THE SOURLAND MOUNTAIN (MUSIC) FESTIVAL THROUGH THE YEARS
Celebrating the 20th year in 2025.
Fun facts collected by K. Suzanne Parsons
2003 - 2004
At Joe’s Mill Hill Saloon in Trenton the Bliggins & Goines Band performed original songs by Rev. Truman Goines describing the life around them in the Sourlands. Tom Kilbourne, a music aficionado, Board Member of the Sourland Planning Council and local to the Sourlands, happened to be there and was impressed. He invited Rev. Goines (Seth Grossman) to bring their songs to the Sourland’s Community. Tom had created the Sourland Music Festival!
2005
The music festival was held at Hillbilly Hall, Hopewell, NJ. Featuring: Jr. Bliggins and the Rev. Truman Goines, Harmonica and Guitar Sensations, Roots of the Sourland Folk/Blues and Winners of the 2005 NJ Folk Festival Songwriters Contest! Blues harmonica Master: Steve Guyger with Filthy Rich on guitar. Sourland Folk/Blues artists: Geoff Caldwell (guitar) & Guy DeRosa (harmonica). Folk/Blues Stylist: Hopewell’s own Ted Klett (guitar).
2006 - 2015
Tom recruited Jim Popik, SC member, music professional and local to the area to expand the musical offering. Lighting was done by Eric Hendrickson and sound was by Ted Klett. Tom moved the Festival to Hillsborough Golf & Country Club where Food was added. Blueberries and whipped cream were sold, the Nomad pizza truck came, Cream King sold ice cream, hamburgers and hot dogs. The club sold the beer and wine from their Club House. Drew Munro was the manager at the golf club and as a music aficionado himself, he appreciated the quality of the music.
The Thompson family were the owners of the property and the ones who allowed us to play on the polo field. Bryce Thompson, Jr., was Tom’s contact. We did a silent auction once that didn’t do so well; though it raised some good funds. Tom would create posters and a printing company in Hillsborough did very high-quality work. We sold advertisements on the day through the brochure. Realtors, restaurants, construction, anything really. There was always a presence of first aid EMS folks from Hillsborough.
Jim Popik chose the music, with the intent to keep the bands local, and provide an opportunity to showcase local singer-songwriter musicians. Jim would do a live radio show on WDVR and talk for 20 minutes or so about the festival. Early on we built our own, pretty low-key stage, Lighting was done by Eric Hendrickson and sound was by Ted Klett who took over when we decided to hire a large mobile stage from Kennedy Event Services. Danny Coleman was the emcee for many years.
Bart Thompson recalls: “I was hired to run the Sourland Music Festival in 2014 and 2015, held at the Hillsborough Country Club—a full-circle moment, since I’d grown up attending the event. As the youngest person at the table with longtime board members, I brought fresh energy and helped reimagine the festival’s layout, marketing, and brand. In 2015, we even booked Canned Heat, a crowd favorite! It was an honor to serve and to build lasting friendships within the Sourland community—those years remain a highlight for me.” Bart also hired Tom Marshall’s band, Amphibian, which was also a big draw.
Tom Kilbourne recalls: The parking area was quiet with a basic ask for a parking donation, we’d count the cars and compare the count to the previous year. One year we did have a rain date and had to move to Sunday; it was a very small turn out. There were days when thunderstorms were coming through and it made us nervous but most of the time they went around the Mountain! Tom would spend a lot of time in advance visiting the site and getting the feel for where the stage should go; always checking the weather. His intention of running the Festival was to make as much money as possible and for everyone to have a good time! There were times when the Festival was a big hit, then other times it was hot and rainy, and it was a loss but through it all, it raised some pretty good funds for the Conservancy and we’d always end up with an after-party at Jenny’s Barn! Tom and a few friends would come back the morning after, help pick up trash and fold up his tents so he could bring them home.
Musical Highlights through the years:
Amphibian - Tom Marshall of Phish plus Anthony Krizan
Bernie Worrell (Parliament Funkadelic/Talking Heads)
Christine Havrilla
Danielia Cotton
Matt O’Ree
Flux Capacitor
Mike Montrey Band
John Ginty
2016 - 2019
Tim Johnson, Hillsborough Twp, SC BOT, took over as Event Chair and Suzanne Parsons, East Amwell Twp., joined Tim as Co-Chair in 2017. Jim Popik Hopewell Twp., (previous SC BOT) was selecting the bands, Gery Juleff, Hopewell Borough., SC BOT, joined the team in 2018 as Development and Marketing Coordinator for the SMF. Gery brought in The Ryland Inn, Whitehouse Station at the Platinum Sponsorship level to provide the VIP Service; they have elevated the festival to a higher level of fundraising and quality.
2020 No Festival, COVID SOURLANDS SOLO FEST
2021 No Festival Happy Hour Broadcast, hosted at Jenny Bryson’s Barn
2022 – 2025 Festival is at Unionville Vineyards, Ringoes NJ
The SMF moved to Unionville Vineyards in 2022 because the Hillsborough GCC was being sold. Tim Johnson took over coordinating the music, Alison Kavchok, East Amwell Township, joined Suzanne as Festival Co-chair from 2022 – 2024, Tiffany Bai, Clinton Township, joined the team as co-chair in 2024. Laurie Cleveland is the current Executive Director of the Sourland Conservancy.
Andrea Bonette, founding member of the Sourland Planning Council and Past President of the Board of Trustees, is proud to have volunteered at every Festival!
“The one thing about every SMF that has impressed me more than anything else is the dedication of the incredibly hard-working volunteers! This joyful celebration of music, community, and the Mountain would not be possible without them.” Caroline Katmann, past Executive Director of the Sourland Conservancy.
Photos and Posters will be added soon!