#green mountain bluegrass festival

[krispyweiss]

Song Review: The Sam Grisman Project - “Peggy-O” (Live)

Electric guitar belongs in bluegrass.

But don’t take Sound Bites’ word for it. Just asked the Sam Grisman Project - a band that plays traditional bluegrass in a decidedly non-traditional way.

There’s percussion to go with that electric axe. Double bass, violin and acoustic guitar, too.

And mandolin - two of them, actually.

The band performed “Peggy-O” at the 2022 Green Mountain Bluegrass festival and that nine-minute extravaganza is an aural feast. Slow to unfold, it features sparkly harmonies; acoustic guitar and fiddle showcases; a mandolin duet; and a slide-guitar solo tender enough to nestle itself inside its acoustic counterparts as it makes a place for amplification in an unplugged music.

As the son of David Grisman, the titular bandleader probably needs to be better than others to succeed in making music such as this. “Peggy-O” suggests - strongly - that he and his mates are just that.

Grade card: The Sam Grisman Project - “Peggy-O” (Live) - A

12/28/22

[bunkershotgolf]

AUBERGE RESORTS COLLECTION WELCOMES PRIMLAND, HOME OF THE ACCLAIMED HIGHLAND COURSE, TO ITS PORTFOLIO

The scenic Blue Ridge Mountains resort welcomes golfers, families, friends and couples looking for a one-of-a-kind retreat in the great outdoors

Auberge Resorts Collection is delighted to announce that it will welcome Primland, a majestic all-season mountain retreat in Virginia, to Auberge’s portfolio of award-winning hotels, resorts and residences as of June 1. Located at the heart of the Blue Ridge Mountains on 12,000 expansive acres, Primland, Auberge Resorts Collection offers luxurious accommodations, a championship golf course, exquisite farm-to-table cuisine helmed by new Executive Chef Elliot Cunniff from Soho House in New York City, a serene spa and a level of outdoor adventure that is unrivaled on the east coast. In one of the most breathtaking mountain settings, the resort boasts impressive year-round activities for the entire family, including golf, horseback riding, fly fishing, alfresco yoga and meditation, kayaking, hiking, sporting clays, archery, stargazing in one of the largest observatories in the Eastern U.S., RTV trail riding and tennis. With Auberge Resorts Collection’s highly personalized service, Primland will be the quintessential escape this Summer.

“We are incredibly honored that the Primat family has chosen Auberge to be the stewards of Primland, one of the most spectacular resorts in the country,” said Dan Friedkin, owner and chairman, Auberge Resorts Collection. “It is an absolute privilege to bring our brand to this unparalleled experience in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia.”

Primland, Auberge Resorts Collection was initially purchased by late French industrialist, Mr. Didier Primat, in 1977 as an outdoor activity retreat for his family. In the early 2000s, Mr. Primat decided to expand the land’s capabilities and construct the resort and golf course in an eco-conscious and thoughtful manner. Primland, Auberge Resorts Collection is rooted in a love of the land, which is expressed in the resort’s extensive efforts to minimize the impact on nature while enjoying its beauty.

“Auberge Resorts Collection has mastered a crafted approach to unique and personal service,” said Harold Primat, president of Primland. “We are excited to partner with the award-winning brand to realize our family’s vision to create one of the top-end mountain resorts in the U.S. and share the Primland experience with guests from around the world.”

Primland, Auberge Resorts Collection features 62 rooms, including standalone cottages, cabins and treehouses. At the center of the property—which was recently voted "Best Resort in the U.S. South,” in Condé Nast Traveler’s Readers’ Choice Awards 2020—sits the Lodge, featuring a soaring great hall with twin fireplaces, a full-service spa, fitness center, indoor swimming pool, private theatre, game room and one of the largest telescopes and observatories in the Eastern U.S. The resort’s exceptional culinary program boasts three regional cuisine restaurants, a two-story wine cellar and private dining experiences for intimate gatherings and celebrations.

One-of-a-Kind Accommodations

Accommodations boast beautiful mountain settings with amenities such as in-room fireplaces, private balconies with undisturbed views and deep soaking tubs. The main Lodge features nine Mountain Rooms and sixteen Blue Ridge Suites. The Lodge’s most exclusive suite is the Pinnacle Suite, a two-story 1,800-square-foot glass-walled aerie located in the observatory tower, providing stunning views of the stars and vistas.

Across the property are several styles of standalone accommodations. The chalet-like Pinnacle Cottages and golf course Fairway Cottages each contain separate wings with rooms and suites that can be booked individually or groups can lodge together by opening up the common living room. The resort also features 11 spacious Mountain Homes containing between one and seven bedrooms.

Just a short drive from the Lodge, three Tree Houses are perched on the edge of the mountains, offering an experience that nods to Primat’s love of nature and the region. These intimate cabins are set in the strong limbs of the property’s oldest and most beautiful oak trees, giving way to treetop views of the majestic Kibler Valley and North Carolina piedmont from a vast private deck. While conjuring childhood memories, each of the Tree Houses is unique, taking on its own personality through bespoke decor.

Farm-to-Table Blue Ridge Mountain Cuisine

Primland, Auberge Resorts Collection’s exceptional culinary destinations and programming are overseen by Executive Chef Elliot Cunniff, who joined the resort in Spring 2021. Chef Cunniff comes to the resort from New York City, where he got his start working under Daniel Boulud before moving up the ranks to, most recently, executive chef at Soho House New York. Chef Cunniff brings a wealth of creativity to all of the resort’s exceptional restaurants, including the signature restaurant, Elements, a harmony of the Virginia Highlands’ natural abundance and Southern comfort flavors, beautifully presented in a fine dining atmosphere. The property’s more relaxed eatery, 19th Pub, serves casual, hearty pub fare alongside a bar well-stocked with draught beers, single malts and spirits, as well as moonshine cocktails, which harken back to the region’s rich bootlegging history. The Woodland Grill is located at the Outdoor Activities Center for easy grab-and-go sandwiches between adventures. Schlumberger Wine Cellar, located in The Lodge and perfect for private events, features varietals from the world’s finest vineyards, including the resort’s sister property, Domaines Schlumberger, in France’s Alsace region. Set on its own ridge top is Stables Saloon - located in Primland’s former horse stables - where traditional Southern food and live bluegrass music come together for a rustic and convivial dining experience.

Adventure and Wellness

Primland, Auberge Resorts Collection centers around its vast acreage and outdoor activities, just as Mr. Primat intended when he purchased the property as an outdoor retreat. One of the most beloved experiences of The Lodge is deep space star gazing through the professional-grade telescopes at the Observatory. The Outdoor Activities Center offers fly fishing, horseback riding, hiking, biking, archery, RTV trail riding, sporting clays and water sports on the 3-mile long Talbott Lake. For golf enthusiasts of all skill levels, the Highland Course at Primland is an 18-hole, Audubon-certified, all bentgrass greens course carved from the mountains’ natural landscape by renowned golf course architect Donald Steel.

After a day of adventure, The Spa at Primland offers rejuvenating and energizing treatments that combine Native American healing rituals and European spa techniques.

A Destination Worth Exploring

While guests may find everything they need and more on the property, Primland, Auberge Resorts Collection is surrounded by enchanting mountain attractions and numerous local towns that are well worth exploring. From the quaint shops of Meadows of Dan to the historic Mabry Mill, Fairy Stone State Park, Blue Ridge Parkway, local wineries and an abundance of bluegrass and country music festivals, there is so much to see and do on a day trip outside the gates of the resort.

“Each of our properties is unique and captures the soul of the destination, and Primland encompasses the best that the Blue Ridge Mountain region has to offer. It is a natural fit for Auberge Resorts Collection,” said Craig Reid, president and chief executive officer, Auberge Resorts Collection, “We look forward to welcoming our guests to this extraordinary destination.”

Primland, Auberge Resorts Collection is conveniently located two hours from Charlotte, five hours from Washington D.C, and just 90 minutes from two regional airports, Piedmont Triad (PTI) in Greensboro and Roanoke Regional. The resort’s partnership with NetJets provides guests with special benefits when flying privately through two nearby airports, Blue Ridge and Mt. Airy-Surry County, only 45 minutes away. The property also features a helipad located at the North Gate.

Primland, Auberge Resorts Collection is now accepting reservations. For more information, please visit aubergeresorts.com/primland.

About Primland, Auberge Resorts Collection

Primland, Auberge Resorts Collection resonates with people who immerse themselves in luxurious elegance whenever possible. Value Mother Nature’s masterworks. Celebrate the scintillating moments when fish take the bait. Cherish the soothing serenity of golden mountain sunsets. Rush with adrenalin while traversing RTV trails. Feel child-like wonder while stargazing through a professional-grade telescope. Embrace treehouse lodging perches with panoramic views. Relish playing an award-winning trophy golf course. Rejuvenate through caressing spa treatments. And covet organic ingredients served tastefully in farm-to-table culinary dishes.

For more information, please visit aubergeresorts.com/primland/

Connect with Primland, Auberge Resorts Collection on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

About Auberge Resorts Collection

Auberge Resorts Collection is a portfolio of extraordinary hotels, resorts, residences and private clubs. While each property is unique, all share a crafted approach to luxury and bring the soul of the locale to life through captivating design, exceptional cuisine, innovative spas and gracious yet unobtrusive service. With 19 hotels and resorts across three continents and eight new hotels under development, Auberge invites guests to create unforgettable stories in some of the world’s most desirable destinations.

