Valerie is energetic, and even though she arrived late after an out of town date, Valerie, Becky Buller and Liberty Pike performed an amazing set to an appreciative audience. Val truly is a star in her own hometown!

Valerie and Jon Weisberger

Becky Buller

Also appearing were: The McReynolds Tradition, The Rigney Family, Tom Brantley & Missionary Ridge, Mark Newton, Jerry Butler & the Blu-J’s, Cumberland River, Louisa Branscomb and Acoustic Blue.

Our friend and fellow photographer/blogger, Ted Lehmann and wife Irene were in attendance, also. We had a “time”, and even took a picture of some of the equipment (but not all!)

Check all the photos in the gallery.

Since Oakland Community College withdrew support for live performances, the Bluegrass Series there was discontinued as of last May.

Through the efforts of several individuals, including Tom Laing, the Royal Oak Bluegrass Series has been created. Although no further bookings have been made, it was announced that organizers hope to have a series of four concerts throughout the year.

Mr. Van Rohr was the MC.

IIIrd Tyme Out

Wayne Benson

Russell Moore

It was a great evening, and wonderful to see so a good crowd; since it was a cold night.

You may see the rest of our photos in the gallery.

The show was a great mix of regional and nationally touring bands and included the Deepwater Bluegrass, Wildwood Valley Boys, the Larkins, Summertown Road, Remington Ryde, Idletymes, the Prater Brothers, the Whittaker Brothers, Vertical Limit, Rhonda Vincent and the Rage, and the host band, the Bluegrass Mountaineers. Charlie Patton was the MC, and did a fine job,as usual. It is quite a thrill to see him sing both the US and Canadian National Anthems, a capella, to open the show.

Don’t every let anyone tell you that Rhonda doesn’t know where the camera is.

Hunter Berry and Rhonda Vincent

It was nice to see Larry supporting a local band on his show, in this case, Deepwater Bluegrass. These folks are single-handedly responsible for the great bluegrass shows which are presented at Glass City Opry. I hope you are attending them as often as you can, we sure are.

Deepwater Bluegrass

A special treat was seeing Janis, Lewis, Travis, and Jamison Lewis, who are appearing as The Lewis Tradition.

Janis Lewis Phillips

Jamison Lewis

Travis Lewis

Lewis Phillips

Although bluegrass purists would question the keyboard Jamison plays, it sounded just right with Lewis Family music, and eighteen-year old Jamison’s harmony blended right in. The new Lewis Tradition CD, Precious Memories, was on my must purchase list and I have been playing it almost full time since I got it home. The Lewis Tradition was headed to Marion, Virginia for a taping of Song of the Mountains, so watch for them on your PBS station soon.

One more little sample, then I invite you to check out the gallery for more photos. We remember Stanley as an eight-year old mandolin whiz kid, and have seen him play every instrument on stage.

Stanley Efaw

Enjoy the rest of the photos in the gallery.

Steve Dilling of IIIrd Tyme Out

Jayd Raines of Don Rigsby & Midnight Call

A special treat was seeing Dale Vanderpool appear with Don Rigsby. Dale is still battling cancer, but felt well enough to enjoy the festival and sit in for a few songs. It was wonderful to see Dale and his wife, and visit for a few minutes.

Dale Vanderpool

Dr. Ralph Stanley

Larry Sparks and Joe Mullins combine forces for a Stanley tune during the Stanley Brothers Tribute portion of the evening.

The remaining photos are in the gallery.

The Thursday night veterans tribute was an addition to what has been a two day event in the past. The Centerville High School Alternative Strings ensemble joined Joe Mullins & the Radio Ramblers, Rhonda Vincent & the Rage and Nothin’ Fancy to pay tribute to both veterans and active service people.

Rhonda Vincent

The Radio Ramblers

Nothin’ Fancy.

The remaining photographs are in the Gallery.

Appearing in the official showcases were Kati Penn & New Town, Rodney Dillard & The Dillard Band, Brand New Strings, the John Hartford Stringband, The Chapmans and the Darrell Webb Band.

C.J. Cain of Katie Penn & New Town

Rodney Dillard and the Dillard Band

Brand New Strings

The John Hartford Stringband

The Chapmans

The Darrell Webb Band

Our after hours photos are from the Good Home Grown Music Suite, where we saw performances by Chris Jones and Friends, The RidgeRunners, and Jerry Butler & the Blu-J’s.

You can see more of the photos in the gallery.

