Welcome to my Blog. I write primarily about bluegrass music and the bluegrass experience. I also review books I read as well as offering road notes and travel entries. Come in and look around to see whether there's anything here for you. Be sure to check the archives and the labels. Please leave comments. I try to respond to all of them.
About Me
Ted Lehmann
New Hampshire, United States
I am a retired English teacher/college professor who has a number of interests and enthusiasms, as suggested by the title of my blog. I have been married for 45 years to Irene and we have two adult children and four grandchildren. We love to travel, listen to and play bluegrass music, read, camp in our 21 foot travel trailer, watch television, argue about politics, and enjoy growing older together. All these enthusiasms and more find their way into this blog.
Sunday at Merlefest is often a mellow day with gospel sets at the Creekside Stage and some quieter and more thought provoking music at other venues. The day was overcast, threatening rain all day, but staying warm. Despite a strong and varied lineup, many people became discouraged by the weather and headed home, foregoing hearing the Dan Tyminski Band, which closed the festival. Despite the weather there was much to enjoy and chew on. Here's some pictures, and I'll try to post a more comprehensive review later in the week.
Saturday was hot and humid, thunder-stormy, clearing, and great! The music was wonderful and, of course, we had to pick and choose. Today I'm posting a selection. Please remember it's highly personal and based on our experience each day. I'll keep posting Merlefest pictures and commentary throughout the coming week.
Friday at Merlefest was one of those great days that only seem to happen here. Doc Watson on the same stage with Ralph Stanley, Tim O'Brien and the Infamous Stringdusters in an hour long jam, The Carolina Chocolate Drops bringing down two houses, and much more. Again, today, I'll only post pictures with review next week. I want to give special thanks to Dine 'n' Dash fine fast foot at 1299 Collegiate Drive in Wilkesboro for their great sandwiches, hospitality, and Wi-Fi connection for helping me get this up in a timely fashion.
Sierra Hull
Cory Walker
Fiddler with Highway 111 (Sierra Hull)
Sierra Hull & Highway 111
Infamous Stringdusters at Americana Stage Andy Falco (Infamous Stringdusters)
Jesse Cobb (Infamous Stringdusters)
Jeremy Garret (Infamous Stringdusters)
Travis Book (Infamous Stringdusters)
Chris Pandolfi (Infamous Stringdusters)
Andy Hall (Infamous Stringdusters)
Jesse and Travis
Tim O'Brien
Cindy Baucom (emcee)
Pete Wernick (Flexigrass)
Joan Wernick (Flexigrass)
Bill Pontarelli (Flexigrass)
Chris Harris (Flexigrass)
Justin Robinson (Carolina Chocolate Drops)
Carolina Chocolate Drops
Rhiannon Giddens (Carolina Chocolate Drops)
Dom Flemmons (Carolina Chocolate Drops)
Joe Thompson - National Heritage Treasure
David Holt and Ralph Stanley
Ralph Stanley, David Holt, Doc Watson, and T. Michael Coleman
I won't be able to post good text as well as pictures, given the time constraints of seeing it all and being on campus as much as possible. Therefore, for the next few days I'll be posting a set of pictures each day with very little comment. I'll be writing a more extensive Merlefest review early next week as well as putting together a portfolio of my best pictures from Merlefest 2008. Please check back daily to see the pictures and read the review next week.
Jam Camp continued to move along into its final event, a performance from the Cabin Stage at Merlefest on Thursday afternoon. On Wednesday there was plenty of time for new jam groups to work together on their jamming skills as well as to prepare for the mini-camp festival, a feature of Thursday's program. Pete and his staff worked with us in large and small groups to improve our jamming skills and to bolster our confidence. The comfort level rose along with the skills as the group jelled into a cohesive unit. Wednesday is perhaps the most enjoyable day of Jam Camp as campers become increasingly comfortable with each other and confident that they can play with others...at least a little.
Dr. Banjo Teaching
Joan Wernick
Steve Lewis
Scott Freeman
On the Wilkes Community College Campus the Wilkes Accoustic/Folk Society jam tents were full and more people arrived from outside to watch. These three evenings running up to the Merlefest opening on Thursday are one of the hidden gems of the festival. Members of local bands and great pickers from the region come together to just make music. In essence, their evening jams reflect the way music has been passed down for generations. Old time fiddlers, auto harpists, and mandolin players pick for cloggers. A few folks sing classic country and gospel songs. There are some hot bluegrass pickers pushing the limits. Afficianados stroll from tent to tent soaking up the atmosphere. Here's a collection of the faces of American roots music.
The week preceding Merlefest is filled with festival related activities. Pete Wernick's Jam Camp takes place out at Camp Harrison, the YMCA camp located about ten miles west of the Wilkes Community College Campus. Each year about forty novice and moderately experienced bluegrass pickers come together to learn bluegrass jamming from dr. banjo himself. Pete has been teaching jamming as an approach to learning bluegrass rather than staying at home and learning from tab or picking in the closet. His idea is that learning to play together, absorbing the history and conventions of bluegrass music, and making music together yields people prepared to play more and better together. His four day camp begins on Monday morning with a bunch of nervous newbies and a group of returning campers who have discovered that his methods help them learn to jam. I'll be writing a more in depth report in a week or so. Meanwhile, here's some pictures from the first couple of days:
Pete Wernick - dr. banjo
Joan Wernick
Scott Freeman
Steve Lewis
Meanwhile, down at the Wilkes Community College campus, home of Merlefest, the Wilkes Accoustic/Folk Society hosts open jams on Monday through Wednesday as a preparation for Merlefest and to provide local folks a chance to jam while people coming into town early for the festival can hear some music. Local pickers young and old as well as nationally known musicians congregate at the pickin' tents to socialize and make music together. The quality is high, but not surprisingly so as this is the country where Doc Watson comes from and the Kruger Brothers have chosen to live. Bluegrass, country, and roots music seems to be in the water. The richness of musical experiences available here is probably not surpassed anywhere. Here are some pictures from Monday's jam at the Wilkes Accoustic/Folk Society. I'll post some more on Wednesday or Thursday.
Tut Taylor and Mike Palmer
Uwe Kruger
Billy Ray Summerlin and David Culler Back Porch Bluegrass
Tut Taylor, nearly 85, is still full of ideas and energy.This Grammy award winning Dobro player has developed a new resonphonic guitar he’s calling the Tutbro.Irene and I, in town for Merlefest, stopped by his home in N. Wilkesboro on Sunday afternoon to visit with Tut and his lovely wife Lee and to see the latest version of the Tutbro, which we had first seen last fall.A visit with Tut Taylor, while informal and very friendly, is not a casual event.You know that you’re going to hear stories, listen to music, and be in the presence of one of the great innovators in roots music.When Tut was a boy, his brother went off to fight in World War II, leaving a Dobro leaning against the wall with the warning that Tut was not to play it.Almost as soon as his brother left, Tut, not knowing anything about the instrument, picked it up and began to pick it using a flat pick. Since then he’s been known as the flat-picking dobro man. Along the way, Tut has picked with the very best in bluegrass.He played on the ground breaking John Hartford “Steam Powered Aereoplane” album and was on stage at the Ryman Auditorium with Roy Acuff the last time Acuff played “The Wabash Cannonball” there.He’s been instrumental in developing opportunities for young players and continues to be a creative force himself.
