August 2025
On July 24th, Lake Tahoe’s Crystal Bay Casino kicked off their 3rd annual Gambler’s Run Music Festival which takes place on indoor and outdoor stages on the casino property. Over the weekend, over 16 different bands played music on three different stages, including larger and more intimate venues.
Opening this music festival was the legendary Paul Thorn, bringing his Bluesy Rock and his humorous stage presence. During his final song he went into the audience and sang and danced with everyone there.
The Brothers Comatose followed and brought their special foot tapping bluegrass tunes to share with everyone . They have a new member of their band with them, the amazing multi-talented, Addie Levy! She has added a new layer and dynamic to their creative sound with her Mandolin and Violin duets with others on stage. As always, the Brothers brought their dancing shoes and smiles along with their original blend of bluegrass music. Ben Morrison, the lead singer told everyone how happy they were “to be back in Lake Tahoe and especially at Crystal Bay Casino.” During their set, The Brothers always pick someone to come on stage with them and sing a special song together. This time was not any different, “Jenna” volunteered to come up on stage and proceeded to carry out a magnificent job singing “Morning Time.” At the end of the set, the Brothers invited lots of people on stage to sing their last tune with them, it was a community.
The evening was not over yet, the fun moved inside how, to the Crown Room with the North Mississippi Allstars. The Allstars have been blending their version of Delta Bluesy Rock, with a taste of Southern Soul for over 25 years now. They are most famous for the “Mississippi Switch-A-Roo”. This is when the lead Guitarist, Luther Dickinson, switches his guitar midsong with the rhythm guitarist, and continues with the tune, then does another switcharoo, back to their original positions. They even brought out their electrified washboard out for a bit. Everyone was dancing the night away to their fun bluesy southern rock.
What a wonderful way to end Day 1 of the Gamblers Run Music Festival
Crystal Bay Casino’s Gamblers Run Day 2 and 3 delivered 14 different Bands on 3 stages. The 72 Mile Spirits Stage was located outside with Smokey The Groove, opening Friday’s musical events, with their horn section, jazzy guitars, and funky sounds this was a fun and exciting way to start the party.
Squeaky Feet took over on the indoor Crown Room Stage next with their progressive rock jam band fusion.
Pixie and the Partygrass Boys took over the stage next, in the Crown Room with their uptempo bluegrass tunes. Pixie declared that the band’s mascot was her pet chicken, and then played some tunes from their album “The Chicken Coop Vol.1”
Cliff Porter continued the party in the Red Room, with some soulful, jazzy rock. The Red Room was full of people dancing and having a wonderful day.
Thumpasaurus took over the Crown Room next, and shared some of their original tunes, followed by Friday’s headliner.
Beats Antique took the outside stage, and made it their own with their belly dancers and original Mid-Eastern music performed using handmade instruments.
Marchfourth commanded the Crown Room Stage,for the night’s After Party music. They had 20 band members, jugglers, and a very talented girl dancing on tall stilts. Marchfourth’s upbeat tempo, high energy marching music had lots of rock & roll tendencies from their large horn section kept the party going for a couple of more hours.
Day 3, Saturday was another fulfilled day, with 7 bands across 2 stages.
Sundays at Midnight opened the party on the outside stage with their horn section and high energy music to kick off the days events.
Magoo, a 4 piece band out of Colorado, took over the Crown Room next, and shared some of their original bluegrass tunes with a slide guitar, bass, mandolin, acoustic guitar.
My Son The Hurricane from Canada didn’t disappoint anyone with their ten band members that included a big horn section with dueling trombones. Their high energy, hip hop, and choreographed dance moves delighted everyone!
The Monophonics was one of Saturday’s headliners on the outdoor stage. They are a wonderful jazzy blues band, with a great horn section, which makes it very danceable for everyone. The keyboard player was located in the front of the band, and he sang all of the lead vocals for this awesome set, as everyone was dancing and enjoying the music.
Papadosio closed the festival’s music on the outside stage that night. Papadosio is a five piece band from Ohio that navigates progressive, live electronic, jazzy jam music. This was a special visit to the area, as they are planning on an indefinite hiatus after this 2025 tour.
Lespecial officially closed out Gambler’s Run in the Crown Room afterparty. These multi-instrumentalists from Connecticut pushed the boundaries with their psychedelic metal jams! It was the perfect ending to a magical 3 days of non-stop music!
A gigantic thank you to everyone at Crystal Bay Casino for working so hard to produce this wonderful 3rd Annual Gambler’s Run Music Festival! It was a labor of love for all to enjoy. See you all next year!
Browse Larry Sabo’s full gallery of Gambler’s Run Music Festival.
Check out past coverage of past Gambler’s Run Music Festivals:
