This weekend is the annual spring Darin and Brooke Aldridge Bluegrass festival, so you know where I’ll be. In additional to the Aldridges, the Grascals will be there friday, and The Harris Brothers on Saturday, and many other fine bands are booked. Their website has all the details: www.darinandbrookealdridge.com.
There is also some open mic time, so you never know will show up. Fine friends, music, food and pretty spring days. Hope to see you there.
Dr. B
We just got in from the Top of Georgia festival and in Dillard, Georgia, and we recommend it highly. The resort is as if Heaven dropped it into green rolling pasturelands nestled in between a couple of Appalachian mountain ranges. The accommodations ranged from rooms to chalets; old-fashioned southern hospitality and charm with all the modern amenities. That bathroom heater when you get out of the shower was the ticket! The food was great and the band line-up was as strong as you’ll see anywhere. We ran into many old N.C. friends and some new ones from Georgia too.
They have two bluegrass events a year. Here’s their web site and also a photo: www.gabluegrassjamboree.com
Bluegrass First Class is this weekend. It is in Asheville at the Crown Plaza Resort. Bluegrass has come up in the world. I remember when we used to sleep under the stars or a flat-bed truck trailer if it rained. As the event title implies, both the accommodations and the talent are always first class.
I’ll be there, so if you spot me come up and shake and howdy. I’m not gonna try to manage a booth this year as my health won’t allow, but I’ll have a few books should anyone want one. I think the show is already sold out, but if you have a ticket, see you there.
Dr. B
It might be cold and gloomy but my wife pays it no never mind. She knows I love the 4th, so last night we had hamburgers on the grill, corn on the cob, baked beans, sweet tea; the works. For a while there it was all sunshine and blue skies and winter seemed to slip away. Besides, she’s right; spring is just around the corner. I know this for sure because Bluegrass First Class is next week-end. It is the official start of the spring festival season here in N.C.
Y’all keep on picking; better times are coming. Let’s see. Where did I leave my Sam Bush Hawaiian shirt last year?
Dr. B
Dr. Tom Bibey: Stories of the Bluegrass Music Road 