Gary Hayes Country

I think this group and event needs an official Facebook page but every time I have attended this event I have always has a truly blessed time with everyone. It’s time once again to help promote the 29th annual R.O.P.E. banquet, unless you aren’t within the business the R.O.P.E. organization was founded in 1983 when a group of people decided to form a fellowship meeting of music industry people to discuss things and enjoy the fruits of their labor. It stands for the “Reunion Of Professional Entertainers” and holds a function in spring and fall, the spring event usually is a luncheon with Bbq around noon.

At the table next to mine was Jean Shephard, Jan Howard, Mac Wiseman and a news reporter. MANY great people performed this afternoon I went and trust me you WILL have a wonderful time there.

Steel Guitar Legend Mr. Ron Elliott and his wife Miss Leslie Ann Elliott do many things for this fine function and it is always at the Al-Menah Shrine Temple on Brick Church Pike in Nashville Tn. I’m quite sure this event will be honoring the lost Legends of Country Music from 2016 including Jean Shephard just last weekend because the top portion clearly says “A Tribute To The Hall Of Famer Merle Haggard”.

This function also includes the Malpass Brothers and Leona Williams and MORE and will be held Thursday October 6th at 6PM-9PM. As always I’m quite sure Mr. Keith Bilbrey will be doing the emcee duties for the night and Mr. Ron will be playing steel guitar.

I’ll tell you a little story here two years ago I went to this function and I was introduced to a young lady who has been blazing the local circuit and local bars at  a young age…Miss Emmi Sunshine. Mr. Keith and I looked at one another and said “Wow”..some truly great memories there like sitting with Miss Margie Bowes and everyone gathering around Mr. Mac Wiseman as he sang us his special timeless classics, oh friends I have many wonderful memories of R.O.P.E.

I been posting like a madman about next month, my final big job of 2016 Crooked Smile Music Festival which will happen October 14-15th in Winchester Indiana. So here’s the deal folks I been doing album features all year and I been impressed with the many albums I get sent. I have decided to be reclusive about these select few albums and combine them in a special PREVIEW of some of what’s to come when you buy your ticket to the festival.

Lonesome Red And The Blue Strings:

I mean it doesn’t get any more special than my “Sconnie” friends Mr. Eric and Miss Amanda Bestul from Iola Wisconsin, along with Mr. Ryan Zylka and Mr. Kevin Moore they make up this Traditional Country band. Mr. Eric plays guitar and steel simultaneously and he formerly played with our good friend Mr. Owen Mays. I met Me. Eric through him at a show in Nashville a few years back.

This album was short and just a taste of what’s to come I believe as they do more experimental music and truthfully I cannot wait to see what they have in store for us at the festival. The album began with the Lonesome Red Theme and went into “Man Of Constant Sorrow”.

Two more songs that Mr. Eric wrote called “More Than A Nickel” and “Whiskey Rain” make up the album other than a great cover of Alan Jackson’s “Mercury Blues”. I tell you what nobody does it better than Mr Eric and Miss Amanda when it comes to traditional Country music in this area. They’ve played countless hours of shows and they are deeply rooted within their knowledge of the classics and oldies. I’d rank him up there with Mr. J.P. Cyr when it comes to love of the old stuff like Rex Griffin and Riley Puckett.

The Kepone Cowboys are five guys that play Country-Rock-Metal and all kinds of stuff ro0lled into one big ear splitting album. Unlike Stump Tail Dolly and others that liken them they have a pedal steel and I’ll say this I cannot wait to meet Mr. Mark Smilor because I want to start a NEW series that could involve him.

Mr. Gary Fitzgerald Jr, Mr. Justin Wilcox, Mr. Bernie Hodges and Mr. David Chappell make up the band that plays hardcore Country and makes references from everyone from Hank 3 to Cash to Dwight Yoakam. In fact they cover “A Thousand Miles From Nowhere” quite well.

“Overdosed In Hampton” was a good song along with “Burning Down The Candle” and I highly suggest this album All Hat No Cattle to be added to your collection NOW. I’ll be featuring this band next month.

Folks this man gave me his album in hand at Muddy Roots this past year and I didn’t open it until a few days after and right away I noticed that the Urban Pioneers helped record this album thus I was instantly excited to pop it in my player.

