It always seems like a long drive from New Hampshire to Lochbourne, OH for the MACC. We have to consider whether the expense, time, the often scorching heat, and (our) energy cost are worth it to us. Then we think about the friends we've made there, the cause, the music and pack the truck to prepare for one of the two most grueling weeks of our year.
Before the Show
Many of the volunteer staff members have already been at Hoover-Y Park for several days lining the camping fields, laying out the parking areas, directing the deliveries of porta-johns, erecting small tents, and undertaking all the small, often un-noticed tasks that putting on a large festival requires. Early-bird campers have been arriving since Sunday, putting up tents, settling in, jamming, and watching the small, soon to erupt community begin to form.
And then....it's show time!
Wednesday
Feller & Hill
Tom Feller & Chris Hill's band, a linear descendant of the Boys from Indiana is lively and varied, enjoyable. Beyond that, both men play crucial roles in the entire event. Tom can be seen running sound from a the tent covered sound board in the read of the performance area while Chris Hill is an accomplished emcee working with Daniel Mullins to keep the show moving forward and the audience engaged between bands.
Tom Feller
Chris Hill
Mark Poe
Stanley Efaw
Bobby Davis
The New Jumbo-Tron
Leroy Troy & the Tennesse Mafia Jug Band
The Tennessee Mafie Jug Band hearkens back to the pre-bluegrass days of string band music, while Leroy Troy has resurrected many of the songs and routines of Uncle Dave Macon, a pioneer old-time banjo player. The band is filled with humor and tomfoolery, the kind of band that provides much needed change-of-pace humor and entertainment at a bluegrass festival.
Leroy Troy
Mike Armistead
Ernie Bevans
Aaron Till
Leroy Troy
David Parmley & Cardinal Tradition
David Parmley has returned to touring with a solid band of former members of the Bluegrass Cardinals, reprising much of the material from the band he grew up in under his father, who sadly passed away last week. This is a good band, especially for those with a strong nostalgia for the 1980's and 1990's. My apologies to Doug Barlett, who plays mandolin in this band, for not being able to get a usable photo.
David Parmley
Steve Day & Dale Perry
Dale Perry
Ron Spears
The Vocal Trio
Shade is Where You Find It
...Or Make It
Marty Raybon & Full Circle
Filled with soul and sincerity, Marty Raybon has had successful careers in both bluegrass and country music. Last year we enjoyed seeing him with his country band, Shenandoah. This year he returned with his bluegrass band. Each is distinctive in its genre and represents well its own unique content and excitement. Marty's one of the best.
Marty Raybon
Chris Davis
Luke Mundy
?
Tom Feller at the Sound Board
Russell Moore & IIIrd Tyme Out
Russell Moore & IIIrd Tyme Out are on their twenty-fifth anniversary tour reflecting on the vast quantity of hit songs in their very deep catalog. From their first recording, where "End the Miles" made its debut to their Cracker Barrel album and beyond, this has been as solid and enjoyable a band as can be found in bluegrass. Some might comment that they veer to close to pop or country music, but this is a bluegrass band that incorporates diverse elements into what's clearly in the pocket of bluegrass as a genre that synthesizes other music and makes it its own. Russell Moore's fine voice remains strong and resonant, while the band members each contribute their own style and insight. Wayne Benson on mandolin remains one of the most creative innovators while staying loyal to Mr. Monroe, where it all started. One of the great bluegrass bands of all time.
Russell Moore
Wayne Benson
Justen Haynes
Keith McKinnon
Jerry Cole
Darrel Adkins with Jacob Burleson & Caleb Cox
The Grascals
The Grascals have returned to the top of their game, perhaps they're actually better than ever. The addition of John Bryan has reinvigorated the entire band. Watching the ongoing conversation between Kristin Benson and Terry Eldredge on the right side or Adam Haynes and Danny Roberts on the left shows the pure joy all four are currently getting from playing together. Meanwhile, the trio of Terry Smith, John Bryan and Terry Eldredge is more powerful and convincing than ever. Even songs they've been playing and singing for years have taken on new interpretations and found new ways of expressing themselves. Danny Roberts has stepped up as band spokesman, doing an excellent job.
Danny Roberts
John Bryan
Terry Smith
Adam Haynes
Kristin Scott Benson
Terry Eldredge
Jaelee Roberts
Daryle Singletary
Country singer Daryle Singletary brought his baritone voice, pleasant demeanor, and love of classic country music back to the MACC for the third year. His first visit here was a solo appearance that was very well received. Last year he came with a full country band, asking Charli Robertson to join him for a song. This year, he, with Charli, offered a full-throated tribute to the late Merle Haggard. The set was very well-received and suggests the continued inclusion of country music as a part of the MACC's commitment to traditional music.