For more information: aubergeresorts.com

Connect with Auberge Resorts Collection on Facebook Twitter and Instagram @AubergeResorts and #AlwaysAuberge

About The Friedkin Group

The Friedkin Group is a privately-held consortium of automotive, hospitality, entertainment, sports and adventure companies. These organizations include: Gulf States Toyota, GSFSGroup, US AutoLogistics, Ascent Automotive Group, Auberge Resorts Collection, AS Roma, Imperative Entertainment, 30WEST, NEON, Diamond Creek Golf Club, Congaree and Legendary Expeditions. The Friedkin Group is led by Chairman and CEO Dan Friedkin. For more information, visit www.friedkin.com.

[hagerstowninfo]

Things To Do And See In Hagerstown, Maryland

A quaint, historic town of eastern Maryland known for its horse markets and museums, Hagerstown, Maryland is located on the banks of the Potomac River. The unique architectural styles reflected in this community to make it a great place to live. In addition to being home to a wide variety of attractions and events, many residents enjoy all of the perks associated with being a resident of Hagerstown. The following are some perks that can make living in Hagerstown an enjoyable experience.

There is no shortage of things to do in Hagerstown. There are numerous festivals held yearly including the annual Wiss Summer Fest, Schuylkill Bluegrass Festival, and the Schuylkill River Fest to name a few. These festivals celebrate everything from the arts and culture to the heritage and history. Take the kids to one of these events and you can witness first hand the local entertainment that calls Hagerstown home.

If you love nature and the outdoors, Hagerstown has over 70 parks to enjoy. Some of the most beautiful and scenic parks are located within walking distance to quaint downtown shops. You can find playgrounds, nature trails and scenic paths that will allow you to enjoy the wonders of nature while still keeping your feet dry. The Hagerstown Parks Conservatory and Botanical Garden are another great place to visit. Here you can view beautiful flowers while listening to the sounds of running water. The New Hope Garden is another green haven in Hagerstown.

When the sun goes down, you can enjoy great outdoor activities. Hagerstown is home to over 60 public parks and nature preserves. Most of these parks are maintained by the Hagerstown Historical Society and feature playground equipment, nature studies, gardens, picnic areas, and other fun activities. The Fells Point Park is one of the largest parks in the area featuring an observation tower, hiking trails, baseball diamond, and several picnic spots. The Horseshoe Pond Park offers excellent boat docks and many other options for an evening of water sports.

If you like shopping, Hagerstown has numerous local stores that cater to a variety of shoppers. Many carry popular brands and offer competitive prices. There are also large superstores that sell everything from electronics to clothing. The Latham Square Mall boasts a giant video screen that shows movies when you are in need of a break from the screen.

When you need to get away from the hustle of the city, drive into Hagerstown and enjoy the peaceful beauty of The Great Southern Valley. The atmosphere in this area is perfect for taking a break and enjoying some peace and quiet. The Horseshoe Run Country Club is a private club with tennis, golf, swimming, hiking, and many other activities for the entire family. The clubhouse offers amazing access to The Great Southern Valley and the beautiful Potomac River Valley. Other activities in the area include: horseback riding, hiking, camping, cabin rentals, hiking, bicycling, history, music, and nature programs.

If you love the feel of a natural environment, Hagerstown has plenty of parks for you to enjoy. The Wisserve Park is located in Wisskill, just a few minutes from Hagerstown. The Wisserve Park features walking and biking trails, picnic tables, playground equipment, and a concession stand. The Hanger Mountain Park is only five miles from Hagerstown and offers hiking, biking, swimming, and a beautiful view of the nearby Shenandoah River. The Blue Ridge Parkway is only about a half-mile drive from Hagerstown and another great place to visit with your family or on a romantic weekend trip.

You will find several great dining options in Hagerstown as well. Several restaurants offer gourmet meals and you will find that your taste buds will be begging you to return again for more. Try the Hagerstown Olive Garden, The Hainanese, and the Golden Corral. The local hotels are located near many of the attractions in Hagerstown and some even have nice outdoor parking lots. You can stay at one of these hotels and enjoy all of the things to do and see in Hagerstown, Maryland.

[ellocentipede]

Solstice Scents Spring 2020 Collection Review

Spring is my favorite season--I love the sights and smells of green growing things, soft rain, and budding blooms. Solstice Scents is one of my favorite perfume houses because of their natural and realistic creations. Their house-made Gardenia Enfleurage (read all about it here) is an example of their dedication to the art of natural scent. This spring collection is stunning, and I have been enjoying wearing each of these fragrances. 

Mountain Vanilla

Scent description: Sweet Clover, Coumarin, Vanilla Musk, Fresh Green Accord, Poplar Buds, Morning Dew

This scent is so unbelievably pretty! It’s exactly what I was hoping for when I read the description. I love vanilla blends and realistic, atmospheric green blends, and this fits the bill beautifully. I’m so happy to have it. I get lots of sweet, green clover and a hint of gentle (not sharply aquatic) morning dew. They’re sweetened by the most beautiful natural vanilla note. I could wear this scent forever and be happy. 

After the Rain

Scent description:  Lilac, Wisteria, Blue Lotus, Rain, Green Accord, Wild Violets, Earth

This is a gorgeous, fresh, green floral. There’s a hint of petrichor with dew-soaked greenery and fresh florals. It somehow manages to smell both natural and like a fine perfume, with a hint of sharpness. It becomes gentler and fuzzier with wear--becoming soft wet greens and subdued violets.

Blossom Jam Tea Cakes

Scent description: Southern Tea Cakes, Petit Fours, Floral Infused Jams & Preserves and a Delicate Aroma of Tea

This one surprised me! There are a few tea blends that I really love (like Arcana’s Black Tea single note), but in general I’m not a big fan of gourmands or tea and cake blends. I love this one! It’s like a steaming cup of black tea with a hint of cream, and delicately iced cakes. This is surprisingly refreshing and calming for a gourmand blend--it's not overly sweet. With wear, the tea is dominant on my skin.

Victorian Picnic

Scent description: Pound Cake, Loquat-Lemon Glaze, Orange Blossoms, Wisteria, Ladyfingers, Jasmine, Azalea Leaf & Riesling

Gentle, sugared jasmine and orange blossom. This smells like a cake glaze made from orange blossom water, or like petals dipped in sugar. It’s sweet and lightly heady--very, very pretty! With wear a hint of Riesling peeks out, making this scent a bit more festive--like Victorian ladies daytime drinking on the lawn with a plate of delicately iced, floral-scented petit-fours.

Devil’s Millhopper

Scent description: Heather, Fern, Spring-fed Waterfall, New Spring Leaves, Earth, Oak, Wild Violet, Coumarin

When first applied I smell sharp, realistic greenery--like ferns and wild weeds. they tame quickly by cool and fresh spring water, softened by the gentlest, barely-there kiss of pillow-y soft vanilla. this is a gorgeous evocation of its namesake. it's not cologne-y or overly sharp--it's a highly wearable and natural atmospheric fragrance. As it dries I get a pinch of dry dirt and bark. If I close my eyes, it's like I'm sitting at the base of an oak tree in a damp subtropical glade. I will greatly enjoy wearing this--it smells like all of my favorite parts of home. 10/10 feel like a subtropical woodland elf.

Apple Mallow Bath Salts

Scent description: Crisp green apple combined with sweet gooey marshmallows. Apple Mallow is primarily a fresh apple scent highlighted by a delightful mallow note. The marshmallow note adds a creamy element which helps round out the sharp, tart, green note of the ripe green apple. Very refreshing!

I'm not usually one for apple blends, but this one is divine. This is the only scent that I could stand in my bath when I was suffering from morning sickness. It's a perfect, crisp, and tart green apple, softened by a sweet, gentle, and creamy halo of marshmallow.

Garden Gate Bath Salts

Scent description: Voluptuous Lilac blossoms in the foreground combine with faint traces of Wisteria and subtle, fresh, green grass notes. Contains a blend of fragrance oils and African Bluegrass EO to create a sweet and creamy floral.

Ooh--lilac and fresh greenery. This scent evokes a dew-soaked English garden that's slightly unkempt, with wild growing things on trellises. It makes for a beautiful and realistic spring floral bath. This would pair so well with After the Rain.

Carnation Black Tea Whipped Soap

Scent description: This scent is heavily focused on black tea with a little bergamot, some slightly spicy carnation on a base of amber musk. Black Tea is most dominant with the warm musk hovering just beneath. The carnation is not too strong; it just adds a nice floral and spice aspect to the tea accord.

Spicy earl grey tea! This is a steaming mug of earl grey tea sitting next to a bouquet of fresh red carnations.

Honeysuckle Green Tea Whipped Soap

Scent description: Notes of honeysuckle, matcha green tea and a touch of honey and lemon.

Green honeysuckle vines and a hint of gentle, green tea.

Orange Blossom Whipped Soap

Scent description: Primarily an orange blossom aroma with a little Egyptian Musk, yellow mandarin and blood orange. Very bright and bold floral softened by the gentle Egyptian Musk.

Creamy, fresh orange blossom petals that softly evoke the tropics. This is a beautiful blend.

Tea Rose Whipped Soap

Scent description: Notes of fresh rose, green tea and tea rose.

This is a gorgeous, true-to-life, velvety rose scent. I love it so much! I don’t get much of the green tea, but it’s likely balancing the scent and keeping it fresh-smelling and realistic with a touch of delicate greenery. 

Chiffon Burnishing Glacé Bath and Body Oil

Scent description: Vanilla, White Musk, White Amber & Lemon Myrtle EO

The Burnishing Glacé is a body and bath oil made with cyclomethicone, rice bran oil, and argan oil. It’s a really nice alternative to body lotion. It makes my skin feel silky smooth, keeps it nicely hydrated, and scents it so well! I love lemon bakery scents and the Chiffon scents is one of my very favorites. To me it smells like a perfect lemon ice box pie, with creamy, homemade whipped cream. The lemon is perfectly balanced--it’s not funky or sharp as some lemon fragrances can be on my skin. There’s a hint of tartness, but it’s sweetened by the vanilla.