All ten songs on this album were written by Mr. Jesse himself, and honestly his songwriting was not bad at all, I enjoyed the simple Honky Tonk Country he plays. “Those Honky Tonks Are Calling Me Again” opens up this album is a steady pace of beer drinking music, and the next good songs was “Blood Sweat And No Tears”.

One of the best songs on the album was “Leave Them Pills alone” and “The Justice Tree”. The other songs on this album were pretty darn good and I’m looking forward to covering his set next month at Crooked Smile Festival.

Well folks as my festival season is winding down to an abrupt close and I reflect on all the great places and music I have been blessed to get to see this year I bring you the 4rth annual Medicine Stone Music Festival kicks off in Tahlequah Oklahoma September 22nd-24rth 2016. I have an inside scoop on the Tulsa music scene now from a very special friend and I’m SO grateful to her for the information on all the different bands she knows. I was contacted and told about this fine festival that features a lot of Texas Red Dirt music and Oklahoma music from the Tulsa area.

My physical presence as of yet has been slim to none in the Oklahoma and Texas area and I think it might be time to change that in 2017, and as I research this area and festival more I can pretty much say that I shall most likely than not be coming over to support them.

This festival happens September 22nd-24rth at the Diamondhead Resort in Northeastern Oklahoma near Tahlequah.It has the only full service bar on the Illinois river and from what I have saw of the property it is REALLY a nice facility in every way. From the website I’ll provide a map of the campground here.

It appears to have a main stage and also two smaller side stages one in the greenhouse and one at the bar where you check in at. Like some other festivals I have previously covered this one does not allow umbrellas in the music area or outside food and drinks, you can buy alcohol from the vendors but not bring it in.

Now there are package deals you can buy like a bunkhouse deal which provides sleeping facilities for 15 people and also bulk camping deals which include parking. I found a shuttle service to and from the participating hotels around the venue and I’ll include them after the lineup here.

RANDY ROGERS BAND
STONEY LARUE
WILLIAM CLARK GREEN
SHANE SMITH AND THE SAINTS
JONNY BURKE
BLEU EDMONSON
BC AND THE BIG RIG
BRANDON JENKINS
MIKE AND THE MOONPIES
TURNPIKE TROUBADORS
AMERICAN AQUARIUM
RECKLESS KELLY
MICKEY AND THE MOTORCARS
JAMIE WILSON
DAVID KAY BAND
Kaitlin Butts
THOMAS TRAPP
MIDNIGHT RIVER CHOIR
John D Hale Band
JASON BOLAND AND THE STRAGGLERS
CODY CANADA AND THE DEPARTED
BILLY JOE SHAVER
RANDY CROUCH
RC EDWARDS & FRIENDS ACOUSTIC
HOSTY DUO
RED SHAHAN RED DIRT RANGERS
BO PHILLIPS

Here’s what the local media has to say about the event from their website:

 “There’s no music festival like Medicine Stone.  It’s hard to describe what it feels like to be there! It’s like taking the most amazing artists and music and mixing in fans, families, and camping. It’s one of the best weekends of the year.  From the minute it ends, you’re already making plans to go again next year. ”
–Troy Eckelhoff/Program & Music Director  99.9 KTCS  Ft. Smith, AR

 “Medicine Stone is all the GREAT parts of Red Dirt.  Amazing people, incredible moments, and extraordinary music–the kind that seeps into your soul and leaves you wanting more!” –Erin Harper/The Twister Tulsa- iHeartMedia

“Medicine Stone 2015 was a gathering of family. This festival clearly defines Red Dirt music. As the days go on the musicians and the fans become the same. After the main first acts are done for the night, you can continue to hear music throughout the many camp sites.  The Illinois River is the perfect setting for the Medicine Stone Event. The 2016 festival cannot arrive soon enough!”  -Justin Neighbor/WDAF Kansas City and KMXN in Lawrence, KS

“My Town Media and our stations in Pittsburg, Independence, Chanute and Pratt, Kansas have loved being a part of The Medicine Stone Music Event for the past several years!  We have been behind Red Dirt Music for quite a while…back to when people would give you a funny look and ask ‘What the heck is Red Dirt Music?’  Medicine Stone is a warm, friendly event with a family feel that just keeps you thirsting for more!  We look forward to being a part of Medicine Stone 2016.”   –“Uncle” Joe Manns/My Country 101.7FM

So HERE is a complete link for TONS of local area hotels out there for you to take advantage of, I have a sneaky feeling you’ll see me next year! And HERE is the link to buy tickets.