Lee Taylor
The Tutbro
Tut has designed a new approach to the resonphonic guitar along with his son David, who is hand building the instruments, and Mark, President of Crafters of Tennessee.The Tutbro is constructed of 5 ply Baltic birch on the top and bottom and has maple sides.The Tutbro’s body is hollow to the headstock, giving it unusual resonance, volume, and sustain. He calls this the “Ampliphonic Sound Chamber.” It has a clear, hand-rubbed lacquer finish and comes with a deluxe gig bag.The Tutbro is priced at $1250.
Crafters of Tennessee Raffle Guitar
When we arrived at their neat little home just outside N. Wilkesboro, Tut greeted us at the door.We chatted about his friends and activities during the last few months.He had recently hosted a concert for the benefit of his granddaughter Melissa who needs a kidney transplant.The concert was a great success with one of the highlights being the raffling of a lovely D-28 style Crafters of Tennessee guitar his son Mark had built.Remarkably, the guitar was won by Norman Blake, well known folk singer and bluegrasser, who donated it back.It will be auctioned on eBay soon.This guitar is both beautiful and has a remarkable tone.Keep your eye out for it, and I’ll post a notice on this blog when it’s listed.
Preview
Tut Taylor in his Office/Studio
After a while Tut took us back to his office/studio where he pulled out some video tapes to play for us showcasing the Tutbro’s sound.While not normally thought of as a resonphonic guitar picker, Jens Kruger played, bringing unusual and wonderful sounds from this instrument.Also shown us were tapes of Curtis Burch, formerly guitar player for the New Grass Revival, Jaret Carter of the Circuit Riders, and Norman Blake.Each played with a different style and brought markedly contrasting but equally pleasing sounds from this innovative new version of the resonator guitar.Tut’s preparing a DVD featuring these four players as well as him playing the Tutbro to be provided with any instrument purchased or for sale for $15.00, which will be refunded with the purchase of a Tutbro.Tut’s computer room shows clearly how actively involved he continues to be in staying current with and contributing to the music.
The Tutbro
Every visit with Tut Taylor and Lee is a pleasure.Tut’s warm humor and thoughtful view of the bluegrass world comes through the eyes, ears, and fingers of a man who’s seen it all.He’s known the major figures in the music since the beginning and can spin a tale with the best of them.His recent CD “Shacktown Road,” made with Norman and Nancy Blake, contains wonderful examples of his picking and his story-telling.We left after a couple of hours, knowing we had been privileged to spend a wonderful time with this couple.
For those interested in seeing or hearing the Tutbro or meeting Tut Taylor, he will be hosting the Wilkes Folk Society Pickin’ Place tents during the three days prior to the opening of Merlefest and throughout the event.He will also be at the Dobro Workshop on Saturday afternoon at 3:00 PM in the Mayes Pit along with several other noted resophonic guitar players.People wanting more information about the Tutbro can contact Tut at Tut Taylor Music, 808 Old 60, Wilkesboro, NC 28697.
Riverbend Bluegrass Festival opens its Spring event on April 17 and runs through the 19th this week.Located near Ocilla, GA, this festival is a delight for fans of traditional bluegrass.This year’s spring festival headlines Grasstowne, Lou Reid & Carolina, The Chapmans, and features Ernie Thacker, who has been recovering from a serious accident for some time.Also featured in the lineup will be Jerry and Tammy Sullivan, Skip Grounds & Ramblin’ Grass, and the house band Riverbend Bluegrass Band.Jo Odom will be the emcee and sound will be provided by Gene Daniell.While the grounds are now filling up, there is still plenty of room for those who decide to attend.The weather forecast calls for sunny and warm on Thursday and Friday with a chance of rain and thunderstorms on Saturday.Evenings should be comfortable.
Jo Odum (emcee)
The Riverbend festival grounds are located on a family farm a few miles south of Ocilla, GA.Camping and the performance shed are located in a pecan grove and on out onto an open field.Water and electric sites are provided as well as rough camping.There is a wash house with showers and flush toilets.On one side of the festival cotton is grown, while on another there’s a peanut field.The Riverbend Baptist Church is a mile or so down the road, and the Church provides tasty meals for festivals in a cinder block building at the rear of the performance area.It would be hard to imagine a more rural, more appropriate, or more enjoyable setting for a bluegrass festival.
This festival is a surefire event.It’s well located for folks from Georgia and Northern Florida as well as for snowbirds still heading home.Stop and give it a try.
Our kids came home from school wearing construction paper black hats or feathers in their hair and we sat down to a sumptuous Thanksgiving dinner sometimes remembering a group of religious separatists who bravely crossed the ocean in a leaky bucket called The Mayflower to plant a perilous foot on one of the least hospitable coasts in North America.There were, according to myth, greeted by half naked savages who helped feed and clothe them sufficiently to get through their first couple of winters before they were able to create a community leading directly to the formation of our great nation and to the creation of our self image as being a self-reliant and hardy folk capable of fighting and talking our way to greatness.Nathaniel Philbrick, in his fine history Mayflower: A Story of Courage, Community, and War (Penguin Books, $16.00 and available as a recorded book also) recasts these cardboard cutout religious protesters and naked savages into real people dealing with the challenges of establishing a new society in difficult social, physical, and political circumstances.
Philbrick relies not only on the contemporaneous accounts of the white settlers known variously as Puritans and Pilgrims, but upon oral histories handed down by the few remaining Indians descended from the groups who both worked with and fought against the Pilgrims during their first fifty years in New England.The Mayflower Pilgrims might never have been able to gain their toe hold in Plymouth had a disastrous plague not killed off nearly ninety percent of the indigenous population just a couple of years before their arrival.The Pilgrims stepped ashore (probably not onto anything like a particular rock at Plymouth) to find the desiccated bodies of thousands of Indians as well as fields untended and few people in sight.They were able to steal caches of corn in order to provide themselves with food and establish a precarious settlement under the leadership of the Mayflower Compact signatories.Soon they were establishing some sort of contact with the Indians who were torn between their sense of being invaded and their fascination with western technology.There were dozens of Indian groups engaged in a political struggle for land and supremacy as well as at least three major white groups (English, Dutch, and French) involved in the search for land and treasure.
The first English settlers in Plymouth comprised an odd lot of religious protesters, military adventurers, indentured servants, and investors in the expedition.From the start, these various groups had differing goals, but were forced to learn to cooperate in order to survive.In many ways, the foundations of American Democracy find their sources in these efforts to work through differences while maintaining identity.Almost from the beginning, the settlers saw they needed to acquire land and to expand into the rich interior.They embarked on a series of agreements to regulate the acquisition of land from the Indians as well as began the American habit of breaking those agreements as soon as they became uncomfortable.It became more expedient to take the land, leading to armed struggles that would characterize our expansion for the next two hundred or more years.Despite these struggles, the English settlers managed to establish and maintain a tenuous peace with the Indians for a period of fifty years.There were many incidents in which too many Indian heads ended up on the top of poles around Puritan towns, but expansion continued and European strength developed.Meanwhile, each group was learning significant lessons from the other.Perhaps, in terms of American growth, the most important lesson the Pilgrims learned was how to fight like Indians and to give up their British ranks and files.These lessons led directly to the means of fighting characterized by the new Americans fighting from behind trees and stone walls as the American Revolution approached.