Solstice Scents products may be perused and purchased at http://www.solsticescents.com/

[dudewhoabides]

Sierra Hull "Sunday" 8/18/18 Green Mountain Bluegrass and Roots Festival

[theloniousbach]

50 Years of Going to Shows, Pt. 3: Portrait of the Rock Fan as an Old Man

Rediscovering the Grateful Dead in the late 1980s led to going to rock concerts again, both THEM at the end and then their aftermath.  If that was part 2, this part 3 is about other latter day rock’n’roll.

While the Allman Brothers had been disappointing at Royals Stadium in 1973, they were balm in September 1995 with Garcia’s death looming.  They went into a St. Stephen’s jam in the middle of an always climactic “In Memory of Elizabeth Reed” that was soothing and hard charging.  Dicky Betts was around, so I guess that was the last time I saw him, but so was Warren Haynes.  So that was the first time I saw him as he was already a workhorse and a consummate professional.  I can’t say I thought they were great, but it sure was good to see them.  A later show in 2005, Haynes with Derek Trucks, was equally solid.  They were showing their age, as the GD had, but were invigorating the set lists and their self conception.  It helped to have Haynes and especially Trucks.  Poor Haynes, he is so very very good, but the first time I saw him, he was an after thought to Betts.  This time Trucks showed for the first time what a rare talent he is.  Jimmy Herring was often the lyrical soaring voice in Lesh’s Q.  Haynes just shows up and plays his ass off, always part of the first string.

So Gov’t Mule has been a must see when they come through.  I have found myself noticing different things each time.  One time it was the phrase by phrase construction of his solos with subtle adjustments of pick ups, one it was his singing, another time his set list construction and his exquisite taste in covers, the way he leads the band.  This guy is a pro and he leads a musician’s band.  Somebody once said that before smoking heroin, Garcia’s first addiction was music.  Haynes may not be addicted but he is an adventurous and wonderfully restless musician.  I was out of town for interesting experiments like the Warren Haynes Band which was very r&bish and a tour with acoustic musicians that was about songs.  But I would have gone.

The Derek Trucks Band was prodigy-ous, very good but not quite gelled.  Trucks deferred to his older drummer as the emcee and Kofi Burbridge and Mike Mattison (both of whom came into his band, their band with Susan Tedeschi) were important supports.  The material was clever and adventurous, but it wasn’t quite there.

Now, the Tedeschi Trucks Band is a beast, the best show on the road doing the music that matters to me.  She has one of the great voices and is no slouch on guitar.  They have everything, two drummers, horns, back up vocals, and a remarkable range and scope.  I have just realized how much they owe in conception and even cover tunes to the Joe Cocker/Leon Russell Mad Dogs and Englishmen project.  I have seen them three times but have not opted for their summer Wheels of Soul tours as one set from them on a week night after two supporting bands has not appealed.  I have couch toured with them for a couple of shows in February 2019.

I have tried to make up for lost ground too.  I have tried, honest I have, to get the Uncle Tupelo heritage, alt country being something I know I missed by being a jazz snob by the late 1970s and then gladly going with trad folk/Celtic/Balkan as the family’s music.  But I don’t hear songs well and don’t hang on lyrics anyway.  So a couple of Son Volt shows and one Jay Farrar were solid, interesting, and didn’t grab me.  Neither did a Wilco one.  Tweedy too has some songs and Nels Cline, whose path I’ve crossed in some jazz circles, is an interesting guitar colorist.  But, that’s enough.

I had more success with Elvis Costello who has put on some good expansive tours.  One used a spinning roulette type wheel to determine the set lists, but it was happily rigged to make sure that everything got played.  Another used a set to visit different eras.  That one included Larkin Poe as openers.  They were pretty nifty, but they have resurfaced and stand out as the future.

He also opened for Bob Dylan (2007ish) and frankly was more impressive.  That was the last time I saw Dylan and I’m glad I saw another tour circa 2004, but I don’t have the new tunes fixed in my mind and don’t plan to.  The old ones are sometimes hard to place.  I’m glad he’s still on the road and that he’s hardly a nostalgia act.  But he’s not doing much I need to hear.

My concert partners have encouraged me to try some things that have been worthwhile but not lasting.  Grace Potter was fine, but my song deafness was a factor.  Robert Randolph captures a nifty roots genre, sacred steel, and then brings it forward into a mix of rock and soul.  And I have twice bought tickets for the Yonder Mountain String Band and missed both due to illness.  I have resigned myself to being jinxed and don’t even try, preferring to stay healthy. I saw String Cheese Incident as a headliner for which Ratdog opened, but they didn’t do much for us and we walked out.  

I have passed on Phish but did see the Trey Anastasio Band twice.  Of course, he’s an amazing guitar player and this band is rootsier (the horns help) with some good covers.  But his songs are slight.  As a second generation jam band, he/they listened to first gen bands, Zappa, and prog rock whereas the first gen, especially the Dead, listened to jug bands, old time, bluegrass, and country.  So it’s less grounded.

I did see some free concerts here in St. Louis of people I would have wanted to see.  There was a late 1980s tour of The Band and they got away with using the name with Levon Helm, Rick Danko, and Garth Hudson holding up the legacy.  Around the same time or probably the summer before or after, Dr. John came through and that was welcome.

A local blues festival brought in Taj Mahal and I’m glad I got to see him as he was a hero of my youth.  Quite an influence too as country blues became part of the folk legacy I have gravitated too.

But this stuff should be dynamic and not nostalgic.  So I may have a couple of youngish bands that I am watching.

I mentioned Larkin Poe via Elvis Costello.  I found them doing hotel room videos of important covers which means, like Jackie Greene, that they are influenced by the right mix of rock, soul, and above all blues.  They have strong rootsy albums of their own.  Rebecca Lovell has one of those powerful Southern voices and is the articulate voice of their shared intelligence about the music.  Big sister Megan is “the slide queen” having rigged a lap steel like a dobro she can play standing up.  She is an amazing player.  I saw them In an outdoor club that I anticipate they will outgrow.  They are doing some festivals this summer that should garner/has garnered the attention of biggies in the blues scene—Eric Gales, Joe Bonamassa, and maybe even Warren Haynes—that should pay dividends.  Remember, I saw them back in the day.

It was covers too that called Lake Street Dive to my attention.  But, besides the incredible voice of Rachael Price, they also have a nifty band sound anchored by Bridget Kearney on bass.  They too have listened to soul and other roots, but also have a mix of pithy guitar or trumpet and a subtle approach to percussion.  They are already a big deal and may have settled into an audience.  But it’s one that I join as an older member.  Larkin Poe has a levy of my generation locked into the blues and Jackie Greene has Deadheads along for the ride.  But LSD has its own hipster identity.

So, the music keeps growing and maybe I do too.

[the-zealoptics]

Another Season of FESTIVATION Is Among Us

High On a Mountain Top - photo: Emily Sierra

The sun is finally warming the hills and if I open my windows wide enough, I can almost hear the tinny resonance of a banjo and taste the hops in the air. Although winter has lingered a bit longer than most of us Coloradans would like, that’s not stopping June’s arrival and with that comes the ever-loved Telluride Bluegrass Festival.

For almost forty-six years, festivarians have graced Telluride's Town Park to watch world-class musicians perform all genres of music, not just bluegrass. What started as a small festival where you could practically drive your car up to the stage and pitch a tent more than 2 inches from your neighbor, has turned into an epic event that sells out in just a matter of minutes. 

Telluride through the Copper Kennedy lens - photo: Emily Sierra

I’ve been to Telluride Bluegrass Festival a few times now but last year, 2018, I had the honor of playing on mainstage Thursday morning with my band, The Railsplitters. At 9:30AM, the boys and I warmed up in the expansive green room under the stage, the five of us anxiously sweating all over our instruments. We’d all dreamt of playing Telluride Bluegrass before and now it was becoming a very unnerving reality. With a tight grasp on our cups of liquid courage, we took our positions across the front of mainstage and proceeded with the set we’d each been imagining since the start of our musical careers. As I looked out among the masses, I realized that I hadn’t yet fully comprehended the magnitude of this privilege. I was standing in the same spot that so many of my idols had stood over the years. 

The Railsplitters on Mainstage - photo: Dancer Productions

In 1976, nine years before I was born, John Hartford played songs about the Mississippi River on that very stage. In 1985, my favorite vocalist of all time, Emmylou Harris played there with her band as I experienced my third month on Planet Earth. In the year 2000, as I was trying to pass my driver’s exam, Nickle Creek, a band who is essentially the same age as me, were literally blowing the crowd’s collective mind. Eighteen years later, I somehow found my way from the heart of the deep south onto a stage larger than my hopes and dreams. 

Lauren wearing her new Crowleys in Telluride, CO -                                photo: Dancer Productions

If that stage could tell a story, it would be one filled with love and laughter and music and tears. It’s a story that continues with each year of festivation and as Telluride Bluegrass Festival continues to make history, festivarians and performers alike will continue writing the story of music together.

Post performance donuts with a view - photo: Emily Sierra

[krispyweiss]

Song Review: The Sam Grisman Project - “Stealin’” (Live, 2022)

Tossing solos around like good bluegrass bands do, everything seems trad as the Sam Grisman Project performs “Stealin’” at the 2022 Green Mountain Bluegrass & Roots festival until …

… an electric slide-guitar showcase surfaces.

Fish, meet dry land.

But this works out splendidly, the electrified axe fitting nicely between mandolin and fiddle solos and proving tradition is meant to be messed with. And this “Stealin’” has a fine arrangement to boot, with tight, ensemble playing, strong harmonies and plenty of deference to rein in the adventurousness.

Thread, meet needle.

