Zach Rambo

Certain people photograph well, and all of Summertown road fit into that category.

Jack Hicks

Randy Thomas

Bo Isaac!

Summertown Road will be among the groups appearing at the Southern Ohio Indoor Music Festival March 26-27, so we are looking forward to seeing and hearing them there. The rest of the photos from last Friday can be view in the gallery.

We were so happy to see Donnie Carver, who seemed to be recovering nicely from his heart attacks and surgery.

The entire band seemed to be in the best of moods, and we thoroughly enjoyed the evening.  You can see all the photos in the gallery.

The Lewis Tradition

There were several special guests throughout the weekend. Dana Cupp appeared with the Larkins, as did Matt Leadbetter and banjo maker Arthur Hatfield.

Dana Cupp

Matt Leadbetter

Arthur Hatfield

Barry Scott’s daughter, Cassy, guested on several songs.

Kyle Ramey appeared with Goldwing Express, and again in the Hatfield banjo Jam.

You can see all the photos in the gallery.

When we first arrived, it seemed a little awkward to be at the show, and not be an Evans family member. Soon, some other non-family members arrived and we were lost in the crowd. Ernie was the evening’s crowd favorite.

The show was our first opportunity to see our friend Rebekah Long playing with the band, and she did an excellent job holding down the bass, and even played it before and after some necessary adjustments were made.

Everyone appreciated Becky Buller’s musicianship, too.

It was a great evening of music. You can view all the photos in the gallery.

Thanks from the bluegrass community, and the sponsors of the show.

Appreciation Concert
Honoring Gerald Evans Jr. and Dale Vanderpool

Sunday, December 20, 2009
The Roberts Centre, Wilmington, OH
I 71, Exit 50 at US 68

Both of these talented entertainers have made a lifetime of contributions to the Bluegrass community throughout Ohio and across the country. They are both battling cancer. A day of music from some of their fellow entertainers will be a great benefit to Gerald, Dale and their families.

Doors Open at NOON
12:30 pm Blue and Lonesome
1:00 Joe Mullins and the Radio Ramblers
1:45 Melvin Goins and Windy Mountain
2:30 Lost and Found
3:30 Don Rigsby and Midnight Call
4:30 the Grascals
5:30 Wildwood Valley Boys
6:30 JD Crowe and the New South
7:30 the Larry Stephenson Band

Special Guests – Sonny Osborne, Mark Rader, Larry Cordle, Dwayne Sparks and others

All Seats General Admission
$20.00 Donation for adults and teens
Children 12 and under admitted Free

Food Concessions Available

Sponsorship assistance provided by: The Roberts Centre, WBZI Radio, Fred and Jason Baird Sound, Darrell Adkins and others

For more information, see www.myclassiccountry.com or call 937-372-5804.

Everyone had fun, and some important questions were answered last Saturday.

Was Jack laughing with Bo, or at him?

Or were they both laughing at Don?

Will Don play the guitar and sing so Bo can dance with the ladies?

How many ladies did Bo dance with?

Summertown road and a good time entertaining the crowd, and the crowd seemed to enjoy the show. You can see the rest of our photos in the gallery.

This appearance marks the first time we had see the group perform, other than an abbreviated set at FanFest, since Kristin Scott Benson won her second Banjo Player of the Year IBMA Award.

It was a great show, the band did all the songs I expected them to sing.  The ninety minutes flew by, and it was over almost before it started.    The Grascals upcoming CD, should be a good one, if the cuts they presented at the concert are any indication.

Here’s Danny Roberts:

And Terry Eldredge

You can see the balance of the photos in the gallery.

Obvious local favorites, Bridge County, opened the show with a half hour set.

Bridge County

The main course began just a little after 7:30.  David and the band were very powerful.

David Davis

Bradford Folk was “guesting” (David’s term) with the band in place of guitar player Adam Duke. Brad also sang a couple of songs, a real treat.

Guest guitar and vocals, Brad Folk

I sure hope we will have the opportunity to see the Warrior River Boys somewhere again soon!

Miss Dixie was highly visible all week. We attended a number of after hours showcases at the Good Home Grown Music suite, enjoying all of them. Several years ago, the Halls announced that they were including IBMA in their wills, and planned to donate the royalties from their bluegrass publishing company, Good Homegrown Music.

We couldn’t photograph everything, but we did get shots of many of the activities at the convention center, the Ryman and even a few from the Bluegrass Inn.

This one brought smiles, it is Kristin Scott Benson, just after receiving the banjo player award from her former boss, Larry Stephenson.

On Saturday, the amazingly talented Sierra Hull appeared on the Fanfest stage. There was some pretty good picking going on.

We saw the Cats and the Fiddler, a young band from our home state, and some other great groups at the Bronzewound showcase on Monday.

All in all, it was a wonderful week for bluegrass. You can see all the photos in the gallery.