Southern Arizona music fans will have the chance to experience a dynamic blend of traditional bluegrass roots and improvisational jam-band energy when California-based progressive bluegrass group The Storytellers performs in the Tucson area the weekend of March 21 and 22.
The band will appear at the Community Performance & Art Center in Green Valley on Saturday, March 21, before heading north for a special Grateful Dead-themed performance at Gaslight Music Hall in Oro Valley on Sunday, March 22. The two-show weekend gives local audiences a chance to experience a group that has built a strong reputation across the Western roots music scene for lively performances, tight musicianship, and inventive arrangements.
The Storytellers Bring Progressive Bluegrass to Southern Arizona
Founded in the fall of 2017, The Storytellers began as a duo before evolving into a full band in early 2018. From the beginning, the group developed a sound that honored bluegrass tradition while embracing the improvisational freedom of jamgrass, folk, and Americana. Their performances blend rich vocal harmonies, acoustic precision, strong rhythm, and an easygoing but confident stage presence that resonates with both longtime bluegrass listeners and newer audiences.
The current lineup features Scott Diehl on guitar and vocals, Lance Frantzich on bass and vocals, and Steve Stelmach on washboard and percussion. Together, they create a sound that feels both rooted and fresh. Their musical chemistry allows them to move comfortably between traditional influences and more adventurous interpretations, giving each live set both familiarity and surprise.
A Band With Festival Credentials and Growing Recognition
Over the last several years, The Storytellers have built a strong résumé through a steady schedule of festival appearances, venue performances, and residencies throughout the West. The band has performed at respected bluegrass gatherings including the Huck Finn Jubilee, Calico Bluegrass Festival, Good Old Fashioned Bluegrass Festival, and Desert Bluegrass Festival. These appearances have helped establish the group as a rising act in the progressive bluegrass and roots music scene.
In 2024, the band reached a major milestone by headlining the Prescott Bluegrass Festival, one of the more recognized events in the region. They also shared the stage with bluegrass legend Peter Rowan at the Brookdale Bluegrass Festival, adding another notable credit to their growing list of accomplishments. Their schedule has also included performances at the Orange County Fair, Ventura County Fair, Antelope Valley Fair, and other regional festivals that have introduced them to broader audiences beyond the traditional bluegrass circuit.
The band’s momentum has also been supported by standout industry moments. In 2022, The Storytellers held a year-long residency at Treasure Island Casino and Resort in Las Vegas while continuing to expand into other venues and markets. In 2023, they became the first bluegrass-style band to perform on one of NAMM’s premier stages, a breakthrough moment that showcased their appeal to a wider music industry audience.
What Makes The Storytellers Stand Out
Part of what distinguishes The Storytellers is their ability to respect the roots of bluegrass while making the genre feel approachable and alive for modern audiences. Their live shows are not rigid or overly formal. Instead, they lean into groove, storytelling, and interplay between players, creating performances that feel energetic, warm, and spontaneous.
Their reputation has been reinforced by praise from respected voices in roots music. Legendary folk promoter Bob Stane described the band as “wonderful singers, and energetic, passionate players,” reflecting the enthusiasm and musicianship that audiences can expect when they take the stage. Bluegrass Standard praised the group for being grounded in the values of the past while still keeping their sound fresh for today’s listeners.
Another signature part of their appeal is their creative approach to song selection. The Storytellers have become especially known for bluegrass-inspired arrangements of Grateful Dead songs, bridging the gap between traditional acoustic music and jam-band culture. That crossover has helped them stand out in a crowded field and has introduced the band to listeners who may not typically consider themselves bluegrass fans.
A Weekend Performance With Broad Appeal
The Oro Valley performance is expected to highlight that side of the band particularly well, with a Grateful Dead-themed set that reflects their now well-known “grassy” takes on Dead material. For fans of roots music, improvisation, and classic songwriting, the weekend offers something distinctive: a group with enough traditional credibility to satisfy bluegrass audiences and enough originality to attract listeners looking for something more adventurous.
For Southern Arizona, the March 21 and 22 performances offer a chance to catch a touring act with real festival pedigree, strong word-of-mouth, and a sound that is both accessible and musically rich. Whether attendees are dedicated bluegrass followers, Grateful Dead fans, or simply in search of a memorable live music experience, The Storytellers bring the kind of spirit and musicianship that can make a local performance weekend feel like a special event.
With strong harmonies, seasoned live chemistry, and an expanding reputation across the Western roots music landscape, The Storytellers continue carving out a place for themselves in modern bluegrass. Their upcoming Southern Arizona performances should give local audiences a strong look at why the band continues to gain attention on festival stages, at major venues, and among fans of progressive acoustic music.