At The Old Get Together!
(festival flyer)
We arrived at 1:00 ready to jam! The Caney Creek Gang was asked to lead the Jam Circle, and Adam Moore, the festival organizer, had chairs set up for us.
(pic from Adam Moore)
Right away I could see Adam had found the perfect place for a festival. The Potter Farm Events and Wedding Venue in Bowling Green is picturesque, to put it lightly.
I’m not certain it’s inside BG city limits. But it’s close enough, just a little ways up the road( Rich Pond Rd) from South Warren High School and Rich Pond Elementary.
Adam placed us underneath some huge, old Oak trees. Nice!
And the jam was on!
(pic from Angie Newell)
Standing with the bass is Elizabeth Sherman, and beside her on banjo is Ryan Hardison. They are also known as Brand New Box of Matches. They were with us all day. Boy, can they jam!
Regrettably, I failed to gather every jammer’s name. Hey, I’m new at this! I will next time.
(pic from Angie)
Here you see Marty Hays on guitar and Larry Hill on banjo. Standing behind them are Marty’s wife Robin Hays and Jackie Tarrence, aka Jasper Beatty’s grandma.
Jackie sang a couple gospel tunes, and Robin provided harmony. “In the Sweet By and By” and “Gospel Ship.” Two of my favorites by two of my favorite singers.
(pic from Angie)
That’s yours truly in the red WKU hat. I thought I should show a little love for my alma mater. I also had a Jerusalem Ridge Festival shirt on.
Beside me is my buddy Kenneth Newell. His move to Westmoreland, Tennessee, with Angie and her mother, has put them about 30 minutes from Bowling Green.
Kenneth had his new McClanahan mandolin with him. It’s a beautiful piece of art and a powerful instrument.
With Kenneth, Larry, Marty and I present, only one Caney Creek Gang band member was missing. Jackson Groves, our newest member and youngest by far(17), wasn’t able to make it.
That’s okay; he’s a youngun, and school just let out for the summer. He’ll be with us when we play Rough River Lodge July 11 and Pickin’ on the Porch July 12. Ya’ll need to come out and see him play his big ol’ Martin guitar.
Back to the jam—a few minutes after 3:00, I heard the unmistakable sound of The Rosine Sound. Jasper Beatty’s vocals are quick to recognize, and the band’s sound is mighty fine.
From where I sat in the jam circle, I wasn’t able to get a photo of them performing, but I obtained from Mallory Hendricks a great promotional pic shot right before or after they took the stage.
(pic by Mallory Hendricks)
L to R: Jarrett Davis, Jasper Beatty, Ethan Payton, and Dylan Lunsford. Aren’t they dapper! A bright future lies ahead of these boys. Proud of ‘em!
After their set Jasper was up for a little jamming himself. He came to the circle and joined in. Faaaaaantastic!
After about five hours of picking, I was plumb wore out and done for and had to get up and stretch. My old body can’t do what it used to! Neck surgery like mine will do that to you.
At any rate, it afforded me the chance to check out more of the festival.
Corn Hole was going strong all day!
Just a few of the craft vendors.
The focal point of the festival, this old barn may be fixed up and cleaned up, but it definitely is authentic. It’s not new by a long shot. The stage was set up inside.
I just happen to catch Cutter and Cash and the Kentucky Grass performing.
Same as Jasper Beatty, I’ve been watching these boys grow up for quite a few years. They’re young men now. It’s been something to see the growth of youth in bluegrass.
Before leaving the festival grounds, I moseyed over to the Jerusalem Ridge Festival tent/booth Dennis Cook had set up.
Dennis Cook and Robin Hays took turns manning the booth, promoting Jerusalem Ridge all day.
I have to believe Adam Moore is tickled with the turnout of the 1st Annual The Old Get Together.
As I texted Adam after I left—“already looking forward to next year.” I sure hope there is a 2nd Annual because we need more festivals like this.