When WinterWonderGrass founder and organizer Scotty Stoughton tells the story of his band, Bonfire Dub, he speaks about a family built on rhythm, gratitude and the core belief that music can both heal and connect.

What began nearly two decades ago as a side project has since evolved into a bastion of creative energy for Stoughton and his bandmates, who are now reigniting their sense of purpose and place as they begin to write, tour and give back to their musical family and friends once again.

Bonfire Dub will bring its high-energy roots-rock reggae sound to Steamboat Springs with a free show Friday at Old Town Pub. The performance will include the locally based Flattops Band at 7:30 p.m., with Bonfire Dub taking the stage at 9 p.m. The Deer Creek Sharpshooters will close out the night with a performance at 10:30 p.m. The evening will feature a donation drive for World Central Kitchen as well as a giveaway of WinterWonderGrass Festival VIP passes.

For Stoughton, the band’s founding in Vail more than 15 years ago came from a deep need to stay connected to his creative roots after years on the road with his earlier group, Sucker.

“I started this band just to express myself and continue the creative process,” he said. “It was created as a platform to spread positivity and good energy.”

That initial vision served as a joining and driving force, even through internal hardships which included the group’s drummer, Brian Dillon, suffering a traumatic brain injury that sidelined the group for years.

“It is clear to me after all the years together that we have a special relationship writing and performing music, as well as when we aren’t playing music,” said Bonfire guitarist Rodney James Coquia. “The fact that the same core members are still together is a gigantic feat in itself, and that we love being around each other speaks volumes.”

After almost a decade of partial dormancy, the original members slowly found their way back together. Their reunion last year, Stoughton said, felt like “a second life.” The group has since released new singles, hit the road, and rediscovered the joy that first brought them together as a band and linked them with their fans.

“We just play for the sheer joy of performing,” he said. “No matter how many people are there, we’re grateful.”

Each musician adds a distinctive layer to Bonfire Dub’s sound and character. Keyboardist Jeff Armistead keeps the groove grounded and joyful. Bassist Trevor Gagstetter, a lifelong skier chasing a Guinness World Record for consecutive months on snow, anchors the band with deep reggae rhythm.

Drummer Mark Levine brings touring experience and fresh ideas from the national scene, while Coquia contributes a laid-back feeling with his guitar. Completing the lineup is drummer Brian Dillon, whose recovery from his accident infused the band with what Stoughton calls “a deeper, more spiritual heart.”

“The chemistry now is incredible,” Stoughton said. “We’ve got six guys who are just so happy to be together playing music. It’s rare, and I can’t believe it’s happening.”

That chemistry shines through on their latest single, “Stars,” which the band considers to be a defining track in their evolving discography.

“We recorded it and felt that this is the song for our time right now,” Stoughton said. “Everyone who’s heard it says they understand our message and our mission.”

For Stoughton, the song’s release marks a creative high point after years of growth and reflection. He likened the band’s collaborative process to that of a good kitchen, as he compared songwriting to a special recipe where every ingredient matters and everyone has a hand.

“It’s kind of like a chef who’s got a great team,” he said. “I might bring the recipe, but everyone contributes. We ask, ‘What makes it better?’ Do we need more salt, or maybe less?”

The result, he said, is a musical “dish” that serves the moment and the people rather than anyone’s individual ego.

“It’s exciting to continue our path as a band and bring the music to our fans at the local mountain shows,” said Gagstetter. “I see faces that have been coming to see us for over a decade, and it’s awesome to be able to bring our longtime fans new music this year.”

Balancing his dual roles as performer and producer, Stoughton credits his years as a touring musician with shaping how he organizes events like WinterWonderGrass.

“I understand the amount of energy, time and dedication it takes to be an artist,” he said. “Continuing to write music helps me stay relatable and grateful for all the performers I host.”

That experience, on both sides of the stage, has helped him bridge art and community in a special way while also maintaining a grounding focus on his family and faith in humanity.

“My life is my work and my family,” he said. “It all meshes. I just stay passionate about the music, the river and the producing. They all merge into one thing that really is my life.”

He describes his path as “a dream with a plan” that took time to form but ultimately allowed his creativity, career and family life to fuse and exist together. As a result, after nearly 20 years, Bonfire Dub’s message remains a blended, community-driven focus on kindness, positivity and empathy.

“We’re not pushing anything for any reason except spreading positivity and creating a platform to communicate,” Stoughton said. “We’re all in this together.”

That sense of purpose extends to the band’s shows. The upcoming Steamboat Springs performance, entitled One Stone, will benefit World Central Kitchen, which is currently providing humanitarian meals in crisis regions.

“We just want to give back,” Stoughton said. “We’re so lucky to be alive and living in freedom and health in this country.”

For Stoughton, Steamboat Springs has become a key place on earth where that message can grow.

“It’s a great town for music,” he said. “People here like to listen to live music and they genuinely enjoy watching artists perform. We’re lucky to play here because we get honesty and connection.”

Stoughton noted that some of the songs he’s writing now are directly inspired by his time in the Yampa Valley.

“We are crafting new music with the same foundational elements that brought us together in the first place, and the ideas are flowing fast,” added Armistead.

Bonfire Dub’s year ahead includes a Halloween performance in Vail, Denver shows in December and festival appearances in Baja, Mexico. They expect to play about 25 shows annually at a pace that Stoughton described as “quality over quantity.” More important than touring, however, is maintaining the band’s purpose of creating space for unity and renewal.

“Anytime you can inject space into your art,” he said, “you have a chance to reflect and get back to the why. Space lets you rediscover who you are, what you’re doing and what your message is.”

For Bonfire Dub, that message keeps growing brighter one song, one stage and one stone at a time.

“My hope is that our music touches deeply the place in each of our fans that they love the most about themselves — that creative place, that inward place of empowerment and appreciation for life,” said Dillon.

For more information on Bonfire Dub and their upcoming performances, visit BonfireDub.com/live.