Mayville Bluegrass Festival

[Folkstrum]

I'd like to put in a plug for this: http://trinityguitars.com/frame.htm?news.htm You'll need to scroll down on the Trinityguitars.com page a bit, but this is coming up pretty soon. I believe one of Pistolero's friends has won the Flatpicking Contest recently--maybe twice! (?)

This is a beautiful setting on the shores of Chautauqua Lake (extreme SW NY State)--a small little town with a big heart. I'm not sure who the headliners are this year, but the past few have featured the late, great Vassar Clements, Norm and Nancy Blake, Peter Rowan, Chris Hillman (former "Byrd"), and lots of regional (and beyond) bluegrass bands. The neat thing is at night, you can wander around town to various venues, and catch the acts in concert--of course they're on stage during the day.

Admission is ridiculously CHEAP for the whole event (I'm thinking maybe $25-20 bucks), and they have begun each Sunday morning with a massive "Bluegrass Worship Service" at Lakefront (weather permitting). You can also get into on this at the UMGF from posted "IV God" (who may also be here--can't remember).

Update: new link:http://www.mayvillebluegrassfestival.com/ Great lineup this year, including Rhonda Vincent and Tony Trischa. Check it out. :D

[ricks]

A little too far for me to travel, but looks like a good time.
And I will put in a plug for the Cherryholmes Family.
I got to see them in a little old "Opry House" when I was in W Va a couple weeks ago and they are an amazing family band.

At those prices it's more than a bargain.

[Folkstrum]

little "bump"--for you Clay Hess fans, he's there too. :D Thanks for the review, ricks. I'm not familiar with this family--but based on your recommendation, will be SURE to be there for them!

[ricks]

Folkstrum, I had never heard of them before myself.
A music shop I stop in up there told me about the concert, so my cousin and I went. It was the best $10 show I have ever been to, and I am not particularly a bluegrass fan. I just like good music, and they got it.
You can check out some clips on their website, and it's worth the listen.

[Folkstrum]

Well, the Lake Houston thing (good as it is) is now history; so a "BUMP" for this again. Sorry-but we NEED the influx down here, and acceptance that this is a REAL- HONEST-TO-GOODNESS Festival, with nationally-known talent. Yep---I'll be back, so get your guns ready! :lol:

[Jeff M]

I'd love to be able to make it. Don't think it's going to happen this year.

[Jeff M]

Bump....to keep a good festival from falling through the cracks.

[Folkstrum]

Another nudge--coming soon to a lake near you...! I'm excited to see/hear Tony Trischka live.

[Folkstrum]

Bumpity-bump. Found out "Pistolero" isn't comin' up for this one...but still plenty O' talent! Check out the link in the first post! :D

[Tony Burns]

Im definitely going - bought my ticket this morning-- 18 dollars presale for two days is unbelievable -- also to note Trinity guitars will be there to ( Jim holler is a fantastic Martin and Larrivee dealer )

[Folkstrum]

Im definitely going - bought my ticket this morning-- 18 dollars presale for two days is unbelievable -- also to note Trinity guitars will be there to ( Jim holler is a fantastic Martin and Larrivee dealer )
Hey, Tony-a PM's on your way. Nice to find someone living nearby who knows about Jim (I've plugged him many a time here :wink: ) and Trinity Guitars. Got my Tix yesterday at the Reg Lenna in Jamestown. Yeah-$18.00 for a TWO-DAY pass. What a deal! :up:

[Folkstrum]

BUMP! :wink:--tomorrow it all starts about 11:00 A.M. Temps in the mid 80's, clear blue skies, Chatauqua Lake in the background--cool lake breezes, great fast and gourmet (yes!) food. Martins, Larrivees, Mandos, and Stars galore. Can't wait! Bring water bottles! :lol:

[Tony Burns]

if any of you other guys like bluegrass, your gonna feel sorry if you miss this one- The weathers gonna be perfect-- and Mayville is a beautiful town to visit --

[Folkstrum]

Day one is over for me and the Mrs.-but the Festival moves off the park grounds to five local restaurant-bar venues, as various groups play into the wee hours...people just walk around town, stop in for a few beers, whatever-and keep listening to the music. Got to meet up with fellow AGF-er, Tony Burns. Great guy with quite a collection of instruments! :eek:

Outstanding acts? Well, they're all very, very good! Clay Hess with his sig Martin is just plain scary; Ryan Holloday is a 15 yr. old 5-string prodigy who appeared at the Grand Ol' Opry at age 5!! Tony Trischka and the Ohio Math League were simply phenomenal, doing things with banjo much like Bela Fleck does--very inventive.

An acquaintance of Pistolero, Adam Wright, is one of the 3 finalists in the flatpicking contest. 1st prize is a Larrivee D-60; a Larrivee D-03 is being given away in a raffle. Jim Holler has his "guitar trailer" there, almost the size of a mobil home...chocked full of primo Martins of every ilk, as well as Larrivees. Played around on a number of them--outstanding? A Martin burst D28 Marquis...its sustain was great, nice bottom end and begged to be dug into.

