Don't Forget The Special Benefit show for Peggy Woodall @ Amelia Family Campground - September 24th, 2011

I just wanted to remind all of you about the Special Bluegrass Benefit show at the Amelia Family Campground on September 24th in support of Peggy Woodall during this most stressful time in her life.  To see my original post with all the details click here.

Just today I received an email from our friend Donna Trent in which she included a link to a you tube clip of a TV performance by the band Bluegrass To The Bone.  At the beginning of the clip Peggy's benefit is mentioned.  Please take a look by clicking on this link;

http://www2.wsls.com/entertainment/2011/sep/12/grass-bone-performs-live-ar-1303602/?referer=http://www.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwsls.com%2Far%2F1303602%2F&h=_AQALuJfYAQAcOp4_ws46uAuxeko4AGg1zHM62jCk09PsXw&shorturl=http://bit.ly/pxXXKb

Folks, I will not be able to attend this special day for Peggy as I will be making my annual trip to Nashville to attend the IBMA World of Bluegrass.  If you can't be there like me then be sure to send along your donations to Peggy by a trusted friend.  Well, I guess that's........

"NUFF SAID!"

VFMA's "Jumpin' Bluegrass '11 - September 15th, 16th, 17th & 18th, 2011 - Chesterfield County Fairgrounds.

Here's hoping all of you survived the storms and flooding and now you're ready to enjoy a great weekend of Bluegrass music is a very pleasant setting.  I'm talkin' about the Virginia Folk Music Association's "Jumpin' Bluegrass '11" held annually at the Chesterfield County Fairgrounds.

I'm sorry I'm a little late with this information, but it seems since I've retired about 18 months ago, time catches up with me much too fast.  I've got a lot to tell you and I'm gonna do it short and sweet.  First and foremost, I believe, is the price of admission.  You can come to any day of the festival you choose for just $5 per day.  Yep!  just $5 per day.  That means the entire 4 days of music will cost you only $20.  Now there's something you need to know.  If you buy a three or four day ticket parking will cost you $5 for the entire weekend, no matter how often you come and go, and let me tell you that's a bargain in anyone's book.  That means for $25 total you can attend all four days of music and come and go as you please.  You just can't beat that pricing anywhere.  But, I warn you, if you think you're gonna really be thrifty and come maybe just two days and pay as you come to each day, then parking will cost you $5 each day you come. To me the only sensible thing to do is simply come to the gate and pay your $25 and get the 4 day music pass and the 4 day parking pass and simply be done with it !!!    If you choose to bring your camper, there are limited full electric hook-ups and rough camping available.  See the folks at the gate for pricing as you enter the fairgrounds.

Now here's a quick listing of the bands appearing as part of the three day festival.  On Thursday: Amy Ladd & Friends, Harper & Company, Willis River, East of Afton, Sleepy Hollow and Bobby Adams Country Bluegrass.

Friday these bands will appear: The Bluegrass Brothers (Note: The Bluegrass Brothers will be inducted as the 2011 honorees into the VFMA Country Music Hall of Fame), Willis River, Copper Ridge, Shenandoah Drive, Tom Cline & The High Mountain Drifters and River City.

Saturday boasts: Junior Sisk & Rambler's Choice, Mitch Harrell & The Virginians, Code Blue, The Church Sisters, Adam McPeake and Homeward Bound.

On Sunday the VFMA will present the Virginia State Bluegrass Music Championships, open to all bands and individuals based in Virginia.  There is a $1000.00 award to the 1st place band, so this contest is worthy of your time.  Out Of The Blue, last year's champion band will be featured as guests.

I'm sure I have left things out during this hasty write-up, so be sure to check out the VFMA web page at www.vafolkmusic.org. See you in a week or so.  Until then.......

"NUFF SAID!"

Two Great Bluegrass Festivals - Coming Soon!

Yes, that's right there are two great Bluegrass Festivals coming just around the corner.  The first one is "Mr. B's Blowout" coming up over the weekend of August 25th, 26th & 27th, 2011. Followed a couple weeks later by "The Grottoes Bluegrass Festival."  So, there are big times ahead and  I better get started:

08/15/2011:  Before reading about these two great festivals I have news to share about the Beachley & Scott Band.  Barry Scott has decided to leave the band to pursue a solo career in Gospel music.  Rather than proceed as simply "Beachley," Darren and the band decided to  change the name to HeartTown.  HeartTown will fill the remainder of the Beachley & Scott tour dates.  With this name change a new member has come on board.  Greg Luck will be joining HeartTown on fiddle.

