History will show that Thursday at the Gettysburg Bluegrass Festival will have been the nice day in terms of weather. A day of sunshine, warmth and good music opened with the Performance of Pete Wernick's Jam Camp where thirty-some campers came to camp on Tuesday, each one convinced he or she was the "worst" player there. By show time on Thursday the group had become a cohesive bunch, enjoying each other's company and making more than acceptable music together. Pete has spent the last several years bringing his ideas about spreading jamming to the world and has now begun certifying Wernick Method jam teachers around the country who are spreading his approach to people who want to play with others.
Jam Campers on Stage
Photo by Darin Aldridge
Link to Jam Campers Album
Nothin' Fancy
Nothin' Fancy has been a successful band for some years. Their unique combination of amusing songs, stage hi-jinks, strong singing, and good instrumental work make the a pleasure for their large fan base. They are an excellent band to show people new to bluegrass the joys of the music while bringing an often needed touch of humor to stages which are often all too serious.
Mike Andes
Chris Sexton
Mitchell Davis
Gary Faris
Tony Shorter with Mike Andes
Darin & Brooke Aldridge
The Darin & Brooke Aldridge Band continues to become tighter and to broaden their repertoire. With a new CD coming out in July, this festival season will see them reaching out to new audiences, solidifying the ones they've already captured, and continuing to grow as a band.
Darin & Brooke
Chris Bryant
Rachel Johnson
Dwayne Anderson
Darin Aldridge
Brooke Aldridge
Brooke & Rachel
Jose' Pratts - Steve Dilling's Foster Brother
IIIrd Tyme Out
IIIrd Tyme Out has established itself as one of the most personally attractive and musically interesting bands touring today. Their obvious ease and enjoyment of each other communicates itself, coming across to audiences who interact with them throughout their show. Russell Moore, having won his third IBMA Male Vocalist of the Year spread over an eighteen year period, has no peer for both quality and longevity. Steve Dilling, as band spokesman is simply the best in the business. There are no holes in this fine band.
Russell Moore
Steve Dilling
Wayne Benson
Justin Haynes
Edgar Loudermilk
Steve & Jose'
Jam Campers on the Hill
The Larry Stephenson Band
This veteran band continues to tour featuring first rate traditional Monroe style mandolin and the pellucid tenor voice of leader Larry Stephenson. Legendary banjo great Kenny Ingram continues to bring his great solo work and deep band experience with him. Kevin Richardson on guitar is a fine flat picker with a strong voice. New addition Danny Stewart, Jr. on bass has solidified his work since we first saw him with the band in February and is a genuine strong addition. Enjoy this fine band when you see them.
Larry Stephenson
Kenny Ingram
Kevin Richardson
Can Others See?
Mountain Heart
Mountain Heart continues to transmogrify itself from a somewhat progressive bluegrass band into a group reaching out to younger and more rock/blues oriented audience. These top-notch musicians can and do excite their audiences with a broad range of bluegrass and bluegrass influenced music. Josh Shilling, on vocals and keyboard, is always excellent while extending the sound of the band. While Mountain Heart is not everyone's cup of tea, their performances are exciting and entertaining.
Barry Abernathy
Jim VanCleve
Jason Moore
Josh Shilling
Aaron Ramsey
Jake Stargell
Abernathy & Ramsey
Dancing to Mountain Heart
Dancing to Mountain Heart
Pete & Joan Wernick
It was a very high quality opening day at Gettysburg. It will be followed by rain and mist, but the music will remain great and the crowd enthusiasm high.
Bill O'Reilly called and he would like his word back from the Mountain Heart review.
ReplyDeleteTransmogrify: To change into a different shape or form, especially one that is fantastic or bizarre.
It is a great choice though! If it makes it in a song lyric that would really be something.
I doubt O'Reilly knows pellucid.
ReplyDeletePellucid:Clear, Lucent, Crystal Clear, Transparent.
While Larry Stephenson has always had a clear, easily understood voice, I must admit that I haven't heard it called "pellucid" before. I hope he doesn't get mad ;-)
ReplyDeleteI see Kenny Ingram is playing Sonny's Vega 2. That's a great piece of history, and I'm glad he is doing that (and with Sonny's blessing).
Jim - I'm pretty sure it's a Recording King, which he endorses.
ReplyDeleteNice to see a certain photographing blogger front & center on stage with the Wernick jammers. Where's Irene?
ReplyDeleteAs usual, she's inconspicuously hiding in the back doing the heavy lifting.
ReplyDeleteI am enjoying this blog and all the pictures of so many musicians. It is so heartening to see so many young people in Bluegrass and carrying on all its traditions. The purest music there is...
ReplyDeleteOh, mercy, I sure hope those 3 dour looking women are not representative of the typical Gibson Brothers fans! ~ BV
ReplyDeleteTed, since you are "pretty sure" Kenny is playing a Recording King, would you care to have a friendly wager? You might want to take a look at the Kenny photos in my FB "Music" album before you make a decision.
ReplyDeleteJim - My error, although Kenny does endorse Recording King....
ReplyDelete