Sunday, May 1, 2011

Merlefest 2011 - Saturday

Doc

Saturday at Merlefest was a great day for us. At Creekside and on the Watson stage the vibe was musical, melodic, lively, and fun.  The audience responded with enthusiasm rising to calling Lyle Lovett back for two encores.  The main stage was largely acoustic, the sound level considerably modulated, and the music sometimes reaching the level of being inspired.  Two special highlights for us were the Tribute to John Hartford show filled with a list of luminaries joining the reunited John Hartford String Band and, of course, Mando Mania.  In my final post tomorrow I'll feature commentary on the directions the festival seems to be heading and take a look at bands who we heard buzz about as we wandered about the campus.  Meanwhile, enjoy our view of Saturday.

The Traditional Tent for Doc

Kyle Spark & Tara Nevins (Donna the Buffalo)



Mando Mania
Tony Williamson

Tim O'Brien

Nick Keane
  
Jesse Brock
  
Sam Bush

Sarah Jarosz
  
Creekside Crowd


The Mando Mania Cast
In the Food Tent
 

The Kruger Brothers

Uwe Kruger
 
Jens Kruger & Joel Landsburg


The Snyder Family at Creekside

Samantha Snyder
  
Zeb Snyder

Owen Snyder

Pete Wernick's Flexigrass Jam 
Pete
  
Mike Cleveland

Jody Stecher


Jack Lawrence

Drew Emmitt

Bill Nershi

The Jam


Tribute to John Hartford

Bob Carlin


Alison Brown

Tim O'Brien

 Tut Taylor

Sam Bush, Chris Sharp, Alison Brown

Michael Cleveland & Flamekeeper
Mike Cleveland


Tom Adams
  
Lloyd Douglas

 Jesse Brock

Marshall Wilborn


Docabilly Set

Doc & Sam

Sam

Crooked Still at the Cabin Stage

The Sam Bush Band

Stephen Mougin

Scott Vestal

Chris Brown

Todd Parks

Light Rigger at Work

Lyle Lovett Band

Lyle Lovett
 
All in all it was a fine Merlefest day filled with the music and feeling tone regulars have come to anticipate and treasure.  Tomorrow...Sunday and festival appraisal.

9 comments:

  1. Quite a day, indeed! Thanks for the post, but the "Pete Wernick's Flexigrass Jam" is a new one on me! Looking forward to tomorrow's report.

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  2. I really enjoyed your photos of Merlefest 2011. My wife and I used to go every year, sometimes for all 4 days. We first went in '89, then every year through 2001.

    Merlefest is probably the premier acoustic music festival in the country. Over the years, we have hade the priviledge of seeing virtually every major bluegrass, country, and folk performer, as well as some lesser known but still great performers.

    We're planning to hit the Doyle Lawson festival in Denton, NC next weekend. Sierra Hull will be doing 2 shows, and we have become big fans of hers. We first saw her with Alison Krauss when the Great High Mountan tour played in Cary NC. Sierra was only 14 at that time.

    Again, thanks for the photos. They bring back great memories.

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  3. Bill - Please look me up at Doyle's. I look forward to meeting you.

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  4. I wish I had seen you there!!! Next time I need a media pass... :D

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  5. In the photos of Michael Cleveland and Flamekeeper, the banjo player's name is Lloyd Douglas. He is perhaps the best banjo and guitar player in Bluegrass music, but does not currently play full time. He has been a member of Jim & Jesse's Virginia Boys and most recently played with Davis Davis & the WRB. If I am not mistaken, he works for the railroad and lives in Alpena, MI. He was filling in for Charlie Cushman for the weekend. If you have the opportunity, get some of the recordings that the legendary Ray Davis has made in the past several years from the basement (Wango label) and you will hear some of the very best banjo and guitar playing that exists.

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  6. Shannon - Thanks for your correction and welcome to my editorial board. You've become a member of the valued group which keeps me honest. - Ted

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  7. Hey Ted, You do an amazing job at MerleFest and your enthusiasm is contagious. One more "minor" correction: the two Donna the Buffalo mates in your photo are bassist Kyle Spark (not Jeb) and Tara Nevins. I'm an unapologetic member of "the herd" and I knows me Donna. What a great festival, eh? Been going every year since 2002 with my college pal, Joey, and we agree each year this one was the best. It was true again. We love all the legends (Doc, Sam, Tony, Jerry etc...) and the special guests, particularly Lyle and Robert this year. And the Doobies were a hoot. we are children of the '70s and the Doobies were never on our "A" list because there was so much great music being made then. But they burned it up... Sonny Landreth was amazing, esp. his jam with Jerry... Keep on rockin' -- Paul

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  8. Thanks, pablo, and welcome to my editorial board....

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  9. I love your blog! May I have permission to post some of your photos on Pinterest? http://pinterest.com/inshutterbug/my-ass-is-grass/ Thank you for sharing your world with us!

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