Jamming at the McNabb - Crumley Compound
Wherever you wander at Dumplin Valley, there's music in the air. Organized jams are everywhere. Step under the tent to listen for a while, or bring your instrument and sit in for a while. Perhaps the most distinctive element of the bluegrass culture lies in the high number of fans who are musicians themselves. It helps form a bond where all that's known about a person is that they can sing a song, pick, or otherwise contribute to the mix. You may be standing next to a banker or a bum, but all you know is that the person picks. Regardless of whether the pickers come to the stage show sometimes or not at all, their contributions are real, recognized, and important. I try to find others to pick with who are my level or even a good bit better, but who welcome people into their jam. Last weekend, I tried to pick for at least a few minutes every day and found that playing with others helped me improve faster than I thought it would. I'm a convert.
Donna Ulissee & the Poor Mountain Boys
Donna Ulissee's warm, mellow voice highlights her own wonderful songs accompanied by stories about how the songs arose to produce a genuine and interesting performance. Recently she has presented here narratives with a very effective instrumental background building into the song itself even more effectively. We have watched Donna move from being a relatively uncertain performer who had toiled behind the scenes as a contract song writer and demo recording performer for many years, into smooth, polished performer who reaches out to audiences in ways that draw their appreciation. She's surrounded herself with a strong band, featuring the excellent harmony singing of her husband Rick Stanley as well as a corps of Nashville session musicians whose work is always crisp.
Donna Ulissee
Rick Stanley
John Martin
Tony King
Greg Davis
Bill Baldeck
The James King Band
The great James King has been ailing. His voice is not at the top of his game, and he tires easily. Nevertheless, his spirit is undimmed and he continues to thrive on performing the great material for which he is known, both the Stanley Brothers covers that brought him to prominence, and the story songs like Echo Mountain, The Bed By the Window, and Thirty Years of Farming that continue to bring tears to his eyes and those of his audience. At present, only Merle Johnson remains from the band he's toured with for the past few years, so a good deal of his effort is focused on teaching his band as he moves into the uncertain future. A national treasure.....
James King
C.J. Lewandowski
Merle Johnson
Eddie Lovelace
Dylan Scott
Emcee Freddy Smith Shows Up
with the WDVX Chicken
James King & Eddie Lovelace
In the Barn
Edrah and Paul Williams Stopped By for a Visit
Volume V
Glen Harrell has been in bluegrass for most of his life and toured with Marty Raybon and David Davis. This year his own band, Volume V, has received well-deserved nominations for Emerging Band of the Year and Recorded Gospel Event. Glen's singing and fiddle play are both very solid, and he has surrounded himself with a young, energetic, and creative band, recently joined by Colby Laney.
Glen Harrell
Patton Wages
Harry Black
Colby Laney
Chris Williamson
Promoters Joe & Mitzi Soward with Grandaughter Eliza
Balsam Range
This has been a breakout year for Balsam Range, nominated for IBMA awards in four categories: Entertainer of the Year, Vocal Group of the Year, Instrumental Group of the Year, as well as Buddy Melton's nomination for Male Vocalist of the year. They sing and play with power and conviction. They include many original songs and very carefully selected covers in their material which includes southern rock, Jim Croce, and Bill Monroe. Quite a range. The band has four lead singers, giving it a versatility rarely found. Their content is characterized by songs the require thought while demanding careful attention. The wall of sound they create, with the able assistance of sound man John Holder, is unequaled in bluegrass today. Their ensemble presentation features no stars, just a completely satisfying musical experience.
Buddy Melton
Darren Nicholson
Tim Surrett
Caleb Smith
Mark Pruitt
Buddy Melton
Wesley Soward Places Camera for Stop Action
Greg Davis Just Restin'
Promoters at Dumplin Valley
Rhonda Vincent & the Rage
Rhonda Vincent has appeared at all but two iterations of Dumplin Valley. With her capacity to draw fans, she's one of the important factors leading to the growth and success of this festival. As important as her voice is to bluegrass, one of the distinguishing characteristics of Rhonda Vincent is her dedication to her fans. No performer we're aware of attracts more people to her merch tables or stays longer meeting and greeting each one than Rhonda does. He ability to give her complete attention to the person she's talking with is a feature that makes her beloved to her fans, many of who travel good distances to see and hear her sing. By slotting true virtuoso, stars in their own right, to her band, she not only maintains one of the best ensemble bands in the business, but get to rest her voice enough to sing at top quality. Her skillful blending into her bluegrass performances of the country music she also loves is appreciated by most bluegrass fans.
Rhonda Vincent
Hunter Berry
Mickey Harris
Aaron McDaris
Josh Williams
Brent Davis
Rhonda
Aerial Photo of Dumplin Valley
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