Long Day

It's been a long day today. I worked on some phone issues we were having here at home today and I had to shoot photos today at the Blackwater Bluegrass Festival which was this weekned. I have been the webmaster for BlackwaterBluegrass.com since the beginning.
I do this for my friend George who loves bluegrass music more than life itself. He was one of the original founders of Brushy Creek Bluegrass back in the late 70's. The Brushy Creek festival caught on like a summer cold. All the advertisement was word of mouth and the hills and hollows were filled to capacity. You couldn't find a parking place anywhere. But as you walked toward the stage area, banjos and fiddles rang out from campsites all around the lake. I consider the success of that little festival a phenomenon.
Blackwater Bluegrass has struggled a little. It is a beautiful venue, with plenty space for parking, RV pads, and camping areas, but the crowds have not been that big. It's great for the bluegrass fan, but not so good for George who is paying the bills. I wish I knew the answer.
I have been distracted for most of the day. I'm on call this week so I'm tethered to my phone and my computer. I normally don't mind this, because it's part of my job, but my cousin Joe was buried today in Florida. So I've been a little heartsick because I couldn't go to Flordia.
His wife Janet will be doing a memorial here in Alabama for family and friends here. It's comforting to know that we can bring closure. Joe meant more to me that he ever knew. I'm sorry I couldn't be there for him today.