Two central characters emerge to dominate this book.Benjamin Church, a grandson of Mayflower passengers Richard and Elizabeth Warren, became an Indian fighter of great skill and bravery as well as the prototype for the great American frontiersmen such as Daniel Boone.Church learned to use Indian strategies in his battles and convinced the governors of Massachusetts to allow him to involved friendly Indians on his side in his battles.On the Indian side, early relations were dominated by Massasoit, a sachem of both wisdom and patience, who led his people toward some sort of accommodations, recognizing the futility of absolute resistance.Phillip, one of Massasoit’s sons, eventually became Grand Sachem of the Pokanokets, and eventually sought to unite the various New England tribes to drive the settlers away and create a federation to oppose them.The failure of these efforts resulted in King Phillip’s War (1675 – 1676), perhaps the bloodiest war in American history, in proportional terms.It is estimated that the English lost roughly 8 percent of their number (double the casualty rate of the Civil War) while the Indians lost somewhere between 60 and 80 percent. (Philbrick, 332). However, Indian power in New England was essentially broken.
I seem to have been reading backwards in American history for some time.Charles C. Mann’s excellent 1491 sets the stage for the development of the western hemisphere by showing what it looked like the day before Columbus arrived. Philbrick fills in the details on one corner of America.Neither book contradicts the other in its picture of the devastation wrought by the combination of disease, technology, and greed upon the human face of the new world.Philbrick re-creates the intense political and social struggle the coming of the Pilgrims to Plymouth in 1620 generated.The people, once the cardboard figures of myth and legend, take on the properties of people struggling in a harsh environment first to survive and then to thrive.Throughout the book he suggests alternative models that could have prevailed and led to the story’s taking quite different paths.That it did not is our loss, but the story is fascinating and essential reading for those interested both in where we come from and where we might be going.
Mayflower: A Story of Courage, Community, and War by Nathaniel Philbrick, was a runner up for the Pulitzer Prize in history in 2007 and won other awards.It is carefully annotated and very readable.Published by Penguin Books, 463 pages, available at all good book outlets.
It was a huge thrill for us to see the Gibson Brothers at The Grand Ole Opry.To see this band getting the attention it deserves in one of the most hallowed and celebrated places in all country music cannot prove to be anything but good for them.Furthermore, putting this appearance in the context of the current rollout tour for their new CD Iron and Diamonds, punctuates the importance of this appearance.The house was a sell-out, dominated by a huge group from Focus Publications, an organization serving respiratory therapists, sleep technologists, and health care workers.Apparently, every performer had been admonished to use the word “FOCUS” in their patter, and each time it generated huge cheers. Really.It’s worth remembering, too, that The Grand Ole Opry is primarily a two hour radio program, consisting of four half hour segments each hosted by a revered “member” of the Opry.Membership in the Opry does not depend on record sales, quality, or any other factor than a decision of management.Nevertheless, members constitute a list of country music’s most revered performers and membership is highly valued.For many years, Bill Monroe made certain that new members were not welcomed, especially women.Alison Kraus broke that barrier in 1994 and a flood of younger members in recent years has assured the continued popularity of the Opry.Tradition is honored here, however, by having a member act as host of each segment. On Friday, three of the four host/entertainers were way over the hill.Jimmy C. Newman (age 81), Riders in the Sky, and Jean Shepard (75) are real old-timers.Marty Stuart, who cut his chops in bluegrass before making his reputation in country music, is still a lively and entertaining headliner.
The Ryman Auditorium
Eddie Stubbs at Podium
It’s worth remembering that The Grand Ole Opry, from its inception in 1925 as the WSM Barn Dance, has been a radio program which, until it was bought by Gaylord Enterprises in 1974, was dedicated to providing advertising for the National Life & Accident Insurance Company.It began broadcasting from the Ryman Auditorium, known as the Mother Church of Country Music, in 1945 and remained there until 1974 when it moved to the current venue in, appropriately, the suburbs.When the move was made to the current Grand Ole Opry House, a five foot circle was cut from the stage at Ryman and installed in the center of the Opry stage as a bow to the original site, which had begun life as Union Gospel Tabernacle in 1892 and is now a included in the National Register of Historic Places.The birth of bluegrass music is often dated from December 8, 1945 when Earl Scruggs joined Bill Monroe at the Grand Ole Opry for the first time.
Jimmy C. Newman
Country music has moved a long way since the days of Bill Monroe, and, today, bluegrass is given more lip service than real recognition at the Grand Ole Opry.Bobby Osborne (77), one of the early greats with his brother Sonny, came out and sang two songs, including “Good Old Rocky-Top,” the Tennessee state song, to huge cheering, so loud his performance couldn’t be heard.His nineteen year old son, Bobby Junior called BOJ, gave the most animated performance we’ve ever seen from him. Bobby himself clutched his mandolin, barely able to chop, his tremor so great.He did pull himself together for a brief break, and then left the stage.
Ryders in the Sky
The Grand Ole Opry House (map) is actually quite an attractive southern style building in suburban Nashville. The huge auditorium is snuggled into its surroundings and thus does not appear particularly huge as you approach it.To its right is the smaller Acuff Theatre as well as the Opry Museum. The Opry Museum is barely mentioned on the Grand Ole Opry web site and there isn’t much information about it on the web.Too bad, because this small, free museum stands as a shrine to the best known country singers and members of the Opry.Including exhibits dedicated to Tex Ritter, Minnie Pearl, Patsy Cline, George Jones, and others, the museum uses period photos, film and television clips, clothing, old instruments, and some room settings to tell the story of a number of musicians as well as the Opry itself.The museum is worth taking an hour or so to stroll through it and enjoy soaking up country music history.
Bobby Osborne and the Rocky Top X-Press
We climbed up the stairs to our nose bleed seats to find ourselves surrounded by too many kids on an excursion and their chaperones, who never stopped talking.Next to us was seated a Japanese gentlemen who coughed hard until he thoughtfully fell asleep.We were surprised that folks attending were allowed to bring beer and soft drinks to their seats.The auditorium is huge, seating 4400 and this night was a sell-out.Eddie Stubbs, one of the long-time Opry announcers came to the podium at stage right and read some commercials before introducing Jimmy C. Newman, an Opry member and Cajun music performer.The general format of each half hour is commercial, introduction of Opry member host who performs one song, introduction of one ortwo performers, each of whom performs one or two songs, a couple of interspersed commercials, and a final song by the member/host.There are four of these segments, each with a major sponsor.
Jean Shepard
The Gibson Brothers were scheduled in the third segment, which ran from 9:00 – 9:30.The segments seem to be designed to build to a climax in the fourth segment, so the third half hour is a good placement.Jean Shepard, who reached the height of her fame in the 1950’s as one of the first women to show she could sell country records, came out and sang a song before introducing an unscheduled and unmemorable singer for one song. After he left the stage, she introduced the Gibson Brothers.It was pretty obvious she didn’t know who they were. The band came on, set up quickly and kicked off their two song set. They opened with “Lonely You, Lonely Me” to appreciative applause from the audience.They chose the Tom Petty song “Cabin Down Below,” which looks like it’s headed for being a hit for the Gibsons, which was also very well received.
