Jenny Brook - Thursday

Despite persistent rain and overcast weather and a discouraging forecast for the weekend, a line had formed from the gate to the road waiting to get in when the gates opened at 9:00 AM on Wednesday.  Through the day people built their bluegrass community on the grounds of the Tunbridge Wolrd's Fair Grounds in Tunbridge, VT, so that by noon Thursday it often seemed like all the places were taken, but the able parking crew kept finding spots where no one had gone before.  A strong lineup, a week later date, and the absence of competition with another festival all contributed to the biggest crowd ever seen at Jenny Brook on Thursday.  At noon on Thursday, the audience began to assemble for the annual ritual of opening the festival with Mathew Sawyer singing the National Anthem and a set by the Sawyer Brothers Band.

The Sawyer Brothers Band

Mathew sing the National Anthem

 

Adam Sawyer

The Sawyer Brothers Band

Goat - He's Given for His Country

#1 Bluegrass Fan - Alice Waters

The Fraker Crew Struggles

...and Triumphs

Beartracks

This tuneful eclectic band blends bluegrass, country, some Nashville pop, and original material into a delightful show. Tom Venne and his sister Julie Hogan do the dancing, while Dobro master Junior Barber provides the underpinnings for their strong vocal and instrumental work.  

Tom Venne

Julie Hogan

Junior Barber

Candi Sawyer and Dave Shaw 

with

Dave's Jenny Brook Raffle Guitar

Bear Minimum

Dave Orlomoski and Dave Shaw bring years of playing together in a variety of bands here in New England together with near encyclopedic knowledge of country and bluegrass music. Their understated performances run the gamut of old favorites and lost songs that deserve to be heard.

Dave Orlomoski

  
Dave Shaw

Brenda Mathews & Friends

Brenda, who is Candi Sawyer's Mom, is a fixture at Jenny Brook on Thursday, playing with her son-in-law Seth Sawyer and this group of local regulars.

Brenda Mathews

Steve Henig

 Dave Gibson

Seth Sawyer

  

Gary Hutchens

  

Rob Ravlin

Alice

 Bringing Rhona In

Rhonda Vincent & Candi Sawyer

Rhonda Vincent & The Rage

Rhonda Vincent continues to be one of the vibrant entertainers on the bluegrass circuit. Her band ably supports her fine singing while her mandolin playing has made substantial improvements beyond its already good quality in the last year or so.  Her show is sufficiently varied that fans can return time after time knowing they'll see new material wrapped in a familiar package.  At this performance, Rhonda added the raffle of a cast iron skillet to make Martha White corn bread in.  The manner of her presentation was fun, interesting, and different. Go see her yourself to join the fun. 

Rhonda Vincent

 

Hunter Berry

Aaron McDaris

Mickey Harris

Ben Helsen

Ellie Wins the Skillet

Michell Canning Watching Her Friend Rhonds

The Grascals

The Grascals finished Thursday evening with the kind of energy their fans have come to expect. A great one-two punch to combine with Rhonda Vincent, the bands have contrasting styles and musical emphases while providing music and a show worth anyone's appreciation.  

Jamie Johnson

Terry Smith

Terry Eldredge

Danny Roberts

Jeremy Abshire

Kristin Scott Benson

The weather may have been damp, but the air was warm with appreciation for a fine day of music and time together listening to it and making it.  Jamming continued long into the night, but we were tired and headed for bed.  More tomorrow.