Monday, March 4, 2013

Roscoe Canaday Memorial BGF at Waldo - 2013



I'm told that Dixieland Music/RV Park in Waldo, FL was once a pretty dreary place. New owners Greg and Michelle Griffis have turned it into a delightful place thoughtfully landscaped and well designed for a short stop, a longer term stay, or a music festival. They've teamed with Ernie and Debi Evans to increase the number and quality of bluegrass festivals held there. The March festival has been renamed after Roscoe Canaday, local picker and singer. The festival week ran from Sunday to Sunday with activities held on each day building to the weekend with good bands, both national and local as well as a few surprises.  Sadly, this festival seems to be snakebit by the weather, with the chill air affecting day attendance. The heaters helped keep temps within the enclosed pavilion bearable, and Greg tells me that two new heaters have been added, insuring that next year's event will be warm despite the weather. 

Jamming




 Martin Guitar Certified Repair - Bill Anderson
Guitar Maintenance Workshop



Traffic Jam - Not Music Related

Friday
Jackie Hill & Blue Shades of Grass

Jackie Hill & Blue Shades of Grass is a local trio that makes a larger sound than you might expect. They're tuneful and lively.

Jackie Hill
 


Tommy Davis

 Lacey Murray


Jo Odom - Emcee

Orange & Bluegrass

 Orange & Bluegrass is a group of students from The University of Florida, less than twenty miles down the road from Waldo, who have banded together to form a bluegrass club. This was their first ever performance and they acquitted themselves well. They are more important for what they represent than what they have so far achieved. These are mostly kids who've been brought up in bluegrass families in Florida, chosen to attend State University, and are taking challenging majors leading to professional jobs. They've also chosen, given the broad choices a state university setting offers, to continue making bluegrass music together, spreading the word to fellow students while taking their fun and enthusiasm for bluegrass music on the road with them. They have selected tough, contemporary music as well as bluegrass standards to play.I Look for more from them in the future.

Amanda Anderson

Katie Rogers

Lee Townsend
 

Andy Garfield


Kaylee Dees

Tyler Swanson

The Roys

 I was worried about how the loss of guitarist Harry Clark might affect the sound of the Roys, who've decided not to replace him and improved the group. The smaller, tighter sound and look they've achieved has resulted in a more cohesive and bluegrassy performance. The Roys have become increasingly entertaining and more musical over the past few months with more to come.

Elaine Roy
 

Lee Roy

Matt Downing

Clint White

Royal Massat

Royal Massat & Lee Roy

Elaine & Lee Roy

Russell Moore & IIIrd Tyme Out


Third Tyme Out is one of the most able and reliable bands touring bluegrass today. For twenty years they've had their ups and downs, but for the past several years they've been on an upward trajectory headed by the singing of Russell Moore as well as the depth and mastery of his role by each of the other men in the band. Even with Russell unable to sing recently because of laryngitis, they continue to entertain effectively. Bassman Edgar Loudermilk has taken on a greater role in lead singing with Dustin Pyrtle filling in on lead and harmony. Pyrtle will soon be joining Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver.  Mandolinist Wayne Benson, with a new CD just out joining with Alan Bibey for a virtuoso double mandolin project, seemed more animated from the stage, doing his part, too, to fill in.  Steve Dilling continues to be one of the most engaging band emcees in the business, funny without needing to resort to silly jokes. His band introductions are priceless. Justen Haynes on fiddle is just plain good.

Russell Moore


Edgar Loudermilk

Steve Dilling

Justen Haynes


Dustin Pyrtle

Russell Moore & Wayne Benson

Russell Moore & Nonie Hale

Saturday
 Rosalie Canaday

 Danny Stewart - Mandolin Workshop


Swinging Bridge

 Swinging Bridge, from Southwest Florida, put on a lively show with energy and good humor. Working effectively with single mic, their movement added life and their selection of covers was effective, especially when featuring JR Davis' solo singing.

