Jenny Brook Bluegrass Festival - June 22 - 25. 2017 - Preview

The Jenny Brook Bluegrass Festival is one of the most popular and respected bluegrass festivals now held in New England. People travel from huge distances to attend and enjoy the music offered there, the site at the Tunbridge World's Fairgrounds in Tunbridge, VT, and the lovely rolling hills of eastern Vermont. The festival will run from June 22 - 25, 2017 with an opening pot-luck supper and barn dance on Wednesday, the 21st. Because of my lateness at getting it out, it's an abbreviated overview. I hope it's helpful. 

Thursday

Aaron Foster & Dreamcatcher

We've watched Aaron Foster (Frosty) grow up at Jenny Brook from an awkward very young teenager who was just learning to play the banjo on his Deering Goodtime into a mature adult who has capably led the Jenny Brook Kids Academy and nearly completed his education at East Tennessee State University while building his own band and developing a reputation as both talented and reliable. It's exciting for us, and the entire Jenny Brook community to see him appear as the leader of his band DreamCatcher on the main stage as well as to lead a session at the Sugar House stage. Way to go.....

David Davis & the Warrior River Boys

David Davis, from Alabama, is one of the foremost Monroe style mandolin players in bluegrass. We haven't seen him in too many years, and are most happy to see him return to Jenny Brook. 

Rickey Wasson Band

Rickey Wasson spent many years as lead singer and spokesman for J.D. Crowe & the New South.  His baritone voice has always been exceptional. Appearing with this band, affectionately called the Wasscars by Randy Graham will be Graham on mandolin, Josh Hymer on banjo, Ron Stewart on fiddle, and Harold Nixon on bass. Sounds like a good time will be had by all.

Friday

Zink & Co

Cory Zink & Co has developed a solid fan base at Jenny Brook over the years. His mix of classic country and bluegrass is enjoyable, as is his solid baritone voice. 

Sideline

Sideline is one of the hottest new bands on the bluegrass circuit. Beginning as what their name implies, they've continually strengthened the band, adding new young guns to their very experienced core. This band will be a highlight of the festival for those liking traditional bluegrass served up with high energy and huge enthusiasm. 

Dale Ann Bradley

Dale Ann Bradley, a five time winner of the IBMA Female Vocalist, is one of the finest bluegrass singers ever. Her clear, warm voice combined with her deep, heartfelt sincerity welcome listeners into the world of her upbringing and her imagination. One of the best. 

Carl Shifflett & Big Country

Carl Shifflett, with his hound dog face, loud tie, and fifties era microphone brings to life the radio shows of the 1940's and 50's when hard working bluegrass bands traveled from one local low power radio station to another to broadcast fifteen minute or half hour live shows to the audiences within a twenty mile radius. His shows illuminate the world of traditional bluegrass. 

Ricky Skaggs (one long set)

Ricky Skaggs, as a performer in both country and bluegrass music as well as a music publisher, has become a living musical legend. He has been responsible for helping maintain the popularity of the music of Bill Monroe and the Stanley Brothers standing beside his award winning country songs like Highway Forty Blues. He has put together one of the best large bluegrass bands seen anywhere, bringing Nashville to life at even smaller festivals like Jenny Brook. This will be his debut experience here. 

Sugar House – Rickey Wasson

Saturday

Kelly John Gibson

Kelly John Gibson has earned the opening slot on Saturday morning through his appearances on the gazebo stage. He's following in his Dad's footsteps as a song writer of sensitivity and talent while establishing himself as a musician to watch. 

Mile Twelve

Mile Twelve has added a mandolin player to its lineup, filling a much needed spot. They're a Boston-based band with rich harmonies, fine song writing, and the first class musicianship you'd expect with their Berkley-bred musical heritage. They're always tuneful and fun. 

Seth Sawyer Band

The Sawyers are the promoters of the Jenny Brook Bluegrass Festival and the Seth Sawyer Band the host band. Seth is well known as a songwriter. His song Green Mountain Girl stands as the unofficial theme song of the festival.