The Gibson Brothers
Now comes the problem, for me.I suspect those of us in the audience were not treated to the best sound possible for this wonderful band.Bill Faulkner has posted on Bluegrass-L that the Gibson’s performance on WSM streaming was a “good show.”But Irene and I didn’t hear the same quality sound transmitted over the air and through the Internet.I thought Clayton’s usually sweet sounding fiddle sounded shrill and a little harsh, something his playing never manages to achieve, even under the least high quality festival sound.I also didn’t think the other instruments penetrated the auditorium the way they should.But then I didn’t think any of the other performers were showcased to their best either.The problem, for me, grows from knowing that the live audience isn’t the real target.Rather the millions of loyal WSM listeners tuning in to 650 AM or listening around the world to live streaming of the performances were the people who were treated to the best sound.I truly hope, and actually believe, that their audio experience was first rate, and that many people had the joy of being introduced to the Gibson Brothers.
The Gibson Brothers at the Grand Ole Opry
Marty Stuart closed out the show.The highlight of his part of the performance was a lovely mandolin solo the audience mostly talked through.When Stuart was done, the announcer read one more commercial, the curtain came down, the crowd left, and our Grand Ole Opry experience was over.I don’t think we’ll return, but seeing The Gibson Brothers perform in this famous setting was worth it all.
Nashville is a large, and to us, confusing city.It has, as far as I can tell, three major areas important to people interested in its major product, music.Downtown contains the Broadway area where the live music venues are found and Music City Square, a group of streets where the music industry does its business.Out in the suburbs, the Opryland area contains the new amphitheater where the Grand Ole Opry is held as well as an absolutely huge mall containing the Gibson Showcase where Gibson instruments are made behind a glass display area and Gibson instruments are sold in spacious and welcoming showroom.Yesterday we spent time in all three areas and only gained the beginnings of a perspective on it all when our faithful GPS took us through the Broadway area on the way home from the Station Inn.
Kyle Cantrell
In the Broadcast Studio
The Music City Square consists of several blocks of buildings devoted to the music industry.The headquarters of ASCAP (The American Society of Composers, Authors, and Publishers) is, fittingly, perhaps the most imposing one.Fittingly, because this organization guards the rights of the people who create the music and assures they get paid.SONY and RCA are nearby as well the headquarters of GAC, one of the two television stations devoted to country music.Surrounding these huge corporations are hundreds of small companies catering to meeting the needs of the people who create the music.The current studios of XM radio’s Nashville branch are tucked away in a suite of offices on the second floor of a modern but unprepossessing building.If you weren’t looking for it, you would happen upon it, because it’s only a name and a number with no logo or sign outside.The satellite radio giant will be moving to more elaborate and accessible digs in a few months.We took the elevator up and opened the door to find a pleasant looking, somewhat chunky man at a reception desk pounding a computer.
From the Control Room
Kyle Makes Room in the Corner
“Can I help you?” he asked and we introduced ourselves.Kyle Cantrell stood up and with a big, genuine smile introduced himself.Although he clearly had been at work on something, Kyle leaned back in his chair, and we chatted for quite a while.Early in the life of this blog, I had not been very nice to Kyle Cantrell in print, he had justifiably taken exception, and we had started off on a bad footing.We had pretty well repaired our relationship during the exchange of several e-mails and a couple of phone conversations, but I was very pleased to be invited to the studio for this live interview with the Gibson Brothers.We chatted about the nature of XM radio, its developing role in broadcasting, and its future.Kyle couldn’t, of course, say much of anything about the planned merger of XM radio, the industry giant, with Sirius, a smaller company which has moved to take it over, but our conversation was open, interesting, and informative.Kyle Cantrell is not only an interesting and engaging on-air host and a first rate interviewer, he is also a thoughtful and perceptive observer of the broadcast industry as well as country music and its major sub-genre, bluegrass.
Travis Turk Tickles the Keys
After a while people began drifting into the studio area and we heard the Gibsons had arrived and were setting up in the broadcast studio itself, so we moved back into the core area of the XM offices.The studio setup consists of an irregularly shaped room filled with microphones and sound baffling, an observation space separated by a thick window, and the technical area of the studio, filled with electronic equipment totally meaningless to me and a comfortable couch in front of another sound proof window.Further back there are some other offices and another reception area.Not exactly overwhelming for the Nashville offices of a music empire reaching out to about 10,000,000 subscribers and who knows how many listeners, but such is the stuff of modern media.The Gibson Brothers are working with the sound engineer to balance the sound as the representative from Sugar Hill records settles in and Lyn Hayes, mandolinist Rick Hayes’ wife and a valuable adjunct to the band makes herself comfortable.The broadcast studio is just large enough for the five members of the band to fit themselves in and for Kyle to sit in an office chair behind a small music stand in the corner.The guys run a sound check, the door slams shut, and Kyle starts off.In the control room, I watched as Travis Turk’s fingers flew over the sound board, constantly making minor adjustments to get it just right. A legendary sound engineer and voice actor, Turk is worth a blog entry all his own.
Eric Gibson, Kyle Cantrell, Leigh Gibson
For the next ninety minutes or so, The Gibson Brothers sing selections from their new CD Iron and Diamonds as well as from their earlier work, while Kyle asks questions designed to draw out both Eric and Leigh as well as the other members of the band.They talk about the brothers’ methods of approaching song writing, their unique brother harmonies, their influences, their instruments, and more.Kyle’s questions are thoughtful and probing, showing careful preparation without ever losing their sense immediacy.There’s nothing canned about a Kyle Cantrell interview.Suddenly, the time was over, Leigh and Eric recorded a couple of promos, and the band left.
Kyle Cantrell and the Gibson Brothers Band
One brief example shows the level of Kyle’s professionalism.At one point during the taping, one of the microphones wasn’t working.The engineer stopped everything, bustled into the studio, and got the mic fixed.Then Kyle asked for a playback to get the rhythm, seamlessly added in his live voice, and the session was off and running again.There won’t be a hint of a break in the broadcast show.After the session was over, Kyle talked about his extensive background in broadcasting.He has spent many years as an on-air personality at WSM radio and with the Grand Ole Opry.Early in his career, Kyle had been suddenly assigned to do a warm-up interview with Bill Monroe, an event that threw him into something of a panic.The interview worked out very well; he and Monroe developed a relationship lasting until the founder’s death.Kyle, however, found he had not saved a tape.Years later, a listener asked him whether he remembered having done the interview and said he certainly did, but had not had enough presence to tape it.The listener said he had made an over the air tape and later supplied Kyle with a copy of the treasure.
The Work of the Street Team
The entire afternoon was a delight.Hearing the Gibsons is always a joy for us.Meeting and getting to know Kyle Cantrell and watching him work added to our store of knowledge about how the music business works as well as continued the development of what we hope will be a friendship with him.We headed back to our hotel for a rest before the next item on the agenda.