Pre Party
Day 1 Part 1
Day 1 Part 2
Day 2

This morning I was WELL rested after a great nights sleep at the hotel I want to tell you again how truly wonderful America’s Best Value Inn Cookeville was to me these past few years, Mr. Owen Mays and I found this great reasonably priced hotel just down from La Quinta Inn where I used to stay until 2013.

I am going to touch on the acts that performed on the Old Wood Stage and the Big Tent Stage within the next two articles and the Little Tent Stage which is stage 3 will have it’s own article altogether because there were so many great acts on all three stages and I had to do a TON of flip flopping.

Julian Davis started my day..shouldn’t he start EVERY day? I mean what better than to have the sixteen year old picking machine such as this to take you back into the 1950’s and then whup your ass and bring you back into the 1980’s as he turns “Ace Of Spades” into a Bluegrass tune.

He is from Pittsburgh Kansas and he makes that evident with his opening song “Kansas Plains”…Kansas was WELL represented here this weekend by all forms of music and the tribe ran deep from the Westport Saloon gang. he followed up with “Fan It” and “Rolling In My Sweet Baby’s Arms”.

The instrumentals and vocals were in absolute tip top shape this time as they always are and his new album is for SURE on my TOP 50 of 2016..high up on it. He possesses great musicianship and great poise while maintaining a relaxed look up there, it just is IN this young man’s bones. Songs like “chocolate Jesus” prove that evident and maintain that opinion in my book.

His version of Pokey LaFarge’s “In The Jailhouse Now” and the cover of “Ruby” left me with even more appreciation of his live show, and I just cannot get enough of his sets at festivals. What a truly blessed beginning to a great day of music on the Junebug Ranch.

The Hardin Draw was next up on the agenda and I have covered them in the past a few times, in fact last Thursday night they were at the Basement East. David Talley-Vocals/Guitar, Aaron Swisher-Mandolin/Vocals, Jason Dietz-Bass, Laura Beth Jewell-Fiddle/Vocals Patrick Johnson-Electric Guitar/Vocals, Lauren Horbal-Drums/Percussion make up this Nashville based band that often frequents many festivals I cover.

“Judas” is always is terrific song to start out with and they also played “Old Friend” and the last one that I remembered was called “Adelle”, now mind you right at this time I AM in flip mode from all sets in order to catch just a little bit of everybody’s music. Today was a terrific landmark schedule of epic proportions of so many good bands that I wanted to see and hear.

Brook Blanche played a solo set on the Old Wood Stage so I wandered that way for some of his set, to be honest I wasn’t totally familiar with his solo work at all, I knew very little about it. “Through The Night” was the first song I knew of his set, and when I returned home I had some time to research his set more.

“Misery” was next and was one of the best songs of the entire set, as Mr. Brook sat and belted out his songs in his gravely signature style as the night began to set in upon us. Another good song was “Head Of The Table” as he brought up other people to sing with him and entertain us.

He closed his set with “Your Side” and lastly “Prettiest Girl”. I tell you what I was truly enjoying his solo music but of course I’ll always be a Calamity Cubes fan in many ways, there isn’t much that will ever change my opinions of their music. If I ever hear any news on their continuation or their end I will inform everyone on that.

I want to take a moment to touch on one thing about Muddy Roots in the future, as of 2017 it will officially take over the helm of Moonrunners in Chicago. I have always been a huge supporter of that festival sadly I haven’t yet had the opportunity to attend it. I don’t exactly live down the street from it to be honest. So starting in spring of 2017 I’ll have some more information on this addition to the Muddy Roots brand.

Now then speaking of solo sets we also had the Colonel J D Wilkes drop by the Old Wood Stage to play a really cool piano that used to be featured in Tin Pan Alley and he played us some truly amazing songs.

His first song was “Alabama Stomp” and later on he brought up Mr. Julian Davis again to play with him and there were several more up there with him as well. Sadly I didn’t get a chance to catch the entire set that he played however I DID GET to see and hear him play “Sugar Baby” and a new one he called “Bible, Bottle And Skull”.

You know every time I hear him and study his music the stories and information he shares with the crowd is truly amazing and you benefit greatly from his show, you go away knowing more than when you came and I firmly believe that’s important. “Shake Rattle And Roll” was next and another he called “Red Wing”.

