The Western Maryland region is very fortunate to be located
in an area where there are many bluegrass festivals on tap in
the coming months as we head into spring and summer. Most of
these festivals are just a short drive and each one is a ticket
to a fascin-ating day-trip filled with great music, cool activities,
good food and family fun.
“The Mid-Atlantic region is a major hotbed for bluegrass
festivals,” says Dan Hayes, executive director of the International
Bluegrass Music Association (IBMA), a professional trade association
dedicated to promoting and expanding the success of bluegrass
music. “The states of Maryland, Pennsylvania, Virginia
and West Virginia, all host multiple bluegrass festivals that
have earned great reputations as well-run shows.”
Dan notes that there are more than 500 festivals hosted around
the country every year and he says there are two things that
are inherent in any festival you attend. “First, there’s
the level of talent of the musicians that people will enjoy
being presented, from the nationally known talent to the very
talented regional and local artists. It is very impressive,”
he said. “Second, the atmosphere at these festivals gives
them a unique flavor. In addition to having more than one stage
and more than any one act playing at a time, there are workshops,
youth activities, craft shows or other types of community celebrations
taking place in conjunction with the festival.”
Local musician John Arnold is a veteran of many bluegrass festivals
held in the area. His group, Lonesome Highway, is based in Romney,
West Virginia, and they specialize in playing contemporary and
traditional bluegrass. According to John, the festivals are
very family friendly and it is a good time out for people of
all ages. “The festivals really are a family oriented event
and a great value in family entertainment. You see lots of kids
in the audience and many even performing on stage. All of them
having a lot of fun with their parents, grandparents and other
relatives,” he said. “Bluegrass festivals are also
pretty wholesome. There is absolutely no alcohol or drugs allowed
and the crowds are always orderly and very well behaved.”
The popularity of bluegrass music has soared in the last few
years with many mainstream country artists returning to their
bluegrass roots like Ricky Skaggs, Vince Gill, Marty Stewart,
Patty Loveless and even Dolly Parton. Each of these artists
has recently produced a CD of bluegrass music and they feature
it prominently in their live shows. Another factor has been
the highly successful, multi-platinum soundtrack from the movie
“Oh Brother, Where Art Thou.” The collection of bluegrass
material won five Grammy Awards this year and brought national
attention to the bluegrass art form.
According to Dan Hayes from IBMA, bluegrass music is very lucky
to still have many of the pioneers of the music performing on
a regular basis. “The people who helped create bluegrass
music are still out there playing at festivals and they are
still headliners in most cases,” said Dan, of bluegrass
legends Ralph Stanley, Earle Scruggs, Doc Watson and J.D. Crow.
“They are still very viable but you also have a new generation
of talent that has come along like an Alison Kraus, Del McCoury,
Lonesome River Band, IIIrd Tyme Out or a Rhonda Vincent. Those
kinds of people are opening doors to a whole new generation
of fans.”
As a working member of a bluegrass band, John Arnold says the
festivals provide a great atmosphere and opportunity for people
to share the music with each other. “Everyone has a good
attitude about sharing the music and promoting the music as
much as we can. I guess we’re all ambassadors of bluegrass
music.”
Dan Hayes agrees with John, pointing to the fellowship, the
camaraderie and the kind of community spirit between the fans
at bluegrass festivals. “The whole fellow-ship surrounding
the festivals is something that everyone enjoys and it’s
what I think is rather unique,” says Dan. “It’s
most evident at many of these festivals in what we call the
parking lot jam sessions or parking lot picking. Rarely do you
go to a concert and, after it’s over, all of the fans head
to the parking lot to get out their instruments and play with
one another and make music,” he said. “Bluegrass music
will be the centerpiece but what you find are people that are
very welcoming and very inclusive. It is a family atmosphere
and people want to make music with each other and actually get
to know each other better.”
So pack up your family, bring your lawn chairs, your appetite
for food and fun, and expect to hear some first-rate live music
at a bluegrass festival near you. There are plenty to choose
from and most are just a short drive away from where you are
right now.
Fiddle Contests in this Area
Friendsville, Maryland — 3rd Saturday in July at the park
Cumberland, Maryland, Mid Atlantic Region Championships —
4th Saturday in October at Washington Middle School
Burlington, West Virginia, Burlington Apple Harvest Festival
Fiddle Contest — October 6, 2002 at 1:00 p.m. at the Apple
Butter pavilion, Burlington Children’s Home Campus. For
information call: Vicki Ginn 304-788-2342 Ext. 235
Oakland, Maryland, Maryland State Fiddle & Banjo Championship
— October 11th & 12th 2002 at Southern High School.
For information call: Heather Hanline at The Dove Center 301-334-6255
Nearby
Bluegrass Festivals
MARYLAND
April 25-27, Arcadia, Reisterstown (410) 374-2895
July 13-14, Westminster (410) 857-2771
July 19-21 , Puzzly Run Folk Life Center, Grantsville (301)
746-7040
August 8-11, Leonardtown (301) 475-8191
September 19-21, Arcadia, Reisterstown (410) 374-2895
September 20-21, Berlin (410) 641-4151
September 21, Deale (410) 867-2400
PENNSYLVANIA
May 16-19, Gettysburg (717) 642-8749
May 23-26, Reinholds, Denver (717) 445-9496
August 3, Lancaster (717) 299-8217
August 22-24, Gettysburg (717) 642-8749
September 1-2, Berlin (814) 267-3097
VIRGINIA
May 5, Winchester (540) 662-3863
May 24-25, Culpeper (540) 399-1173
June 15, Mouth of Wilson (540) 579-7092
September 14, Norton, Wise (540) 328-6018
WEST VIRGINIA
June 23-29, Snowshoe, Marlinton (304) 799-7121
June 27-30, Summersville (304) 872-3145
August 9-11, Elkins (304) 637-1209
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