MerleFest Chairs (last post of this series, I promise!) – #8

You’d think photographing musicians and bands playing endlessly throughout the day from 13 different stages, add a little strolling around the shopping tents, and grabbing a meal now and then, that I’d have nothing else to do, right?

Wrong!  Boredom actually did occur at one point.  When I got up after one of the bands completed their set, the large crowd left the Watson stage area en masse, as their nose and appetites beckoned them toward the food vendors.

I couldn’t help but notice the chairs set up all over the place – the green plastic ones lined up for those with reserved seats, but the BYO general admission seats were, by far, the best!!  Colors and designs and textures – oh my!  Click, click, click…… Couldn’t let it go to waste, so here you go!!

Della Mae perform “Turtle Dove” at MerleFest 2013. – #7

This year, the MerleFest crowds were introduced to Boston-based band, Della Mae, whose new album, “This World Oft Can Be” will be released on May 28.  (Their self-released first album, “I Built This Heart”, made an impressive debut).

From the Watson stage at the festival, this was the second video I shot of the band.  While the entire 1-hour set of songs were fabulous, of the two songs in this blog series, I believe this one has a bit more kick to it.  Both the voices and instrumentals are stronger and tighter, most likely because the ladies wrapped up this set with “Turtle Dove”.  Enjoy!

MerleFest 2013 video. Great Music. Great Moment. Great Memory!! – #6

The Greencards, featuring young Jonah Horton on mandolin.  In my #5 part of this series, I shared some images.  Now, watch him work!!  Jam on!!

MerleFest 2013. Musics. Moments. Memories. – #5

The Greencards (Tyler Andal, Carol Young, Kym Warner and Carl Miner) picked up the tempo at Hillside Stage at MerleFest 26.  Their albums “Viridian” and “Fascination” have topped the Billboard bluegrass charts.  Interestingly enough, Carol and Kym hail from Australia; after residing in Austin, TX for awhile, they’re now settled in Nashville, TN.

… back to the music… to kick things up a notch further, young mandolinist Jonah Horton, who was a winner in the “Youth Mandolin” category at the 2012 Old Fiddler’s Convention in Galax, VA, joined the band for what turned out to be a rousing dueling mandolin jam.

The Greencards – L to R: Tyler Andal, Carol Young, Kym Warner and Carl Miner

Tyler Andal, fiddle

Carol Young, guitar

Kym Warner and Carl Miner are always a great duo in their own right

Carl Miner, guitar

Kym Warner and young Jonah Horton duel it out on their mandolins (Carol & Tyler in back, no doubt discussing Jonah’s amazing talent).

Now we’re jammin!

And then some…

A rocker at heart?

It’s all Kym can do to keep up!

MerleFest 2013. Music. Moments. Memories. – #4

I almost forgot how to make a video, but after ordering my 3rd or 4th Final Cut Pro Free Trial, I decided I had to get this done.

While at the MerleFest, I brought along my Canon G12 camera.  It’s a nifty small unit that shoots great photos as well as video.  I didn’t have the luxury of accessing the impressive photography inventory at school, so this little thing did pretty nicely on it’s own.

In my previous post, I bragged about the all-female bluegrass band Della Mae.  This is their song “Pine Tree” from their soon-to-be-released album “This World Oft Can Be”.

MerleFest 2013. Music. Moments. Memories. – #3

This year the crowds were introduced to a Boston-based band, Della Mae, whose new album, “This World Oft Can Be” will be released on May 28 (their self-released first album, “I Built This Heart”, made an impressive debut).

This Q&A was borrowed from their website (I was curious why the band chose the southern name Della Mae being that they’re based in Boston):

Q. If everyone in Della Mae is from a different state how did you all “get together”?
A: Kimber Ludiker (Fiddle) had the idea of starting this band over three years ago in Boston, MA. It started out as a joke under the name Big Spike Hammer. The idea was to dress in power suits and play “Mangrass”…..whatever that means! After a few fun shows Kimber decided the band had potential. The name changed to a more feminine Della Mae, and she began to assemble women from all over the country. Only three years later Della Mae has come into its own with a release on Rounder Records and tours worldwide. Della Mae represents 5 states (WA, WY, CO, VT, SC), and many different musical influences!