I really like all his bands he has and his solo work too, I really like “The Devil Gets His Due” it’s one of my favorite Dirt Daubers songs. And I also love “Cockadoodledon’t” by the Shack Shakers, did you know Joe Buck played bass on that album? YEP. All in All it was indeed a truly epic set..and was getting better as the night went on.

Kristiana Murray and Logan Ledger have some REALLY GOOD harmonies and an even better steel guitar sound in fact I enjoyed their set as one of the best of the festival. I missed the first part of their set due to stopping for stage 3 but I did see them play songs like “Tell Me Darli’n”.

Another great song was called “I’m A Jukebox” and that was truly a well written song in every fashion right there. They also played some classic duets like “Someone I used To Love” and the Everley Brothers classic “Kathy’s Clown” also covered by many more.

They closed their set with a few more songs like “Sunrise” and “What’s In Our Hearts”. And I can easily tell you what’s in their hearts, SOLID Country Honky Tonk music folks…you can catch these two all over Nashville. I got to see them at the Nashville Boogie pre-party this year, amazing!

Pre Party
Day 1 Part 1
Day 1 Part 2

So starting with day 2 I’ll post the links for the others up above so you can go back to them or you might have missed one or two. Today built a large climax leading up to what I thought was a truly mastermind idea on everybody’s part in ALL those that made it possible: Stage 3..by now word was buzzing all over the grounds what Cracker Swamp Productions was up to teaming up with Miss Devilyn Carver and her husband. I’ll tell you what the four of them along with Nick’s son and John Noll and his crew was cooking up more than we could ever anticipate for an open mic stage and I pretty much decided that morning it was getting it’s own article.

I had to cut day 2 short due to some other business matters that evening and I also didn’t want to overdo it but the weather was SUPER splendid the entire weekend, I was fully prepared to sweat buckets and had rain gear and body wipes. I had antibiotics to fight the Muddy Roots mono that clings on the moonshine jars that get passed around out there, I have gotten the yuckies EVERY YEAR but this one because I was smart..I’m not 23 anymore.

My first band to cover from day 2 was The Rock Bottom String Band which is from San Marcos Texas. I have heard the name before and I never encountered the band in any of my travels I was indeed supposed to feature them at a different festival once but got sick and couldn’t go.

Alex Schultz,Adam”Akorn”Korn,Frankie”Fuckin Banjo”Alibro,Ryan Seilerand ,Tara Miller make up this band that truly impressed me way to early in the daytime on the Old Wood stage. I was writing notes on this band before I even was ready to work on this one. They opened their show with one one I recognized off their self titled album called “The Grey” and I missed a few more until I noticed “Home”.

They must be working on some new material to release a new album because they proclaimed the name of their new song to be called “Puppy Love”. They followed with “Alley” and “Scraping By”. A little bit of singing from all the different members of the band on selected songs make it an enjoyable set and I look forward to seeing them again in Kansas City in 2017 which I have been told will happen.

“Witches” “Bitter Sweet” and the last song I caught was “Till We Die” before I wandered off to the open mic tent to catch some of those bands playing on it. As I previously stated I’ll be including as many of the bands as I can remember in another single article for the stage 3 action. I’ll tell you what there were so many great bands and artists that played the open mic stage and some of them were scheduled too however.

Dylan Walshe has been a Muddy Roots staple for some time now and I been enjoying every set he does, quick with a toast of beer and quicker with a an old Irish folk tune like “Come My Little Son” he can really become a presence at any festival and that’s not a bad thing like sunburn which was a presence too.

The first song I noticed when I got to the big tent stage was “Raggle Taggle Gypsy” and perhaps the best tune on his album “Love Is Blind”. The song he does that involves the audience more than any was “Straight To Hell” not to be confused with Hank 3, you know I plan to write a book about my stories of underground music and I already have one for Mr. Dylan as I mistakenly tried to take his beer. That beer would’ve been “Gone”…Cheers Laddie.

Several more great acts upon the hallowed Open Mic stage before some powerhouse underground Legends from Wichita Kansas the almighty Split Lip Rayfield in all their greatness including the ever famous junk bass “Stichgiver” played by Mr. Jeff Eaton and built from a 1978 Grand Marquis gas tank strung with weedeater cord.

