36 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY JUNE 25-JULY 1, 2026 www.montereycountynow.com MUSIC They have the appearance of a string quartet. The members are young and urban—modern Californians with college credentials in subjects such as mechanical engineering and visual design. On stage they may don vests, ties or show off the untucked cool of Silicon Valley. So yeah, a string quartet would be a forgivable assumption. Only their instruments and the nostalgic style of the microphone tip you off. Crying Uncle Bluegrass Band is storming the bluegrass world, playing venues around the world—including the famed Grand Ole Opry—and earning awards from the International Bluegrass Music Association. Guitar player Ian Ly claimed the national flat pick championship in 2023. And legendary mandolin star David Grisman asked Crying Uncle to perform at his Bluegrass Music Hall of Fame induction ceremony. The band is versed in Dawg—that is, Grisman’s style of folk and jazz-infused bluegrass. Grisman even jammed with Crying Uncle founders Teo and Miles Quale when they were tykes less than 10 years old. But they also perform originals with more modern influences, featured on the album The Thing of Dreams and the EP Till I Dance Again. Their most recent album is I Still Remember June. While Teo is an accomplished fiddler, he turns bow duties over to Miles and takes up the mandolin. Ly brings the lore of bluegrass to his guitar, adding to it a spirited, almost reckless sensation. Andrew Osborn studied fiddle and trombone before attending a California bluegrass festival at the age of 11, where the standup bass captured his attention. As a quartet, they bring rich vocals to powerful acoustic instrumentation. The songs explore imaginatively, without abandoning the genre’s core. Even as teenagers, their performances were described as “jaw-dropping.” Perhaps the accolades come from the diverse interests of each member. The Quale brothers, for example, both teach multiple instruments and practice judo. Osborn played trombone with the Cal Poly Symphony. He also engineered tracked vehicles and steam engines while at the university. Crying Uncle comes to Monterey at the behest of the Otter Opry, part of the organization’s concert series. Crying Uncle Bluegrass Band 7pm Friday, June 26. Monterey United Methodist Church, 1 Soledad Drive, Monterey. $35; $30/members; free/youth ages 15 and under. otteropry.org. COURTESY OF CRYING UNCLE BLUEGRASS BAND No Tears Crying Uncle is a young and potent force in the old-time world of bluegrass. By Dave Faries Crying Uncle Bluegrass Band is (left to right) Teo Quale, Miles Quale, Andrew Osborn and Ian Ly. INDOOR AND OUTDOOR DINING AND TAKEOUT Eat + Drink 57 Fisherman’s Wharf, Monterey 831-373-1851 www.abalonetti.com ’25 LUNCH & DINNER SERVED DAILY from 11:30am-8:30pm Monterey County’s Best Calamari ’25 BEST RESTAURANT IN MONTEREY COUNTY! JOIN US NIGHTLY FOR DINNER AT 4:30PM TWO HAPPY HOURS DAILY 4:30-6PM & 8-9PM 3-Course Early Menu, $59, 4:30-6pm Daily Call or go to sardinefactory.com for details, reservations. 701 Wave Street, Monterey, 831-373-3775 WOOD FIRED PIZZAS, BURGERS, PASTA, SALADS, SANDWICHES AND MORE 11:30AM MON-FRI, 10AM SAT & SUN melvilletav.com 484 Washington St., Downtown Monterey 831.643.9525 HAPPY HOUR FOOD & DRINK SPECIALS Daily 4-6pm WEEKEND BRUNCH WITH BOTTOMLESS MIMOSAS BEACH HOUSE RESTAURANT + BAR @ LOVERS POINT ★ CASUAL CALIFORNIA DINING INDOOR & PATIO DAILY AT 4:30PM 620 OCEAN VIEW BLVD. PACIFIC GROVE 831-375-2345 • BEACHHOUSEPG.COM LOVERS POINT BEACH CAFE OPEN DAILY, 9AM–4PM ’24 Best Restaurant in Pacific Grove OPEN EVERYDAY for DINNER at 4:30pm Offering all your favorites plus wine, cocktails, bottle and draft beers. Now Serving Snake River Farms’ American Wagyu Prime Rib. 763 Wave St., Monterey | 831.373.3778 | thewhalingstation.com ’25 Best Steak Monterey’s MOST Recommended Pizzeria Open at 4pm Mon-Thurs • Open at 3pm Fri Open at 12pm Sat.& Sun. 725 Lighthouse Ave, Monterey giannispizzamonterey.com 831-649-1500 BEST PIZZA ’98-’24 BEST PIZZA PLACE ’25 Fisherman’s Wharf’s Newest Restaurant Serving Fresh Seafood, Pasta, Steaks, Sandwiches Open Daily at 11:30am Great views at the end of the Wharf #1 www.rockfishmonterey.com • 831.324.4375 Indoor and Outdoor Dining on the Dog Friendly Patio Tapas (Happy) Hour 4:30–6pm Nightly Sunday Brunch 9am–1:30pm 700 Munras Ave., Monterey | 831-375-0176 | estebanrestaurant.com ’25 Best Appetizers/ Small Plates
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