Mr.B's "Bluegrass Blowout"  August  25th, 26th &27th, 2011 - Mr, B's Bluegrass Park - Ladysmith, VA

 

For those of you who have never been to Mr. B's Park, I would like to tell you a little about it.  First of all, Mr. B has been a huge supporter of Bluegrass most of his life.  Before hosting Bluegrass festivals he operated a restaurant near Fredericksburg, VA called, you guessed it, "Mr. B's."  I've attended a few shows at Mr. B's over the years and never failed to have a most pleasant evening of Bluegrass music.  His restaurant was a huge structure that seated I would guess 300 plus people.  If any of you have been to 'The Birchmere" up in Alexandria, VA then you know how the seating works and Mr. B's.  It's first come first served and your table is not exclusively your own.  It's a great way to meet new people who share your common interest, Bluegrass.  But, I'm drifting here.  As with his restaurant, Mr. B had in mind the way he wanted his park to be arranged and since he owned the land and it was completely forested all he needed to do was draw the layout and let the bulldozers loose!..The park is laid out beautifully and has grown into a very nice park as it has matured.  The stage is situated within a nice grove of hardwood trees with bleacher-like covered seating available toward the rear of the seating area.  Otherwise, bring your lawn chair and get ready to enjoy a great weekend of Bluegrass.  And speaking of that I guess I had better tell you who's gonna be there and when.

Things get kicked off on Thursday with four bands each playing two sets apiece.  Bands playing on Thursday are : The Honakers, Milford Station, Dark Hollow and The Carolina Road Band. 

For Friday there is another big day of Bluegrass with: Code Blue, Kody Norris & The Watuga Mountain Boys, Katie Penn, Mark Templeton & Pocket Change, Special Consensus and IIIrd Tyme Out.

The Bluegrass keeps rolling along on Saturday beginning with: Leon Morris, Jay Armsworthy, Special Consensus, Beachley & Scott, Larry Gillis  and Darrell Webb.

Folks I gotta tell you that is a great line up of bands with Bluegrass to satisfy most anyone's taste.  Get off I-95 at the Ladysmith exit and turn toward U.S. Route 1.  Head north on Route 1 for about a mile and look for the Mr. B's Bluegrass Park sign to your left and you're almost there.  A three day ticket at the gate is $80, but if you just don't feel like camping why not call 804-449-6350 and ask about the package deal; motel room and 3 day pass for just $325.

"Bluegrass In The Park" The Grottoes Music Festival - September 8th, 9th & 10th, 2011. Grand Caverns Park - Grottoes, VA

I hope you get plenty of rest after attending Mr. B's because in just two short weeks there is another wonderful Bluegrass event held at the beautiful Grand Caverns Park in Grottoes, VA.  "Bluegrass In The Park" is hosted by the Shenandoah Valley Shriners, with all proceeds going to the Shriners Children's Hospital.  I've attended this festival many times and I believe I may have attended the very first one 26 years ago.  Grand Caverns Park is an amazing place. Nestled among the rolling hills of the Shenandoah Valley is this perfectly flat spot.  The tri county parks department keeps the place immaculate and it is a joy to be there for a great weekend of Bluegrass music.  Let's get a little business out of the way first.  I'm too late to tell you about the advanced ticket, so, not to worry, the festival is still a great bargain at $70 for a three day ticket.  Camping is rough only and there is a $20 fee.

Now, on to the music!  Thursday is action packed with these great bands:  Dixie Pride, Page County Ramblers, Joe Mullins & The Radio Ramblers, Ralph Stanley II and The Little Roy & Lizzy Show.

Have fun jamming Thursday night, but don't jam all night because these great bands will be performing on Friday: Carroll County Ramblers, Buck & Company, Wildwood Valley Boys, Special Consensus Bluegrass Band and Darren Beachley & The Legends of Potomac (A note from Gary;  My understanding is that Darren Beachley has disbanded the Legends of The Potomac and is now teamed with his fellow Quicksilver band mate Barry Scott.)

