Kaukonen, New Riders, Asbury Jukes among attractions at Rockland-Bergen Music Festival

SCOTTY HALL

JORMA KAUKONEN

Both Jorma Kaukonen and New Riders of the Purple Sage have roots in the San Francisco psychedelic rock scene of the 1960s. But both are also champions of American roots music, in their own way. Since leaving Jefferson Airplane in 1972, Kaukonen has played mostly blues, folk and country music as a solo artist and with his group, Hot Tuna. And New Riders of the Purple Sage have been obsessed with country music from their earliest days as a Grateful Dead offshoot.

Kaukonen and New Riders of the Purple Sage, featuring co-founding singer-guitarist David Nelson and longtime pedal steel guitarist Buddy Cage, will perform the last two main stage sets June 26 at the Rockland-Bergen Music Festival at German Masonic Park in Tappan, N.Y. (just minutes from the Bergen County border). And given that they have a lot of history together, and that current NRPS member Michael Falzarano is a frequent Kaukonen collaborator, it wouldn’t be surprising if some kind of impromptu jamming takes place.

The first day of the festival, June 25, also has a strong lineup, featuring Southside Johnny & the Asbury Jukes, Willie Nile, Joe Grushecky & the Houserockers, and festival organizer Joe D’Urso, who will play both solo, and with his band, Stone Caravan. D’Urso will perform solo on June 26 as well, and the festival kickoff event, June 24 at the Turning Point in Piermont, N.Y., will team him and Stone Caravan with Dawg Whistle (featuring Vini “Mad Dog” Lopez, Paul Whistler and John Brice.)

On June 25 and 26, acts will perform on two stages, with the set times staggered so that no one will have to miss a minute of music.

This is the festival’s third year, and though last year’s event, co-headlined by John Sebastian and Shawn Colvin, had the bad fortune to take place on a rainy weekend, the forecast looks good this time around.

A few other things to keep in mind:

• There will be no admission charge for anyone who was born in 1966 and will be turning 50 this year.

• In response to attendees’ requests, a variety of vegan, vegetarian and gluten-free options have been added to the food offerings.

• Fifteen local charities will be on site each day. So will displays of Harley-Davidson motorcycles and Indoor Autobahn racecars.

Here is the schedule. For information, visit rocklandmusicfestival.com.

JUNE 25

Glow/Seeger Stage
11:30 a.m.: Joe D’Urso
Noon: Greg Trooper
1:15 p.m.: Glint
2:30 p.m.: Joe Grushecky & the Houserockers
3:45 p.m.: Joe D’Urso & Stone Caravan
5 p.m.: Willie Nile
6:30 p.m.: Southside Johnny & The Asbury Jukes

Mr. Lou/Stefan’s Turning Point Stage
12:45 p.m.: Joe Simio & The Compromised
2 p.m.: Bobby DiBlasio
3:15 p.m.: Joe Delia & Thieves
4:30 p.m.: Loretta Hagen
6 p.m.: Jesse Terry

JUNE 26

Glow/Seeger Stage
11:30 a.m.: Joe D’Urso
Noon: Dead Mile Dance
2:30 p.m.: Gary Douglas Band
3:45 p.m.: Professor Louie & The Cromatix
5 p.m.: New Riders of the Purple Sage
6:30 p.m.: Jorma Kaukonen

Mr. Lou/Stefan’s Turning Point Stage
12:45 p.m.: Chihoe Hahn
2 p.m.: Compton Maddux & the Dirt Simple Band
3:15 p.m.: Tyrone Shoelaces
4:30 p.m.: Tim O’Donohue & TMU Band
6 p.m.: The End of America