Grade card: The Sam Grisman Project - “Stealin’” (Live, 2022) - B+

1-5-23

[gayorgynight65]

Poolside peewee kissing and my petting session for big group of gay play boys Rocky Mount

ONLY FOR YOU!

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[rawfoodbarefootrunner]

I am a barefoot boy through and through ... but these bad boys hiding in the leaves bring out the crocs 😄 . . First day at the Bony Mountain folk festival. The drought has made it hard on every aspect of country living but events like this lift the spirit and hold the intention of better times ahead. . . Celtic dancing, ukulele playing, fiddle, banjo, and yodeling all part of the program and the first day and evening for us didn’t disappoint. The last act on the bill was a six piece high octane bluegrass/ hillbilly band #openseason . . The dust being more prevalent than the grass ... and rain 💦 a tantalizing memory that would paint the landscape green once again ... but until the sound of spattered water on the old tin roof be music 🎵 to many ... the sound from the instruments 🎻 and the performance from the dancers and players hold the space while waiting for better times to come. (at Bony Mountain, Queensland, Australia) https://www.instagram.com/p/B2pd7qSgGKE/?igshid=1pfn80dzjwa7w

[teerjohn]

Thank you Vermont! Had us a real good time playing for all the awesome attendees in the rain at @greenmountainbluegrass Also a treat to see hero @sambushband tearing it up on the main stage and sounding incredible! 💪 And great catching up with good NC buddies @mipsomusic and @townmountain See y’all down the road✌️photo by lkcarswell (at Green Mountain Bluegrass & Roots Festival) https://www.instagram.com/p/B1Rgp7Enlzw/?igshid=o0hok8hvma9l

[themusicenthusiast]

Sheryl Crow, Patty Griffin, Lucius and Many More Will Help Brandi Carlile Celebrate Her 2nd Annual Girls Just Wanna Weekend Festival in Riviera Maya, Mexico in Early 2020

Brandi Carlile’s Girls Just Wanna Weekend—a destination concert vacation produced by Cloud 9 Adventures in partnership with The Bowery Presents—will take place at the all-inclusive Hard Rock Hotel in Riviera Maya, Mexico from January 29-Febraury 2, 2020 and once again feature an all female-fronted lineup. In addition to multiple sets from Carlile, the festival will include performances by Sheryl Crow, Lake Street Dive, Patty Griffin, Lucius, Wanda Sykes (comedy set), KT Tunstall, Jade Bird, Amanda Shires and Yola as well as special guests Ruby Amanfu, Natalie Hemby and Katie Herzig. Girls Just Wanna Weekend will be held at the Hard Rock Hotel Riviera Maya, a luxurious all-inclusive resort located just sixty minutes south of the Cancun International Airport. Guests can choose from a variety of well-appointed room categories at the resort, including Concert Courtyard rooms, Stagefront suites and lush tropical views spread throughout the property. Following the wildly successful inaugural event last year, a limited ticket pre-sale opened to returning guests several weeks ago. The remaining rooms will go on-sale this Friday, May 10 at 12:00pm ET.

The festival continues a landmark year for the three-time GRAMMY Award-winner following the release of her acclaimed new album, By The Way, I Forgive You. Produced by Dave Cobb and Shooter Jennings and recorded at Nashville’s historic RCA Studio A, the album includes ten new songs written by Carlile and longtime collaborators and bandmates Tim and Phil Hanseroth, including “The Joke. In celebration of the release, Carlile will continue her extensive tour through 2019 including a special debut headline performance at New York City’s Madison Square Garden on September 14. Additional stops include Chicago’s Huntington Bank Pavilion at Northerly Island, St. Paul’s Minnesota State Fair, Philadelphia’s The Mann and Berkeley’s The Greek Theatre at UC Berkeley among others. Over the course of their acclaimed career, Carlile and her band have released six albums, including 2015’s The Firewatcher’s Daughter, which garnered a GRAMMY nomination for Best Americana Album. Additionally, in 2017, they released Cover Stories: Brandi Carlile Celebrates 10 Years of the Story (An Album to Benefit War Child), which features 14 artists covering the songs on their breakthrough album The Story with all proceeds benefiting War Child. Artists included on the acclaimed project, which Rolling Stone calls, “tender and powerful,” include Dolly Parton, Adele, Pearl Jam, Kris Kristofferson, The Avett Brothers, Margo Price and Jim James as well as a forward written by President Obama. Current Tour Dates: 2019 May 24 & 25—Shelburne, VT— Ben & Jerry’s Concerts on the Green at Shelburne Museum 26—Boston, MA—Boston Calling June 1—Quincy, WA—The Gorge Amphitheater 14—Columbia, MD—Merriweather Post Pavilion 16—Manchester, TN—Bonnaroo Music and Arts Festival 23—Telluride, CO—Telluride Bluegrass Festival 27—Lansing, MI—Common Ground Music Festival 29—Chicago, IL—Huntington Bank Pavilion at Northerly Island* July 17—Costa Mesa, CA—The Pacific Amphitheatre 25—Floyd, VA—FloydFest August 2—Bonner Springs, KS—Providence Medical Center Amphitheater‡ 3—Peoria, IL—Peoria Civic Center 4—St. Charles, IA—Hinterland Music Festival 10—Lexington, KY—Railbird Festival 11—St. Louis, MO—The Fabulous Fox 19—Alpharetta, GA—Ameris Bank Amphitheatre† 20—Birmingham, AL—Oak Mountain Amphitheatre† 23—Troutdale, OR—Edgefield Concerts Amphitheater (SOLD OUT) 24—Troutdale, OR—Edgefield Concerts Amphitheater (SOLD OUT) 25—Troutdale, OR—Edgefield Concerts Amphitheater 29—Bayfield, WI—Big Top Chautauqua 30—Bayfield, WI—Big Top Chautauqua 31—St. Paul, MN—Minnesota State Fair September 6—Philadelphia, PA—The Mann# 7-8—Chattanooga, TN—Moon River Music Festival 14—New York, NY—Madison Square Garden 21—Berkeley, CA—The Greek Theatre at UC Berkeley (SOLD OUT) 22—Berkeley, CA—The Greek Theatre at UC Berkeley 27—Denver, CO—The Mission Ballroom 28—Denver, CO—The Mission Ballroom 29—Denver, CO—The Mission Ballroom October 14—Los Angeles, CA—Walt Disney Concert Hall November 2—Groningen, Netherlands—Take Root Festival 2020 January 29-February 2, 2020—Riviera Maya, Mexico—Girls Just Wanna Weekend *with special guest Lucius ‡co-headline with Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit †Heart: Love Alive Tour #with special guest Mavis Staples

[celtfather]

Slea Head #435

Climb Slea Head cliffs with us as take in the majesty of Celtic music.

Andy Law, The Tea Merchants, Westwood Bluegrass Band, Fir Arda, Ballinloch, Spoil the Dance, Dustin Cooper, Nicole White, Poor Man's Gambit, Catherine Koehler, Hard Green, Celtic Reggae Revolution, Brave the Sea, Tartanic, Brother Sea

I hope you enjoyed this week's show. If you did, please share the show with ONE friend.

The Irish & Celtic Music Podcast is dedicated to growing our community and helping the incredible artists who so generously share their music. If you find music you love, buy their albums, shirts, and songbooks, follow them on Spotify, see their shows, and drop them an email to let them know you heard them on the Irish and Celtic Music Podcast.

Remember also to Subscribe to the Celtic Music Magazine. Every week, I'll send you a few cool bits of Celtic music news. It's a quick and easy way to plug yourself into more great Celtic culture. Plus, you'll get 34 Celtic MP3s for Free, just for signing up today. Thank you again for being a Celt of Kindness.

VOTE IN THE CELTIC TOP 20 With the new year comes a new votes in the Celtic Top 20. This is our way of finding the best songs and artists each year. Just list the show number, and the name of as many bands in the episode as you like. Your vote helps me create next year's Best Celtic music of 2019 episode.  Vote Now!

THIS WEEK IN CELTIC MUSIC

0:04 - "Falmouth Gig / Bishop's Jig / Porthlystry" by Andy Law & Friends from The Long and Short of It

3:38 - WELCOME

4:10 - "Rosetree Polka" by The Tea Merchants from Gaslight Snaps

8:25 - "Out Of Sight, Out Of Mind" by Westwood Bluegrass Band from Kenzie

12:53 - "Casadh an tSugain" by Fir Arda from Greenhouse Sessions

15:29 - "Slea Head" by Ballinloch from Rise Up!

20:19 - CELTIC FEEDBACK

25:54 - "Ten Thousand Miles" by Spoil the Dance from Fairer Skies

28:53 - "Chanter and Scotch Cap" by Dustin Cooper from So Many Strings, So Little TIme

32:11 - "Lady Night" by Nicole White from Fantasy

34:00 - "La Ridee" by Poor Man's Gambit from Land of Sunshine

40:30 - "Live Not Where I Love" by Catherine Koehler from upcoming album

43:59 - CELTIC PODCAST NEWS

46:49 - "I'll Tell Me Ma" by Hard Green from Rare Old Mountain Dew

50:04 - "Gypsy Tax Fiddle Dub" by Celtic Reggae Revolution from Celtic Dub, Volume 1

55:00 - "Siren's Song" by Brave the Sea from The Kraken

59:46 - "The Belly Dancer" by Tartanic from Uncharted

1:02:02 - CLOSING

1:03:20 - "Curious Shore" by Brother Sea from Brother Sea Ep

The Irish & Celtic Music Podcast was produced by Marc Gunn, The Celtfather. To subscribe, go to Apple Podcasts or to our website where you can become a Patron of the Podcast for as little as $1 per episode. Promote Celtic culture through music at http://celticmusicpodcast.com/.