The Scene at The Station Inn
The Gibson Brothers On Stage
Clayton Campbell
Mike Barber
Leigh Gibson and Mike Barber
The Station Inn is one of the legendary venues in music.Located in the mother city of country music, it is a location where bands perform on their way through town, local bands and some of the great Nashville sidemen get together to jam.Recently, the Infamous Stringdusters, one of the hot young groups in bluegrass music got together at one of these sidemen jams and created a sound that is proving to be enormously popular as well as groundbreaking. Other recently formed bands which found themselves at the Station Inn are The SteelDrivers and The Mashville Brigade.Meanwhile, historic perfumers, like Roland White can be seen both from the stage and in the audience.Last night, White was there as well as Stephen Mougin, the very able lead guitarist for the Sam Bush Band. This week alone, seven CDs by major performers are being released here. The Station Inn is clearly an important venue, and a fitting place for the Gibson Brothers to hold the official release party for their new CD.Given its importance, The Station Inn isn’t a very impressive place to look at.
Eric Gibson
Rick Hayes
Clayton and Eric
Located on the corner of 12th Avenue and Pine Street in downtown Nashville, The Station Inn is a small, block building entered through a beat up, industrial style door.Inside the walls are lined by some old, well-worn vinyl couches.There’s a small stage in the front, twenty or thirty small, square tables, a bar/food counter, and a small area for the band to sell its merchandise.By 9:00 PM, the room was nearly filled, The Gibsons took the stage, and, without introduction, began to sing.For the next two and a half hours, The Gibson Brothers Band lit up the room with their unique style and charm.Despite the fact that this was their fourth performance of the day (three radio interviews), they never seemed to tire or lose their energy.They played almost all the songs from their new release as well as songs from all the other disks in their catalog.They took requests or selected songs in such a way as to create a constantly varied and interesting program.Between songs their humorous brotherly bickering spiced by the clear love and respect between them provided laughter and kept the event moving along.Both Leigh and Eric were in top form, as were the other members of the band.The audience included a bunch of Finlayson cousins from Alabama.Finlayson is their mother’s maiden name and grandfather Arleigh, subject of one of their best songs, was a Finlayson.At 11:30, fans were still calling out requests, but the brothers encored with The Barn Song and left the stage, elated.The release party had been a huge success, Iron and Diamonds has been launched, and the Gibson Brothers are headed to new heights.On Friday night, they will appear at the Grand Ole Opry.
The Merchandise Table
Rick
Meetin' and Greetin' Leigh, Jerrold, Eric Leigh with Finlayson Cousins from Alabama
Downtown Knoxville(see also here) is clean and interesting with lots of building going on and an obvious interest in its own growth.Jerry Butler drove us around, pointing out landmarks, especially the hotel where Hank Williams overdosed before later dying in his car.We stopped for a visit at the Mast General Store, which is a fun place combining elements of gift shop, tourist attraction, and first-rate store.The Knoxville Visitor Center is across the street and WDVX FM radio has a studio in the visitor center.Five days a week, WDVX sponsors The Blue Plate Special, a live musical performance there at noon. The best bluegrass, folk, and country acts are scheduled through these events as well as local and regional groups.WDVX programs an eclectic Americana mix, which is reflected in the Blue Plate Special programs.
Matt Morelock
The Visitor’s Center is located on a busy corner in downtown Knoxville. It has a small parking lot, but that fills quickly.There’s a public lot behind the Mast General Store, and it’s quite convenient to park there and spend a few minutes in the store before crossing the street to go to a Blue Plate Special.The Center itself serves several different purposes.There’s an information desk, a gift shop, a well-stocked coffee bar, a radio studio, and a performance area seating about seventy-five people for live music.Bundled together, the Visitor Center becomes a lively, even joyful, place for people to gather each day at lunch hour for a free performance.
The Gibson Brothers
We arrived during sound checks and warm-up to greet our friends The Gibson Brothers, find seats, and get situated. For those who haven’t discovered them yet, the Gibsons feature two brothers, Eric usually on banjo and Leigh on guitar, whose stature in bluegrass music has been steadily rising through the last several years.They first received national attention through their recognition as Emerging Group of the Year in 1998 by the IBMA (International Bluegrass Music Association) although they made their Grand Ole Opry debut in 1993.After a few setbacks, the Gibsons joined Sugar Hill Records and have recorded three straight number one albums.They are noted for their close and exciting brother harmonies, their deeply thoughtful lyrics, and their excellent musicianship. Both brothers are accomplished song-writers as well as excellent musicians. Their current band has been together for three years, and is perfectly set up to support Eric and Leigh’s singing as well as to create instrumental settings of power and intricacy.Mike Barber, on bass, has been with the band since its inception.His rock solid bass beat and excellent taste form one of the foundations for this band.Rick Hayes, on mandolin, has a background in rock music as well as other genres, and contributes good mandolin breaks as well as a powerful back beat with his strong chop.On fiddle, Clayton Campbell’s soaring solos, contain just the right wail of loneliness or chirp of humor that punctuates musical points made on the banjo or guitar.
The seats began filling up with a group of students from the University of Tennessee, lunch-timers from offices surrounding the studio, as well as friends and fans of the two featured bands. As air-time approached, on-air host and sound engineer Matt Morelock told the fast-assembling audience how to sound like a huge crowd for the radio audience even though there were only seventy-five or so people in the room. WDVX broadcasts on two rather low power frequencies to the area, but it streams on line broadcasts world-wide and has a large international audience.I began listening to WDVX several years ago on my computer, often from about 4:00 AM until breakfast.During these early hours, the station introduced me to a range of bluegrass, alternative country, and old time country musicians, many of whom have become my favorites.Matt raised his arms for a cheer, introduced Todd Steed and Suns of Phere, and the fast-paced hour was on.
Todd Steed and the Sons of Phere
Todd Steed
Todd Steed and the Sons of Phere are an Indie folk-rock-jam band from Knoxville, based solely on the music they played on this single noon-time performance, I’d say they’re funny, a bit quirky, and wickedly improvisational.Todd created a song dedicated to Candace Parker, the star of the University of Tennessee women’s basketball team that had won the NCAA national championship only the night before that was amusing and brought happy cheers from the crowd.His song North Knoxville was funny, focusing on neighborhoods and the people who live in them.On his MySpace page, he says he’s fascinated by various versions of the south, and the songs he chose for this performance caught that interest.The instrumentation (acoustic guitar, electric guitar, guitaron (Mexican bass guitar), and corrugated box with brushes) create an interesting and slightly unusual sound. While not to everyone’s taste, this band enjoys its work and brought smiles to the faces of many in the audience. They stream samples of their work on both the pages linked above.
Eric Gibson
Leigh Gibson
Mike Barber
As is their habit, the Gibson Brothers hit the stage hard and delivered half an hour of their unmatched sound.Two characteristics of this band are intensity and energy.Both were immediately evident and quickly communicated to the responsive crowd.They opened with Tom Petty’s “Cabin Down Below,” the opening track on their new CD Iron and Diamonds, containing seven of their own new songs. A rousing bluegrass version of this rock song, it captures much of the essence of a Gibson Brothers performance.They followed right away with the title song “Iron and Diamonds.”This song has all the best elements of a Gibson Brothers composition: nostalgia for a lost period, respect for working people, a somewhat unusual choice of topic, and haunting melodies punctuated with perfect pitch harmony and rich instrumentation.Without seeming to rush, they continued, offering a couple more new songs as well as Gibson Brothers favorite, “Callie’s Reel,” and closing Jimmy Rogers’ “Blue Yodel #4.”They received a standing ovation. The audience was excited, and eager to purchase CD’s and T-shirts, newly designed for the Iron and Diamonds tour.All in all, this was a wonderful early afternoon of music. We headed for Nashville, elated at what we had heard and looking forward to the next couple of days.