There's a big line-up for Saturday as well.  Just take a look at who'll be performing: Kody Norris & The Watuga Mountain Boys, Paul Williams & The Victory Trio (Some of the finest and most sincere Bluegrass Gospel you are likely to hear anywhere!), Bill Emerson & Sweet Dixie, Solid Rock and Bill Yates & The Country Gentlemen Revue.

I usually take I-64 to Waynesboro and take the Route 340 north 0 exit.  Follow Route 340 through town and drive north about 15 to 20 miles and you'll see signs directing you to Grand Caverns Park along the way.  Here's something you might find amusing.  It is one of the many many great memories I have accumulated attending Bluegrass festivals all around Virginia.   Years ago there was a Bluegrass festival held just a few miles north of Waynesboro.  The park was called, Orange Blossom Park (Named after a central figure in the Shenandoah Valley Bluegrass scene, the late, Mr. Jim Orange, who hosted this festival).  Everyone knew how to get to the park.  How!?!?  Easy, we knew to turn right at the "Purple Cow Head."  Take a look as you're heading north on Route 340 out of Waynesboro and see if you notice the Purple Cow Head!

Well, that about covers these two wonderful festivals.  I hope you'll mark your calendar and make the decision to attend these two shows.  Until next time....

"NUFF SAID!"

Bluegrass Benefit show for Peggy Woodall - September 24th, 2011 - Amelia Family Campground

Those of us who know Peggy Woodall are, indeed, fortunate.  I have described her to many as "The Hostess With the Mostest!"  Peggy is tireless when it comes to making her friends feel comfortable whenever they visit her campsite and I'm sure it's that way at home, too.  She is a whirlwind around the campsite and will not rest until everyone has been offered what ever she has.

Peggy is a most sincere Bluegrass music fan.  If there's no jamming going on at her campsite she will range far and wide to gather pickers and singers back to her camp.   She and her husband, Jack, share this love of the music.  Jack is an instrument buyer and trader and Peggy is right there by his side offering advice and help.  They are a team and she is Jack's right hand woman!  Those of us close to Peggy all love her.  But, alas, Peggy has suffered some medical complications in her life and the expenses have been great.  She needs our help!

Therefore, there will be a special Bluegrass Benefit Show for Peggy this coming September 24th, 2011, at the Amelia Family Campground.  The show will start at 2PM and run until 9PM, but if I know Peggy and her friends, there'll be jamming on late into the night.  Home made bean soup and hot dogs will be available for a donation.  There'll be a 50/50 drawing and everyone is asked to bring home made desserts such as cakes and pies.  Bring whatever your specialty is and it will be offered for auction to help raise cash for Peggy. 

Don't forget to bring your lawn chairs and your instruments, too;you never know! ;~}).  Besides the items to be auctioned, please bring a side dish to go along with the soup and hot dogs.  We're family, so let's all pitch in and help.  Hey!  There's gonna be bands playing the entire afternoon and evening.  Bands who have donated their time are: Donnie Mason & In The Tradition;  Billie Sue & Mill Run; Eddie Gill & The Grassmasters, The Willis River Band, plus Code Blue. 

The Hutchinson Family welcomes campers by offering hook-ups at $15 per night.  Special thanks are offered to George Thomas for providing sound for the event and to the J. B. Hutchinson Family for allowing the use of the pavilion and the campground for this very special benefit.

If more information is needed please call Mary or Charlie Morgan at; 804-598-5262 or J. B. Hutchinson at: 804-561-3011.  Don't forget to bring lots of cash with you to the benefit and let's have fun supporting one of the finest ladies anyone is ever likely to meet, Peggy Woodall.  I would like to offer one more note of thanks; Donna Trent has acted as the voice for Peggy & Jack throughout this very trying time in their lives and we all owe her a special thanks for being there for us, too.  Thank you, Donna!

And, may I ask one more thing of you?  Please keep Peggy and Jack in your prayers.

"NUFF SAID!"

