Well, thanks to all the friends of Greg -
Musicians and Audience alike - we had a very successful event, if attendance and
joy are any indications. Besides the scheduled performers listed in the line-up
we had numerous 'tweeners, cross-overs, drop-bys and sit-ins.
The CornFretters opened the show with a
bang. After a cute set by the fun-filled duo of NormalFlora, Sherry
Austin and Friends gave an excellent performance with perfect voices, a
great sound and a lot of heart. Sherry, Sharon and Jim are among the favorites
in the local music scene, with great original songs, and crisp performance.
Sherry, you can quote me on that.
The Jimmy Chickenpants kids really rocked
the house with some very tight bluegrass tunes;
Nice job! These guys are on their way!
The Birchlake Ramblers came up pickin', and
gradually evolved into the Lunatic Fringe & Friends right before our eyes.
Their whole groove was held together masterfully by the high-lonesome voice of
front man Eric Burman we have come to know and love. How many of them were
there?
Julio was ripping on his guitar as usual, and there was Johnny Campbell on the
fiddle, along with Dave, Penny, Barb, Elicia, and the rest of the usual
suspects. Including special guest Regina Bartlett and the south-paw with the
General Custer beard, there were TEN of them on stage at one point. Some people
claim to have seen TWELVE.
(Parlor Trick? Apparitions? Double Vision? Ghostly images of past festivals???
You Decide...)
The beautiful performance by the Harmony
Grits - with Chojo Jacques - was the penultimate crescendo of a great
evening's entertainment. These folks are one of the very best bands in the
area today. Good Show!
See them whenever you get the chance.
The last act of the evening was the mellow
and thoughtful Sound Reasoning.
The term may mean "absence of a logical flaw" to some of us, but it
also means an interesting Reggae band with good voices, horns and a soulful
groove. We are sure to be seeing more of them.
OK. Greg Davis sat right up front in
his wheel chair through the entire concert, surrounded by family and friends. He
was obviously fading, but delighted to have his clan gather for his benefit and
make joyful sounds for his pleasure. Patty almost never left his side during the
long, wistful, and jam-packed evening. A steady stream of well-wishers paraded
by hugging and comforting them.
There were a lot of fine raffle prizes
given out to lucky ticket purchasers between each act. I hope the dear couple of
the show got a lot of financial help from this. Surely they got a
spiritual lift; that goes for the attendees as well.
