We didn't arrive until Saturday afternoon due to our having to chauffeur Bob O'Luney out to Northglenn on Saturday morning for a two-hour performance. After an easy drive down from the Denver area, I played a set at 4:00 accompanied by Josh Fuller on guitar and Dave Batti on bass. I've worked with Dave before, but this was the first time that Josh and I have had the opportunity to perform together. And what a great musician he is! He plays guitar, banjo and bass with equal agility and knows when to throw in the appropriate background vocal. I was quite flattered to find that he has studied and memorized all of my recorded original material, which made for a painless transition from rehearsal (once through each tune) to the stage. I was joined for the Saturday evening show by members of Chilly Winds (John Birchler, Jim Moran and Bruce Blajez), Tom Ivey, Robert Force on dulcimer and of course Dave and Josh. We did a set of mostly familiar folk tunes and everybody did a fabulous job of following me! Thanks guys! On Sunday I played at noon with Josh and Dave again (mostly original or obscure material) and then we closed the festival that evening with another group jam. A fabulous time was had by all! (Dave Batti had to leave early to catch his flight home but he left his bass for Josh to use. Josh did a fabulous job!) Other notable festival performances were presented by Dakota Blonde (local folk trio whom I've known for years), Roz Brown (Denver's favorite autoharp guru - and I backed his Limberjack dancers on banjo and harmonica), Chilly Winds (much improved from last year!), Cripple Creek (the local house band), Robert Force (dulcimer king from Puget Sound - I've know Robert since my Vashon Island days) and Judy Piazza (amazing multi-talented folk percussionist and authority on all sorts of obscure ethnic instruments and music.) One of the highlights of the weekend was the jams with Robert Force, Bing Futch, Bud Ford III, Quinton Stephens, Judy Piazza and Dave Batti. Bing and Quinton are experimenting with solid-body electric dulcimers, applying them much like electric lead guitars. These musicians took us on a magic carpet ride of rhythms and intricate melodic interplay that was truly astounding! No rehearsal - just a pure stream of consciousness jam. WOW!!! If you're in Colorado at the end of August next year you should plan on including The Mountain Music Festival in your itinerary. Manitou Springs is the most charming little mountain town you've ever seen. Friendly folks, cute shops, restaurants and fresh mineral spring water pouring from municipal spigots around town. It's a one-of-a-kind place - very close to Heaven. I'd like to extend a special thank-you to Ron Fitz for manning the CD table all weekend. Boring work, since CD sales were down this year, but at least he got a front row seat for all the shows. And thanks again to Josh, Dave, John, Jim, Bruce and Tom for your able assistance. Looking forward to seeing and playing with all of you again very soon!
Responses