JR Davis

Lonnie Meeker

Bobby Martin

Chris Bryson

Alan Colpits



Sound Provided by Jim & Carolyn Dunn




Ernie Evans & the Florida State Bluegrass Band

Promoters Ernie and Deb Evans were busy throughout the entire week, but found time for a brief performance on Saturday evening to play a few tunes and showcase a few musicians. Evans is an important voice in bluegrass not only through his work to strengthen this festival, but for his promotion of the music, individual musicians, and developing bands through his work on the radio and with the International Bluegrass Music Museum in Owensboro, KY.  He has an active imagination and plenty of energy, not allowing setbacks to set him back. His enthusiasm is catching and his vision is broad.

Deb Evans
 

Billy Swinson


Josh

K'lynn

The Stevens Family

 The Stevens Family is a family band from West Virginia trying to make the leap to national attention. They have some things to learn in order to succeed in their goal. Volume and speed are no substitute for Earl Scruggs' precepts of tone, taste, and timing, which the band has yet to master. Furthermore, a band which begs for applause from the stage probably hasn't earned it. Their small claque of screaming fans certainly doesn't help them. Perhaps their role as a gospel band is more appropriate, where they can take full advantage of their mother Nancy's voice.

 Ben Stevens

J.W. Stevens

Luke Stevens

Sissy Stevens

Nothin' Fancy

 Nothin' Fancy's record of entertaining and interesting performance stands as a testament to a band which has made very few personnel changes in its twenty years of touring along with producing a steady stream of recorded work. Their catalog is deep, allowing them to vary the content of each performance, not settling into a highly repetitive niche. Meanwhile, a few of their bits are such fan favorites they cannot leave them out.  Their use of single mic and their movement on stage makes their entire show animated, lively and interesting. The supplemental instrument mics they rotate into keep the sound consistent and strong. Many other bands could benefit from a thoughtful study of their choreography. An appearance by Nothin' Fancy always draws in additional attendees.

Mike Andes


 Mitchell Davis


Tony Shorter
 

Justin Tomlin
 

Chris Sexton
 

 Sex Object Tony Shorter & Mike Andes


Mike Andes, Tony Shorter & Justin Tomlin

The Roscoe Canaday Memorial Bluegrass Festival at Dixieland Music/RV Park in Waldo, FL was a success, with a nearly sold out campground. Chill weather dampened the day attendance. This festival deserves fan support as it reaches for more and better. 

23 comments:

  1. Mr. Lehmann, I and many others are extremely upset over the statements you stated in your blog concerning The Stevens Family Bluegrass Band! What makes you such a professional musician that you think you can write such a nasty statement? I have never seen you on stage. Do you have a degree in music? Everywhere the Stevens Family perform they are LOVED and get many standing ovations. I suppose you got your source of venous judgement from a promoter that is in a band and is getting nowhere and I'll tell you jealousy will certainly get you nowhere in life. The Lord knows all and has Blessed the Bluegrass industry with this professional Family Band that draws huge crowds. I attended the shows and I saw first hand the crowds reaction. They were given standing ovations even before their final song and on the last song the crowd yelled for MORE! I am totally upset and don't be surprised if you aren't sued!

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  2. Wow..The comment that was made about The Stevens family has cost Dixie Land Music Park to loose a ton of People.If only everyone knew the truth about that place u would never go back..This Family is one of the most talented bg groups out there tday. THEY DRAW A HUDGE CROWED EVERY WHERE THEY PERFORM. Those kids are so talented an can sing some of the best harmony out there..All I have to say is Goodbye Waldo festival and I speaking for atleast 85 people..Stevens family...YALL ROCK!!!!!

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  3. Sure. Here are a few comments on The Stevens Family from the sound crew, Carolyn & Jim Dunn. They mixed their own sound on stage and provided us just one input signal. They wanted to use their own mics and mixer so that they could control their own in-ear monitors. They also setup and ran two subwoofers from the stage--out of our control. We told them that the bass and the guitar were too loud, and that Nancy’s and J.W.s mics needed to be louder. We did get them to make some improvements for the second show. It does put the sound people in a bad position when we don’t have individual mic control. Sissy needs to get her in-ear monitors working because she was too loud with her harmony parts. She told others that she couldn't her herself.

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  4. I was just thinking the same thing! Now I know what you look like too so I can avoid your peering camera lens!

