By any quantifiable means of
measurement it seems that this year's Master Musician's Festival was
a resounding success. Attendance was up and there were more and
better vendors, some of which were local wineries Cedar Creek and
Sinking Valley. Overall I would have to say there was not a weak
spot in the entire artist lineup.
The festival was kicked off by Kelly
Rae Burton, a local artist who writes most of her own stuff and
performs it with panache. I have had the pleasure of watching this
woman grow from a girl into a gifted artist never forsaking her
dream. The performance I witnessed on Friday night impressed me with
how Kelly has matured both musically and in performance. The group
that followed her, The Little Ship, was also good. They are still
quite young but very capably covered songs by several titans in the
music world. The Seas are a hard rock band from London and are also
very good.
I don't want to get into a critique of
each performer but there are a few that stood out to me. Willie
Watson, formerly of Old Crow Medicine Show, was a one man act.
Watson left a successful group to focus on folk music. It has to be
a love of the genre for someone to do that because you just don't
hear of very many pure folkies these days. He also covered some old
delta blues classics that are more recognizable from their covers in
rock 'n' roll. Fifth on the Floor came out with some straight ahead
Southern Rock with a heavy emphasis on country. I think of them as
having licks like Skynyrd and vocals like Waylon. Darned good. The
Apache Relay were very good musically but I likened them to The
Lumineers or The Decemberists. Now, both of those bands have huge
followings but I am not part of them. Just because it isn't my cup
of tea doesn't mean they aren't good. I have found a few folks that
disagree with me. Imagine that! St. Paul and the Broken Bones came
flying in at the last minute having been caught in traffic on the
interstate somewhere. They flew about changing clothes and hit the
stage running. Great musicians every one but Paul Janeway knows how
to pull off a soul song. Being a long time aficionado of soul music
I loved every note and knew most of the songs. Janeway is an energy
bomb with the look of a Baptist minister, one of whom just
coincidentally happens to be his Dad. Counting Crows was the
headline act and their performance showed the professionalism their
status requires. They haven't been at the top of the charts for a
while but that does not mean that they don't have fans that will
drive a couple hundred miles to see them. I met a few from Nashville
who were just ecstatic at being able to get that close to the stage.
Adam Duritz and Company performed their hits and a fair amount of new
material and, judging from the response of the crowd, did not
disappoint.
While I love the music my real joy at
this festival is wandering through the crowd, seeing old friends and
meeting some new ones. I will recall those earlier days and marvel
at how things have changed. One of the things I look for each year
is something that will surprise me and there were a few. The crowd
had changed from last year and the year before that. It was much
younger and I didn't see many of the older folks that had been
present in years past. Truthfully, the lineup wasn't very appealing
for the older or more sedate set. There weren't any bluegrass,
Celtic or Appalachian music acts unless you count Willie Watson or
Stoll Vaughn. Tyler Childers might qualify.
As a matter of fact just this
characteristic of this year's festival is what has caused me to be
this long in writing my appraisal. As I studied the crowd noting the
different makeup and attendance it gave me reason to consider whether
the changes were good or a step in the wrong direction. I have
spoken to quite a few folks, some of whom did not like the changes
and some that thought they were stupendous. I think it is simply the
perspective one takes. Being of the Boomer generation I have the
quality and burden of eternal coolness so I try to approach decisions
of this importance with soberness and I mean in all respects.
My Take? Times change and you can
either change with them or be left on the porch. I'm not ready for
that just yet although I do appreciate my time occupied in that
pastime. There are new generations and, no matter what we think,
they will demand their time in the sun. We Boomers have certainly
had our time. Now, don't think I am going to just meekly walk off
the stage. I have been accused of not being willing to cede power to
the younger folks and there may be some truth to that. I will step
aside sometimes and other times I will have to be kicked aside.
Having said that, I think the festival was pretty darned good. It
has grown up and attracts music lovers from far and wide who are
hungry for events that are entertaining and family friendly and our
festival is certainly that. Plus, it won't break you up. But what
about the foundational criteria that Gabrielle and the others
articulated those twenty one years ago? The qualities of celebrating
Appalachian culture, the breaking down of gender and racial barriers
and the educational benefits that music can bring to any event? Is
it possible for an event such as this to be more than a party and
actually strive for a nobler purpose? I think it can.
Don't get me wrong. The very first
requirement is for the festival to be financially solvent so that it
can continue and that has been admirably achieved. This festival is
a premier event for our area and is just one of those things that
sets the Somerset-Pulaski County Area apart from other communities.
Tiffany Bourne and the Board of Directors deserve our thanks for that
and a hearty “well done.” But those other things that were left
behind this year are worthy goals and deserving of their spot on the
stage.
Twenty One years and the Master
Musician's Festival is successful. I remember when there was talk of
closing it down. Aren't we glad it did not go that way. We now have
a very active entertainment community and performance venues. We
have more than our share of local talent so I have to ask this
question. Do you think we could support another music and arts
festival?
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