6: Be Glad You’re Not in Oildale
Now, I know this isn’t fair. After all, Oildale produced Merle Haggard, and it’s hard to top that. But Bakersfield has the brighter lights and a charm that neatly combines big-city flash with small town charm! And with taverns with names like Ethel’s Old Corral, Trout’s, Guthrie’s Alley Cat and The Corner Pocket, how could you go wrong?
5: Go to The Crystal Palace
The CBA has been holding events in Bakersfield long enough for many to have actually caught Buck Owens playing at this legendary venue. Of course, Buck’s gone now, but his spirit permeates the place, and anyplace close by. You gotta stop by and check it out.
4: Count Oil Wells
When you first come into the Bakersfield area, sooner or later, you’ll exclaim “Oh look! An oil well!”. (Actually it’s more likely an oil pumping station). A block or so later, you’ll see another one. Then another one, and another. Then, you’ll start seeing them in people’s front yards, and wonder how that came to be. Bakersfield has oil wells all over the place! You’d think gas would be just about free there!
3: Jam on Bluegrass for 48 Hours Straight
This also has a narrow of opportunity (January 10-13 of this year), at the Bakersfield Marriott Convention Center. The echoes of the Supergrass Festivals past still reverberate through these halls, and during the Great 48 Jam, we’re gonna start ‘em right up again! (See https://www.cbaweb.org/Events/Great48 for more info!)
2: Get Caught Up in Bluegrass Fever and Volunteer for the CBA
If this happens to you, don’t be ashamed. The combination of nonstop jamming, sleep deprivation and assorted strong libations have caused many of us to line up and sign up, for the cause. The CBA runs on volunteers and truth be told, most of the volunteer jobs are tons of fun. Don’t miss out on your chance.
1: Get Caught Up on The Latest Bluegrass Talent
OK, Bakersfield is not the only place to do this, but during the Great 48 Jam, it’s definitely a spot of intensely concentrated bluegrass talent. It’s all over – in the rooms, in the halls, in the meeting rooms. There are pickers of every imaginable stripe: Old, young, fat, skinny, pale, swarthy – all playing their hearts out. Can’t you just see yourself bringing your picking, plucking, bowing and singing skills into this joyous noise?