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  5. I disagree with your assessment of the Stevens Family band also. They have God given talent and are a very entertaining band. They get ovations where ever they play.They entertain and i like to see a band do that instead of just standing there singing.This family will go far the fans love them.And if they want to scream,it means they love them and enjoy what they are doing.They have earned the applause they get and much more. This family will go far and are well on there way and their fans will applaud them all the way.

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  6. To anonymous who began with "WOW." I'm responsible for what I write. Dixieland RV Park sold me camping and a ticket. While we intend to return, they are not responsible for anything I write.

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  7. Opinions expressed on my blog are mine and mine alone. Neither the promoters nor the Dixieland Park owners have any input into what I wrote. I won't allow comments that attack individuals other than me to be posted. It would be nice for people to leave their names, as mine is attached to everything I write and I'm responsible for it.

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  8. Ted, I agree with you about the Stevens Family.

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  9. To Anonymous fans of The Stevens Family

    I am a fan of The Stevens Family Band and a promoter myself. Whether you agree with this blogger or not, this is, as he stated, his opinion. You should have used better judgment before you attacked and blamed the Promoter and Venue for the opinions expressed by someone else. You are not doing The Stevens Family any favors.

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  10. We have a right to say what we feel just like you and i don't like your blog about The Stevens group. You picked on the Stevens band and none of the others and believe me some of them are not worth my time so i go to my camper. Stevens group are one of the best! Whats wrong with you Ted!

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  11. Anonymous number 2, What does Dixieland have to do with it? It's never a good idea for a bands fan to lash out to a venue or a promoter. It can cause other promoters that read this to shy away from all of the drama. Again, The Stevens Family are my friends and none of this does them any favors and will only hurt them even more when I have them back next time.

    Mam, I know who you are as well and I also know you are only trying to defend a friend. Although I can appriciate that, you know they are my friends too and forget that I introduced them to you as the best thing since sliced bread, how easy we forget.

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  12. Different opinions have been clearly stated here. The question is can you still be friends with someone whose opinion is vastly different from yours? Here is my opinion for whatever it is worth. The promoters and the campground have no connection to this blog so why drag them into it? I haven't been to this festival for a long time and was very happy with the greatly improved campground, good pavilion with heat and not a bad seat in the house, and with the family feeling the promoters have created here. The lineup was fabulous! I will be back and I'm bringing my friends. Martha

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  13. Mr. Lehmann, Your comments in your blog about the Stevens Family leave me more than a little disturbed. While they may not be YOUR typical bluegrass band with common lyrics and words in their music they are a God fearing bunch of folks that have entertained me more than once at various events. I appreciate their unique way of singing and expressing themselves on stage. I have also seen many of the groups including Mr. Evans and IIIrd Tyme Out and consider them to be as equal to the Stevens for asking for applause. You should be biased to everyone and not knock those that at least try to entertain folks. I hope that someday you will realize your faults and try and correct them.

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  14. “The Lord knows all and has Blessed the Bluegrass industry with this professional Family Band that draws huge crowds.” Unfortunately He has also blessed the Bluegrass Community with a few people who believe in freedom of speech in this country UNLESS YOU SAY SOMETHING THEY DON’T AGREE WITH. And talking about getting sued - Both Anonymous 1 & 2 provide innuendos that a lawyer could have lot’s of fun with!

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  15. Sometimes I just get tired of seeing bands that think "they have got it". They think if they can play they are just as good as the pros and the pro bands. Listen, it takes more than owning a instrument and having the time to go play a venue to be a "pro" band. Ted is entitled to his opinion, as I. I enjoy this blog!

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  16. 7953Ted you have a poor judgement on a great band. Love the Stevens family band. Curious if you will post this as some people said you did not post theirs.

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  17. There were some contributions I did not allow because they contained attacks on other people. I expect people to disagree with me; it goes with the territory. I prefer that they learn to disagree in an agreeable manner, but sometimes that's hard. I repeat, though, what goes in my blog is mine, and no one should ever see it as a reflection on other people than me.