Wayne Gottstine on mandolin and Eric Mardis on banjo make up the trio that also once had Kirk Rundstrum who died of cancer in 2007 sadly. His spirit was there tonight as they barreled into “Never Make It Home” and one of my favorites “Aces High” NO NOT Iron Maiden’s Ace’s High although there WERE TWO acoustic heavy metal songs this weekend.

According to the band The name “Split Lip Rayfield” was inspired by a real-life youth who went to high school with Eaton’s parents in Missouri. He acquired the nickname “Split Lip” due to constant chapped lips so bad his lip would split, and thus the name lingered in his mind.

The last two songs I caught of theirs was “Redneck Tailgate Dream” and “Biscuits” truly this set was really high octane and blasted off fast as Mr. Wayne is undoubtedly one of the fastest mandolin pickers underground music has to offer in any realm of America. Lightning fast tempo changes and chops abound on the stage when they are in prime form.

Once again my dinner was provided by my wonderful friends at G’z Bbq who always ask me how my sugars are and they serve ALL protein and if you have not had their food yet you are TRULY missing out!

It was nice to see Mr Jayke Orvis again solo, now lately he has been playing mandolin again for the Goddamn Gallows on a regular basis. Mr. Joe is out with the birth of his child and we HAVE a confirmation of the Broken Band lineup BACK ON for Westport Roots Festival in Kansas City 2017. I have NO confirmation of a continuation of the lineup as of this time but I CAN announce that happening.

The first song I remember being played was a new one that I didn’t know the name to so that’s a GOOD sign that he is planning more new solo music aside from what the Gallows are doing. “Pick Up The Steam” was my first official song I witnessed as I got set up for the last two sets before I had to leave.

“Streets” and the Hank Williams hit “Kaw Liga” proceeded “Crooked Smile” from what I consider an epic roots music album. Mr. Jayke has been involved in many iconic roots music albums including the .357 String Band’s Fire And Hail, produced by Mr. Andy Gibson who played steel for Hank 3 and was mentored by Mr.Kayton Roberts.

“Thunderbolts And Lightning”  followed by “Dreadful Sinner” were at the middle of the energetic show that the entire festival was enjoying. Mr. Jayke had the big tent going crazy with other songs like “Feelings Like This”. He played others songs in his set and finally played “All My Time Has Come” which included the crowd quite well.

Joe Huber was my final set I caught for the evening as I said I had some other business to tend to and SUNDAY was powerhouse for me it was choked full of sets I wanted to see. So Mr. Joe opened his set with “Fell Off The Wagon” and “Drop In The Bucket”.

I always absolutely enjoy his set and in fact next month I have him on my Crooked Smile coverage, and I am looking forward to it VERY MUCH. “Old Mountain Tune” was next along with “Working Man’s Blues” and “Same River”, you know a few years ago I called his music feel good music. He just plays some truly wonderful mountain music deeply rooted within Country and Bluegrass and much like Mr. Jayke he is from Milwaukee where I was raised.

“Shovel On My Shoulder” was next, and trust me folks when he releases new music I shall feature it with high praise although his three solo albums are quite sufficient right now new music from him would be cool. The final two songs of his set were two of his album titles “Tongues Of Fire” and “Hanging Road”.

He merely sits on a chair and plays heartfelt music for us out there in that old (usually hot) field but this weekend the weather was SO gorgeous and mild we didn’t have a problem all weekend. I remember one year I think it was 2012 Mr. Joseph was on the wood stage and he played “Can’t You Feel The Floods Coming” and RIGHT THEN it began to heavily rain..it’s one of the moments I shall NEVER forget. He has been a part of many of my Muddy Roots memories throughout the years.

Well folks as the night closed in upon us for the first day of music it honestly was chilly at night, I mean people had blankets on..that’s an uncommon sight for this festival. I’m usually sweating buckets and red faced from the sun, I brought body wipes extra socks and rain gear. I was thankful I didn’t need any of that stuff man what an enjoyable time we all had.

The Blackfoot Gypsies are just good old fashioned rock and roll from Nashville Tennessee and they are a four piece band. This is the first time I have had the chance to cover their set and it was getting close to my dinner break but I did manage to check them out. I don’t have the greatest camera in the world and some of these shots will be taken from Miss Elaine Holmes I’m always usually busy studying the music folks I leave the photos for others like our buddy Dave Flewwelling.