  CELTIC PODCAST NEWS

* Helping you celebrate Celtic culture through music. My name is Marc Gunn. I am a Celtic musician and podcaster. This show is dedicated to the indie Celtic musicians. I want to ask you to support these artists. Share the show with your friends. And find more episodes at celticmusicpodcast.com. You can also support this podcast on Patreon.

The Celtic Christmas Podcast is coming back. Join Celtic Christmas music fans to help us release episodes in 2019. Sign up today.

TRAVEL WITH CELTIC INVASION VACATIONS Every year, I take a small group of Celtic music fans on the relaxing adventure of a lifetime. We don't see everything. Instead, we stay in one area. We get to know the region through it's culture, history, and legends. You can join us with an auditory and visual adventure through podcasts and videos. Join the invasion at http://celticinvasion.com/

THANK YOU PATRONS OF THE PODCAST! Because of Your kind and generous support, this show comes out every week and has done so since 2014. You can pledge a dollar or more per episode and cap how much you want to spend each month over on Patreon.

Your generosity funds the creation, promotion and production of the show. It allows us to attract new listeners and to help our community grow. Plus, you get to hear episodes before regular listeners. When we hit a milestone, you get an extra-long episode. We are super close to getting a two-hour instrumental special.

I want to thank our Celtic Legends: Annie Lorkowski, Bryan Brake, Carol Baril, Hank Woodward, Kevin Long, Lynda MacNeil, Marianne Ludwig, Miranda Nelson, Nancie Barnett, Patricia Conner, robert michael kane, Scott Benson, Shawn Cali, Tiffany Knight

You can become a generous Patron of the Podcast at http://patreon.com/celticpodcast.

  I WANT YOUR FEEDBACK

What are you doing today while listening to the podcast? You can send a written comment along with a picture of what you're doing while listening. Email a voicemail message to celticpodcast@gmail.com

Beth Hlabse emailed photos: "Hi, Marc, I just wanted to drop you a line to thank you for another wonderful podcast (412). Thanks to you, I discovered Heather Dale and I was very happy to hear her once again on you ‘cast.

I’ve attached some photos of what I do while listening to the Irish and Celtic Music Podcast. I’ve been cross-stitching since I was 12 (more years ago than I want to say) and I’ve found that listening to your podcast has kept me going on my more difficult projects.

Keep up the good work and much joy, peace and happiness in your new home!"

BETH HLABSE 1, 2, 3

Wing L Mui emailed: "Hi Marc,I first started listening to your podcast in... 2006? 2007? A very long time ago, that's for sure. I drifted away when I left school and life got busy. But a week ago I realized that Spotify carries your podcast and began listening again. Now I have several hundred back episodes to go back to and I am very much looking forward to it!

That's not why I'm writing though. I just heard you address the complaint in your latest episode. Well, I'm a trans woman of East Asian descend and honestly not only do I not see very many folks like me performing Irish and Celtic music, it's hard for me to find other folks like me in the audience too. I'm thinking back to the last time Solas was in town for a bluegrass festival: the room was packed but pretty much every person was white. Except for me and the guy selling drinks in the back, I guess.

So I really want to thank you not only for introducing me to a wide variety of amazing music by a whole bunch of wonderful people around the world, but for standing up and making a safe space for folks who don't necessarily resemble what some people think fans of Irish and Celtic music should be. Thank you so much for your work, and your wonderful podcast!"

Matthew Means emailed: "Hi Marc, I've been a supporter for a number of years, first as a listener and then pledging to your Patreon, but never taken the time to let you know why I make that decision every month. Why now? Well, I suppose the world has been getting a little darker by the hour since I first found the podcast, but I've always been able to rely on your efforts to add a touch of something that's just purely positive and emotionally rewarding to my life on a regular basis. Especially as nearly every media channel turns into a profit-driven minefield of negativity, I can say without reservation that I want to live in a world where the Irish & Celtic Music Podcast exists, a forum where great music and equality are the only things that you'll find when you dig deeper. Does that sound overly dramatic? Well, maybe it is, but there are so few things I can say that about these days -- which is perhaps the far more dramatic conclusion.

Anyway, thanks for your hard work and hope to catch you on the road someday. Also, the Don't Go Drinking With Hobbits album is a masterpiece."

Will emailed: "Marc thanks such an outstanding podaost that raises the bar with each episode... after years and years of just listening to your podcast, I just turned around and made some purchases all thanks to your podcast. I purchased every album of Wicket Tinkers, Stubby shillelaghs, and album from the bedlam bards and of course your firefly drinking songs album. keep up the outstanding work, and keep raising that bar... wishing you the best from Japan, thanks,"

Marti Meyers emailed a photo from Gainsville, FL: "Catching up on episodes and listening to #407. I'm sitting before my neuroanatomy class and color coding spinal tracts. Grad student life! I hope your move went smoothly. The only thing harder than moving is house hunting!"

MARTI MEYERS

Amber from Buffalo emailed on Facebook: "I found your podcast by chance sometime last year. I love the energy of your show, your support of the diverse culture of celtic music, and the acknowledgment of all of the lesser known artists out there. Very recently, i have lost a friend to a terrible accident. he was a lovely human being who I can only describe as 'Wholesome'- he quite literally helped build much of my community, and had a very gentle hand with creatures. He introduced me to a plethora of celtic drinking songs/ sailing songs, something he quite enjoyed as he spent much of his time in Alaska working for fishing boats and various wildlife organizations. I don't know if he ever got around to hearing your podcast, but i am sure he would have enjoyed you very much. Would it be possible to request a cover of 'Mingulay' to be played on one of your upcoming shows? It is my favorite and very much reminds me of him."

#celticmusic #irishmusic #irishcelticmusic #celticmusicnews #equality #drinkingsongs

Check out this episode!

[krispyweiss]

Song Review: Tim O’Brien & Friends - “Maggie’s Farm” (Live)

Fairly shouting, Tim O’Brien had just a touch of Bob Dylan in his voice as he led his Friends through “Maggie’s Farm” at the 2024 Green Mountain Bluegrass & Roots Festival.

It was a big band, steered by the twin fiddles of Brittany Haas and Shad Cobb, anchored by Mike Bub’s bass and leaving room for solos on Andrew Marlin’s mandolin, O’Brien’s guitar and Justin Moses’ banjo.

O’Brien delivered Dylan’s words expertly as Jan Fabricius added harmonies with help from a lyrics sheet. She wasn’t the only one winging it, as O’Brien called solos and extra measures from the fiddlers and tossed in a line about not workin’ on the railroad either.

Such looseness would flummox lesser musicians. Tim O’Brien & Friends thrived on it.

Grade card: Tim O’Brien & Friends - “Maggie’s Farm” (Live) - A

10/31/24

[the-record-newspaper]

Local bands a big part of Carolina in the Fall

Festival is this Friday and Saturday

By JERRY LANKFORD

Record Editor

Carolina in the Fall is this Friday and Saturday, Sept. 21 and Sept. 22, in Downtown Wilkesboro.

And Wilkes festival goers will have a chance to see many of their friends and neighbors performing on the various stages as plenty of local musicians will be participating in the festival.

The musical hosts of the festival is the Kruger Brothers – Jens and Uwe Kruger and Joel Landsberg, who are also Wilkes residents.

Uwe said Wilkes’ talent is important to the event.

“ Local artists are the life and blood of the festival,” Uwe said. “It gives us an opportunity to showcase young bands and older talent, showing off our vast pool of creativity in Wilkes. Carolina in the Fall is all about people getting together to enjoy each other. We have, from the start of the planning for the festival, insisted to include Wilkes' musical heritage, and we all are committed to carry on this way. The festival jams in the Holiday Inn have been, and will be, a great opportunity for musicians to make new friends and to get to know each other personally, helping to build careers and connections. So far, it has been a tremendous success.”

Among the local bands are Rocky Point, Alex Key and the Locksmiths, Backporch Bluegrass, The Trailblazers (featuring mandolin virtuoso Jonah Horton), Pressley Barker, Wyld Fern, Larry Skipper and his students along with participants of the MAP Program, and Uncle Joe and the Shady Rest.

The Rocky Point Band includes Rick Lovette, who sings and plays acoustic guitar; Keith Johnston, who sings and plays banjo; Frank Mayberry who sings and plays upright bass; Wes Whitson who sings plays cajon and mandolin, and Andy Rhodes, who sings and plays electric guitar.

Telling about the band, Rhodes said, “We played together as part of an early morning worship band at North Wilkesboro First United Methodist Church a good 10-plus years. Rocky Point Band just grew out of that. It was kind of a Saturday night, Sunday morning band. We play bluegrass, country, gospel and rock all rolled into to our sound. We've been described as Americana. We've played at all the Carolina in the Fall festivals since it was moved to town. We love playing, and playing in such a great festival is the best.”

Alex Key and The Locksmiths has been together a year and a half. Its members are Alex Key, lead singer and guitar; Patrick Jackson on drums; Sam Lyall on bass and Sawyer Whitman on banjo and guitar.

                                  Alex Key and the Locksmiths

Key says his musical influences are Genre George strait, Alan Jackson and Dwight Yoakam influences along with many members of his family who are musically talented. One of those is his uncle, Herb Key, who plays with The Elkville String Band and with Wayne Henderson.

As for playing at Carolina in the Fall, Key said, “It means the world, getting support in your hometown is everything. I love this festival and it's an honor to get to play in this amazing event and share a lineup with some incredible artists.”

Others in the lineup for Carolina in the Fall include: The Steel Wheels, Jim Lauderdale, The Secret Sisters, Front Country, Humming House, The Roosevelts and The Snyder Family Band.

                                                      Wyld Fern

Carolina in the Fall Music and Food Festival, the fourth annual celebration of music, food and mountain tradition, takes in historic downtown Wilkesboro. Over 100 musicians, chefs, and craft beer brewers from the region will gather on Main Street to entertain audiences with the best of their craft.