After a terrible night at the Knoxville Motel 6 (actually unfit for human habitation (Don’t even think of staying there.The econo-Lodge, just down the road has roughly the same price and is clean, quiet, serves breakfast) and a late breakfast at i-Hop, Jerry and Tammy Butler drove us up to the Ciderville Music Store at 2836 Clinton Hwy., Powell, TN, (Google Map) It would be easy to drive past this grew-like-topsy cinder block building about fifteen miles out Hwy 25 northwest of Knoxville. Having Jerry, who obviously knows and is known by every musician in East Tennessee, as your guide does no harm when going into this distinguished music store, but regardless of how you get there, it’s a warm and welcoming place with a stock of instruments to make even the most jaded of pickers’ or collectors’ eyes bug out.Known as perhaps the largest dealer of Martin Guitars in the world, this store’s walls are lined from floor to ceiling with bluegrass and country music memorabilia.There’s an emphasis on Tennessee musicians, but look carefully and you’ll find most of the big ones on the wall.
Jerry Butler
The Cas Walker Corner
This quirky appearing store pays special attention to Cas Walker, one of those interesting mid-twentieth century characters who used bluegrass or country music to further their political careers.Others include Jimmie Davis, who served as governor of Louisiana from 1944-1948 and 1960 – 1964) and W, Lee (Pappy) O’Daniel of Texas who served two terms as governor in Texas before narrowly defeating Lyndon Johnson for Senate in 1942.This breed of populist politician used early radio very effectively to collect supporters. Cas Walker had a brief and fiery career as a politician, serving one year as mayor of Knoxville as well as several terms on the city council.He’s better known as a business man and music promoter and well-beloved in Knoxville country and bluegrass circles.Dolly Parton made her first appearance on his TV show.
Rowdy Polk
We walked through towards the back of the cluttered store to find Rowdy Cope holding court from a barber chair, one of three clustered in the middle of the store.He greeted Jerry warmly and entertained the women with songs and stories as Jerry looked at instruments.After a while, Jerry carried a new Martin over, sat down, and played back-up to Rowdy’s singing for a while.He returned with another box, a new and moderately priced Martin with surprising power and sharpness.They just sat picked for a while, Rowdy giving Jerry plenty of room to try out the instrument while spinning tales, singing, and pointing out celebrities and less well-known local pickers on the walls.
Tami Butler
Like Minton’s Music and Pawn in N. Wilkesboro, NC, Ciderville Music Store is a place worth going out of your way to visit, an essential stop on the journey of musical knowledge.Enjoy the pictures. We also enjoyed having supper with Byron Chesney and his father.Byron is the owner of Knoxville Trivia Blog as well several other web sites and provides priceless information about the city and region.His work is useful to both residents of and visitors to Knoxville and environs.
We’ve found good music and fun folks making it happen all over the place.It’s important to have someone who knows the local scene to get you there, though.Our friends Jerry and Tami Butler, along with their four year old daughter Sami, were our guides on Monday.Cove Lake State Park, Caryville, TN, is about twenty miles north of Knoxville just off I-75.The lake, offering what looks like lots of underwater brush as fish habitat, is surrounded by playgrounds, paths, and spacious campground with water and electric hookups and modern looking wash rooms.Near the entrance are a restaurant and an indoor pavilion, which is why Jerry and Tami Butler brought us here late Monday afternoon.
Nathan Ferguson, Russ Rickard, Jerry Butler
Rickard Ridge Top Combo
Local Guys and Jerry
Our first stop was Rickard Ridge Barbecue, the concession restaurant located at the entrance of the park. Rated 4 ½ stars by the Grub Scout, food critic of the Knoxville News; it deserves every one of them.This is no doubt one of the finest barbecue places we’ve ever been, anywhere.Proprietor Mark Rickard spent some years competing on the barbecue circuit, and his offerings show the effects of tough competition.Ribs are succulent and crispy without ever becoming gooey or soft; the pulled pork is smoky and moist, not needing added barbecue sauce unless you prefer it that way.Smoke chicken thighs are one of the signature offerings here, and they deserve special mention, particularly since it’s rare to find chicken these days that isn’t breast.After a discussion with Mark, we settled on the Rickard Ridge top combo ($16.95) a sampler of the best of the menu with enough food for both of us plus another meal or two brought home.It would be hard to say enough good things about the food, the folks, or the fun.This is a don’t miss restaurant for barbecue aficionados.A beautiful view of the lake comes for free, and there is seasonal outdoor seating. For people heading south on I-75, Rickard Ridge Barbecue as good an introduction to southern barbecue as you’re likely to get.
When you add music to the meal, Rickard’s becomes a special treat.There’s a small stage at the front of the dining room with a couple of microphones.Around 5:30, musicians started showing up, tuning up, and setting up.A ten year old fiddler named Ethan Ferguson came over to meet Jerry along with Russ Rickard, Mark’s dad.Several pickers took the stage and Ethan led off with some fiddle tunes backed by a full band.More people came and went, all to enthusiastic response from those in attendance.Jerry quietly warmed up over by the fireplace and then took his place as a guitar sideman.Gary Inman, a talented singer/songwriter played and sang lead. Jerry, who plays guitar and sings lead for Lorraine Jordan and Carolina Road,is a truly gentle and gracious man. While he has been full time professional musician for most of his adult life, tonight he seemed perfectly happy to pick in support and sing when asked.No show, no pretense.Jerry finished up the set, and we moved next door to the Pavilion.
At the Pavilion
Jerry and Sami Butler Dancing
The Pavilion is a lovely wood-walled space available for weddings and other events.On Monday night it’s given over to a country jam.As we arrived the fifty or so people there were finishing up from a covered dish supper and country music was the order of the day.A master of ceremonies ushered several groups on and off the performance area.One of the interesting differences between bluegrass and country music is that while bluegrass discourages dancing, the dance tradition and honky-tonk music is an integral part of the country scene.Folks of all ages were on their feet dancing – two step, line, and you name it.The music was enthusiastically received and of generally high quality.The singers were solid, the songs familiar, and the crowd enthusiastic and welcoming to the Yankee outsiders. We’ve been greeted enthusiastically almost everywhere we went.
The Pavilion Chorus Line
Jerry Butler and Ken Bonham
After hearing several bands, the emcee brought Jerry Butler out to sing and play for the concluding set.I expect Jerry would have been just as happy to be on stage playing back-up for the other bands, but they treated him as a celebrity. He had a strong band, including Ken Bonham, a very good electric guitar player.They sang a string of classic country tunes that really got people dancing and clapping.Jerry had a chance to renew acquaintances with some old friends, and everyone had a good time.We got home on time to watch the second half of the basketball game.
