That's right folks the "Central Virginia Family Bluegrass Music Festival" is coming right around the corner, next weekend; May 13th, 14th & 15th. Now, I've got to apologize for not coming to you sooner on this, but I guess my retirement has made me lose track of time. Every day is a Saturday! I've got lots to tell you and a bunch of pictures from past festivals to share, so I better get with it.
First I want to tell you that your emcees for the 2010 Amelia Bluegrass Festival (that's what we regulars like to call it.) will be the winners of the 2008 and 2010 SPBGMA Bluegrass DJs of the year, Sweet Brenda & Him. 
We'll get started with what's happening in Amelia on Thursday. As most of you know the world famous Lewis Family retired last year after well over 50 years of entertaining America and the world with their own special brand of Bluegrass Gospel music. Since their retirement, Little Roy
and his adopted daughter Lizzy Long have joined together as Little Roy & Lizzy. Little Roy has been known for his lightening fast Banjo and having saw him just a few months ago I can attest that he hasn't slowed down yet. Now, if you like your Bluegrass to be traditional then you won't hear it done any better that by Junior Sisk & Rambler's Choice.
You may recall that Junior was part of a band called Blue Ridge a few years ago. With him in that band was a young Banjo player from right here in my neighborhood, Jason Davis. Jason went with Alan Bibey as he formed the new group, GrassTowne. Jason has since left GrassTowne and is back with Junior
as a member of Rambler's Choice. Keeping with that traditional style of Bluegrass there is yet another group to appear on Thursday; none other than The James King Band featuring that strong lead singing of James King.
Another group performing on Thursday is Country Poor. I don't know much about this group, so I can tell you very little about them. From their web site I have the following: "Band Members consist of Stacy Roach on Guitar and lead singing, Brian Herring on Mandolin and Tenor singing, Nelson Davis on banjo, and Jason Smith on upright bass. Timmy Proffitt is the sound man and the salesman." Also, on Thursday, is Highway 249,
a local group from New Kent, VA.
There is yet another big day full of Bluegrass music on Friday at the Amelia Bluegrass Festival. There are three groups I know nothing about, but I shall share the info I discovered today by searching each bands web site. I'll get started with the California Ramblers. From their web site: "Joey Tippett and The California Ramblers is a Traditional Hard Driving Bluegrass Band from Southern Maryland. They put their heart and soul into every song that they do as well as an excellent performance on stage, you can just feel the energy when they perform." Also performing, The Ficklen Family. This band seems to not have a web site, but there is a photo of them from 2008 available by clicking here. The Snyder Family will also appear on Friday. From their web site: "At an age where most children are usually concerned with bicycles and video games, Samantha and Zeb Snyder were winning fiddle and guitar championships. Along with their Dad, Bud and Mom, Laine, they are today a festival favorite and will have even the most jaded Bluegrass fan on the edge of their camp chair.(Quote by Dennis Jones WNCW/FM)" An Amelia Festival favorite group, Country Fried Grass will be on stage Friday. If you're looking for an energetic group of musicians then look no further than Country Fried Grass. These guys not only rock the stage they also jam all night long in the camp ground. Capping off the show on Friday will be Rhonda Vincent & The Rage. There's not much I can add to the many laurels that have been heaped upon Rhonda, so instead I am including several photos I have taken through the years. I hope you enjoy them.
There's yet another big day of Bluegrass on Saturday beginning with (After the morning Gospel sets) a group called Surefire. From Surefire's web site: "Surefire was formed in December of 2007. Based out of Boone, NC, the original members are Robby Norris, John Bryan, and Tom Isaacs. Heavily influenced by the pioneers of bluegrass music, this band provides a traditional, hard-driving experience." Marty Rabon & Full Circle will also perform on Saturday. My first exposure to Marty was a few years ago at a theater on Hull Street in Richmond, VA (The name of that place is forgotten by me.) that had been converted into a performance venue (mainly gospel). I think this show may have been his first in Virginia and among the very first since he began the band. A great Virginia band featuring Billie Sue (Clark) and Bobby Goff Jr. is Mill Run and they'll be there on Saturday. Featuring the two great and distinctly different lead voices of Billie Sue and Bobby, Mill Run is a powerful and exciting band to see and hear. The traditional sounds of Al Batten and the Bluegrass Reunion will be heard Saturday. In this writers opinion Al Batten is one of a very few great traditional band leaders that not only sings strong leads and harmonies, but is also the Banjo player for the group. Al Batten is sort of like having Lester & Earl or Don & Red all sewed up into one person. You will be entertained! Tommy Brown & County Line will be on stage Saturday. From the band's web site: "With family roots traced to Bill Monroe's home place of Ohio County, Kentucky, Tommy Brown cut his teeth, so to speak, on classic traditional bluegrass. A third generation musician, Tommy began pickin' the five-string banjo at age six. His musical abilities were recognized when he garnered both the Kentucky State and the Tennessee State Banjo Championships. In addition to banjo, Tommy is a masterful guitar and mandolin player. His powerful pickin' style and soulful vocals embrace his passion for the mountain-style bluegrass music he performs today." Wrapping things up at the Amelia Bluegrass Festival is the unmistakable music of The Bluegrass Brothers. The enthusiasm presented by the Bluegrass Brothers is exciting and engaging. Fans get so involved with their music that they are sometimes exhausted when a show by the Bluegrass Brothers is over.
Well there you have it; all of the makings for another (The 61st!) great Bluegrass festival in Amelia. If you haven't been there, where in the world have you been? I guarantee you will have a great time in Amelia. As their slogan says: "We may not be the biggest festival in the country, but we are one of the friendliest and the best." Here's hoping I'll see you there.
"NUFF SAID!"
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