Music begins at 12 noon on Friday and 11 a.m. on Saturday and continues until 10:30 p.m. both nights. Festival gates open an hour before the music begins. Carolina in the Fall, recipient of the 2017 IBMA Momentum Event of the Year Award, offers five stages of entertainment: Carolina Stage, Foothills Stage, Hall of Fame Stage, Great State Stage, and, new for this year, The 1915 Stage. Live music on the porch of the Blue Ridge Artisan Center at The 1915 begins at 1 p.m. each day.

"Everyone is welcome to come enjoy the street festival portion of Carolina in the Fall. Those who wish to enter the music venues may purchase a wristband to hear world-class performers from near and far. The entertainment is phenomenal," said Dale Isom, festival organizer. "For some music lovers, 'the bigger, the better' holds true; others prefer intimate, single-stage festivals. Carolina in the Fall is perfect for everyone! It offers a mix of Americana, bluegrass and folk music; exciting activities and competitions; inimitable shop vendors; slightly-out-of-the-ordinary cuisine to the most beloved and anticipated festival dishes; and a festival ambiance that enhances lifelong memories for all."

                                           Backporch Bluegrass

The complete lineup and stage schedules are available at www.carolinainthefall.org.

Each evening during the festival, VIP ticketholders can attend the Carolina Jam at the Wilkesboro Holiday Inn Express' Yadkin Valley Event Center. The Carolina Jam, hosted by the Kruger Brothers, features artists from the day's lineup. These unforgettable jam sessions provide once-in-a-lifetime collaborations between the artists.

Carolina in the Fall engages audiences with tastes from the region - tastes in music, food and beverages, heritage crafts, the best of entertainment, including food, heritage crafts, dance, shopping, children's activities and more.

Food and Beverages

Festival guests can enjoy sweet and savory dishes as food trucks from across the state bring their best recipes to feed the masses and compete in the Carolina in the Fall Food Truck Championship. Competing trucks are selected based on their unique menus to ensure variety. Competing for the 2018 title are Amalfi's on Wheels, Bleu Barn Bistro, Chop Shop BBQ, Kerala Curry Express, PorterHouse Burger Truck, Wingz on Wheelz and Wolf Down Eastern Fusion Tacos.

Non-competing food trucks include Carolina Shaved Ice and Super Snack Shop, offering funnel cakes, fresh squeezed and frozen lemonade, and other frozen desserts on a stick. And, the Watering Hole will offer free, filtered water for all ticketholders.

Guests with a grown-up thirst can enjoy tastings in the Beer Garden, featuring the area's finest vintners and craft brewers, including Angry Troll Brewing, Booneshine Brewing Company and Raffaldini Wine.

Activities for All Ages

Chad Lovette Memorial 5k and 10k Trail Run and 5k Walk - Cub Creek Park, 200 S. Bridge Street, Saturday, check-in 7 a.m. and event begins promptly at 8 a.m.

Yoga on the Square - Heritage Square, Saturday, 9 a.m. Bring a yoga mat.

Splash Pad on Heritage  Square for kids of all ages - Features 29 jets and colorful lighting. Don't forget a towel and a change of clothes.

North Carolina Banjo Championship, sponsored by Deering Banjos - Hall of Fame Stage, Saturday, 8:30 a.m.

Bobby Martin Young Songwriter Competition - Great State Stage, Saturday, 8:30 a.m.

Picking Place, hosted by the Wilkes Acoustic Folk Society - Pickin' Tent located on Main  Street in front of Wilkes Heritage Museum, 12 noon-5 p.m. each day. Bring an instruments and join the jam.

Corn Hole Tournament - front lawn of Wilkes Heritage Museum, Saturday, 3 p.m.

Contra/Barn Dance and Lessons with Bob & Roberta Kogut - Great State Stage, Friday, 3-4:45 p.m.

Contra/Barn Dance and Lessons with Bob & Roberta Kogut - Great State Stage, Saturday, 4-4:45 p.m.

Points of Interest

While visiting Historic Wilkesboro for the festival, guests can visit the newly renovated Wilkes Heritage Museum, which houses the Blue Ridge Music Hall of Fame, and Blue Ridge Artisan Center, located in The 1915. The 1915 is on the National Registry of Historic Places and is a masterpiece of federal-style architecture. Owners of the building, Dale and Michelle Isom, recently completed restoring the original beauty of this masterpiece of federal-style architecture.

Shopping and Heritage Crafts

Vendors from across the region will offer alluring and distinctive merchandise. These include the Carolina in the Fall merchandise booth, Prucha Banjos, Deering Banjos and Cook's Sporting Goods. Heritage craftspeople and artisans will demonstrate their talents and sell handmade items. Lyle Wheeler will demonstrate woodworking and blacksmithing. He will also have handmade rocking chairs and local honey for sale. Handcrafted jewelry and specialty items by Calnek Woodworks, Karen Keyes Pottery & Photography, Classic Country, Designs by Sharon, Deb Goodman and A Purpose Again will be available. Jams, jelly, salsa and blueberry smoothies by Green Mesa Farms. In addition, Carolina in the Fall will feature great snacks and beverages provided by Talia Espresso, Anchor Coffee and Kettle Bear Kettle Corn.

Local accommodations consist of campgrounds and area hotels. The Town of Wilkesboro is opening the Sewerfest Campground for the festival. For more information or to reserve a campsite, emailsewerfest@wilkesboronc.org or visit www.carolinainthefall.org.

Tickets for Carolina in the Fall Music & Food Festival 2018 are on sale now and may be purchased atwww.carolinainthefall.org, by calling 336-990-0747, at the festival office located at 1305 South Collegiate  Drive in Wilkesboro, or at the festival gate. The two-day VIP ticket includes a reserved seat at the Carolina Stage and a two-night pass to the Carolina Jam. Children ages 12 and under are admitted for free with a paying adult.

Schedule

Friday, Sept. 21

CAROLINA STAGE

Trailblazers

12:05 - 12:50

Salt & Light Bluegrass Band

1:10 - 2:05

Fireside Collective

2:30 - 3:30

The Roosevelts

4:00 - 5:00

Jim Lauderdale

5:30 - 6:30

The Kruger Brothers & Friends

7:05 - 8:20

The Steel Wheels

8:50 - 10:20

 FOOTHILLS STAGE

David Russell & Friends

2:05 - 2:30

Hank, Pattie, & the Current

3:30 - 4:00

T Michael Coleman

5:00 - 5:30

Nikki Talley

6:30 - 7:00

Roanoke

8:00 - 8:50

 HALL OF FAME STAGE

BackPorch Bluegrass

1:00 - 1:45

Presley Barker

2:00-2:45

Arcadian Wild

3:00-3:45

Nikki Talley

4:00-4:45

Hank, Pattie, & the Current

5:00-5:45

 GREAT STATE

Alex Key & the Locksmiths

1:00 - 1:45

Kruger Brothers Workshop

2:00-2:45

Contra Dance

with Bob & Roberta Kogut

3:00-3:45

Contra Dance

with Bob & Roberta Kogut

4:00-4:45

Jay Nash

5:00-5:45

 THE 1915 STAGE

Madison Elmore & Luke Morris

1:00-1:45

Wyld Fern

2:00-2:45

Shay Lovette

3:00-3:45

 Saturday, Sept. 22

CAROLINA STAGE

Time Sawyer

11:00 - 11:45

Arcadian Wild

12:05 - 12:50

Roanoke

1:10 - 2:05

Snyder Family Band

2:30 - 3:30

Humming House

4:00 - 5:00

Front Country

5:30 - 6:30

The Secret Sisters

7:05 - 8:20

Kruger Brothers

8:50 - 10:20

 HALL OF FAME STAGE

Cane Mill Road

12:00 - 12:45

Carolina Pinecones

1:00 - 1:45

Shay Lovette Band

2:00-2:45

Paper Crowns

3:00-3:45

The Contenders

4:00-4:45

Wayne Henderson

& Friends

5:00-5:45

 THE 1915 STAGE

Rocky Point Band

1:00-1:45

Ben Barker

2:00-2:45

Will Easter Band

3:00-3:45

FOOTHILLS STAGE

Larry Skipper's

Students & MAP Program

2:05 - 2:30

Banjo, Songwriting, &

Food Truck Championship Presentations

3:30 - 4:00

Paper Crowns

5:00 - 5:30

The Contenders

6:30 - 7:00

Wayne Henderson &

Presley Barker

8:20 - 8:50

 GREAT STATE

Youth Showcase

11:00 - 11:45

Youth Showcase

Continued

12:00 - 12:45

David Russell & Friends

1:00 - 1:45

Foothills Cloggers

2:00-2:45

Uncle Joe

& the Shady Rest

3:00-3:45

Contra Dance

with Bob & Roberta Kogut

4:00-4:45

Snyder Family

Workshop

5:00-5:45

[nailtravels]

The gypsy girl said it herself, the cards looked good. But what did that really mean? And good for whom? There was lots going on here. Were we now putting our faith entirely in the hands of the unknown, like buffalo teeth and painted chicken’s feet? When you believe in things you don’t understand, then you suffer superstition. Methinks this does not bode well.

Mercury was supposedly in retrograde, whatever the great Gravy Crockett that meant. And this was somehow supposed to translate into everything coming up wine and roses? With hindsight being twenty-twenty, the lens of wisdom would surely suggest nades. F’sho, no. Who could know that the red haired gypsy girl’s words would herald both delicious ecstasy and unimaginable peril? Such is the way here in the proverbial pocket of things. Welcome to the Mother Land. This is the briar patch and you, little mister, have enlisted in the Army of Northern Virginia. Don’t worry. We won’t have you hiking through the brambles. This is Thomas Jackson country and The Low-Brow Summer Tour 2018 has come to a close with the nailtravels team mounting a guerrilla offensive on Lockn’ Festival. Mission accomplished, it’s Lockn’ 2018: The Lowest Brow.

