For Openers…

All of us aging production guys at MerleFest are lamenting how sadly short a year is anymore.  No way it’s been 12 whole months since we were here on a Thursday night with the whole amazing thing laid out before us.  This musical homecoming has grown and changed a lot since the first one with a flatbed trailer for a stage in 1988 but what hasn’t is a nearly intact team that makes the whole thing spin like a top.  It’s a thrill to see something so complex and demanding come off so smoothly.  Good to be back with Sam, Maple, Jim, and Cathy again.  A few first-day pictures then, including the timeless Taj Mahal in a blue mood (above)

The latest edition of the Steeldrivers on the Cabin Stage with new lead vocalist Gary Nichols (far right)

Some guys just have way too much fun.  What a year it’s been  for Zac Brown who was the perfect closer on opening night. Big adoring crowd enjoying a fat two-hour set.  And to think we saw him for free along the river for Friday Cheers.

 

A beguiling Phoebe Hunt gazed upon by Connor Forsyth during a seriously well-received afternoon set with the Belleville Outfit.  More polished and assured than when we caught them at Grey Fox last summer.  Go see this band…maybe Saturday in Lexington at Lime Kiln?

 

 

It was so good to see these Gibson Brothers again (Eric & Leigh w/Mike Barber on bass) after the great year they’ve had with a real resurgence in their long career.  Their intense and powerful duet singing cuts like a knife and will lump your throat in short order.  Who saw them in ‘03 at the Glen Allen Fieldcrest concert?  Wally knew a good thing when he heard it.

Besides being an innovative banjo player, founding member of Hot Rize (and Trailblazer Waldo Otto), Pete “Dr.  Banjo” Wernick has relished his as role of instructor in the annual MerleFest Jam Camp.  Graduation exercises put all 60 campers on the Cabin Stage to share what they’ve learned with the proud Doctor looking and listening on.

All in all…a sweet 1st day, with the weather as good as the music.  So how was Cadillac Sky at AC&T tonight?  They play the Cabin tomorrow…nice.

G’nite…TT