Photo by Kyler Klix.
Corley Ranch was filled with cowboy boots and hats May 31 to June 2 as Backcountry Festival took place for its second year. The three-day event in Gardnerville was filled with local and nationally-touring musicians as families relaxed or danced among the spacious grass of the ranch. Here’s what some attendees had to say:
Corley Ranch in Gardnerville hosted the Backcountry Festival from May 31 to June 2, 2024. All photos by Kyler Klix of the Nevada Appeal.
Brian Nelson from Red Rock came out for his second year with his wife.
“I love it. It’s as great as it was the first year,” he said. “it’s a great event and it’s a perfect location. The time of year is perfect. Just need to get the crowds to pay for it.”
The highlight for him was to see Charles Wesley Godwyn perform, an artist Nelson and his wife have been wanting to see for a long time.
“We listen to everything he does, and he’s awesome,” he said.
One of the highlights for Nelson was on Friday, headliner Brent Cobb stuck around after the show and hung out with the crowd and took pictures with everyone.
“He’s a super cool guy,” he said. “I’ve always listened to him for many years. He’s a great artist and he did a great show. Super down-to-Earth and a great dude.”
Nelson said he listens to many of the bands who were on the lineup, and he enjoys that they are artists that you won’t really hear on mainstream radio.
“This gives everybody in the area something that they aren’t hearing on the radio,” he said. “And that’s where the good stuff is at.”
He said he looks forward to coming next year and hopefully many years.
“I hope they keep doing it because we’ll keep coming and it’ll grow, just give it a chance.”
Cate Buell, from Reno, came with her family, and brought along her little one.
“We had friends who came last year and told us it was super cool,” she said.
She said she loved the family-friendly atmosphere and everything was very low-key with comfortable space and it was perfect for their child.
“It’s really cool for people who want to do music with their families, it’s a great option,” she said. “Everything has been super welcoming and everyone’s been super nice. It’s nice not being in Reno or Tahoe — it feels accessible and not so far away.”
For her music highlights, she said she really liked Brent Cobb on Friday night. She also really enjoyed Uncle Lucious, Brad Parsons and Shadowgrass.
“It feels like a lot of people came for Justin Moore, but there’s been a lot of really other good options for sure and a lot of good up-and-comers.”
“It’s the best,” said Richie French, born and raised in Gardnerville, but now lives in Spanish Springs.
When asked what he would tell people who didn’t come: “They totally missed out on the greatest thing that ever happened in the Carson Valley. You will never see these bands in Gardnerville again. This is exactly what this town needs right now.”
He mentioned that the atmosphere was very family-friendly and enjoyable.
“Everyone is so friendly,” he said. “I literally walked from my camp and got a quesadilla from another camp. That’s the atmosphere that we’re dealing with. It’s the best.”
He said he came last year, and he’ll be back next year.
“I hope this continues,” he said.
Cray Roland, from Carson City, came for the first time.
“It’s nice. It’s a super homey feeling,” he said. “I literally talked to the owner of the ranch, the festival coordinators, anyone involved with it, and they’re all down-to-Earth people, have the right vision and mindset of where they want the event to go. I think it’s going to go in a good route.”
He said he didn’t know many of the artists on the lineup, but he has enjoyed everything that he’s heard.
“Every one that has been up there has been good in my opinion,” he said.
He said he’ll plan to come back next year.
“I’m 99 percent sure I’ll be back here for sure.”
Alyscn Simms from Gardnerville came to Backcountry Festival with her kids, dad and lifelong friends. She said they couldn’t pass it up since it’s just a mile from their house, and joked that it was the cheapest camping trip they went on because it was so close to home. They brought their campers and hung out all weekend.
“It’s good music,” she said. “It’s not as big-named as last year, but it’s still really good.”
She said it was cool to see a lot of local artists play at the festival and she said she really liked Jakota Wass. She, and many others, mentioned how they got to see an intimate campsite performance by Wass.
She mentioned that the festival was very family friendly.
“You go in there and you see kids playing football and kids on parents’ shoulders,” she said.
She said she hopes to come back next year.
“I hope they continue to do it.”
Doug Taylor returned to the festival for the second year with his wife, driving 3.5 hours from Elk Grove, California. They enjoy music, plus he said they’ve been wanting to do more camping.
“We came last year, and we committed immediately after last year that we would come back in 2024,” he said. “The grounds, the camping and atmosphere — everything’s been simple. And you can’t get past the beauty out here.”
His favorite highlight of the weekend: “I didn’t know a lot of the talent and I’ve been pleasantly surprised by everybody.”
Looking forward to next year, he just hopes he gets some more of his favorite artists on the lineup. He said Ashley McBryde was what got them there the first year, but they’ll be back no matter what.
“I’ll be here next year,” he said.
Phyllis Martin, from Reno, came for the first time this year and said she came because of the location.
“I live in Reno and got to bring my 1994 RV, so I knew I could make it,” she said. “My niece, who lives in Las Vegas, is a country music fan so I invited her.”
For her highlights of the weekend she said: “Really the grass and the open space. I would say the venue, Corley Ranch. It’s way comfortable and the camping is nice.”
She mentioned that she just returned from another festival in New Mexico and the venue there was some grass, but mostly sand, and the grass at Corley Ranch was much preferable, and it wasn’t dusty. She also complimented the sights.
“You can’t beat the views,” she said.
She said all of the music has been great and she was looking forward to The Cadillac Three and Brothers Comatose. She mentioned that production and everything was great quality, from the sound systems, the stage, vendors and food trucks.
“I hope this takes off,” she said. “I hope next year is even more people.”
Fiddle player and vocalist Rhianna Carter from Gardnerville performed with Jakota Wass Band. She had an early set Friday to help open the festival, and they played late night. She hung out all weekend and enjoyed many of the other musicians.
“It’s a beautiful property and it’s just so great to be out here for a festival like this,” she said. “There’s amazing people here and everyone’s so nice and just welcoming. We’re all having a good time and there’s no trouble.”
This was her second time playing the festival.
“I’m so blessed I was able to perform Friday with the Jakota Wass Band. It was such an amazing time and we had a great crowd,” she said. “This is just such a really awesome festival. I really love it, and I can’t wait to come back next year.”
She said she’s been enjoying many artists and the lineup has been really good. She said she did some shopping and enjoyed the food.
“I bought two dresses. There’s great vendors and great food,” she said. “The barbecue nachos are out of this world.”
Clay Russell plays banjo in the band Shadowgrass. They played Friday evening and Saturday late-night.
“Well it’s been a great time so far, this festival is different from most of what we play,” he said. “It was definitely more of a country audience, so it’s cool bringing some bluegrass to these people.”
This was his first time playing in Gardnerville and he said it was very beautiful and reminded him of being in Colorado, but more
“It’s definitely something else,” he said.
He said during the day the band went to up to Lake Tahoe and went for a swim. He said the festival has treated him and the band very well.
“They have been very hospitable and we’re having a great time.”