 and 2019 to celebrate Darrell’s 60th Birthday.  Darrell is an incredible musician and songwriter who also travels with the Zach Brown band.  Please take a look at his site for more information and his Bio!

John Arthur martinez, Randy Brown, Geronimo Trevino III and Johnny Rodriguez, Johnny Bush, Jon Chandler, Bill Barwick and others.Mike spent many years touring with his dancehall band, but now plays more shows as a solo artist, or in a duo or trio configuration at listening rooms, house concerts, festivals, and private parties.

Main Salmon Musical Adventures

David Roth Aug 22-27, 2023 on the Main Salmon

Keith Greeninger- Sept 7-12, 2023 Main Salmon

As a singer-songwriter, Keith paints intricate portraits of the human condition with powerful melodic images, deep engaging guitar rhythms and husky, heart-wrenching vocals. His masterfully crafted tunes and powerful presence have earned him the top songwriting awards at the prestigious Telluride Blue Grass Festival, The Kerrville Folk Festival and The Napa Valley Folk Festival. Keith has toured the national Folk and Americana circuit extensively for over two decades. He’s performed at festivals and legendary venues, appeared on countless national radio shows, and shared stages with dozens of the country’s best-known artists. Keith’s records and personal appearances have garnered him a legion of devoted fans, and the respect, admiration and appreciation of music critics far and wide.

David Huckfelt- Sept 14-18, 2023 Main Salmon

After a successful 12 year career as the frontman and founding member of The Pines, David stepped away to pursue a solo career. Despite all of our shared obstacles over the past few years, he has racked up some meaningful accomplishments. Which includes touring extensively and releasing two full length solo records, which received enthusiastic praise. David, who is an outspoken advocate for Native American and environmental causes, has organized, and performed at, a number of events to benefit Indigenous activist Winona LaDuke’s nonprofit Honor the Earth. This includes organizing and spearheading the Water Is Life festival in Duluth, Minnesota two years in a row.

RainSong Guitars Sponsorship

Middle Fork River Expeditions have partnered with RainSong guitars and they allow our musicians to play in the wilderness and not worry about damaging their own super pricey guitars.  Plus these guitars sound amazing!  Most woods show increasing damping with frequency, making the highest notes sound muddy. Carbon fiber’s damping is almost constant across the acoustic spectrum resulting in a full range of sound — from a treble that rings with crystalline clarity to a bass that is warm without being muddy. And, because of Projection Tuned Layering’s uniform stiffness, the RainSong acoustic sound is impeccably balanced and very, VERY loud. Once you have heard the classic carbon sound you’ll recognize it anywhere, as distinctive as anything on earth.