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  18. Hello Folks:
    This is JW Stevens of The Stevens Family.
    Just got home from Florida and answering quite a few calls concerning a blog by Mr.Lehman.
    I am a firm believer of the first amendment and acknowledge that Mr. Lehman has that right to post his opinion as do the others that have posted here. My concern is that this is being blown out of proportion to the point that bluegrass itself may be damaged by the comments being made here.
    Do I agree with Mr. Lehman concerning the things he said about The Stevens Family? I could not disagree more, but that is my opinion, (which I am entitled to). I want to thank all of the folks that supported us with your comments but urge you to remember that this is Mr. Lehmans right to express his opinion.
    Quite frankly I think that it is a little amusing that Mr. Lehman was 1 person in a group of 200 or more on Sat. Mar. 2, that thought this. Apparently he wasn't present when 200 plus people stood to their feet, (without our prompting) on three different occasions. Once again these folks are entitled to their opinions that they expressed by doing so.
    On another note I agree with another poster here that the promoters should NOT be brought into this to be bashed for Mr. Lehmans post even though my OPINION is that Mr. Lehmans comments about The Stevens Family is not saying much about the promoters choice of bands to entertain the fans that pay to enter the festival.
    Having said this I wish that all of us can get over this, as I said it has been blown way out of context.
    To all that may read this please know that The Stevens Family are NOT offended by Mr. Lehmans opinions because they are just that, his opinion.
    As for you Ted, when I see you I will come to you with the same ole smile, reach out my hand to shake yours and say. Howdy friend.
    So my last request here is that we all let this go and go on with our bluegrass adventures.

    Thank you, JW Stevens2515

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  19. Very Well said JW Stevens. I can tell you are a nice man and from some of the post they think so as well. Blessings to you and your family in your music.

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  20. This is great, I have to chime in on this:

    Well put JW, I feel every band that played this festival did a great job.

    Ernie and Deb you have it going on. Gary and Michelle(owners of the park) have it going on.
    Ted, You have the guts to tell it like you see it through your eyes and ears.Don't ever loose that.
    We as musicians do need to hear the negative advice also. This is how we grow into better musicians.When we grow into better musicians and singers we all benefit.
    We all may not agree with you at times, but this is your blog. Keep up the good work you do for Bluegrass.

    As a promoter of the bluegrass music we all love so much,Nepa Bluegrass Festival (Pa), Norwich Bluegrass (NY) and a Danny Stewart's Bluegrass Cruise (Fl), I must say that the venue, (The
    Dixieland Park), that I have just witnessed and all the people that were there were awesome.
    I have played many festivals as a musician and still go to many as a fan. (I have no degree in bluegrass music, but know of many people who do have masters in Bluegrass music, so I feel I'm qualified to speak).
    With that said, I am going to start my first Bluegrass Festival in the great state of Florida,in Waldo, at Dixieland Park, on January 9,10, and 11th 2014.(Thanks to Ernie for sharing this park with me)
    The last thing I want to say is, To the person who will not even post their name.
    REALLY? Bashing the promoter or venue over someone else's opinion?Really?
    That is way worst than making the opinion in the first place.

    Without the promoters(Ernie and Debbie Evans) or Dixieland Park, I would not have got a chance meet my new lifelong friends I just met this past weekend.
    Congratulations Ernie and Debbie for a successful festival. Many more blessings WILL come your way.
    Danny Stewart (mandolindan2005@yahoo.com)

    PS,
    I strongly feel that this park will be exploding with fans this time next year. That is my opinion.

    Ted , I want you and Irene there if you can make it .

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  21. This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.

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  22. Anonymous has left a new comment on your post "Roscoe Canaday Memorial BGF at Waldo - 2013":

    I would like to share my thoughts here on this subject. First, I would like to remain anonymous and will not be giving details about my thoughts so it too will be anonymous. It is my opinion that the person who's name will remain anonymous has also violated something I will not mention so there should be no confusion. I would also like to add the following but it is better left unsaid, do I make myself clear?

    Wow, I feel much better getting that off my chest.

    Thank you for your time,

    Anonymously yours,

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  23. Good way to end this subject Anonymously Yours so lets be the big happy bluegrass family we are known for encouraging and supporting each other and especially the Artist that present the great bluegrass music we all share and love! Anonymously Yours Truly. Bluegrass is #1

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