Rare and Beautiful Day

This weekend was the Blackwater Bluegrass Festival and the weather could not have been better. It was overcast yesterday but the temps were pleasant and the music was good. One of my all time favorite country/bluegrass voices was there and he was in great form. Marty Rabon, who was once the front man for the wildly popular country group Shenandoah, now has his own bluegrass band. They are a tight group and one of the best kept secrets in Bluegrass. Marty is also a heck of a nice guy. I went back stage before his group went on and shot some photos. I asked if he would be recording any time soon and he said they were about 90% finished on his latest project. I asked if he would consider listening to one of the songs that Jilda and I wrote. He said he would so I gave him a CD. He looked me in the eye and said, "I'll listen to it brother." It might not be right for his project, but I have no doubt that he will do as he said.
Jilda had to work yesterday and couldn't go, but today we pack a small cooler with drinks, loaded up the lawn chairs and headed out around lunch time. The crowd was larger this time than ever before. I could see my friend George smiling when I pulled up. He owns Blackwater Park and he's never made any money. I could tell last year he was getting really discouraged but this festival was good and I think it has given him hope.
Once inside, we set up the lawn chairs and kicked back. It felt good to be alive. I shot about a hundred photos of the crown and the bands. We also bought a couple of BBQ rib sandwiches that reminded my why I love the south. The meat was falling off the bone and the sauce was a mixture of sweet, spicy and tangy. I felt like I needed a shower when I finished.
We howdy'ed up with some old friends, told stories on one another, and blissed out while we listened to the music from the stage and the rushing waters of the Blackwater River which is close enough to spit in if you were so inclined.
Our buddy Fred was supposed to ride up to the festival with us, but he came down with a stomach bug and the last moment and had to cancel. Hope you feel better Fred and we hate you missed the festival because it was a rare and beautiful day.