amlithist
How did I get to be a
Distinguished Senior Member
Posts: 3,725
This is just my day job.
|
 |
« on: April 08, 2007, 11:18:06 PM » |
|
I was planning to teach my online classes this summer and just laze about the house, but with some recent good news (another thread), I've started thinking about doing a bit of weekend travel to start building a research base for some work I'd like to take on later this year/next re: contemporary American bluegrass/country/roots music festivals.
What/when/where are the don't-miss festivals? I'm in the mid-Mississipi Valley area and would like driving trips--MO, KY, TN, even northern MS, maybe? Even the Carolinas and VAs might be doable, if I know ahead of time. And any info on cheap lodging would be helpful, too; I'll be doing this on a shoestring, and I don't mind a Super 8 at night.
Thanks, y'all!
|
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
Hell is other people at breakfast.
--Jean Paul Sartre
|
|
|
|
stickball
|
|
« Reply #1 on: April 09, 2007, 03:34:23 AM » |
|
I don't know if this qualifies, or if you're willing to travel this far, but... every year during the third week of June in Weiser, Idaho there is the National Old Time Fiddlers Contest. Weiser is this small little town stuck in the middle of nowhere and the most incredicle musicians show up for both the actual contest, and, more importantly (and definitely much more fun...) the camping jam sessions. Everyone brings an instrument, there's a huge campsite, and people simply wander around moving from campsite to campsite playing music. Absolutely the best time...! I produced a documentary about it many years ago and if I can find it (I'm overseas now and much of my stuff is in storage in the states...), will make it available to you if you want. It gets really hot there in June, in all senses of the word. Music 24-hours a day, and some of the world's best fiddlers. Truly. You gotta check it out... I guarantee you won't be sorry... Bluegrass, old-time, Celtic, all regions... amazing!
|
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
"Television isn't a medium. It's a small" - anon
"Sh!t happens" - George Carlin
"I can do the work of three men -Curley, Larry, and Moe" - dena
|
|
|
|
merce
|
|
« Reply #2 on: April 09, 2007, 08:46:02 AM » |
|
Gosh, it's been ages but...
Smithville, TN-- fiddler's jamboree
Murfreesboro, TN-- Uncle Dave Macon Days
These seem to be family festivals and not as focused on just music. Or maybe that was just my perception way back in childhood.
|
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
Who looks for God in the Bible? That's pretty dumb.
|
|
|
|
|
expatinuk
Has spent over 1000 pounds but now holds a Brit passport!
Distinguished Senior Member
Posts: 6,653
From SC living in UK
|
|
« Reply #4 on: April 10, 2007, 06:20:49 PM » |
|
I'd check out the gig guide on the Dirty Linen website.
|
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
Expatinuk seems to be a Soviet Satellite in stationary orbit over the UK
It is what it is.
|
|
|
gennimom
Somewhat Southern (Have I really posted that much?)
Distinguished Senior Member
Posts: 16,983
Let's get summer over with! Me want snow!
|
|
« Reply #5 on: April 10, 2007, 08:27:22 PM » |
|
The East Central Mississippi Bluegrass Festival in Mathiston might fit your north Mississippi requirements. It is on highway 82 which runs east-west along a line from Greenwood-Greenville-Starkville-Columbus. 4/21 to 4/22 I think? It is being held on the grounds of what used to be a private Methodist college in Mathiston. The guy running the place now is a retired preacher I know.
I know there are others in the state, but I can't remember where right now.
|
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
...only after reading gm's post, my new mantra is "always listen to gennimom".
Monday reeks! - Garfield The outside of a horse is good for the inside of a person (or something like that). |
|
|
|
kishter
|
|
« Reply #6 on: April 10, 2007, 09:13:39 PM » |
|
Check out Colorado for great music and great locations. Can't beat it!
|
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
|
|
|
|
|
bubbalicious
New member
Posts: 5
|
|
« Reply #8 on: April 11, 2007, 01:36:53 PM » |
|
I suggest my hometown festival, Poppy Mountain Bluegrass Festival. I'm in Morehead, KY, about 1 hour east of Lexington on I-64. Everyone congregates on a mountain and, well, check out the website: http://www.poppymountainbluegrass.com/There are apparently 2 festivals this year: one June 21-23, and one Sept. 11-15. Y'all come, now. |
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
|
|
|
amlithist
How did I get to be a
Distinguished Senior Member
Posts: 3,725
This is just my day job.
|
|
« Reply #9 on: April 14, 2007, 10:36:18 PM » |
|
Thanks, all--keep 'em coming! :)
|
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
Hell is other people at breakfast.
--Jean Paul Sartre
|
|
|
stringbean
New member
Posts: 8
|
|
« Reply #10 on: April 15, 2007, 01:54:18 AM » |
|
Bean Blossom, in Bean Blossom, Indiana is always fun, as are the W. Va. State Folk Festival in Glenville and the Galax Fiddlers Convention in Galax, Va. All are in June.
|
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
|
|
|
nicosuave
New member
Posts: 2
|
|
« Reply #11 on: April 24, 2007, 08:20:40 PM » |
|
This isn't in the summer...but, it's fantastic! Walnut Valley Festival in Winfield, Kansas http://www.wvfest.com/in September |
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
|
|
|
|
draco
|
|
« Reply #12 on: April 24, 2007, 11:45:41 PM » |
|
Merlefest is a great Bluegrass festival held in Wilkesboro, NC (western NC).
I should have responded sooner as the festival begins on the 26th...sorry about that.
|
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
|
|
|
|
