Stephen Lewis & The Big Band of Fun announced for Mountain Jam 2019

Stephen Lewis & The Big Band of Fun will join Willie Nelsen, Gov’t Mule and others for four day festival in Bethel, NY.

Matt Carter

It’s the 50^th anniversary of the Summer of Love and Stephen Lewis & The Big Band will mark the occasion in the most fitting way possible, by performing on the site of the original Woodstock Festival as part of Mountain Jam 2019.

“Playing there is like the Holy Grail of gigs to me and most musicians I think,” said Lewis. “It’s definitely messing with my head in the best way. I mean, I’m from Rusagonis. In my mind, I have no business being on events like this.”

But Lewis and his band have certainly earned the right to be there. Last year, in addition to playing Mountain Jam, Lewis and his bandmates William Lombardelli, Jay Merrill and Marco LeBreton performed on roughly 20 festival stages across Canada, the United States and the UK including Burning Man in the Nevada Desert.

The news of Mountain Jam 2019 is just the first of several announcements to come from Lewis as the summer months approach.

“Well there’s actually a whole bunch of stuff in the works,” he said. “Lots of festivals, shows, and excitement!

“I think each year we try to one-up ourselves,” said Lewis. “It’s important to see where you’re at and then see where you can grow. This will be a massive growth year for us. We’re taking to agents, labels, etc. It’s all exciting but it all takes time.

“I think we’re doing something that connects with audiences. I think it’s the energy, positivity, hilarity, and excitement we exude on stage. I think that our show facilitates joy for others – and ourselves too – and that’s what’s getting us to these wild places.”