Bluegrass Festival a Success

By Robert E. Jensen
The Desert Independent

January 23, 2010

BLYTHE, Calif – Despite local rumors, there were no apparent Mountain Williams, Appalachian-Americans nor any other Lil’ Abner types in attendance at the 23d Annual Bluegrass Festival held at the Colorado River Fairgrounds this past weekend. Billed as the first important national Bluegrass festival of the season, the lot was instead filled with huge Recreational Vehicles with plates from Canada, Montana, Wyoming, and Arizona as well as one as far away as Maine.

“99% of the persons attending this festival have always been out-of-towners”, stated Chamber of Commerce CEO and event organizer Jim Shipley. “We just don’t see too many of the locals showing much interest. Even so, our attendance was up from last year and we are sitting in good shape for funding next year’s festival.”

That’s both fortunate and unfortunate. It’s nice to know that the Bluegrass Festival is so well known that aficionados will travel halfway across the country to attend, but disheartening to see that is not appreciated by the local citizenry. Admittedly, Bluegrass is an acquired taste for those of us not raised on it. One can easily conjure up six-fingered banjo players, the theme from the Beverly Hillbillies or a Jug Band throwing down; but Bluegrass is not what you expect.

It’s a form of expression unique to America – “Indigenous music”, commented College President Jim Hottois. According to Wikipedia, Bluegrass is "Scotch bagpipes and ole-time fiddlin'. It's Methodist and Holiness and Baptist. It's blues and jazz, and it has a high lonesome sound. It's plain music that tells a good story. It's played from my heart to your heart, and it will touch you. Bluegrass is music that matters."

After being able to both watch and listen to a couple of versions of “Dueling Banjos” and “Foggy Mountain Breakdown”, one can easily agree.

The Fairgrounds was filled with vendors as well – selling items geared to fans of Bluegrass as well as a variety of foods and novelties. Ten professional bands headlined the shows at the Racetrack and Bommer Theatre while more than 30 amateur groups filled in.

Mr. Shipley gave thanks to the numerous volunteers that helped out as usual. While there were too many to mention all, most notable were Sue Hottois, Frank and Anita Kelly with the CERT team, Rotary President George Thomas and wife, Marcella, Don Gage, Michelle Richardson, Jeff Blansett, as well as Dr. Yul Whitney and Jacob Jensen, who apparently gave up a Vacation Day to direct traffic on Friday.

To view the website for the Blythe Bluegrass Festival as well as gander at pictures from last year’s event, please click HERE.