September is a busy month for Bluegrass in Virginia and wrapping up the month is the "Nothin' Fancy Bluegrass Festival" held September 24th, 25th & 26th, 2009 at the beautiful Glen Maury Park in Buena Vista, Virginia. Just a quick note here. I know most of you opt for the most direct and easiest route to Bluegrass festivals; usually I do too. But, if you've got the time and would want to see a different part of Virginia try driving straight out Midlothian Pike on Route 60. It goes straight (Well, not straight!) to Buena Vista and is a nice and different way to get there. I've got a lot to get to, so I better get started.
The festival gets started on Thursday with a band called Wonder. I tried searching for wonder on the Internet and all I found was Wonder Woman (Worth a short stop!) and Stevie Wonder. So I must tell you I know nothing about Wonder, but perhaps you should check them out and tell me all about them so I can stop "wondering." Next up is the entertaining Goldwing Express. These guys are very capable Bluegrass musicians who choose to entertain as well as perform great Bluegrass music. Williams & Clark Expedition continues to entertain as they take the stage. Next up are the hosts of the festival Nothin' Fancy. They play every day of the festival, so I will only make this one long entry about them. They have won the SPBGMA Entertaining Band of the Year in both 2008 and 2009! Playing mostly original material, all done with the Nothin' Fancy touch it is easy to see why they are so popular. Wrapping up the day on Thursday is the band Steep Canyon Rangers. This is a fine group and they will work very hard to make you their fans and if you give them just half a chance you will be a fan. Great Bluegrass!
The schedule for Friday shows In The Tradition will get things started. Those of you who read this blog regularly will know that the leader of this group, Donnie Mason had gastric bypass surgery a few months ago. I understand he has been making some shows, so I hope he will be well enough to make it to Buena Vista. Lonesome Will Mullins is up next and combines modern Bluegrass and old time Stanley styled music to make his performances exciting and entertaining. Williams & Clark Expedition is back again on Friday. Following this fine group is The James King Band. James and his band perform some of the finest traditional Bluegrass you will hear anywhere. If you love great harmony singing and fine instrumental back up then you are already a fan of Russell Moore & IIIrd Tyme Out. They will close out the show on Friday.
Kicking things off on Saturday in Next Best Thing . This band is comprised of daughters of Rhonda Vincent and a few other talented musicians. It's great to know these young women will continue the Vincent tradition as the 5th generation on Vincents in the business. Country Fried Grass is up next at Nothin' Fancy. If these fellows have the same following of fans at Buena Vista as they have at other festivals you won't have any difficulty finding their campsite in the wee early hours of the morning. Country Fried Grass will be rocking out with Bluegrass and a little of some other stuff too! Next up is David Parmley & Friends. David is best know for his days in the great Bluegrass band The Bluegrass Cardinals and in his own band David Parmley & Continental Divide. No doubt, this group will be as fine as his others. The Gary Waldrep Band is up next. From their web site: "The band performs with a traditional sound spiced with original songs and old standards, making them a favorite with acoustic music lovers across the country." Wrapping up Saturday and the festival in the great Rhonda Vincent & The Rage. There is little I can say about Rhonda that hasn't been said than to comment that I believe Rhonda is one of the few female performers that truly sing Bluegrass as it should be sung.
Be sure to include the "Nothin' Fancy Bluegrass Festival" on your schedule of Bluegrass events to attend.
1 comment:
Wonder Woman is always worth stopping for! BTW she returned the favour - I found your blog web searching her!
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