Q: Why Boston of all places?
A: There is an incredible community of musicians in Boston, not to mention several fine schools. The Boston scene is supportive, and burgeoning with inspirational songwriting, and musicianship. While two ladies still live and work out of Boston, we are proud to call Nashville home for the remaining three members of Della Mae.

Q. Where does the name “Della Mae” come from?
A: The name Della Mae comes from the Osbourne Brothers song Big Spike Hammer. 
“Hey hey Della Mae, why do you treat me this way?”

Della Mae, Boston, MA – L to R: Courtney Hartman, Jenni Lyn Gardner, Shelby Means, Celia Woodsmith and Kimber Ludiker

Lead singer, Celia Woodsmith

Mandolinist, Jenny Lyn Gardner

Guitarist, Courtney Hartman (also plays the banjo), and Jenny Lyn Gardner

Bass player, Shelby Means, and National Fiddle Champion, Kimber Ludiker

Guitar and banjo player, Courtney Hartman

Bass player, Shelby Means

MerleFest 2013. Music. Moments. Memories. – #2

I’ve had the pleasure of watching and listening to Scythian at both the 2012 and 2013 festivals.  Love them!  Give me some Celtic, Cajun, Gypsy, rockabilly, rowdy, raucous, world music.  The best way to state them – contagious enthusiasm!  Most of the music played this year was from their latest album, “It’s Not Too Late”.  Take a look at their bios (classically trained), check them out and give them a chance; you won’t be disappointed.  (not pictured: drummer Andrew Toy)

brothers Danylo and Alexander Fedoryka

Ben-David Warner

Josef Crosby

MerleFest 2013. Music. Moments. Memories. – #1

In 1988, MerleFest began as a one-night benefit concert to raise funds for the Wilkes Community College campus gardens.  That night drew larger crowds and was quite a bit more popular than expected; so much so that the festival has become a major 4-day event.  While MerleFest’s core mission is to honor the memory of Merle Watson (Doc’s son), it’s also the primary fundraiser for WCC.

The ’88 event featured Doc Watson, Earl Scruggs, Chet Atkins, Mike Cross, New Grass Revival, John Hartford, Mark O’Connor to name just a few.

Cut to the economic climate in 2010.  No effect!  Over 79,000 fans from  48 states and 10 foreign countries brought in $10.2 million!  Last year’s 25th anniversary brought fans in from all 50 states and 15 foreign countries.  Sadly, Doc’s 2012 performance was his last.

Here are a few of 2013′s musicians:

The Misty River Bend, Union Grove, NC – bluegrass, jazz, blues, folk and gospel. They performed great renditions of “I Know You Rider” and “Midnight Moonlight”. L to R: Dwight Burks, Bud Martin, Teresa Huie, Deward Huie, Ronnie Moore

ToneBlazers, northwest NC – their 3rd album, “Perfect Place” was released just prior to the festival. Billy Gee, Dale Meyer, Jack Lawrence, Jody Call, Randy Gambill, Jim Ashton

ToneBlazers – Billy Gee, Dale Meyer, Jody Call, Jack Lawrence, Randy Gambill, Jim Ashton

Andy May, New York, NY – singer, songwriter, producer, educator. In 2008, he started the record label Swift River Music.

Leaf on a Screen

A small leaf was snagged in some spider’s leftover web on the kitchen screen, and it suddenly became brilliant during a sunset.

Barring the screen’s shadow, this image looks like a view from high above – a river and it’s tributaries – perhaps the Amazon?  Ok, far-fetched, I guess…

Charlotte Cityscape

From Morehead St., Duke Energy building, foreground; Bank of America, center background; Charlotte Observer, bottom.