One of my favorite bluegrass festivals of all time was the Plymouth Bluegrass Festival produced by Larry and Sondra Baker. They always somehow managed to get some of the best bands in the business to show up in the middle of nowhere and play great music. I’ll never forget seeing Michael Cleveland at his very best improvising on classic tunes one evening hoping the music would never end.
Well guess what? Plymouth is back! Jokey and Joe (J&J Productions) have taken up the mantle from Larry and Sondra and the new Plymouth festival promises to be a great event. The Frankly Bluegrass Festival happens October 9-13. It honors Frank Solivan who initiated the Kids on Bluegrass program right there at Plymouth. I remember Frank coaxing my reluctant fiddle playing son Ethan to join the group years ago.
The venue is great. In years past the Plymouth festival happened during hot summer months and conditions during the day were sometimes uncomfortable with people scattered around the periphery to avoid the blazing sun. This year’s October date should be even better. The skies should be clear so it will be a good opportunity to look for a comet! Comet C/2023 A3 (Tsuchinshan-ATLAS) will make its closest approach on that date and it should be visible to the naked eye. Bring your binoculars or telescopes if you have them.
And the week after Plymouth we have a short trip to the CBA Fall Campout in Lodi. Perfect!
