Well, the 20th MerleFest is now a fading memory or should I say a boxcar load of memories, and trying to sort through and recount them is a daunting task. I've been on the tech staff at this festival for all but two of those twenty years and it's become such an important part of my year every April that I can easily get choked up talking about it with folks who understand how music and those who make it can enrich your life. It's a warm reunion for the team that runs things, so many of whom return every year and pick up where they left off. It's really impossible to convey the MerleFest experience in words or even pictures. But do check the Website (www.merlefest.org) and consider joining the 80, 000 who journey to Wilkesboro from all over the world. It might change your life...it has mine.
The stars converged this year to produce an event that many of us had pretty much given up on...a New Grass Revival reunion. The band went its separate ways after opening for The Grateful Dead on new year's eve of 1989 and until last Saturday, had not been seen together, save for backing up Garth Brooks on Conan O'Brien's late night show four or five years ago.
The four, Sam Bush, John Cowan, Bela Fleck and Pat Flynn injected an amazing new power and sophistication to bluegrass that captivated fans and influenced bands all over the world. All have moved on to successful careers of their own, but legions have been waiting for a chance to see and hear them together again. Patience was rewarded during the 20th Anniversary Jam Saturday afternoon on the Watson Stage. The cool thing was, it wasn't really planned...Doc had requested that it happen, since NGR was present at the very first MerleFest, but nothing was agreed to. Sam had brought Pat on stage to play with Jam guest Pam Tillis. The Dirt Band's John McEuen was actually holding down the banjo slot until Bela entered from stage right and there they were. Although not on the set list, Sam seized the moment and lit into Townes Van Zandt's White Freight Liner Blues, and thousands were overcome with the great sense of joy and relief that the impossible is indeed possible and we might look forward to more of this down the road.
The other highlight was an emotional and loving Saturday night tribute to the music of Tony Rice by Alison Krauss and Union Station with Jerry Douglas. Sadly Tony's not singing any more but as he joined AKUS for a nearly two hour closing set, it was clear that he's still very much the impeccable guitar stylist who's become synonymous with taste and tone. Alison and Dan Tyminski rendered the lyrics to songs Tony put into the acoustic mainstream with tender loving care. Streets of London and Winter's Night were particularly haunting. As they closed with Freeborn Man, we were treated to a slideshow of Tony's life on the big video screen. Lots of moist eyes in the house, and what a wonderful thing to do for someone like Tony Rice, who's meant so much to so many musicians and fans over the years...to give him his props while he's still around to savor them. God bless you Tony.
And I haven't even mentioned Elvis Costello, and Led Zeppelin's John Paul Jones...you'll just have to imagine the possibilities. I'll try to post some more photos soon.
Today's amazing internet and satellite technology enabled folks to enjoy the festival online and on XM Radio...you can still hear many live performances in the archives at www.radiofreemerlefest.org. Very cool and convenient, but no substitute for sitting there with like-minded music lovers and witnessing it before your own eyes and ears when it's actually created. Music is such a blessing.
Here at home this week, join us at Ashland Coffee and Tea Thursday night for The Mark Newton Band performing some great tunes from Mark's Carl Jackson-produced new CD Hillbilly Hemingway.
And a bunch of us are joining old pal George Turman this Saturday night at the Shady Grove Coffee House for something close to an Among Friends show. www.shadygrovecoffeehouse.com
Come on out.
Thanks for checking in...and please forward a link to those who might be interested...TT
1 comment:
I was alerted to your blog by our mutual friend Anita Conner. Tim, I've read the entire blog from end to end and while some of the music you speak of doesn't interest me I am glad to you are sharing your entusiasm for music. I know for some, acoustic music is acoustic music and it doesn't matter the genre, but for me Bluegrass is where it's at. But, you know that by now. Just a note or two on the Bluegrass scene nearby. There is a small two day festival near Farmville, VA at Twin Lakes State Park (Phoenix and others playing.) Also the band Avery County will be playing in Farmville on Friday night at the VFW. On Sunday at the Powhatan High School, Bill Yates and friends are presenting a concert, "Country Gentlemen Tribute" to celebrate Bill's new CD of the same name. Thanks, Tim. Keep it up!
GARY
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