Candi Sawyer

Special Consensus

Greg Cahill

Special Consensus has been a busy, popular bluegrass band for over forty years, and leader Greg Cahill also served a couple of terms as President of the Board of IBMA. In addition to their continual popularity as a touring and recording band, Greg has been active in efforts to bring bluegrass to the schools across the nation. The band is also quite frequently seen in Europe. It's a delight to see them coming to Jenny Brook. 

David Parmley

David Parmley has returned to active performing, to the delight of his many fans. A long-time member of his father's famous California band The Bluegrass Cardinals, Parmley also toured as David Parmley and Continental Divide. He now returns as David Parmley & the Cardinal Tradition, reprising many of the bands songs while adding newer material. Make him welcome. 

Gibson Brothers

The Gibson Brothers' latest release, In the Ground stands among the best of their work, ever. With all the songs written by the two brothers from northern New York, the album tells their life story in fresh new songs, all of which they wrote. Always popular at Jenny Brook, the Gibson Brothers have hardly missed a year there since the festival's beginning. 

Sugar House – Sideline

Michelle Canning

Like Aaron Foster, Michelle Canning grew up at Jenny Brook. Now a graduate of Moorehead State University in Kentucky, where she majored in bluegrass music, she fronts her own band and serves as a substitute MC at some regional festivals. 

Katahdin Valley Boys

The Katahdin Valley Boys, based in Maine, play traditional bluegrass at festivals and other events in the region.

Jenny Brook Kid's Academy

The Jenny Brook Kids Academy has been rebuilt by Aaron Foster over the last four years, becoming a musical force to be reckoned with on Sunday. Through two days of enjoyable practice and learning about bluegrass music, the kids academy puts together a show while enjoying themselves and learning to play bluegrass. You can sign your young musician up here. 

Marteka & William

Marteka & William Lake are a duo that's played a good deal in the middle Atlantic states and had some television exposure. They are making their debut at Jenny Brook. 

BigApple'achia

New York-based Big Apple'achia will close out the festival with a set of high lonesome traditional bluegrass. Many of the performers are familiar to Jenny Brook fans in other conformations, and their show should be worth staying till the end to enjoy. 

Jenny Brook Bluegrass Festival is unusual in its complexity and comprehensiveness. Because of our travel schedule over the past month, I've fallen behind, not getting this preview up until too close to the event. Therefore, I've decided to highlight the other elements of the festival with links to where you can find further information in the Jenny Brook Bluegrass Festival web site. I hope this works for you.

Although Jenny Brook is a four day festival, a tradition has evolved that includes a pot luck supper and country music barn dance featuring the Clem Hawkins Revival Band. This is always fun and tasty. Here's the link.

The Artists Stage, located behind the main stage and up a small hill, is used for artist workshops and interviews. Interested people can often learn more about their instruments and the people who play them by attending these events.

The Weston Stage, formerly known as the gazebo stage, offers performances by some of the regional and national touring bands also appearing on the main stage at other times. Also, look for a highlighted dramatic performance called the Life and Times of Carter Stanley being offered on Friday afternoon.

The Sugar House Stage allows interested musicians the chance to play with some of the top bands at the festival in an after hours jam setting. This has become a highlight of the festival for many people.

The Jenny Brook University, offers instrument instruction in small groups for interested novice musicians taught by well known New England musicians. Often, private lessons can be arranged with members of the staff at other opportunities. The University is available at a number of New England festivals. Scheduling and other information is available at the link.

The Kids Fun Zone offers a number of activities in the daytime and evening for children to enjoy wholesome entertainment together while freeing their parents for a few hours of listening to music, jamming, or resting.

You can find Ticketing Information Here and Camping Information Here.

The Jenny Brook Web Site also contains a Frequently Asked Questions section, Rules & Etiquette and much more. I urge you to spend some time there to make yourself thoroughly aware of how this festival works.

