Armuchee Bluegrass Festival - Labor Day Weekend 1999 Addendum

The Armuchee Labor Day Bluegrass Festival was very special this year. Course I could say that about any of the many festivals that it has been my good fortune to attend at this great venue. I had recently accepted a position at Lindsey Wilson College in Columbia, KY and therefore the trip and planning required a bit more effort than when I resided in Marietta, GA, or Knoxville, TN.

Due to an afternoon class at Lindsey, I was unable to get to Armuchee until about 9:00 p.m on Friday evening. But the timing turned out to be about perfect. Parking lot jammin' was just getting started and the stage shows were well attended as it seemed festival-ites were just in a mood to sit around and relax and listen to some great music.

I had barely gotten seated when good friend Mike Fleming of Brush Fire came over and invited me to join friends at Mr. Billy Johnson's gathering. Good seating - good company. Of course, Mr. and Ms. (Faye) Johnson promote the Marietta festival and we had a bit of catching up to do on many fronts.

After listening to great stage shows by Broadriver, Bluegrass Five, and others (unfortunately arrived too late to catch Brush Fire), I decided it was time to get out and socialize in the camping area. Ran into Kerry Warbington, Red Yates, and Eddie Turner (other members of Brush Fire) and learned of their latest exploits - including Kerry's now luxurious accommodations for festivals - then up-and -coming banjo player Jeremy Moses. Told me about his new RB-75 - also got to hear him play this on stage and in a great jam session with Harl Baggett, Billy and Linda Merrill, Harold Cowart and others.

I can't mention them all without leaving folks out - but I will try. Hughie Wylie, J.N. and Onie Baxter, Larry Bishop, all the members of Ramblin' Grass, Ricky Rakestraw, Roger Robinson, Tom and Aina Barnwell, Jim Lasseter, Ed Wade, Tut, Lee and Wanda Taylor, Gerry Hall, David and Nancy Anderson, Joyce and Bob Carey, 'Slim' Johnson......and of course, Mr. Mack and Ms. Evelyn, Chuck and Kricket, John and Debbie Farley....By 1:00 a.m. the music was just getting stronger with several jam sessions involving 5-10 or more musicians and singers.

After a good night of rest, I returned to the festival around 11:00 a.m. on Saturday. My first stop was at Tut Taylor's camping area to pick up a signed, autographed copy of "AEREO-PLAIN" from the early 70s. A work featuring John Hartford, Tut, Norman Blake, Vassar Clements, and Randy Scruggs. The defining moment for me as to when I was 'brought into the fold of bluegrass' from the folk-rock music of CCR, Three-Dog Night, etc. I have been bugging Tut for an autographed copy of the CD re-release for some time and this cd goes at the top of my 'signature' collection! Tut was also good enough to play some of this at his campsite - several other collectors immediately lined up for this 'special moment and collection of history.'

Saturday afternoon was warm and dry (as it has been most of the late summer for the Southeast) and I spent a great deal of time going through scrap books, photos, and all kinds of Armuchee memorabilia that the Farleys and Langleys had put together for this festival. This was a great pictorial history and the most spectacular part was a quilt commemorating the twenty-fifth anniversary of the festival a couple of years ago. Each band that had participated had a block containing the name of the band. In addition, members' signatures had been collected to also be hand-stitched (along with the outlines of instruments played) into the block. Truly a work of love on the part of Ms. Evelyn and a priceless momento for the historical archives.

I was also privileged to take part in a special ceremony on Saturday evening. Mr. Mack and Ms Evelyn were celebrating their fifty-sixth wedding anniversary and it was my great pleasure to say a few words from the stage concerning the web site as well as to express my appreciation for the years of musical pleasure and good fellowship this special couple has provided me.

The evening provided a 'command performance' from members of GA Bound (along with Debbie, Aaron, and Tony). I can't wait for the Buck Owens medley...there is literally enough talent in this combination of friends for at least two groups! (And I am still looking forward to the release of the 'Heartstrings' cd...)

The last couple of hours were spent in the 'good ol' Southern tradition of leaving.' As many of you know, in the rural South, one never departs in one step...it must be done in a series...it is meant to be savored...not only as a reflection of what was, but what is to be. I am already looking forward to Memorial Day Weekend 2000!