Charli Robertson
The Band
Daryle Singletary
Proud Dad - Dalton Robertson
Darrel Adkins
Blue Highway
Storied North Carolina band Blue Highway closed out Wednesday with a superb set. With Caleb Cox, whose regular gig is with Nothin' Fancy, standing in for the recovering Wayne Taylor on bass, and his friend Gaven Largent at Dobro, where he has almost seamlessly replaced Rob Ickes, the band was strong and energetic. A terrific closing band for opening night at the MACC.
Thursday
Hammertowne
Perhaps readers will notice that the photos of Hammertowne contain shots from nighttime and the next morning. Darrel Adkins saw this fine, traditional band at Rudy Fest a couple of weeks ago, and asked them if they'd like to play at the MACC. He introduced them by having them play three songs before Blue Highway came out, and then added a set to Thursday morning. Hammertown is a hard-driving traditional bluegrass band from eastern Kentucky that has begun spreading its wings during the last year or so. David Carroll on rhythm guitar already has quite a reputation as a song writer. If your local promoter is looking for some new faces, Hammertowne would strengthen the middle of any lineup. Ask your local promoter to give them a listen.
Dave Carroll
Chaston Carroll
Bryan Russell
Scott Tackett
Brent Pack
The Baker Family
The Baker Family is a Missouri-based family band which has gained a certain amount of attention in the past few years. Fourteen year old Carina is quite a singer and has a good chop on the mandolin. Her older brother, Trustin, is on the way to becoming a very solid fiddler. Younger brother Elijah, on the bass, has calmed down on his instrument, which he plays with enthusiasm. Mom, Carrie, overseas this solid band.
Carrie Baker
Trustin Baker
Elijah Baker
Carina Baker
Charli & Dalton Robertson
Videogropher for the Jumbo-Tron
Kenny & Amanda Smith
Kenny and Amanda Smith continue to deliver strong melody, virtuoso guitar playing, and thoughtfully chosen songs. Who could ask for anything more?
Kenny Smith
Kyle Perkins
Jacob Burleson
Justin Jenkins
Irene at Work in Her Spare Time
Michael Cleveland & Flamekeeper
Mike Cleveland brings huge enthusiasm to great skill when he picks up a fiddle. He's won the IBMA Fiddle Player of the Year award a record ten times. However, two members of his band are often underestimated. Nathan Livers, on mandolin is fast, accurate, and dynamic. His duet with Mike on Jerusalem Ridge is a treasure. Joshua Richards, on lead vocals and guitar adds plenty to the mix. While this is, fittingly, a banjo-centric band, it's indeed a very good one, too.
Michael Cleveland
Nathan Livers
Joshua Richards
Tyler Griffith
Cody Looper
Staying Cool
Steve Dilling & Sideline
Steve Dillig
Brad Hudson
Skip Cherryholmes
Brian Aldridge
Nathan Aldridge
Jason Moore
Brad Hudson & Steve Dilling
Kathy & Terry Owens
Take a Brief Break from their Volunteer Chores
Spacious Shade Tent
Junior Sisk & Ramblers Choice
Nominated for IBMA Male Vocalist of the Year in 2016, Junior Sisk has the perfect voice for delivering his unique brand of traditional bluegrass. His reverence for Ralph Stanley and the neo-traditional Johnson Mountain Boys places his music within two realms of traditional music. His own writing, along with that of his father, and his cousin Tim Massey, and careful selection of songs contemporary, but old sounding songs works well.
Junior Sisk
Kameron Keller
Jason Davis
Jonathan Dillon & Jamie Harper
Junior & Jason
Darrel Adkins
Taking a Moment to Relax
The Merrill-Lynch Hospitality Tent
Agent Andrea Roberts & Emcee Daniel Mullins
Tim O'Brien & Friends
Tim O'Brien has become an iconic, high impact performer in bluegrass, folk, country and Americana music in a career spanning over forty years. He's a multiple award winner (Grammy, IBMA, West Virginia Music Hall of Fame), his relaxed style, witty song writing, and warm personality take over any stage he appears on, whether as a solo or with a band. Finding him at a bluegrass festival is a rare treat. The "Friends" in this band constitute a dream team of musicians to support any performer. Steve Martin Prize winner Noam Pikelny, three time IBMA Guitarist of the Year David Grier, five time IBMA bass player of the year and go-to recording and on-call bass player Mike Bub, Shad Cobb on Fiddle and newcomer, singer Jan Fabricious combined to present a truly delightful set of, mostly, new music.
Noam Pikelny
Mike Bub
David Grier
Shad Cobb
Jan Fabricious
Tim O'Brien & Noam Pikelny
The Artist's and Staff Mess Tent
Larry Sparks & the Lonesome Ramblers
Hall of Famer Larry Sparks closed out Thursday night with a set full of his songs, which have become bluegrass standards over his more than fifty year career. Beginning with time spent with the Stanley Brothers, Sparks has established a record for fine singing and strong guitar playing in his own band. He can still bring it!
Daniel Patrick & Larry D. Sparks
Kyle Ramey
Jeff Clair
Larry Sparks
Come back for Friday and Saturday in a few days.
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