Gettysburg BGF 2012 - Thursday

The Farmhouse B&B and the Barn

The Stage Behind the Pool

Thursday morning began bright, clear, and a little cool for the 64th semi-annual Gettysburg Festival at Granite Hill Campground just outside Gettysburg, PA.  The vendors were busily setting up while the jam campers, aware they'd be on stage in only a few hours were working hard to prepare their stage performance.

Jam Camp

Ira Gitlin, Pete (Dr. Banjo) Wernick, Joan Wernick

  

Jam Group at Work

The Workshop Tent

Fan Jam at Workshop Stage

Jam Camp Performance

I've posted a Google Album of many of the photos I took during Jam Camp as well as the stage performance. Interested people may click the link below to access this album, which is open to the public. You may download individual shots or the entire album: http://tinyurl.com/783uvpe

Bob Webster - Emcee

WAMU's Bluegrass Country.org 

Donna Ullisse & the Poor Mountain Boys

 Donna Ullisse's story (a girl comes to Nashville with a recording contract, loses it and toils in the song writing and demo fields for two decades before emerging in her own right as a creative and vocal force) is the stuff that movies are made of.  At Gettysburg Donna charmed the audience and delivered a fine performance as well as an interesting and personally revealing song writing workshop. In a few short years developing on the festival circuit, she developed into a winning performer delivering her own signature works. She's earned a much wider audience and better spots in the lineup.

Donna Ullisse

 

Tony King

Bobby King

John Martin

Rick Stanley

Greg Davis

Donna at the Workshop Tent

 

Russell Moore & IIIrd Tyme Out

Seeing IIIrd Tyme Out for the second week in a row is a pleasure. We see lots of bands in the course of our season, but this band never fails to entertain in its relaxed, personable, friendly way. Fans flock to connect with them personally while their music charms and moves everyone who hears them.

Russell Moore

Steve Dilling

Wayne Benson

 Justen Haynes

Edgar Loudermilk

Erase the Miles

Audie Blaylock & Redline
 

Audie Blaylock's work has become increasingly engaging during the past couple of years while his current band stands out in its own right as well as highlighting Audie's voice and performance. Patrick McAvinue's fiddle playing is both screaming hot and precise.  Jesse Brock is one of the very best in the business, a dynamo on stage who never stops moving or pounding out the back beat.  Russ Carson, while only eighteen, is an accomplished banjo player who doubles at baritone int he trio. Mountain Heart's Jason Moore filled in on bass with his usual pushing yet melodic beat. Another fine performance from this excellent band.

 Audie Blaylock

Patrick McAvinue

Jesse Brock
 

 Jason Moore

Russ Carson

Audie Blaylock & Jessie Brock

Justen Haynes Watching Pat McAvinue

I like to keep an eye on what musicians come out to watch others. It worth watching this, because not all musicians spend much time listening to or according this kind of respect.

Mountain Heart

 

Mountain Heart has been a leader in bluegrass music for years. Always strong and sometimes controversial, the band evokes strong responses from its many fans and vocal critics. Josh Shilling showed he's become much more than competent on the guitar. This makes him a triple threat with his vocal versatility and sometimes use of the keyboards on stage. Seth Taylor, a guitar tyro, has made a significant addition to the band, while Jimmy VanCleve is magnetic on the fiddle.  Aaron Ramsey and Barry Abernathy round out the band with powerful instrumental and vocal performances.   

 Jim VanCleve

Barry Abernathy

Seth Taylor & Aaron Ramsey 

Seth Taylor

Josh Shilling & Jason Moore

Jim VanCleve

Cool air settled in as sun set. It was a wonderful day of music; a perfect opening day for what promises to be a sun-drenched weekend. More tomorrow.