ROMP Wrap

Thrillingly complex and intricate harmonies with breathtaking moving chords wafted over the intent crowd both nights at Yellow Creek Park, thanks to Dailey & Vincent on Friday and the incomparable Isaacs (Rebecca, Sonya and Ben above) on Saturday. Hearing a capella singing at that level is a powerful experience and we were treated to a double dose last weekend in Owensboro. 

We were also treated to a great set from Frank Solivan’s Dirty Kitchen that I’d been anticipating since Graves Mountain when Lincoln Meyers told us about his new ride.  An already tight, accomplished quartet with compelling material, creative arrangements and some of the most captivating closings for their tunes that you’ll hear out there…definitely not your stereotypical bluegrass endings.  Banjo master Mike Munford is a joy to hear and bassist Stefan Custodi is son of former Church Hill friends George and Sandy…small world.  Check out their new eponymous CD when it comes out in August for some really tasty new bluegrass, especially “Driftin’ Apart” and “Runaway Ramp.”  Guests include Rob Ickes, John Cowan and Moondi Klein.

It was a delight to see and hear Claire Lynch again…it had been too long, and she’s enjoying a well-deserved career boost thanks to her high-charting CD Whatcha Gonna Do.  Highly coveted bassist Mark Schatz is in her band now, also bringing his clawhammer banjo prowess and his fancy footwork.  Claire couldn’t resist taking a turn or two.  Does anyone remember when we had a reunion of her Front Porch String Band on the porch of the Bloemendaal House at Lewis Ginter over twenty years ago?

So I hope my first River Of Music Party won’t be my last and I’m grateful to the International Bluegrass Music Museum’s director Gabrielle Gray for having me out to emcee.  The museum is a wonderful living and breathing celebration of the music, where it’s been and where it’s going, that deserves our support.  And I treasure my quality time with the music’s most dedicated custodians, Pete and Kitsy Kuykendall of Bluegrass Unlimited.  That’s Hall of Famer Pete holding an impromptu seminar with members of the young band Rockin’ Acoustic Circus.  Invaluable insight.

Down the road, the Haymaker boys are bringing Old Crow Medicine Show to Maymont on July 23rd and the Summer Love tour of Garrison Keillor’s Prairie Home Companion at Lewis Ginter on August 13th.  And don’t forget the ramped up Music for Massey benefit this year presented by Connor’s Heroes with Marc Broussard, those west coast wonders the Waybacks and alt-country crooner Chris Isaak.  That’s on Sunday afternoon/evening July 25th at Innsbrook so we’ll have to hustle home from our annual trek to FloydFest up  on the Blue Ridge Parkway.  This year’s theme is Breaking Ground and the lineup is nothing short of amazing…Levon Helm, OCMS, Grace Potter, Tift Merritt, Mountain Heart and a hundred more…really.  Check the link and join us for a truly over-the-top musical and cultural celebration.  There’s only one FloydFest.  I’ve re-posted some shots from last year in the column to the right.

John Patykula at VCU has announced another fine lineup for the Guitars and Other Strings series, starting this coming Friday the 9th with the excellent Brazilian band Quatro na Bossa. Follow the link and see 'upcoming events.’ Jesse Harper and his bluegrass renegades Love Cannon (comprised of Jesse,  Darrell Muller, Adam Larrabee and Andy Thacker) are holding forth at the Southern Cafe just off the Mall in C’ville every Wednesday night this summer.  Got to catch that action soon.

Tomorrow, we’re headed for the Barn…at last. Can’t wait!

TT