You could say that we have spent a lot of time picking in the mountains, as that is where we started over 30 years ago. It is also where we have spent a large portion of the time since.
This time though I am talking about playing at the 27th annual Mountain Music Festival at Vogel State Park. In 1981 we were there playing at the first 'Old Timer's Day Festival' with Jimmy Waters. Jimmy was the naturalist at Vogel and at the suggestion of regional Naturalist Bill Thoman had planned and started that first festival. Jimmy was also performing with David and I, first as Buchanan, Thomas, and Waters (alphabetical) and then as the Morningstar String Ensemble.
Those first festivals were three day affairs. Friday night featured a dance in the parking lot, Saturday had music from 10:00 am to 10:00 pm, and Sunday had half a day of Gospel music. Several years ago the name was changed to the Mountain Music Festival and a craft show and sale was combined with the music. It is now a one day festival.
This year the weather was beautiful, slightly overcast with a nice breeze. We arrived early to warm up and get ready. The first group to perform was the Collins Brothers - Randall on the fiddle and F.C. on guitar - along with their band. The Collins Brothers are members of the Georgia Country Music Hall of Fame. We were the second group of the day.
It was great to get to play for this festival again, and to see so many familiar faces in the crowd. We included some new songs so our regular supporters had something new to listen to. There was a face missing and we want to make sure to send out a hello and get well soon to Bobby Brannon. This is the first festival Bobby has missed, and he only missed this one due to his being in the hospital. He has always been on the front row, along with Jim and Nancy McGuffey. We look forward to seeing him back in his regular seat next year.
The line up the rest of the day was great. Roots and Branches - a local group with a big following and lead by Sam Ensley, then Ed Teague - a north Georgia legend on old time banjo, then the Tanners - direct descendants of Gid Tanner of the Skillet Licker fame, and ending with Baldwin and Haney - one of our favorite duos who now live in the Boone, NC area.
We had a chance to hear some wonderful music, another opportunity to play for a group of people that came to hear some music, and a little time to sit out in the parking lot and pick because we just love picking.
If you made it to the festival, it was good to see you. If you didn't, we hope to see you soon.
Nelson
This time though I am talking about playing at the 27th annual Mountain Music Festival at Vogel State Park. In 1981 we were there playing at the first 'Old Timer's Day Festival' with Jimmy Waters. Jimmy was the naturalist at Vogel and at the suggestion of regional Naturalist Bill Thoman had planned and started that first festival. Jimmy was also performing with David and I, first as Buchanan, Thomas, and Waters (alphabetical) and then as the Morningstar String Ensemble.
Those first festivals were three day affairs. Friday night featured a dance in the parking lot, Saturday had music from 10:00 am to 10:00 pm, and Sunday had half a day of Gospel music. Several years ago the name was changed to the Mountain Music Festival and a craft show and sale was combined with the music. It is now a one day festival.
This year the weather was beautiful, slightly overcast with a nice breeze. We arrived early to warm up and get ready. The first group to perform was the Collins Brothers - Randall on the fiddle and F.C. on guitar - along with their band. The Collins Brothers are members of the Georgia Country Music Hall of Fame. We were the second group of the day.
It was great to get to play for this festival again, and to see so many familiar faces in the crowd. We included some new songs so our regular supporters had something new to listen to. There was a face missing and we want to make sure to send out a hello and get well soon to Bobby Brannon. This is the first festival Bobby has missed, and he only missed this one due to his being in the hospital. He has always been on the front row, along with Jim and Nancy McGuffey. We look forward to seeing him back in his regular seat next year.
The line up the rest of the day was great. Roots and Branches - a local group with a big following and lead by Sam Ensley, then Ed Teague - a north Georgia legend on old time banjo, then the Tanners - direct descendants of Gid Tanner of the Skillet Licker fame, and ending with Baldwin and Haney - one of our favorite duos who now live in the Boone, NC area.
We had a chance to hear some wonderful music, another opportunity to play for a group of people that came to hear some music, and a little time to sit out in the parking lot and pick because we just love picking.
If you made it to the festival, it was good to see you. If you didn't, we hope to see you soon.
Nelson
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