How to Get to the Jenny Brook Location 

at

The Tunbridge World's Fair Grounds

Place Your Location in the Space Marked O and Click

Jenny Brook Bluegrass Festival 2016 - Satuday & Sunday: Review

Drone View of Jenny Brooke at Tunbridge

Video by Gordon J. Eglantine

Watch the beautiful drone composite produced by Gordy Eglantine, a friend of Adam Sawyer's, of the entire Tunbridge World's Fair Grounds as they looked on Saturday afternoon. Lots of cars in overflow parking, the new camping area opened across the river on the left side of the screen, the crowd assembled at the main stage, and more. Thanks so much to Gordy for taking this video and allowing me to share it with you.

Saturday

Saturday's lineup promised to deliver the strongest national bands yet seen together on the Jenny Brook stage. Day trippers started arriving early in the morning, the sky stayed clear all day, the temperature was high, especially for New England, but not stifling. Since both Nothin' Fancy and David Parmley & Cardinal Tradition were covered in the previous blog entry, suffice it to say, each band played two fine sets on Saturday. Here's the show:

Mile Twelve

Mile Twelve, a Boston-based band, opened Saturday morning with a wonderful set of classic bluegrass and contemporary songs written by the band. Their instrumental and vocal work was sprightly, and highly infectious. They fully captured the too small audience, occaisioned by their early performance, single set, and not (yet) well-known name. Evan Murphy, who comes to bluegrass from a folk music background, sings and plays well in addition to acting as emcee for the band. BB Bowness on banjo might seem like an unlikely addition, as she hails from New Zealand. You only need to hear her chops once to know that the banjo is, indeed a world-wide instrument. Bassman Nate Sabat, has a background in choral music adding a fine singing voice and lively personality. Bronwyn Keith-Hynes' background is solidly grounded in old-time and bluegrass fiddle. Well known as a fiddler with major bands in New England, she delivers tasteful fiddling and a fine harmony vocal.  This band has worked hard, done their homework, played at some major festivals, and been noticed by big media. Now it only needs to continue to build a large and loyal audience. Don't miss this band when you get a chance to see them, and ask your favorite promoter to book them.

Evan Murphy

BB Bowness

 Bronwyn Keith-Hynes

Nate Sabat

Coffee Vendor

Kelley Gibson & Friend

The Gibson Brothers

The Gibson Brothers have paid their dues and earned their way into this evening featuring three of the finest bluegrass bands touring today. With two Bluegrass Hall of Fame band leaders bookending their evening show, the two brothers from rural upstate New York proved again they belong in the elite of today's touring bands. Supported by, perhaps, the strongest side musicians available anywhere, their catalog is long and familiar. At Jenny Brook, where they have performed in every year but one and headlined for a dozen years, the audience sang along, called for old favorites from most of the recordings, and cheered lustily. 

Leigh Gibson

Eric Gibson

Mike Barber

Clayton Campbell

Walkin' West to Memphis

Andrea & Denise

A Few Guests for Supper

Photo by Jim Warren

Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver

Doyle Lawson, resplendent in his finely filigreed Nudie-style suit coat, is a member of the Bluegrass Hall of Fame. He's been prominent in bluegrass for over fifty years. Since founding Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver in 1979, after stints with Jimmy Martin, the Country Gentlemen, and J.D. Crowe & the New South, the band has established a reputation for fast-paced, meticulously produced, showmanship and first rate recordings, garnering awards and recognition world wide. Along the way, alumni of Doyle's band have left to establish fine records as band leaders and side musicians on their own. He's noted for his performances of gospel music carefully mixed with secular pieces and country wit. The whole creates a crowd-pleasing performance. The current band has  been stable for several years and achieves a level of cohesion growing from both Lawson's discipline and their own musicianship.

Doyle Lawson

Josh Swift

Joe Dean

Dustin Pyrtle

Steven Burwell

Kids Activities

Structured kids activities are provided during daylight hours for young children under close supervision. An appropriate film is shown each evening int he Dodge building. Here's an example:

How to Become a Super Hero: Practice

 Fifty/Fifty & Raffle

50/50 drawings and raffles of items donated to the festival help keep ticket prices as low as possible. This year, thanks to the hard work and puckish sense of humor of 50/50 girls Pat & Julie, payouts on Friday and Saturday exceeded $900 and $1500 respectively, while the girls changed costumes four times a day.

