I almost didn’t get my column posted today. Much as I like putting out a bimonthly blurb that might entertain other bluegrass fans, having fun myself takes precedence and I have just returned from having lots of fun at this weekend’s Cloverdale Fiddle Festival. Thanks to Mark Hogan and all his volunteers for putting on another great festival. I have started my music year for many years with this venerable classic but the Cloverdale Fiddle Festival almost died a few years ago. Hopefully Mark and his crew can keep this local fiddle treasure alive for a few more years.
I go every year but this year, for the first time I decided to camp out for the short weekend. My wife thought I was crazy. Why would I stop fifteen miles short of home after work on Friday to sleep on the ground for a couple of nights?
Little does she know. I was able to escape work a little earlier than usual and my buddy Jason had a nice booth squirreled away for our group to hear the Central Valley Boys perform live. They were great as usual and after dinner at Ruth McGowan’s we walked back to camp and jammed until the Cloverdale cops shut us down. Not that that was a bad thing. The police officer was very nice and it was time to go to bed anyway.
An earlier than usual retiring left us rested for a great Saturday of fiddle competition, side stage performances and jamming. Local music legend Ernie Hunt was honored at the closing jam back at the brew pub. Ernie has given so much to the fiddle festival over the past several decades, hosting after festival jam parties at his home for many years.
After seeing Ernie accept his award I jammed for a couple of hours and then I got a second good night’s sleep on my new air mattress. Now I’m all ready for Turlock. Dry run is done. See you there.
