Darby Strong

Playing point. Delivering the rock.

Search

  • About

Camping, Traditional Music, and a Sprinkle of Freaks

merlefest_hillsidestage.jpg

Me man and I enjoyed the outdoors this weekend while camping in Moravian Falls, NC – about 4 miles from Wilkesboro, NC, home of Merlefest. In honor of Merle Watson, Doc Watson’s son who died in a tractor accident back in 1985, Merlefest has been bringing “traditional plus” music to Wilkesboro ever since.

During our visit, we were lucky enough to see some amazing music. Here’s the line-up:

Levon Helm Band
Ollabelle
Ricky Skaggs and Kentucky Thunder with Bruce Hornsby
Hot Buttered Rum
Bearfoot
Allison Brown Quartet with Joe Craven
Donna the Buffalo with Jim Lauderdale and Tim O’Brien
The Avett Brothers
Peter Rowan + Tony Rice
Sam Bush Band
Carolina Chocolate Drops
Donna the Buffalo
The Infamous Stringdusters with Tim O’Brien
Ralph Stanley & Clinch Mountain Boys

Pretty sweet, huh?

Many thoughts become clear while camping, people watching, and ingesting art at this level. Among them came forth these random ponderings…

I need to learn to play the Bass. Guitar or stand-up is the question.

Where can I get me one of them there washboards? Seriously…

Um, where’s the Beer? Wine? Spirits?

Is it feasible to take a year, or 6 months, or 3 months – even, and go travel. Right now, Chile, Argentina, and Patagonia (with a “quick” sidetrip to Easter Island via Santiago) is the first big trip on my list. Second is maybe Paris and the South of France. Third is New Zealand or Ireland and Scotland. Damn it…I’ll go anywhere, really.

Oh, how I love my indoor plumbing and running water. Especially in the middle of the night when I invariably have to pee. And I’m naked. DOH!

Why is everyone so attracted to Evangelicalism? Don’t they find it highly oppressive?

It takes all kinds to make the world go ’round. Keep an open heart.

Search the site

Recent Comments

  • Enja McGuire on Ethnography or Exploitation?
  • domain on Guerilla Gardening
  • Patty on Passport to the Universe
  • Jack on Ethnography or Exploitation?
  • chelsea on KCMO – Flyin’ Smart

Categories

links

  • AdPulp
  • And That Got Me Thinking
  • Big Daddy Seashell
  • Bohemian Girl
  • Burnin'
  • Chicago Public Radio
  • Clicks and Bits
  • Evil Vince
  • Guardian Blog
  • Leftover Cheese
  • Media Matters
  • Moon Phases
  • NPR
  • Octavia’s Haze
  • Old Town School
  • PBS
  • School of the Americas WATCH
  • Snap Design
  • Straw Dog
  • The Onion
  • Third Coast Audio Fest