This from their website: With 4 years, 4 releases, and countless miles under their belt as a 2 piece band, Zack Murphy and Matthew Paige have called on fellow brethren Dylan Whitlow (bass) and Ollie Dogg (harmonica) to join forces and help expand their already wide spectrum of American music.

Some of the songs I remember them playing from what I know of them and have researched of them were “Dance” and “Don’t Wanna See Your Face”. They also played “Rock It Up” off their first album “Dandee Cheeseball” I had to go get something to eat before the last three acts of the evening and go say hello to more people, you know me bouncing all over the place!

Hillbilly Casino is honestly NO stranger to this website and if they ARE strangers to your favorite music website they need to hang their heads in shame. These four guys absolutely tear up the stage with pure and raw energy, I don’t know where the heck they get it from…maybe it’s all the Jager. In fact Mr. Geoff got a Jager dispenser from the band for his birthday, man I tell you what I have had MANY battles with bottles of that booze true enemy of diabetes!

Mr. Ronnie Crutcher on guitars, Geoff Firebaugh on bass, Matt Armn on drums and Nick Roulette on lead vocals make this band up and trust me that’s enough for a HELL of a set that started with “No Toll Taken” and some songs off Two Step Windup like “Shoe Leather” and “The Hole”. I’ll tell you what The Hole is a JAM and it’s my second favorite song they do..my favorite is Big Dan..that was not in this set.

“One Cup Beyond” was their hopped up coffee song that doesn’t bring up “Heartburn And Heartache” at all. If I can go out of set list order here and I often do, they played “Iron Fist” and it sounded and pounded people! It’s like hellbilly rockabilly all over the place during their set.

“Jibber Jabber” was next followed by one of the BEST marketing schemes I have saw in independent music their song 80085 that says Boobs on their shirts! Almost as clever as S.T.D. with Stump Tail Dolly. THEN when Mr. Ronnie whups out the banjo for “Violets In May” you think it’s over but NO they have to thump the place over with their signature song “Tennessee Stomp”.

Slim Cessna’s Auto Club is a band that will roll through Nashville on December 8th at the Exit Inn and you should go catch their show because it was really good. I didn’t catch the entire set there tonight I had to go on a short break before the next and final band that night.

I did catch “This Is How We Do Things In The Country” and “Children Of The Lord”. I truly wanted to get to see more of their set this night but I had the hungries..my tummy done barked and I had to send a brat down there to check things out, so I wanted to take the time out to bring forth one of the TRULY GOOD food vendors there.

Music City Wienery is the best meat on the street folks, Mr. Chase and his wife and crew made the BEST hot dogs and brats. Now I’m going to tell you my dear readers I AM A PICKY EATER, I could send you a leg long list of stuff I don’t eat, and he bent over backwards to satisfy me as a customer and treated me as a friend. Veggie dogs for the vegans and fritos chili in a bag…yeah they did that and I truly loved every bit of how he treated us.

Miss Elaine Holmes again with more picture credits on this portion of the event, ok so go thank her for letting me use her property for some of these articles folks. Go appreciate the document keepers like photographers you know a LOT of people kind of underrate them at weddings and music events. They think any dummy can use a camera and that’s not the case, they are media crew too and they help me do this.

The Calamity Cubes were the very first band Mr. Jason ever booked for the first Muddy Roots and I remember it well, 2010 and I was VERY shy and didn’t talk to anybody really. I went to see Kara Clark and wound up loving MANY great bands there, and in the 7 years I made MANY MANY friends AND birthed a website there.

The four of them busted up the cool night air with classic tunes from their catalogue like “Daisy” and “Bottom’s The Limit”. Now later on I’m going to tell you about Mr.Brooke Blanche’s solo music as he along with his band mates are doing their own thing as well. There were rumors of this being the last Calamity Cubes show and I have NO knowledge of it being true or false but I DO KNOW this show was amazing.

“Devil In Her Eyes” and “Same God” flowed through the big tent like the Muddy Roots gospel this night as pretty much the whole entire attendance has their eyes locked on the Cubes all night. Children and adults both packed the tent tight with electricity of music. Perhaps the greatest two songs they do were “The Battle Of Hair Ribbon” and their last song “Empty Bottle” which is in my opinion one of Roots Music’s most iconic songs of all time.