A Special Evening with Dale Ann Bradley @ Ashland Coffee and Tea - June 30, 2011 - A Photo Review

It's Friday morning and I just returned, a few hours ago, from a very special evening with Dale Ann Bradley and her band in concert at Ashland Coffee & Tea.  Before I go any further, I want to say a thing or two about Ashland Coffee and Tea.  These fine folks present a variety of musical genres as many as six nights per week.  Many performances are attended by as few as 5 or 6 people.  I know this because I have been a member of those small audiences.  So, why would a small restaurant take the risk of losing money, sometimes night after night, to present music?  Well, it certainly isn't the great income they receive.  I think it is because of special nights like the one our relatively small audience (Perhaps 25 or 30 people) was treated to last night.  It's the special people/performers like Dale Ann Bradley that helps AC&T keep the juices flowing.  (I'll let you in on a secret, there's more Bluegrass at AC&T than at the famed Birchmere in Alexandria, VA.)  Please, I beg of you, log onto the AC&T web site often and attend some of these shows.  I know you'll be so glad you did.

Dale Ann Bradley was chosen Female Vocalist of the year at IBMA in 2007, 2008 & 2009.  Dale is as genuine as they come and can lull you into a warm and fuzzy place and then blow you out of your seat the next moment.  I took a few pics last night; not great pics mind you, but good enough for you to see what you missed.

So, there you have a few pics of Dale Ann Bradley at Ashland Coffee and Tea.  Please be sure to check out Tim Timberlake's music blog as he intimated to me he plans to cover this show, as well.  He takes much better pics than I and has a much better command of the language than I.  Please take a look at his blog: www.timtimberlake.blogspot.com

"NUFF SAID!"

"Cracker Barrel Manners"

There will be no Bluegrass in this column, just some personal musings.

I think most of us have eaten at a Cracker Barrel Restaurant, at least once or twice.  I must admit, I eat there far too often, if that's possible.  I notice we act as most of us wish all Americans would really act every single day of the year.  Upon entering a Cracker Barrel it never fails that either we will hold the door open for someone or they will hold it for us.  We never fail to say, "Thank you."  Never!  We remain courteous as we walk around the "Old Country Store" part of the place; always excusing ourselves should we bump into someone and we are ever forgiving of those who might bump into us.

We sit in the rockers on the front porch and strike up conversations with complete strangers.  When the rockers are full we 'gentlemen' stand to allow women to sit.  We are 'Norman Rockwell' type Americans when we are there and at Cracker Barrel we simply wouldn't think of acting any other way.

Even if our food is late, we are usually kind and understanding when the waitress explains the problems.  Oh, I'm not trying to say that there aren't any jerks at Cracker Barrel, because there are.  But, they are the rarity.  Generally, we are on our best behavior at Cracker Barrel using the "Yes-mam's" and "Yes-sir's" and "Thank You's" and all of the other polite terms we learned as children at our parents knee.  I always look forward to this special civility upon arriving at Cracker Barrel.

But, now i wonder, "Why can't we be this way all of the time?"  Is the sugar just a little too sweet for daily consumption?  Is it just a little too "John Boyish" for us? Are we such a jaded society that being this way feels false to us?  I don't have the answers to these questions, but i do know that I love my trips to that All American place known as Cracker Barrel.

Folks, Cracker Barrel has no idea I have written this little essay and I have not been compensated for writing it.  I simply wanted to say what I have been feeling and thinking for a long time now.

"NUFF SAID!"

The Heat Wave Let's Go in Time for a Wonderful Weekend at the Graves Mountain Festival of Music!

Yes, we were in the grips of a stifling heat wave, but just as The Graves Mountain Festival of Music began the weather broke into three absolutely gorgeous days, allowing us to enjoy one of the best ever gatherings at Graves Mountain.  I'm not going to bore you here with a lot of words, but rather, share a few pictures I took while enjoying my weekend at Graves. 

First, I want you to know (Most of you already do!) I am a lazy man at heart, as there were many bands I saw over the course of the weekend, of which I took no photographs because I was too lazy to carry my camera with me to the stage.  But, I did take a few and following are some of the better ones.

      

I am exhausted from having had so much fun at the Graves Mountain Festival of Music, but wanted to share these pics before collapsing for the evening.  Hey, I've got an idea; let's all go back to Graves again next year!  Deal???

"NUFF SAID!"