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How I Spent My Winfield Vacation
Walnut Valley Bluegrass Festival 2005 Diary
Sept 15-18, Winfield KS

by Danny Blackwood

Every third weekend of September in Winfield, KS is a unique experience for thousands of bluegrass and acoustic music pickers, players, and fans. That's when the Walnut Valley Festival more than doubles the population of this small southeastern Kansas town. I had the great pleasure of attending the 34th annual festival this year for the first time. Techincally it was my third Festival, but my first visit was in 1973s, and I quite frankly don't remember much (except Norman Blake), and last year I was only there for one day. This year was my first time to experience the phenomenon of the campground stages and jams. It was also my first time to perform.

Just a brief bit about me for perspective. Shortly after graduating from high school in Topeka, KS and for fifteen years following, I was a professional traveling musician. Playing everything from jazz to reggae to rock to country (and a short stint in a Vegas Show Band), I left the business in 1986 to pursue a career in computers. Last year I finally decided to get back into playing almost full time. I have enjoyed playing an acoustic solo (mostly in Topeka) and the largest majority of my repetoire is 60s and 70s acoustic/folk/rock, as well as performing with four bands. After only being able to attend one day last year, I made it my goal to get there for at least a couple days this year.

I arrived late Thursday evening with Kenny Smith (friend and leader of my primary gig, Bridges). After dumping off our gear at the already setup campsite (by Kenny's son in the Pecan Grove East) we immediately grabbed our guitars and rushed off into the Pecan Grove and several campground jams, finally getting to bed around 5:00am. The most obvious observation was the absolutely incredible number of players. You literally could not walk 10 feet without running into at least one person on the campground roads or in campsites performing; most comprised of two or more and the largest majority of them were very talented. Along the roads, there would be small groups of just a few people to large crowds. Remember, this is in the early hours of the morning on Friday.

I've always enjoyed all styles of music including bluegrass. However, my personal knowledge of bluegrass music is limited, and I didn't recognize many of the songs. But that didn't prevent me from jamming. I realized quickly it's not just bluegrass. There was everything from acoustic and folk rolk to rockabilly to zydeco to country. I did have the advantage of being "educated" by my sister's family on much of the "winfield-style" music over the past couple years. Artists like Tommy Emmanuel, Stephen Bennett, The Wilders, Yonder Mountain String Band, Men Of Steel, etc. have become personal favorites. I've also had the pleasure this past year to meet Andy McKee (extraordinary local Topeka artist and 2001 National Fingerpicking Championship). I missed Andy this year when he performed with Stephen Bennett and friends. In fact I only saw two main stage shows this year (Stephen Bennett's Saturday 1pm show on Stage 1 and the Mandolin competition on Stage 4), as I spent all my time playing (and sleeping very little). I had intended to see Tommy Emmanuel's late Saturday nite Stage 1 show, but was so enthralled in the campground jam at Fugarwee's I just didn't make it. I was also dissappointed I didn't get to see The Wilders. Emmanuel and The Wilders were my favorites from last year.

Friday morning I got up early (Ha! - 11:00am) and prepared for my first official performance. Kenny's daughter, eleven year old Ellie Smith, was singing on Stage 5 at 12:30pm. Kenny and I played guitar and bass behind Ellie, and her amazingly mature voice wowwed the crowd. My friend (and leader of my #2 band) Piper Leigh was in the crowd and we got her up to sing "Angel From Montgomery" with us. Immediately following that performance I tracked down the Glitter Gulch Capmground, as I was scheduled to rehearse with Bill as his accompanist for his Saturday morning appearance in the Acoustic Kids showcase on Stage 2. Bill is the son of Paul Rhodes and Amy Crouch-Rhodes, publishers for the Times-Sentinel Newpapers. Next on the schedule was to find Piper and Tim Durham to rehearse for our performance in Stage 5 Saturday evening. Unfortunately Tim was unable to make it, so Piper contacted Jim Sanders (her former guitar player from Wichita) to fill-in. Then we got the next bit of bad news; there was a mixup in the scheduling and Piper was not on the list for Stage 5. She and I then hiked over to Stage 7 to find out about getting signed up there.

Stage 7 was a very unique experience. We found out the sign-up for Saturday night would be about noon to 1:00pm on Saturday. The stage is deep in the Pecan Grove and is a small stage completely devoid of electricity. During the day, the crowds were small and hearing the performers play (and speak in between) was not too difficult. However, that evening I made it a point to see Truckstop Honeymoon and Jeff & Vida; both groups were amazing! There were probably 100 or more people crowded in the "campsite" and even the most polite talking among the crowd made it extremely difficult to hear the music. Forget trying to hear them talk between songs. I also got to hear the Dewayn Brothers; a great bunch of young performers including Eric Nelson, a friend from church. That evening I made the rounds in the campground again, and ended up at the Bucket Camp jam. I had to get to bed early (3am) for an early morning show.

Saturday morning came excrutiatingly early to be at Stage 2 to rehearse once more with Bill Rhodes. His time slot came around 10:30am, and though his performance was cut short by one song (due to running behind), his performance of "Peace Train" and "Classical Gas" were received enthusiastically. A quick breakfast and it was off to Stage 7 to sign-up Ellie Smith (with Kenny and I) and Piper (with Jim and I). I finally was able to hang out a little in my sister's campground (a stone's throw south of Stage 5), and then we all went to see Stephen Bennett and friends (hoping to see Andy McKee, who had performed with him the previous day, but not Saturday).

I tried desperately to take a nap Saturday afternoon, but it was just too warm. Ellie was scheduled to play on Stage 7 at 4pm. We borrowed a portable bass amp from a friend in the Borderline band, and made our way on stage. The crowd was small but appreciative, and this time my best friend Kozette Theel (an awesome vocalist and festival first-timer) joined us for "Angel From Montgomery." We headed back to the Fugarwee Tribe camp to rehearse with Piper and Jim. We were scheduled to play on Stage 7 at 9:00pm, and the crowd was already huge. Borrowing an acoustic bass from a friend of Piper's husband, Mark Bowling, (and still using the portable bass amp) we hit the stage to the cheers of Piper's fans. Piper's amazing voice had no trouble carrying, but I was informed later that it was still diffficult to hear in the back.

Kenny and I then roamed the campground again, and decided that it was futile to roam too much. The grass was green on all sides when it came to talent and fun, and we finally planted at the Fugarwee Tribe campground. I tried to get to bed early again, but it was 2am before I laid down. The "Mardi-Gras-like" festivities in the Pecan Grove made it difficult to sleep, and 6:00am came early. I had to get up and drive to the Kansas State Fair on Sunday for two performances with my #3 band, Bekah Frees (and then back to Topeka for The Celtic Fox Sunday Night Jam that I host).

It took two or three days to catch up on my sleep, but I came away with many great memories (and pictures). The most prevalent thing I discovered as my friend Kozette and I discussed our first time in "music heaven" - it was obvious why so many people are multiple-year Winfield attendees. The plethora of unknown as well as "almost famous" talent was incredible. We also were overwhelmed by the camaraderie and spirit of true community displayed. We saw a few familiar faces, but met numerous new friends, many of whom we may not see again until next year. But, oh yes, there will be a next year for us.


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