Pat

Pat & Julie

Ring the Bell

Blueridge Guitar Raffle Winner

The Del McCoury Band

Nine time IBMA Entertainer of the Year, The Del McCoury Band has four members, each of whom has been recognized by the profession as the top of his specialty. Del has been Male Vocalist of the Year four times, Ronnie McCoury has been named Mandolin Player of the Year eight times, Jason Carter on the fiddle five times, and banjoist Rob McCoury once. Del, at age 77, Del seems to be having as much fun as ever. The band plays for fifteen or twenty minutes of planned material, then Del asks for the audience to request songs. He "hears" requests coming from the audience, and then plays what he wants to play anyway, playing with the audience. He has won two Grammy Awards and is a member of the Bluegrass Hall of Fame.Beyond all the acclaim and awards, beyond the recognition and recording history, above all - Del McCoury is simply a great entertainer! He continues to display the effortless high lonesome sound he had when he was with Bill Monroe as a Blue Grass Boy, while constantly expanding his repertoire and performing with groups you might think are outside his reach.

Rob & Ronnie McCoury

Ronnie McCoury

Rob McCoury

Jason Carter

Alan Bartram

Del McCoury

Sunday

Sundays at bluegrass festivals are days of leave taking, days of heading home, days of re-entering a world left behind for a few days of fantasy while living in a different, and for most, more preferable world. In our years of attending festivals, only one, Merlefest, proved itself to be successful in holding, even consistently building a Sunday audience. By bringing in mega-attractions like Alison Krauss, the Avett Brothers, or Robert Plant and the Band of Joy, Merlefest filled the audience to the very rear. Jenny Brook, like most four day festivals we attend, is a day of attrition, as most people pack up and leave, while some stay for the gospel sing or the Kids Academy, and a diehard few remain into the afternoon. Nevertheless, for those who stay, Sunday at Jenny Brook can provide a delightful day, fading into a pleasant afternoon while people can pack slowly, hear and make some music, before heading home sometime in the mid-afternoon. 

Bluegrass Sing & Jam

Mike & Mary Robinson

Uncle Pen Attends Many Bluegrass Festivals

The Feinberg Brothers

The Feinberg Brothers from Long Island, NY sing old songs and new songs that sound old. They seem to be developing a market in small traditional festivals and events in a circle extending out from their home base. They work hard to entertain. Their task was made difficult by their place in the lineup.

Rourke Feinberg

Patrick Feinberg

Ronnie Feinberg

Terry McGill

Pete Elegant

The Jenny Brook Kids Academy

Aaron Foster, now finishing his senior year at East Tennessee State University, with a new CD coming out, and a band available to perform, assumed reins of the Kids Academy five years ago and has rebuilt it to the point where they now overflow the stage. The Kids sang and played well. It's interesting to watch the kids begin as small and scared, then develop confidence and skills through the years. Just like Aaron did.

The link below will take you to a Google Album with pictures of all the kids in the Academy. Help yourself to them, tag them, and enjoy!

https://plus.google.com/photos/114001605648891656421/albums/6302146869596879393?authkey=CImLp4Pa8N2P9gE

Aaron Foster

Amy Gallatin & Stillwaters

Amy Gallatin & Stillwaters is a versatile, musically interesting, and able band deserving better than closing festivals on Sunday afternoon. Gallatin is a widely experienced musician who's performed in Montana, where she worked the dude ranch circuit, and for many years in and around New England. For many years, she and her band have made semi-annual tours to the British isles and Europe. Her partner, Dobro player Roger Williams is widely admired and has played and recorded with the best. His son, J.D., on mandolin, is a recent graduate of Berklee College of Music. Erik Levenson is also well-known in New England bluegrass circles. Both their shows were musically satisfying and thoroughly professional, as they gave their best to way too few people.

Amy Gallatin

Roger Williams

J.D. Williams

Eric Levenson

The Trio

Roger, Amy, & J.D.

Roger Williams & Amy Gallatin

And do it comes to a close, but, as we leave the three potent symbols that became increasingly obvious to me as the weekend progressed, remain...waiting for all of us to return next year.