Thanksgiving Seasonal Special

For the most part, the festival season is over, and we won't be going to Florida this year. We're planning to get to more local and regional events here in New England before heading south in March.  For the next six weeks or so, I'm going to take some time to look back over some of the highlights of the year just past, beginning at Yee Haw Junction last January and following along through our adventures.  This acount is, as always, highly personal, but if you have some people you'd like to see pictures of, let me know, and I'll try to oblige.  After all, while it's our story presented in this blog, we hope to give you the material you'll enjoy seeing.  Meanwhile, have a happy Thanksgiving and enjoy our contribution to it.

Darin & Brooke Aldridge Release Party

Shelby, NC - January 22, 2010

Over the past couple of years, Darin & Brooke Aldridge have  become a big part of our lives.  We were introduced to them by Dr. Tom Bibey, whose blog and new book The Mandolin Case have developed a major fan base of their own.  We attended Darin & Brooke's release party in Shelby and then through the year watched their career take off with appearances at increasing numbers of festivals, on Sirius/XM radio, and culminating a few weeks ago with a sold out event at The Station Inn in Nashville.  More about them in coming weeks.

The Don Gibson Theater - Shelby, NC

 Darin & Brooke - Bluegrass Sweethearts

 

YeeHaw Junction - January 20 - 31, 2010

With Steve Dittman's retirement from active promoting, YeeHaw Junction was assumed by the team of Bass & Hall, which has since become K & D Bass promoters.  This version of YeeHaw Junction was a success as the new team worked hard to get the business of running a festival under control.  They accomplished a lot with their two festivals in 2010 and promise to continue to develop and offer strong, well-run events.  YeeHaw Junction for 2011 will be held from January 20 - 23, 2011 with a strong lineup we're sorry to be missing.  Look for a preview in early January. 

The Wilson Family Band

Robert Wilson

We've been watching and enjoying the Wilson Family Band since we first saw them at the much lamented Spirit of Suwannee Bluegrass Festival at the Music Park in Live Oak, Florida in March of 2007.  Irene said, "You've gotta see this band." I did; she was right...and we've been friends of there's ever since.  In recent months, Clint Wilson has participated in the Bluegrass Legacy singer/songwriter workshop taught by Ronnie Bowman and Dan Tyminski.  One of his songs is on the new Blue Moon Rising CD and he's becoming increasingly well known in song writing circles.  Meanwhile, the band's exposure is becoming wider, and they are promoting a new festival at Newell Lodge near their home in Folkston, GA in March.

 

Clint Wilson

 Katie Wilson

Katie Wilson

Robert & Melissa Wilson

Kalyn Hall of Tomorrow's News Band

Not Quite Sure How She Got In Hee

Hwy 41 South - A Promising Florida Band

Mark Horn

Robert Feathers - One of Florida's Best Flat Pickers

Nothin' Fancy

 

Mike Andes & Tony Shorter - Nothin' Fancy

 Valerie Smith & Liberty Pike

Valerie Smith

Becky Buller

  

Rebecca Long - Now with Tom T. & Miss Dixie Hall

Becky and Valerie

For Many Attendees - Festivals = Jamming

  

Florida Can Be Chilly at Night in Winter

Melissa Knows How to Keep Warm

  

Mary Robinson and her Husband Mike

Conduct Sunday Gospel Jams and Sings

  

Evan Carl - Popular Emcee

 For Others it's Often about Friends

Irene with our Friends Jay & Martha Sheperd

  

Martha Serves Pie in their Spacious Fiver

Palatka Bluegrass Festival - February 18 - 20, 2010

 Promoter Norman Adams & Judy Adams

The Palatka Bluegrass Festival is held in mid-February each year at the Rodehever Boys Ranch, a facility for boys needing a loving, caring environment to develop more fully.  It's an all-star bluegrass festival, as are all nine of the Adams and Anderson events.  This year's festival will be held from February 17 - 19, 2011 with another fine lineup.  Here are some pictures from last year.

The Boys Ranch Shed

 Jeff Parker of Dailey & Vincent

on the Bus

 On "The Mark"

Joe Dean, Jeff Parker, Christian Davis, Jamie  Dailey

  

Dave Peterson

 Charlie Cushman - Banjo Master

with David Peterson

Ron Shuffler with David Peterson

  

Sherry Boyd - Emcee

IBMA Award for Distinguished Achievement - 2010

Darin Vincent - Dailey & Vincent

More Awards than I Can Count!

  

Christian Davis - Dailey and Vincent

Powerful New Bass Sets New Standard

Dailey & Vincent

  

Jamie Dailey & Darin Vincent

  

Carrie Hassler

Gary Waldrep

 

Mindy Rakestraw - Gary Waldrep Band 

Gene Daniell - Sound Man Extraordinary

The Bluegrass Brothers

Donny Doudy

The Steep Canyon Rangers

 Woody Platt

 

The Steep Canyon Rangers, touring with banjoist, actor, commedian Steve Martin have taken bluegrass music to new audiences and spread the word.

Mike Guggino

Charles Humphrey IV

  

Nicky Sanders

 

The Great J.D. Crowe

Doyle Lawson

  

Ron Thomason - Dry Branch Fire Squad

  

Bobby Osborne

  

Leigh Gibson

Heading into a Great Year!

 Junior Barber

Dobro Great Recently Retired to Florida

The Travelin' McCourys

Jason Carter & Ron McCoury

More next week.  Meanwhile, have a 

HAPPY THANKSGIVING !!