Momentous MerleFest

Security was unprecedented…a virtual lockdown backstage at MF XXIV.  Just blame the golden-maned guy in the white t-shirt, it’s Robert Plant who’d just finished off the 24th edition of North Carolina’s venerable Americana celebration in grand style.  With his well-picked Band of Joy comprised of Buddy Miller, Patty Griffin, Darrell Scott, Byron House and Marco Giovino, Plant prowled the Watson Stage shared generously with his capable music mates.  After his inspired collaboration with Alison Krauss, Raising Sand, Zeppelin’s iconic lead singer eschewed a chance to relive the rock band’s glory days and gathered these familiar players to continue his mining the deep vein of traditional American tunes.  And it was amazing…so much more powerful and profound than I’d expected it would be.  I love it when delivery surpasses anticipation.  And it was moving to hear the depth of knowledge and reverence that a Brit holds for this music…he even encored with Doc and Rosa Lee Watson’s plaintive “My Lone Journey” as a loving duet with Patty.  Don’t miss this steamroller if it comes anywhere near.

Another headliner whose humility was a refreshing drink of water along with his unrivaled musical sensibilities was Lyle Lovett, who closed Saturday night with a sweet acoustic set not with his Large Band but with festival favorites Sam Bush, Luke Bulla and Viktor Krauss.  And speaking of favorites, John Cowan joined his current traveling companions, the Doobie Brothers for a well-done walk down memory lane the night before.

And deep-growling country crooner Randy Travis made the most of his opening night set with a cavalcade of hits like “1982,” “Diggin’ Up Bones” and “Forever and Ever, Amen.”  He still sounds just like Randy Travis and looks just like him too.  It was just an example of an ambitious year of programming for John Adair and company with lots of big names and a wide-ranging roster of revered artists and new comers alike.  There was talk of a record-breaking year of attendance.  Very promising for an over-the top silver anniversary edition in 2012. I’ll try to cover the best of what I was able to see while working the Cabin Stage for the 20th year, in the pictures below and right.

Great to have Crooked Still back on the Cabin Stage…Brittany Haas and Aoife O’Donovan.

The predictably perfect Del McCoury Band on the Watson Stage…my nieces and I had too much fun in a wee-hours hang with Ronnie & Rob Thursday night…whew.

Missed catching up with Johnny C but we can always count on quality after-hours time with Jeff Autry.

We were blessed with the best female-based bands this year, including the elegant Wailin’ Jennys above…Heather Masse, Ruth Moody and Nicky Mehta with Richard Moody on fiddle.

Red Molly also graced our stage…Abbie Gardner, Laurie MacAllister and Molly Venter…should’ve heard them sing “Dear Someone.”  And listen for Laurie singing the “best part of waking up” jingle on the latest Folger’s TV spot.

A sea of Band of Joyful fans on a sunny Sunday afternoon.

 

 

Is this man the coolest or what?

 

Jim Lauderdale 

pauses in the Jerry Douglas doorway to the Cabin Stage

 

 

 

 

 

Infamous Stringdusters’ banjo man Chris Pandolfi is becoming a multi-media magnate…check out his many modes of expression here.

He’s quickly becoming a MerleFest fixture after loving his first trip last year. Zac Brown’s only official gig was Thursday night on the Watson but he popped up everywhere over the weekend including the Midnight Jam at the Walker Center.

Jerry Douglas has played all 24 MerleFests in countless combinations, this year with bassist Viktor Krauss and incredible percussionist Omar Hakim.

Guitar god Tony Rice brought an A-list Unit with him…Stuart Duncan, Josh Williams, brother Wyatt Rice, Barry Bales and Rob Ickes.  Tony’s getting really sentimental lately with lots of blessings to count.  Chokes me up.

Delightful meeting and hearing Veronika Jackson sing the blues to start us off on the Cabin Saturday morning…she even brought us flowers!

 

 

 

Another case of cool personified…on the edge fiddler and Midnight Jam host with the most, Casey Driessen.

 

 

 

 

 

 

An all-star tribute to John Hartford…see if you can name them all.  (Matt Combs, Alison Brown, Chris Sharp, Sam Bush, Bob Carlin, Tim O’Brien, Pete Wernick, Mark Schatz.

Lauderdale’s too cool for just one shot…

Tim O’Brien brought tears as only he can with “Letter In The Mail” that hit home this year for me.  He was flanked by Stuart Duncan and Bryan Sutton.  Oh my.

And a footnote-Sandy Feat’s latest triumph.  Until next April…

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Please check the previous post below for cool stuff coming up this weekend, including the Canal Club show Sunday in tribute to Page Wilson.  We’ll see you there I hope.

TT