News flash……..Much to the amazement of many bluegrass fans, James King made a surprise appearance at the 28th Annual Blythe Bluegrass Festival held just last weekend January 16, 17 & 18th at the Blythe, CA fairgrounds. You see James King was not on the festival lineup to perform. Both Seldom Scene and Larry Efaw & the Bluegrass Mountaineers (on the bill) delighted the crowds there as they had James join them on stage to perform a couple of songs with the band. The audience was enthralled as he sang and strummed along on the guitar. What a way to start the 2015 Southwest festival season!
Showing the effects of his current battle with cirrhosis of the liver, James appeared much thinner and weaker, but he still was the consummate professional as he belted out 3-part harmonies with icons Dudley Connell and Lou Reid of Seldom Scene and the boys from Larry Efaw’s band. While on stage, he took a couple of minutes to update the crowd of his latest medical status, i.e., he needs a new liver. With mounting medical expenses, he has been trying to perform here and there and sell some CDs to raise needed funds. He also had a DVD of a recent concert he did that he was selling, as well as raffle tickets for a quilt to be raffled off at the Gettysburg, PA fest in August. His friend in VA has made a unique quilt depicting James’ life moments in photos, such as a photo of when he was a Marine. It’s a very pretty and heartfelt tribute to James. There is also a website at www.GoFundMe.com where folks can donate to his medical expense fund. You can read more about James and what’s being done to help him at www.bluegrasstoday.com/tag/james-king.
On and off stage, James humbly thanked his fans at Blythe many times for their ongoing support throughout his long bluegrass career. And he personally spoke with many who stopped to wish him well or who contributed to his fund. It was hard not to tear up seeing this all as we listened to him singing and performing for us there. As I watched him perform, I knew I was witnessing a very special moment in bluegrass. He so touched the crowds that his booth after each show was mobbed with well-wishers. Many, many fans just came to shake his hand and give him cash without buying any products. It was touching. It is what bluegrass folks do.
James, here’s hoping your medical expenses are covered and you have a bright and healthier 2015! Your bluegrass fans want to hear you sing Thirty Years of Farming many more times in the future.
Best 2015 to ya’all, Yvonne
