Yonder Mountain String Band [ tickets ], featuring special guest Danny Barnes, tops the roster of the eighth annual Northwest String Summit [ tickets ], set to take place this July.

Also due to take the stage during the three-day event (July 17-19) are The Del McCoury Band [ tickets ]; Swedish acoustic trio Vasen with guests Darol Anger and Mike Marshall (David Grisman Quintet, Psychograss); The Infamous String Dusters; Abalone Dots; Bad Livers; Greensky Bluegrass; Strings for Industry with Darol Anger, Scott Law, Tye North (Leftover Salmon) and Carlton Jackson; P. Whipped with Bryn Davies, Sharon Gilchrest and Megan McCormick; and Hickster with Benny "Burle" Galloway.

Additionally, the festivities will include the annual "Super Jam," this year hosted by Danny Barnes, with Rob and Ronnie McCoury. Past years' Super Jam performers have included Bill Frisell, Chris Thile, David Grisman, Vassar Clements, Nick Forster, Jerry Douglas and Tim O'Brien.

The festival's opening night will feature the sixth annual Band Competition, during which four finalists will compete for the opportunity to perform on the main stage on the third and final day of the event (7/19) as well as during next year's Sting Summit.

This year, 2008 Band Contest winner Jessica Kilroy and his backing band are on the bill, as is fellow previous Band Competition winner Head for the Hills.

String Summit has also added for the first time a "local talent" slot to showcase worthy regional artists, with the debut spot being filled by Taarka.