In Memoriam: Greg Matthews
Lost River Bluegrass Festival (Merrill)
Greg Mathews, a founding organizer of the Lost River Bluegrass Festival, passed away last week. He will be deeply missed by his family, friends, and the many musicians, volunteers, and community members whose lives he touched through music.
Greg often joked that he had been “attempting” to play guitar, harmonica, and fiddle for nearly fifty years—and that he should have learned something by now. What he never joked about was his love for bluegrass and old country music. Along with his trio, the Stukel Mountain Stranglers, Greg brought enthusiasm, generosity, and humor to every stage and gathering he was part of.
In 2018, Greg and his then co-partner Joyce Furlong decided to try their hand at producing a festival in Merrill. Greg was always quick to downplay the title of “producer,” but the success of the Lost River Bluegrass Festival spoke for itself. Musicians showed up for little more than gas money, the community showed up in force, and the festival quickly became something special.
Greg frequently acknowledged the challenges of running a festival—especially financing and the growing concerns around fire season—but he was proud of what made Lost River unique. The Parks Department provided the grounds and Civic Center at no cost. The City contributed labor and financial support. Volunteers, sponsors, local businesses, farmers, ranchers, and organizations such as the Roundhouse Foundation stepped up because they saw firsthand what the festival meant to the community.
He believed deeply in keeping the festival accessible. Tickets remained just $25 for all three days, with kids twelve and under free. And Greg made it clear that if someone couldn’t afford to attend, he would make sure they were welcomed anyway.
When asked what made the festival successful, Greg never claimed credit. He pointed instead to the small-town atmosphere, the welcoming spirit, and the sense of shared ownership that filled the campground each year with local families and friends from neighboring states. “It sounds corny,” he once said, “but it’s the small-town, welcoming atmosphere.”
Greg Mathews leaves behind a legacy built not on accolades, but on kindness, inclusion, and a belief that music brings people together. The Lost River Bluegrass Festival—and the community around it—are stronger because of him.
— OBA Bluegrass Express, Winter 2025
Photo: Greg Matthews with his granddaughter at the Lost River Bluegrass Festival in Merrill.