Irene and I drove down out of the mountains to spend a day in the Piedmont region of North Carolina just looking around for some bluegrass.We found ourselves driving into the town square of Shelby, NC.Now, folks who know a little bluegrass history know that Earl Scruggs came out of Shelby to join Bill Monroe and the Bluegrass Boys in 1945 sporting a new three finger style of picking the banjo that was lightening fast, pure, and exciting. He revolutionized the way the banjo was played for all time.We saw the Shelby Music Center sitting on a corner and know that a music store is as good a place to try to connect to the local bluegrass scene as anywhere.After a few minutes we found ourselves chatting with John Reid, the owner, about the instruments he sells and the folks who come into his shop.He has wonderful Taylor and Martin guitars as well as Weber mandolins and more.While we were jawing, Darin Aldridge came in through the door.We had seen Darin with the Circuit Riders several years ago and knew that he had played mandolin with Charlie Waller and the Country Gentlemen around the time Charlie, sadly, died.We talked for a while about what bluegrass opportunities there were in the area, and then Darin said he’d be happy to show us a couple of unusual places and then take us to where he’d be jamming in the evening.
Joe DePriest's Tribute to Don Gibson
We got into a car and Darin directed us to the Shelby town cemetery.We drove through it for a while, not quite sure where we were going in this large graveyard on the cusp of spring bursting forth with all the trees in bloom.Soon we saw a large monument and then the name Gibson along the top, the grave of country legend Don Gibson.Born in 1928, Gibson dropped out of school after second grade.He wrote great country songs like “Oh, Lonesome Me,” “Lonesome #1,” and “Woman (Sensuous Woman)” all of which were hits for him, as well as numerous others.“I Can’t Stop Loving You” has been recorded by over 700 artists. The quiet and dignified grave stands silently to allow visitors to meditate on the prodigious talent often coming from unlikely sources.
The Scruggs Home Place
After a while we climbed back into the car and drove out into the country.We went past a sign for the Flint Hill Baptist Church, and I thought of Earl’s great instrumental piece, “Flint Hill Special.” We turned into a dirt driveway guarded by a withered old apple tree and pulled up beside a ramshackle country house. As we climbed from the car, the front screen was swinging on its hinges in the slight breeze.On the porch an old hanging rocker swayed back a forth.It didn’t take too much imagination to reach back eighty years to a couple of young boys sitting under that tree tossing a ball.There’s a story about Earl and his brother Horace standing back to back in front of their house and kicking off a song.They would walk away from each other around the small house and meet face to face in the back.Their goal: to be on exactly the same note when they met.Earl’s mantra – tone, taste, and timing remained the hallmark of his style throughout his career.No matter how fast he played or how elaborate the licks he created, those three elements were always present. A softball lay neglected on the ground in front of the house.I could see the two brothers tossing it back and forth before picking up their instruments and taking another trip around the house. After a few quiet minutes there in front of the humble home where music history was changed, we left the door to swing in the wind, the seat to move back and forth, and the ball to lie there waiting for another boy to pick it up.
It was getting dark when Darin started to drive us out of town. We drove for perhaps half an hour, and I have no idea where we were.We pulled behind a comfortable house and saw perhaps twenty trucks and cars parked near no recognizable building. A few men were clustered around a large fire smoking and sipping on beers. We walked behind a square dirt mound and found ourselves going along a narrow cinder block passageway painted white.We emerged into a room covered with signatures, beer cans, advertising signs, tools, and bluegrass memorabilia.A group of men were clustered in one small room pickin’ and singin’.We were introduced to Jack Bingham, owner of the Bluegrass Bunker, who told us he’d hosted bluegrass jams there since the late sixties.The structure itself was built during the period when folks took seriously the threat of both nuclear attack and invasion by foreign powers.
Wives and fiancees in the Bluegrass Bunker
Dean Jenks Plays my Deering
The quality of bluegrass was quite high.Dean Jenks, member of a local band called Flint Hill, played fine banjo.Darin is a rising young mandolin player who will be all over Merlefest for four days in a few weeks.Irene had asked Darin to play her mandolin, which he did with seeming enjoyment.I brought my banjo out for Dean to play.It’s so nice to hear an instrument sound the way it’s supposed to sound.
Eddie Biggerstaff and Jack Bingham
Brooke Justice and Darin Aldride ( a duo to watch)
We were also glad to see Eddie Biggerstaff.He had played bass for Blueridge and sung high tenor very effectively before the band broke up.Recently he’s been playing for Darin and his fiancee Brook Justice’s band, which is about to release a gospel album on Pinecastle Records.Eddie picked the bass a little and sang a couple of songs before returning it to one of the other players.A bluegrass jam can stand multiple instruments except for the bass, which is such an important instrument and has such a profound influence on everyone else’s playing that there’s only room for one at a time. Eddie still picks with the same power and rock solid beat we remember his having.There was also a guy named Bob Jones playing the guitar as well as a couple of others with guitars.Brooke and Darin’s voices blend perfectly to make a moving and lively sound.
Bluegrass Cabin Porch
Kitchen
Living Room
Jack and his lovely and gracious wife Judy invited us to go see the cabin where the jams are held in summer.The Bluegrass Bunker is too confined for summer use.We drove a couple of hundred yards down a dirt road and emerged from the woods to see a lovely, small log cabin, chinked to keep out wind and rain.The porch was decorated with cedar stick work and inside was an extensive collection of bluegrass souvenirs as well as mounted heads, a wonderful half wood, half electric stove, and other treasures.Jack has been working on the cabin for over twenty years.Beside it is a small stage where bands can play.Essentially, he owns a private bluegrass music park for his friends and their friends.We felt honored to be included and welcomed into the warmth of the bluegrass circle.
Bluegrass Cabin Stage
As we left a little after ten, I looked on a table and saw a business card of Dr. Tom Bibey’s.I asked if he was there, but they said he comes from down in the low country and had only come to visit a few weeks before.We’ll catch up to him along the way. It really doesn’t matter if he was there, though, because I’m beginning to understand that wherever bluegrass music is played, Dr. Bibey will be there.
What’s your roots music taste?Do you want to see old favorites, new discoveries, or some of each? Would you prefer to get your music in more or less intimate settings, or don’t you mind big crowds?Do you want it traditional or progressive, mountainy or rocky?Just about the only constant, and now-a-days not even that, at Merlefest is that it’s an acoustic music festival.Beyond that, it’s your choice.Merlefest, to be held in Wilkesboro, NC from April 24 – April 27 this year, is easily the largest festival held in the east by any standard.Daily attendance approaches 20,000.Thirteen different sound stages.Hundreds of performers. Dozens of vendors.Every camping space and motel/hotel room within fifty miles filled. The very top names in acoustic and bluegrass music performing.It’s all there at Merlefest.With all this size and diversity, the question arises, “How can I get the most out of my Merlefest experience?”This post is designed to help you do just that.
Gospel Jubilators on Cabin Stage
Planning - The best source for planning and managing your time at Merlefest remains the Merlefest web site.Once both a resource and a more-or-less open forum, the web site has changed in recent years, eliminating the lively message board it once carried.This has been, at least partially, replaced by The Unofficial Merlefest Forum, which provides for the discussion, but loses out because it hasn’t yet attracted the large group once posting at the Merlefest home site.Despite this loss, the official site of this great festival still provides most of the information you need in order to plan your four days in Wilkesboro.
