North Carolina State Bluegrass Festival

8-13-2012 Bruce moved the RV to Tom Johson's Rally Park/Campground in Marion, NC. We have moved back into our "port a home" for about a month. This will be primarily spent at Tom Johnson's campground. We will move for a few days to Oteen, NC for Bruce's surgery on August 22. We will return to Marion NC for recovery, relaxation and Tom Johnson's barbecue for his customers. Petie and I joined him after lunch. i have never seen a more contented or happier dog. He loves RVing!!
Bruce and I tried Holly's Deli near by for the first time for our MOD. We sure enjoyed that meal!! The Reuben was GREAT!

Our home for a month

Our chairs in place

beautiful stage

As you can see, the pavillion is FULL of chairs
 and this was on Monday

a few vendors

Another view of the vendors
good food, speciality coffees, ice cream cones, canned items
hisorical books, magnetic jewelry for pain relief, and plenty of
opportunity to buy CDs!! 

The campground and rally park was absolutely packed. There were many people who just came for the shows and did not camp. There was a huge crowd!!

8-14-2012 RT and Denise Boone came by for a visit. It was good to see them. Buzz and Merilee came up for hotdogs and all the trimmings! Great fellowship with friends. We always enjoy looking at RVs.

8-15-2012 Bruce went over to Oteen for his pre op. All went well. Petie and I stayed home and I exercised 4 miles. Bruce and I made a Wal Mart run and had our MOD at Little Sienna's. The food was still as good as ever. This was our first time at their new location. There is already people pickin and grinin at several different campsites.

8-16-2012 The festival began at 11 AM. The Roys (Lee and Elaine) opened it up. They are a brother/sister duo. They were born in Fitchburg, Massachusetts and grew up just across the border in Coal Branch, New Brunswick, Canada. Both grew up on traditional country and bluegrass music. Their grandmother played  Acadian tunes on her fiddle while their aunts and uncles joined in too.
 In 2011, they had an album "Lonesome Whistle" that debuted at No. 7 on Billboard's Top Bluegrass albums of 2011 Chart. The album's sucess earned them the award for the ICM'S Bluegrass Artist of the Year in 2011, as well as a No. 1 single, "Coal Minin' Man. This song was a tribute to the men and women who work in the coal mining industry...... The James King band,  Junior Sisk and Ramblers Choice, The Larry Stephenson Band, The Boxcars, The Grascals....a six piece bluegrass band direct from Nashville. Founded in 2004, the band has since gained notice and played on the Grand Ole Opry and bluegrass festivals around the country. A great 10 hours of music. Very quickly you experience the talent of these musicians and vocalists. They each play multiple instruments.

8-17-2012


We are READY for the pickin and grinin to begin!!

A Deeper Shade of Blue

A Deeper Shade of Blue opened up this day of entertainment. Founded in 1998, is a five instrument band (guitar, mandolin, banjo, resonator guitar and bass) Their gigs have been local, North and South Carolina.

The Snyder Family's music was great to experience. They are from Lexington, NC. Bud Snyder and his teenage children, Samantha and Zeb make up the group. Laine Snyder, his wife, occasionally takes part with adding extra harmony. Their youngest son, Owen, is 6 years old and is beginning his contribution to the Snyder Family Band.

Samantha, Zeb and Bud Snyder

Samantha, Laine, Bud and Zeb Snyder

Samantha Snyder
she began playing classical violin at age 3
by the age 4, she was playing duets with Zeb
she made the transition to blurgrass  at age 7
she took fiddle lessons, played in jam sessions and competed in fiddler's conventions
In 2008 she was the youngest to win the prestigious Fiddler of the Festival award in Union Grove  

Zeb Snyder
he began classical guitar lessons at age 7
he broadened his interest to bluegrass at age 11
he was able to use his favorite syle of playing the guitar...flat picking
he has won many guitar competiotions

Bud Snyder 's musical training started in high school as a percussionist in the school band. This was the extent of his musical training, but when his children needed a bass player, he stepped up to the challenge.

Owen joined the others for his one song performance

Owen Snyder
age 6...already a pro!!

Appalachian Express
formed in 1970 by lead singer Cindy West
in 1992, the members decided to take a break
after a few years off the road, they are performing again
they leave behind showmanship and a good image 

The Goldwing Express
a nationwide known touring bluegrass band/a Branson, Missouri act
comprised of three Native American brothers and their father
Bob Baldridge is their father from Okmulgee, Oklahoma
their mother was a full blooded Creek Indian from Okmulgee, Oklahoma
In the 1980s, they rode Honda Gold Wings, thus their name by their mother

Expressing their heritage

A tear jerking tribute to veterans past and present
standing ovation for every branch of the military service
the front of the pavillion was packed with veterans
YES I cried because the WWWII and Vietnam veterans were mentioned

EVERONE joined in singing
God Bless America
with the American flag being waved across the stage!!!!!

Charlie Sizemore closed the performances in the AM

 Doyle Lawson and his band Quicksilver was the finale for tonight. He is 68 years of age. He and his band are called the "School of Bluegrass'.

8-18-2012  The Troubadours opened up this last day of bluegrass music. One of the members is the grandson of  Tom Johnson. They are McDowell County's own bluegrass group. They won awards at Merle Fest last year.

The Troubadours

The Crowe Brothers
recording and singing together since 1978

Little Roy Lewis and Lizzy

Roy Lewis was the youngest child to The Lewis Family. They retired in 2009. He started performing in the 1950s. A signature song that I remember hearing him sing was 'Honey in the Rock'. This had to be 50 years ago. He is now 70 years of age.

Rhonda Vincent and her band, The Rage

Rhonda Vincent, "Queen of Bluegrass" was born in Kirksville, Missouri not only sings and
writes songs but plays the mandolin,guitar and fiddle. Her parents led the popular bluegrass
Sally Mountain show, with whom she made her debut at the age of 5, singing and tapping a snare drum. She has earned many awards.

Rhonda Vincent is sponsored by Martha White self rising flour

On her first set, Rhonda Vincent called Lizzie Long to sing with her

The Primitive Quartet
southern gospel music
traditional mountain shaped note style singing
accompanied by acoustical instruments


The Grand Finale for the NC State bluegrass festival was Gene Watson, a WELL known country music star. Bruce and I showed our age. By this time, we were exhausted and his band was way too loud, so we did not stay for his show.



More Later