Back From the Festival
I’m back from an extended weekend event. The wife, cub, and I spent the last few days in Buena Vista Virginia, at the “Nothin’ Fancy Bluegrass Festival.” This is an annual event at which the wife has sold her jewelry for the last few years, and this was my first year being able to attend since the first year, before it had its current name.
The Bluegrass Brothers are one act that I’d love to see again. They put on a fantastic show, with lots of energy and drive. They know how to work the crowd like some of the best in the music business. In their final show of the weekend, they brought out Johnathan Dillon. Johnathan is a young musician (11 or 12) who made his first CD at age 10, performing all vocals and instrumentation. I met Johnathan after hearing some of the most amazing bass-thumping from nearby the jewelry stand. I walked around the corner to see a kid, smaller than the bass, thumping and slapping on some fantastic fast grass. I stood in awe (as a former standup bass player myself) and bought a copy of his CD on the spot. He played banjo for the Bluegrass Brothers, and brought down the house.
Michelle Nixon was another act I thoroughly enjoyed, and I picked up a copy of her latest CD at the benefit auction Saturday morning. Meeting many of the performers was another treat. Talking to people who are among the best at the things they do is always a joy. Nothin’ Fancy’s fiddle player, Chris Sexton, is destined for greatness in the industry. The bassist for Bluegrass Brothers showed his stuff on many occasions. Johnathan Dillon is a name to watch.
So, after a trip spanning hundreds of miles, untold songs (from many genres, mind you), five days, almost an entire SF novel, and two tanks of gas, I’m home. I’m tired. I’m sore. I’m happy.
Be happy.
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