Scene at Creekside Stage
Where to Stay – During our first four years at Merlefest, we stayed on campus in our trailer.Last year, when they raised the price, we migrated out to Fort Hamby on W. Kerr Scott Reservoir outside town.It worked for us.There are other campgrounds in the area, but by this time they are pretty well filled.The Merlefest web site gives a good overview of these.Unless you’re very lucky, you won’t find a motel room in the area, and if you do, it’ll be quite expensive.For next year, make your reservations early.
Doc Watson at Creekside
Seeing What You Want and Getting Around - Your first task, and do it today, is to download and print the Merlefest Schedule.Once you arrive at Merlefest, the pocket guide the festival provides will become your best friend, but until then you can use these Adobe PDF documents as a tool to guide your planning.The pocket guide will also be accompanied by a large, elaborate, and useful festival program describing all the performers as well as detailing the vendors and their locations.Until you get this booklet in your hands, the 2008 line-up will have to do. This listing has the advantage of providing links to most of the artists performing at Merlefest, allowing you to research them to your heart’s content and listen to samples of their music.Since one of the great joys of Merlefest is being introduced to new bands and sounds, this resource shouldn’t be overlooked.You can also find a festival map here. This recently updated map provides a much more accurate picture of the Wilkes Community College campus than earlier versions. The only missing element is a sense of the geography of the place, and this is important.At Merlefest you’ll do a lot of walking and climbing.The campus is quite hilly, the hills are steep, and two important stages (Walker Center and Hillside) require quite a hike.The final important resource is a list of stages. Click on stages on the Merlefest home page and you’ll be provided a list of each stage at the festival.Select each one and read about its focus. I’d prefer a more elaborate discussion, but combined with the map and the artists list, this link is helpful. Remember the reserve seating section at Watson Stage is open until 5:00 PM. Just go in and sit in an empty seat. If the owner returns, move somewhere else. Some people with strong bladders manage to stay inside into the evening, but once you leave, you won't get back. Once you have these resources in hand, you can begin to chart out a tentative schedule.But remember what Don Rigsby sang, “If you want to make God laugh, make a plan.”
Sam Bush's Annual Jam
Dressing for Merlefest is an important consideration.Remember a few things.It always rains at Merlefest.You won’t know when or how much, but count on rain.No matter how warm, sunny and pleasant the day is the evening is likely to be cool or even cold.The Watson Stage is set on a flat plain surrounded by steep hills.As the sun sets, cooling air begins to roll down from the hillsides and settle onto this main performance area.By nine or ten in the evening, everyone wishes they had more and warmer clothing.Bring several layers of clothes with you, including a fresh, dry, warm pair of socks. Remember that keeping your feet and head warm increases your chance of keeping the rest of you warm. As the evening progresses, layer up to stay warm.In the bottom of your pack, make sure you have a nylon shell to ward off dampness in either its drifting or falling form.
Reserve Seats at Watson Stage
Eating at Merlefest - A couple who have sat three rows in front of us ever since we began coming to Merlefest always carry a lot of food in with them.I suspect, in addition to hors d’oerves, they have the forbidden cocktails in a thermos.They carry fruit, salads…all they need for the day.Our seat neighbors always bring sandwiches as well as plenty of snacks with them.Both ways work well. We do some of that, too.However, we also believe in doing what we can to support the vendors at the festival.The massive food tent, to the left of the Watson Stage, offers a range of foods from hamburgers and hot dogs, through barbecue, to Thai, Italian, and Indian specialties. Meals are tasty and reasonably priced.There’s one problem: at meal times the lines are long and seats at the nearby tables are scarce.The best way to shorten your wait in line is to eat at off hours or during the performances of big headliners.You can hear from the food tent and see the huge television screen, and the lines seem to be shorter.Last year, several vendors of snack foods like hot dogs, hamburgers, and the ever popular funnel cakes were spread around the grounds.There were still long lines.I’ve been told that this year the festival has worked with vendors to increase efficiency and staffing at high traffic periods.They’ve also worked to make pick-up foods like hot dog, hamburgers, pizza, and ice-cream more available in high traffic areas.Coffee will be brewed on-campus making it more quickly available in larger quantities.Merlefest leadership is aware of the problems and has worked hard to alleviate them.
The Great Tut Taylor - Honoring the Pioneers
Chances to connect with band members are smaller, briefer, and less intimate than at typical festival settings.Merlefest is too large and complex for much meeting and greeting or shake and howdying.If you want to get to know members of a band, this isn’t the place, but you can say hi and get autographs either at scheduled signings at the entrance to the Watson Stage or get a chance for somewhat closer contact at the smaller stages spread about the campus. The map, the schedule, and the stage descriptions, taken together, will help you make these choices.It’s not as frequent at Merlefest as at other festivals to see band members around the grounds, but that happens sometimes, too.Often, however, they seem to be with friends and give off a vibe of preferring not to be interrupted.
The Little Pickers Tent
Instrument contests and the Chris Austin song writing contest are central elements of Merlefest.The recognition coming to a musician who wins an instrument contest or the visibility a songwriter gains from having a song sung from the cabin stage can serve as important boosts to a career.Contest winners get to sing their songs from the Cabin Stage on Saturday night, and it’s a pretty big deal.Sometimes you hear new songs that end up in major albums a year or so later.Lorraine Jordan had a song take second place a couple of years ago.Grasstowne selected “Devil’s Road” which Brink Brinkman won with for recording and performance.It’s a great showcase.Another feature of Merlefest is the organized jams happening almost every day.These jams bring musicians from different bands, but often with a musical affinity, together for an extended extemporaneous performance. Last year, at one point, the members of New Grass Revival were on stage at once for the first time in years.Such jams take place at a variety of stages.Another opportunity to see musicians jamming occurs at the area sponsored by the Wilkes Acoustic Society both during the festival and during the three evenings preceding it.
Earl Scruggs and Doc Watson on Stage
I thought maybe I’d put up a list of bands I particularly wanted to see and hear during Merlefest.I went through the 2008 Merlefest lineup, looked at my choices, and decided they were mine.Merlefest is actually 20,000 different festivals each day.As such, it’s up to each person who attends to decide who they want to see, and how much effort they want to make to see them.I showed the list to my wife and her concern was our ability to stay in touch when not at the same performance. Lots of people carry walkie talkies.I recommend not bringing them and relying on cell phones instead.There are just too many people clogging up too few channels to make the family radios very good communications tools.Be sure, however, to keep your cell phone on vibrate so your ring tone doesn’t bother others.
Evening Jam on Watson Stage
In the end Doc Watson and his friends established and maintain the spirit of Merlefest.The festival is a celebration of his son Eddie Merle, but it’s a recognition of Doc’s accomplishments, his taste, and his friends.As long as that remains, the festival will continue to be one of the great musical events in America. Doc’s spirit pervades the entire event.
Annual Sand Sculpture
For a different perspective focused on specific musicians and coming from a somewhat differently nuanced place, read Derek Halsey’s Merlefest Preview here.
Wow!What a weekend of music, jamming, getting together with old friends, and making new ones.Usually, we prefer to take our bluegrass music outdoors, come rain or shine.The festival scene works great when RVers pull in from all parts of the country to congregate for a few days before returning home or moving on to the next event. On this, the last weekend in March, however, North Carolina is an unlikely place for an outdoor festival.While it was quite warm on Friday, Saturday turned chilly and wet; even
Jason Thomas (Claire Lynch)
