Podunk Bluegrass Music Festival - E. Hartford - Thursday

Thursday in Hartford was hot and muggy as we pulled into Martin Park's driving range, too early for the gate to be opened.  Suddenly, the skies opened up and it poured for ten or fifteen minutes, then the rain stopped and the skies began to clear.  By the time we had moved into the large parking field, put on our rain gear and walked onto the festival grounds the sky was clearing with blue patches coming from the northwest.  As the late afternoon turned into evening, it became evident that we were in for a lovely weekend, warm and dry during the days, cool and crisp at night.  Podunk was ready for another good season.

Kelly Stockwell Putting Camper in Place

 

Jamming Has Already Begun

Ready for the Party

David Davis & The Warrior River Boys

David Davis' fine band deserves to be heard a good deal more often in New England.  His voice is filled with passion and commitment, clear as a bell and strong.  He sings a combination of fine original material and Monroe classics from his catalog.  This band, coming from Alabama, opened the festival and got it running in fine fashion.  The band provides good harmonies, solid instrumentals, and powerful support for Davis' extraordinary lead singing.

David Davis

Marty Hayes

Owen Saunders

Robert Montgomery

Bradford Lee Folk

Marta Sala Viladoms - A Visitor from Catalonia

The Blackstone Valley Boys

This solid regional band from Massachusetts presented two strong sets of covers and original material.  Good singing with strong harmonies as well as instrumental versatility gives this band a good sound complemented by pleasant stage presentation.

Dave Dick

Bob Dick

Dan Nowlan

Ken Taylor

Clyde Proch

Emcee Kim Cyr

The Expedition Show

This is the first time we've seen the Expedition Show since their recent re-configuration.  I'm happy to report this band remains musically strong and solidly entertaining.  The addition of Alex Hibbits on mandolin and harmony vocals contributes significantly to the sound of this group, while Kimberly Williams' luminous voice deserves much more attention than it gets.  Blake Williams fast, clean banjo picking combines with his not too cornball humor and lengthy experience with bluegrass legends like Bill Monroe and Lester Flatt to help create an amusing and musically strong performance.  Wayne Soutards' tenor voice and effective guitar work fills in just where it's needed. 

Kimberly Williams

Blake Williams

Wayne Southards

Alex Hibbits

The Podunk Bluegrass Music Festival has begun its 2010 run on an upbeat note (rather a series of them) and promises to become increasingly intense and enjoyable as the weekend moves along.  Look here for continuing coverage throughout the weekend, but better still, come out and enjoy it in person. The weather promises to be perfect, and the music will be varied and lively.