Ambassadors extraordinaire, Lockn’ 2018

Lockn’ Festival, formerly known as Interlocken Music Festival, is an annual four-day music festival held at Oak Ridge Farm in Arrington, Virginia. It is a headier-than-thou, jam-band, wavy gravy, funk heavy camping/music experience in the gentle hills of southern Virginia. It gets it’s name from the rotating stage that showcases performers as the end of one act overlaps the beginning of the next. Bands like Lettuce and Umphrie’s Magee played to and with each other as the musical transition took place to the seamless delight of thousands.

Past artists include Gov’y Mule, String Cheese, moe, John Fogerty, Greensky Bluegrass, The Avett Brothers, Ween, Phish, Twiddle, My Morning Jacket, John Butler, Chris Robinson Brotherhood, Little Feat, Robert Plant, Jefferson Airplane, Carlos Santana, Tom Petty, The Wood Brothers, Willie Nelson, Hot Tuna, Zac Brown, Jimmy Cliff, Col. Bruce Hampton and who cares? That’s plenty.

Main stage, LOCKN’ Sat. night: photo by Jessica Brightsen.

For once, Baitbucket felt reasonably healthy. The yellow foam had stopped seeping from the corner of his right eye and his back felt strangely quiet. The knees and ankles were holding together and, barring an unforeseen incident, he might be able to run the gauntlet. A gauntlet to be sure. infinity Downs Farm is a gigantic property littered with rvs, tents and ez-ups. Laid out over miles of hippies and clay trails, every exploratory adventure covers several square miles of travel. And that doesn’t include the multiple unexpected detours that seem to be popping up all the time. Jubba jubba.

Bobby

New friends.

Dead & Co. LOCKN’ 2018: photo by Kevin Crowley

Johnny and Bobby, LOCKN” 2018

The fam. LOCKN’ 2018

Dead & Co. with Branford Marsalis, LOCKN’ 2018: photo by Neal Hart

Sugarplum and Huckleberry get hitched at Church, LOCKN’ 2018.

Argentina, John and Sugarplum, LOCKN” 2018: photo by Liz Riddick

Scott and Joe solving the mysteries of the universe, LOCKN’ 2018.

And another thing, LOCKN’ 2018

Jaime and Argentina, LOCKN’ 2018

So pretty, LOCKN’ 2018

  Lockn’ 2018 Breakdown:

Wednesday: Welcome to the Leaning Tower of the Yoga Machine. Broken beads, broken backs, cool nights and warm days are the order. For festival fun, it doesn’t get any better. It’s way too early to be having this much fun and besides, the cards wouldn’t lie. Please be sure to check your gluten at the flap. The yurt was set up in High Field RV with three recreational vehicles, three tents, three awnings, two ez-ups. It’s true, the Huckleberries and the Baitbuckets of the world can come together and let PBR and Natty Light fans play together as one single neck of color. It’s a fact, some people should not be in charge of putting up the yurt. Namaste.

Thursday:  By Thursday evening, cat head mushroom chocolates had turned many of the festivarians into silly puddles of unraveled string. There were even reports of dead people. Go figure. Imagine live Lettuce into Umphrey’s into Lettuce with the funk and back into Umphrey’s. Some of the Umphrey’s show was, as usual, hard to wrap the head around. Kind of like Chinese math. In the words of Lord Buckley, “They stomped on the terra.” Joe Russo’s Almost Dead closed out the night with a set that included an Easy Wind and Row Jimmy. Thank you Sarah and Steve for the late night fellowship at the Jerry Garcia Forest. It’s better when we camp together.

  Late night on the mountain, the light fog blurred the edges of the rising moon. By Sunday Funday, it would be full and the patients would surely be running the asylum.

Friday:  Umphrey’s Mcgee did what they do again, and along with Jason Bonham and Derek Trucks, they shredded the Zeppelin cover, “Whole Lotta Love”.  After a complete afternoon of funk it would be up to WSMFP and the Spreadnecks to deliver the big punch Friday night and, as always, they were up for the challenge. Clayopheus III the Destroyer showed up toward the end of their set and things would never be the same. Late night on the way to the Jerry Garcia Forest heralded the arrival of a new, bright green planet in our own solar system. Imagine the surprise.

JRAD Friday Midnight Setlist

Tell Me, Momma Viola Lee Blues St. Stephen The Eleven St. Stephen reprise Ophelia Atlantic City Viola Lee Blues jam China Cat Sunflower I Know You Rider Feel Like a Stranger Shakedown Street

The Friday night party ended up at the Jerry Garcia Forest for a night of Jerry bluegrass and dancing in the street. Baitbucket couldn’t yet locate the Michiganders, so he found his way back to J’s Dablature Experiment for late night cordials and low-temperature silliness. He was last seen, walking around in small circles looking for his campsite until the wee hours of the early morning. Worm hole Watusi of the first order, to be sure.

Saturday (SNUCKN’): The Lowest Brow–Stonewall’s festival experience had found the perfect rhythm. He’d ingested a virtual cornucopia of unknown chemicalia into his blood stream and his head was all right. He’d lined himself with such a bouquet of uppers and downers, just to let them fight it out, leaving him somewhere close to level. The Mafioso had come bearing enough gifts, like Shawsville strawberry moonshine and recreational bath salts, to weaken a large pack animal, and throughout the tents and shade canopies that lined the festival fields,  candy was being tossed around like Mardi Gras Tuesday. It was around four in the afternoon and the day had left him careless and fancy free. He was heading in to see Pigeons Playing PIng Pong thinking about E A Sy. For a gangster, he loved that band and never missed a chance to see them. It would be cooler if he was here packing a vat of his crotch whiskey. Not a single care in the world. Walking through the security checkpoint, he broke the fourth rule of adult caution and forgot about the container of contraband in the lower pocket of his cargo shorts. Oopsie…Upon detection, Stonewall made a confused mumbling sound and turned to walk away in a reserved and patient manner. In retrospect, he might should have hauled some serious ass, but he liked to think that the days of barefootly climbing chain link fences were behind him. For some reason that can’t be explained here, the security volunteer alerted the legitimate gestapo and they lit out in pursuit of the unsuspecting perp, faster than a West Texas jackrabbit. What was happening? In one nanosecond, he was back in the clutches of the pigs and they were already predictably obstinate. Things had turned due south and this was certainly not one of those “good choices” that Sunshine had suggested, in some other place and some other time. As he strode away from the security guard he removed the small vial from his pocket and began dumping out it’s contents into the Virginia brush, until a police officer donned in a black golf shirt, rudely snatched it from his hands. He pushed into Stonewall’s face and shouted, “Why did you try and dump it out?” “I figured if I dropped the whole thing it would be conspicuous,” forgetting, yet again, that honesty is never the best policy when dealing with law dogs of any kind.` With the click of the handcuffs, he accepted the fact that this was definitely on and he had finally managed to reach the lowest brow. Having penned the term, Darth Waffle would be pleased. Things were finally getting colorful. He was tossed into a cop golf cart and taken to a cop single wide modular home where his fate lay in the hands of cops on computer monitors. Visions of Spring Reunion began flashing in his mind’s eye. Never tie a pit bull to a wheel barrow.

Seated in the well-lit room next to a gaggle of child cops, the next immediate goal was to hold it together and not appear too faded. Apparently, it can be a crime. Who can imagine how his outward appearance physically looked under a careful and prolonged examination by these trained Nazis? In a well-lit room, it seemed like a real long shot. If these Virginia puerco even suspected what drugs he’d ingested, he’d be on his way to the hospital for a good old fashioned stomach pumpin’. Hell, he couldn’t even remember what he’d taken during the first half of this day, which seemed so far away. The walkabout had lasted most of the morning, visiting the headiest folk around the site and ingesting God only knows what. Here in the mid-afternoon, his innards could only be characterized as a chemical toilet. Mission accomplished yo.

As the interrogation lingered, his mouth began to fill up with what he imagined creosote would taste like and the sweat, once again, began to foam and burble. There was still the business card of acid in his wallet and a couple ten strips already cut. Hopefully he wasn’t sweating so much as to render it useless. When the pigs looked closer, and they surely would, they’d find it and ship him off to Red Onion State Prison for the rest of his days. Finally, the silly dream of freedom would be, once and for all, put down like a rabid cur. As he spoke with the local magistrate via skype, things continued to get increasingly foggy. There were so many questions. The whole thing seemed to be going to hell as he began to turn into warm mush right in front of the magistrate. “Did you get a DUI in Colorado?” “Nope. Detained but no charges.” Complete lies. “Are you sick?,  Do you have any needles in your pocket?” Stonewall replied, “Not sick and no idea what’s in my pocket.” The next few minutes blurred into each other and accurate reporting was impossible. The magistrate switched off and he asked the young cop a questions. “Can you please let me know when this process has moved upstairs, past your influence, so I’ll know when to stop worrying?” “We’re going to need to go to your campsite and go through your tent to check it for contraband,” they mused. Stonewall’s face hardened as he considered the idea of sheriffs loaded up in golf carts assaulting the camp site of his new friends. “That’s gonna have to be a no,” he finally said. “It would not be classy to pull up, in front of the campsite, with a bunch of unshaven gestapo. Besides, I don’t even know what’s in the tent.”