It's an amazing fest--tomorrow, Cherryholmes, Rhonda Vincent, and a "Bluegrass Church Service" Lakeside to start the day off at 11:00.

[Jeff M]

So, how was the final day?
BTW, have all the Martin's been replaced by Blueridge's? :D

[Folkstrum]

So, how was the final day? BTW, have all the Martin's been replaced by Blueridge's? :D
Haha. Jeff-yer quite the humorist! I'm headed out in a bit to catch the 6 finalists-3 in the Mando contest (1st prize-a Webber Mandolin) and the 3 in the Flatpicking contest (which includes Adam Wright--Pistolero's recommendation) 1st prize being a new Larrivee D-60.

As I mentioned in my original "Day 1" post, I really didn't see much of ANYTHING but Martin dreads. Anyone who thinks Martin isn't the mighty fortress of Bluegrass needs only to go to one of these. No groups I saw had any Gibsons (but I did miss 2, who I'm hoping to catch today); A Taylor, either a Rainsong or CA all-black (carbon/graphite whatever) dread; and of course the local guys and gals who jam by the lake bring whatever they own, which runs the spectrum from Gibsons, Larrivees, Yamahas, Taylors, and...yes...MARTINS! :eek: I didn't see a single Blueridge on or off the stage all day. (Sorry you Blueridge afficianados :cry: ) As for banjos, that's where Gibson Mastertones hold the fort. Saw a new, gold-plated Osborn (not really familiar with those), a couple of high-end Deerings, and some probable vintage banjos with nothing I could read on the headstocks. Needless to say they were all killer sounding. A couple of groups used the "one-mic" approach; most had the dual mic stand with mic for voice, and a lower one for instrument. I don't believe I saw any acoustic guitars or banjos with a pickup--if they had 'em, they weren't using them!

I'll add to this essay after I get home tonight. Apologies to any who think I'm rambling here, but you can always ignore the post :wink: . Just SOOOOO much happening-even the local newspaper had to devote two columns-front page and p. 6.

[Pistolero]

Well, Adam called me last night to tell me that he had made the finals, but Matt Arcara had also. I also know Matt, and he could be tough. He placed at Winfield 2 years ago, of course Adam won Winfield in 2001. If they both have a good day and play well, it could be a real good contest to hear. I'd say Adam has the advantage from experience in contests though. I look forward to hearing from Adam when it's over.

[Folkstrum]

Pistolero: Well, Adam won!! :up:--and I DID "make friends" with him before he went on, and afterwards, he was listening to the 3rd and final player, and then a local group. He and I chatted for a good 15 minutes or so. What a nice "kid!" I'm going to PM you with some details you'd be interested in. So, as they say, "you've got mail!" :D

Needless to say the 3 finalists for mandolin, and 3 for flatpicking were outstanding. Maybe Tony will post on this thread too. We just got home. Ricks: you are correct: Cherryholmes may be the best bluegrass act I've ever seen. They absolutely knocked our socks off, and had the FIRST, and at the time ONLY, Standing "O". Rhonda Vincent and the Rage followed them. Rhonda has a very powerful and gorgeous voice. She's also very much at ease on stage with in-between patter, humor, and worked the audience well. She was the "Grand Finale" and garnered the 2nd Standing "O" and an encore.

As to guitar content: several handbuilt dreads from makers I wasn't familiar with. One fella out of Rome, NY...not too close to us, but not that far either; Collings D's (both flavors) also made an appearance today in at least two groups, maybe 3. MAN! Those things are truly the definition of a Bluegrass cannon. Great weekend...worth 3 times the price at LEAST of $18.00 for a two-day pass. Can you BELIEVE that price? Much larger crowd by tonight as well! I'me beat...but as Fathers' Days go, this was one of the BEST for me!!! :)

[ricks]

Sounds to me like you had WAY too much fun for one man to handle. LOL
I can't think of a better way to spend fathers day, just wish I could have done that.
Glad you liked Cherryholmes, I am not a huge BG fan and they floored me when I saw them. How about that little 13 year old, left handed fiddle player?
Allens buddy won the pickin contest, shoot it just don't get much better.

Wish I could have joined you.

[Tony Burns]

Just wanted to say the festival was fantastic- got to meet Folkstrum and his wife ( really nice folks ) the last day was almost better than the first -but they were both great !

Think I'll let Folkstrum fill you in on it latter !

- but for the question on the blueridge guitars, dont recall any of them- a lot of Martin D-28's ( like we didnt know that was going to happen ) collings , etc. - cant recall any Larry's ( may be mistaken ) most were traditional instruments - tons of F5's and copies and tons of great banjo's and fiddles ! -wow --the weather was perfect with alot of great food , Id plan on attending next year if you could-- im still pretty much worn out ( even two days latter ) ! Tony