Performing during the day and evening were, The Friday Night Orphan Brigade with Becky Buller, Valerie Smith & Liberty Pike, Brad Long & Friends, Common Ground, Jerry Butler & the Blu-J’s, Chicken Dinner Road, and Runaway Freight. Kudos to those musicians who gave their time and talent to benefit the museum. Kitsy Kuykendall and Gabrielle Gray attended the event on behalf of the Museum.

Our Ohio friend, Jerry Eicher, helped with the sound during the second part of the show. Here are Jerry (L) and Randy Shaffer (R) of the Old Hippie Bluegrass Hour. The show is broadcast on WQTE-FM, Adrian, Michigan.

Randy also performed as part of Brad Long & Friends.

Some people always look good when a camera is in the neighborhood. Becky Buller is a prime example.

I also liked this shot of Daniel Oxen dine of the Blu-J’s:

You can see the entire collection in the gallery.

I always try to pick a few favorite photos to post, today my favorites are (Drum Roll, please):

Jesse Brock of Michael Cleveland & Flamekeeper

Rachel Brown of Tommy Brown & County Line Grass

Mike Fulkerson of Kings Highway.

The rest of the photographs from the weekend can be seen in the gallery. Artists who appeared may contact us from the link at the bottom of this page for complementary access to a private gallery to download copies of the photos. Complementary photos may be posted on Facebook, MySpace or other internet sites if a photo credit is included.

Sixteen years later, our 1973 model daughter had surgery to repair a torn ACL. The hospital where the surgery was done was a treatment center for CF patients, and for whatever reason, she was in the same area with those patients. Most of the CF patients were in their late teens and early twenties, and they were mighty sick. Breathing treatments, IV antibiotics, and oxygen were the order of the day, and the night. I remembered back to our neighbor, and realized that he was sixteen now, too. That type of reality can be a little bit overwhelming; suddenly a torn ACL that could be fixed seemed pretty small and insignificant.

Some years after that we met our friend Jimmy, but it was long after we met him that we learned that one of his sons has Cystic Fibrosis. This weekend, at KC Campground, Milan, Michigan Jimmy is sponsoring his fourth benefit for Cystic Fibrosis Research. Some great musicians, and better friends, are lined up to do what they do best, play and sing great bluegrass music. Jimmy is amazed at the numbers of bands that called him up to volunteer to play at the benefit, and you will be too.

Profiles of each band have been posted on Pickin’ on CF’s Facebook page, and they are worth a look. Head over and check them out.

When Jimmy’s desire to give back by raising funds for research took flight, Papa and I wanted to help. We can’t sing (you all know that!), but we have done what we can in the ways that we can. I have helped with the Pickin’ on CF promotions and web presence. Papa had taken photographs at each event, and will be on the job this weekend. He also convinced his employer to make a donation. And we are out here at KC Campground this week to do whatever else we can to help.

Sometimes it just feels better act, words are not enough. That’s what we have done.

Now, it is your turn, come on out for the weekend, or for one day. If you are simply unable to attend, send a check. There have been huge advances and CF patients are living longer and longer, with a better quality of life. But a cure has not been found, and that is what Pickin’ on CF is about.

What:
Pickin’ on Cystic Fibrosis [http://www.pickinoncf.com]

Where:
KC Campground
14048 Sherman Rd
Milan, MI 48160
Phone: (734) 439-1076

When:
Thursday September 16 beginning at 6:00 p.m.
Friday September 17 noon to 10:30 p.m.
Saturday September 18 noon to 10:30 p.m.

Donation:
Thursday: $10, Friday and Saturday $15 each. Weekend: $30. Children under 16 free with paying adult.
Camping is extra, but a a reduced rate of $15 Thursday through Saturday.

Pickin’ on Cystic Fibrosis has partnered with Hunt for a Cure, a 501(3)(c) organization this year. If you are unable to attend and would like to make a donation for research to find a cure for Cystic Fibrosis checks can be sent to:

P.O.C.F.
246 N. Dickinson Ave
Hesperia Mi. 49421

Your donation is tax deductible if you make your check to “Hunt for a Cure”. Please note “Pickin’ on CF” in the memo line.

Disclaimer: I am connected with Pickin’ on Cystic Fibrosis, I have constructed, and I maintain their websites. I also worked on publicity for the event this year. Pickin’ on Cystic Fibrosis pays for web space and domain name registration, but I do not receive compensation for my time. Papa has photographed previous events and will photograph this weekend’s without compensation. Papa and I have received complementary admission to this weekend’s event in exchange for working this week.

Missy Armstrong

But the competition is rough, this is a band full of guys who never saw a camera they didn’t like.

Jeff Rose

L-R: Peter Knupher, Kevin Gaugier, Jeff, Missy, Zak Bunce, Scott Zylstra.

The rest of the photos are in the gallery.