Another classic song they performed for us was “Deliah Rose” and “Lilly Belle” this set was truly worth staying up late for as I knew I had to cut Saturday night short for other business ventures and I wanted to conduct them off the festival site because they involved a different brand, if you are going to do it..do it right!

Muddy Roots Pre Party

Man the weather is downright gorgeous what a perfect day for a festival! Welcome folks to my first article of coverage for my biggest job of the year 2016 Muddy Roots Music Festival. I’m just getting back into touch with many of the folks here and enjoyed a wonderful pizza at Gondola Pizza House if you are in the area you need to stop there and eat. So as per Mr.Owen Mays I am staying at my usual hotel America’s Best Value Inn right off of 40 on Jefferson Street. We are all out here in the big tent stage where the pre party is going on with James Hunnicutt and Stump Tail Dolly are playing tonight.

I tell you what folks I have so much new information for you and different things to tell you about this year that Muddy Roots has planned and is doing in the future. This year stage 1 was ran by Reelsound Productions and stage 2 and 3 were ran by Chattanooga Pro Audio and they both did a truly wonderful job providing the sound for the bands. I’m going to talk about some of the awesome food and places I visited this weekend, and some of the new albums and new bands I got to cover. Also, stage 3 was managed and ran by Mr. Nick and Miss Kimberly from Cracker Swamp Productions like the last two years. This year stage 3 was open mic sign up was Thursday and man I tell you what there was some truly good people playing on it I’ll touch on all this series.

James Hunnicutt opened his set with one of his signature songs called “My Pain” which he sang specifically for my friends daughter Mickee as this was her first portion of Muddy Roots. Preserving future generations of support for this festival or any festival really is essential for growth. Mr. Chris Warrick and Miss Mandy are great friends I have met through this festival.

Mr. James and I met for the first time on a sad note at Porter Wagoners funeral, in Woodlawn cemetery in Nashville during the Myspace era when all this type of music was taking form. As he played another of the songs I knew “99 Lives” , he absolutely had the crowd captivated. Another song he played that I haven’t heard him ever do was called “Till Tomorrow”. “One Last Kiss” was next and as always it sounded great every time I cover James Hunnicutt shows I am always truly pleased with what I hear. In fact now here recently you can get his albums on vinyl. However I’m sure his cover of “Long Black Veil” was not on his albums.

He was playing a Danzig cover as I was visiting with people and he let the audience recite “Don’t Let Teardrops Fill Your Eyes” and we are doing a wonderful job of doing just that folks, I’m already having a blast out here at one of my favorite festivals ever. He is playing an acoustic version of Judas Priest “Break’n The Law ” complete with solo wow he has really good vocals for that song and that was his closing song of his set.

The next band on the list is a Hybrid band I have briefly touched on in the past and haven’t got the opportunity to cover it yet Stump Tail Dolly. Even the sound check sounded like rolling thunder and doom with a shot of spice. Their first song was called “I’ve Endured” complete with flashing stage lights and effects. Stump Tail Dolly or S.T.D. is a blend of Country and Metal and even Bluegrass. Little did they know that back in 2013 when Bob Wayne brought us Country Legend Red Simpson that this combo would trickle into what is such a different sound outright.

Rusty Knuckles brings us their debut album with 5 songs on it total. And to be honest I been so attentive to their style and chords I am not catching all of the song titles. But these guys and gal are tearing up the tent with ferocious instrumentals. Right now they are playing a song that had a huge video shot for it called “Billy” And as the crowd is moving like a flock of geese they are unveiling a new kind of classic fiddle tunes with their own style and sound to it. This band needs to be included in Roots Music festivals all over because they absolutely are amazing…like tonight’s weather.

What a truly blessed opening for me at this years Muddy Roots. Even the song they are playing now has some funk included in it, I believe she said this song was called “The Bogaloo”. I’m pretty sure the new one they played that they announced will be on their next album is called “America” and after their show I got the wonderful opportunity to talk with Mr. Ryan just a little more candidly than usual, which I enjoyed his views.

I’m going to tell y’all the weather is PERFECT in fact it’s the BEST festival weather I ever witnessed so far in 2016! The hotel is gorgeous and roomy the coffee tastes like pencil lead and my ride was perfect. There was so much going on at once I got some partial set lists and some are out of order but it’s ALL GOOD I think I have a pretty exciting series of articles for those of you that didn’t get to attend this grand event that brings pretty much the entire local music community together into one spot.