Before I hit the pillow, I just want to jot down a few thoughts about the first night of the 30th Annual Old Songs Festival.

It took me nearly 20 years to check out Old Songs, but for the last 10 years I have not missed a year – nor do I intend to miss any in the future. I nearly had to skip one year – my brother-in-law decided it would be a perfect day to get married. I could not miss the wedding, but I did not want to miss Old Songs. I compromised – came up to see the Friday evening concert and part of the day on Saturday before heading back to the reception. What a day – the Altamont Fairgrounds during the day and the Rainbow Room in Manhattan in the evening. Don’t bother asking me where the music was best – Old Songs wins hands down – although the wedding was wonderful!

Anyway, enough of my rambling. Let’s get back to this year. The evening concert exemplifies everything that is so good about Old Songs. A lot of festivals will book one or two “name” performers and then throw in some reasonably good performers to fill out the bill. Old Songs is more creative than that. Let’s be honest, there were no “headliners” on the bill. Sure, there are people like James Keelaghan that have a significant following – but the reason people keep coming back to Old Songs is the quality of ALL the artists who grace the stage. Each year there is a wonderfully diverse lineup that showcases the outstanding traditional music – not just from this country, but from all corners of the globe.

Other folk festivals should take note.

Sure, it is a financial struggle to keep this festival going. Check out the Old Songs “Save Our Necks” campaign that is raising money to support not only the festival, but the wonderful Old Songs non-profit organization that is operating year round and offering the Capitol region outstandind concerts, dances, and opportunities to experience the tradition.

Sure, there are festivals that are larger than Old Songs. While I am sure they would love to see more people attend, I truly believe they have a substantial audience that attends each year, and more people continue to discover the joys of Old Songs. Right now, it is a perfect size – large enough to experience a great community feeling, but small enough to get up close to the performers and share the qualities that make the folk music community so unique.

Okay, I started to talk about tonights concert, but I’m rambling. If you read my Twitter updates posted on this website as well as my facebook page, you have some background as to the artists I enjoyed. Let me me expand a bit more than Twitter will allow.

The evening began with Billy Jonas. After all the mentions of “traditional” music, you might question why Billy would even be included – but if you really examine what “folk”music is, you will discover Billy carries on a long tradition. His original songs are born in the community he sings to, and while they may not be old enough to be filtered through the “Folk Process”, they serve the same purpose – teaching, entertaining and becoming part of a life. Billy’s expressive percussion style – often using items found in a household or fabricated from such. He grows on you. He was a perfect start.

I fell in love with the Tennessee Mafia Jug Band – in a platonic way of course! I was worried when they hit the stage. They were dressed in outfits that looked like they were salvaged from wardrobe department for the old Hee-Haw television series. I was worried that they were going to approach the music from a cornpone perspective, but I was pleasantly surprised. The humor was tongue-in-cheek and affectionate, and the music was strong and complimentary. They pay tribute to the best of early country music, and share the joy that is to be found – without mocking the source. I hope we will hear and see more from them!

I can’t stop raving about Elizabeth Laprelle. She performed with her family – aunts, uncles, and her mother – a band they call the Fruit Dodgers. Elizabeth is a young artist from Virginia. She grew up around traditional music, and when she was 11, she entered a youth competition at a Fiddlers Convention in Mount Airy, North Carolina. She won. Ginny Hawker (who is married to and performs with former New Lost City Rambler Tracy Schwarz) saw Elizabeth and encouraged her to attend Vocal Week at the Augusta Heritage Center. Elizabeth has continued to explore the traditions and has grown into a magnifcent performer. She squeezes in concerts while attending William & Mary College. Her performance at Old Songs was outstanding. I’m looking forward to an afternoon showcase performance tomorrow.

The pillow is calling me. More tomorrow…..