“Why are you saying that you don’t know what’s in the tent?” “It’s not my tent. Those thugs are from North Carolina. Who knows what kind of contraband they’re hauling around. Just leave me out of it.” For some reason, this seemed to placate the law dogs and they forgot about raiding the campsite.  All good news, but they weren’t handing over the keys to the city just yet. A cop sat next to him, while they waited for the magistrate’s decision and struck up a little small talk. “Thanks for being cool about everything. We appreciate your cooperation. We had another guy come through here and shit everywhere. The walls. The chair you’re sitting in. Everything. He sprayed his filth all over the place before we got him out of here.” Stonewall considered the raw nature of man and the unfiltered savagery that might reveal itself as the cold gates of the underground begin to seal itself. The possibilities were endless. Stonewall looked over at the cop, “I have to admit, I considered it. If you knew you were going to jail, it might be a pretty funny way to go out.” The cop smiled, “Plenty of people think that. It’s not funny.”

O frabjous day! Callooh! Callay!” Good news from the magistrate. This was just one spun hippy and these nice folks had bigger fish to fry. There would be free air to breathe for one more day. Park employees, however, were waiting with scissors in hand. “If you are found on the property you will be arrested” the supervisor grumbled. He was given one more free golf cart ride, past the cars and tents, by the front gate and all the way to the Thomas Nelson Highway. It was a dark time but it was better than jail. This whole trip was had cost a pretty penny and now he was going to spend Saturday night in a local saloon. Weak.

Heading west on  highway 29, he walked against the traffic on the gravel shoulder and considered his options. He could continue this way until he found a gas station. That would supply him with enough cigarettes and beer to make it to a hotel or a bar. He still had his phone and wallet, even if the rest of his paltry possessions were still at the yoga machine. It would all be fine. He would find a hole in the wall bar and drink scotch until he felt better. Then, he would take his first shower in days and sleep in a freezing hotel room. Not too bad for a plan B.

The whole idea made him absolutely sick.

He knew the people he was leaving behind and the fun they were going to be having together. He was reminding of Thatcher at Spring Reunion and how the family suffered after Live Oak law dogs took him away in chains. The party goes on, but profoundly suffers for the lost soldier. He would also be spending somewhere in the neighborhood of two-thousand dollars before this exercise was finally concluded, and that was worthy of a most serious effort.

Maybe there was another idea.

As he walked toward the interstate, he surveyed the layout of the surrounding fields and thicket. It was dense forest patches separated by farm fields and a few houses. For about a mile, he studied the lay of the land and began to consider the possibility of sneaking back into the festival without a bracelet. It would be straight out of Vinny’s  book. Or Scotteesha. Or even Thatcher. Heckfire, this was out of Thomas Jackson’s book. Just down the street from Danville and Apomattox, welcome to the Army of Norther Virginia. Wearing flip flops, he was going to hump four square miles through country forest and sneak back in like a damn hippy. Cheyenne was right. He was the wook his parents had always warned him about. He turned off the road into the treeline, ate a five strip of acid and headed south. He would stay in the shade until he was off the main road, then all he had to do was follow the music, all the way home. For the moment, things were looking up,

As he hiked through the Virginia underbrush, sunset brought out the woodland critters. Deer and owls joined him in his hunt for the back door. Day turned to night and he took his time through the brush. He figured being impatient would lead to injury or cause him to be discovered traipsing through the brambles. Flip flops seemed like a silly way to navigate the streams and fields, but at least he wasn’t barefoot. The briars and thorny vines clung to his arms and legs as he lumbered through the dense thicket. The moon was going to be a waxing gibbous, which would surely assist with navigation and each time he drifted too far south, the sing-song voice of Susan Tedeschi guiding him back through the Virginia woods. The distant rumble of such tunes as Statesboro Blues, Alabama, by Neil Young and Mahjoun with Brandford Marsalis, kept him on the right trail. Behind Tye River Elementary School, back into the brush and then to cross Diggs Mountain Road. He was guided by the Aretha Franklin cover, “I Never Loved a Man (The Way I Loved You)”, “Bound For Glory” with Ivan Neville, “A Song For You” by Leon Russell. into “Little Martha” and “Whipping Post”. Thanks for the breadcrumbs, lady. After walking for a couple of hours, he came across some tents in the woods. This would be Forest Tent Camping, which happened to be directly across the street from High Field RV and his campsite. Things were beginning to look up. It was time to change the shirt and hat and sit down for a cold brew. The party would just be getting started.

He wasn’t entirely ready to give up on the music. He came to this festival to see Dead & Co. and that still needed to happen. Stonewall poked around the VIP area and behind the stage, looking for a chink in the armor, some place he could slip in. He spied an opening in the fence and started up a conversation with the nearby security guard. The guard lamented over the piece of broken wooden fence. “These hippies try to sneak in here, legs all slashed up and with no bracelet. They even broke my fence.”

Stonewall’s brain lit up with a new idea. “It’s real interesting that you should say that, because that’s exactly what I’m trying to do. I need you to let me get through that opening in the fence.”

He asked, “Do you have a bracelet?”

“Nope. They cut it off when they threw me out. But it would be real cool to get back in and rejoin my people before Dead & Co. kick off.”

The security guard began looking over his shoulder at the other gates and leaned in. “There’s folks working inside that fence and if they see you, they’re going to say something, so here’s what we’re gonna do. I’ll take you by the shirt like you’re in trouble. We’ll walk right by everyone and when we get out of sight, I”ll lose you.”

“That sounds perfect.”

Dead & Co.: Back into venue just in time for Oteil’s birthday. Both the rail and field were thick with the best vibe ever. Something about the good ol’ Grateful Dead. They just make everything so much fun. It was a night for adventurous lurking. The first set brought out a Ramble On Rose-Alabama Getaway-Cassidy. The second set blew up an, Oteil-led Fire On the Mountain into a celebratory China Cat Sunflower. Two hours earlier he’d been alone, hiking through the back field of Ol’ Virginny, now he was sitting on a blanket, surrounded by the most beautiful people ever.                                              Colorful.

Highlight of the festival: Saturday night’s midnight set included Lettuce with Eric Krasno Celebrating JGB, joined by Bob Weir, John Mayer and Oteil Burbridge in a set that tore up the mountain and set the beat for the rest of the night.

Finders Keepers I Second That Emotion Stop That Train (Oteil Sings) After Midnight ( John in for the jj cale spectacular) Sugaree (let Bobby sing) Tangled Up In Blue (that makes sense) That’s What Love Will Make You Do (it’s too serious to be funny) How Sweet It Is to Be Loved by You (the alpha and the omega) Cats Under the Stars (second one of the weekend) They Love Each Other (holy moly)

Lettuce called it a celebration of the Jerry Garcia Band after it was all said and done, a celebration is exactly what it felt like.

Dead & Co. Another Saturday Night, LOCKN’ 2018: photo by Karley Bear

Sunday Spunday: All hail a festival that uses it’s Sunday for a good cause. Bloody Mary brunch was served at Chris’ Opium Den near the Jerry Garcia Forest. Thank you SolarWolf and LunarWolf for the most seriously fun time ever. Thank you El Capitano for physically removing all the love governors. You’re headier than thy? The party got riled up when Cheyenne began lopping off her dreadlocks to trade for hugs. Fortunately, she was sedated before she could do too much damage. God willin’ and the Creek don’t rise. Check out the new Google map application that allows you to easily search for “tweakers near me”. Congratulations to Sugarplum and Huckleberry for getting hitched at Keller Williams and Grateful Gospel during Eyes of the World. These folks met at the same show, at the same spot three years earlier. It certainly is the dismal tides when Cook County trash can come down south and pilfer our own belles. It has been a proven formula for the ages, church is a great place to meet girls. Go Cubs.

Dead & Co.: And things were going so well for Stonewall. Left by Clayopheus, his recently acquired Staff bracelet was no more than a tattered chicken bone of a thing, held on by other bracelets and falling off every few steps. It was so frayed and torn, it looked as if he’d eaten if off of his wrist. Even the beer girl noticed when he wasn’t wearing one, and beyond the recognition, said nothing. All in all, he was back into the venue, this time enjoying the entire Tedesci-Trucks show into the night’s Dead. Then it happened… “I take a little powder, take a little salt, put it in my shotgun, I go walkin’ out…” Oh lordy, not this. The first set smattering Grateful ettoufee spun into a Mr. Charlie→Tennessee Jed→Althea that tripped every breaker on the mountain. The second set showed an Eyes of the World and Morning Dew with Branford Marsalis that left tears staining the front of tie dyes everywhere. Wolly bully. Mr. Charlie told me so.

Sugarplum and Huckleberry, Sunday at Tedesci-Trucks Band, LOCKN’ 2018.

  Bob, John and Oteil join Lettuce and Eric Krasno for the JGB tribute Sat. night, LOCKN’ 2018.

Be sure to check out Roadtripmojo for more LOCKN’ gibberish and follow their social media channels on Facebook and Instagram.

Headed back to South Florida, for days the toenails would still be dyed with Virginia red clay. Charlotte storms postponed our flight and the guitar was destroyed by baggage carriers. That’s three guitars since Hulaween. This lifestyle is getting expensive.

“Does this mean I can use your ticket for Floydfest?”

Visit the Lockn’ website and follow their social media channels on Facebook and Instagram.

For our first Lockn’, it really had a little of everything you look for in a festival. Deer, dead people, research-grade narcotics, moonshine and spilled wine. Everyone brought their best effort and after it was all said and done, very little was left on the vine. Old friends came together with new ones and alliances were formed that would last a lifetime. We are on the lookout for Brian at Live Oak and his Mr. Clinkies. October is one of the best times for festivals at the Spirit of Suwannee Music Park in North Florida. Get ready for Suwannee Roots Revival and Hulaween coming up fast. See you under the Thunder Chicken.

LOCKN’ 2018: The Lowest Brow The gypsy girl said it herself, the cards looked good. But what did that really mean? And good for whom?