2017 Music Festivals: The Redwood Ramble.

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Jul 042017
 

Redwood Ramble is another darn fine July Bluegrass Festival I proudly endorse. Now folks this THIS ONE is a SPECIAL one because it helps the community, THIS MAN is doing some truly wonderful things for the less fortunate through music. Folks YOUR MONEY is funding this and helping this organization embellish the state of California.

You KNOW folks I cover 175 festivals yearly on this website and this one is nothing short of amazing in how they have it structured and how it graciously gives back to the area. I am amazed what is happening here, WOW!

I mean DON’T WE ALL want to be good to others and help our community and promote GOOD MUSIC? So basically since this is my first year covering this longtime running event I shall embed as much as I can into this article so you can get the FULL preview of it, if you do decide to come. Ultimately the MORE I research this festival the MORE I see it stressed to bring CASH along, there are NO ATM’s.

You need to check out the NO No’s on the main menu of what to expect, there are a lot of rules, but honestly most of it all is common sense. It covers open jams and busking to where you can and cannot smoke. You can NOT HAVE personal campfires folks.

So a lot of the information below was carefully brought from 5the official website, but placed with my own care here. I want EVERYONE to be able to see if you are in that area to be able to come enjoy this festival, and tell them I sent you! There just looks like SO MUCH TO DO and see all in one weekend I couldn’t partake in all of it at once, I know some of the vendors involved and can vouch for them as well.

 

Dear Ramblers,

If you are looking for the latest Ramble News and Announements, visit our Facebook page. For general event information, you will find it below and on the menu above.

The Fourth Annual Redwood Ramble will take place at Camp Navarro from Thursday, July 13th to Sunday, July 16th. Funds raised from this year’s Redwood Ramble will go to support Project Avary which offers long-term support, resources, guidance and training for children with incarcerated parents. Since its founding 16 years ago, Project Avary has worked to change the lives and outlooks of these young people and, in doing so, help curb the generational cycle of incarceration To better understand the impact that Project Avary has on the lives of the children it serves, I encourage you to watch the following introductory video and visit their website.

On behalf of Ramble On Productions I thank you for your support of the Redwood Ramble, and in turn Project Avary, and I look forward to seeing you this summer!

Steve and the Ramble Crew

There a many festivals I promote on the west coast for FREE to them because basically local music and independent music deserves to be brought to the forefront by people like me.  I think this man Mr. Steve and his crew deserve to be commended on their accomplishments on running such a positive business and FAMILY friendly event that EVERYONE can partake and enjoy.

ABOUT THE REDWOOD RAMBLE

The Redwood Ramble is a small family-friendly event that will celebrate music, nature and community at Camp Navarro – a beautiful, secluded 100 acre site under the redwoods in Mendocino’s scenic Anderson Valley – from 11AM on Thursday, July 13th until until 5:00PM on Sunday, July 16th, 2017.

Located approximately 2.5 hours north of San Francisco, the Redwood Ramble will feature more than 20 bands over the course of the weekend, as well as special performances and an open mic on the Amphitheatre stage. You can also expect plenty of camp jamming throughout the weekend, along with a variety of other activities for kids and adults. For lots more information about what will be happening during the event, we encourage you to visit the What to Expect page.

The event is produced by Ramble On Productions, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit entity, with 100% of any profit being donated to charity. Please visit our Partners page for information about this year’s selected charity. It should be noted that event organizers are donating their time and will not receive any compensation for producing the event.

Background

In the fall of 2013, the Strawberry Music Festival was canceled due to the devastating Rim Fire in and around Yosemite. In response to this tragedy, a group of Strawberrians, displaced and saddened by the fire and the cancellation of the festival, gathered at Camp Navarro on short notice for an event dubbed, “Joy Kills Sorrow, an Alt-Strawberry Survival Party“. What happened that weekend exceeded all expectations and inspired the creation of the Redwood Ramble to carry on where Joy Kills Sorrow left off.

What the Heck is a “Ramble” Anyway?

Ramble, as used here, is a gathering of friends and musicians in an intimate setting to enjoy music and each other’s company. The term was popularized by the late, great, Levon Helm of The Band, who hosted his hallmark Midnight Ramble Sessions at his property in upstate New York right up until his death. In fact, the Midnight Rambles continue on in his honor.

 

 

You will see these two entrances clearly marked on the Ramble Camp Map.

You will see these two entrances clearly marked on the Ramble Camp Map.

It is not necessary to arrive early to secure a camping spot because as there is more than enough space for all. To give you a sense of the situation, not long ago Camp Navarro hosted a 1,500 person festival on the property and the Redwood Ramble will have around 500 people. So, when you arrive, we encourage you to breathe deep, take a walk around and find a spot in that calls out to you. There are three primary camping areas, the two RV/Trailer Areas and the Main Campground Loop. To get yourself oriented check out the Ramble Camp Map below.


Click Map to Enlarge

RV/Trailer Areas

If you have a vehicle that is longer than 18 feet (including any trailer), then you will need to purchase an RV/Trailer Pass and camp in one of two designated RV/Trailer areas. This is because the road around Main Campground Loop will not accommodate large vehicles. The first RV/Trailer area is located in a shady redwood grove over near the Cabins. This area cannot accomodate extremely large vehicles and is on the other side of the property from the main campground loop. The second RV/Trailer area is located in the upper parking area near the Campground Loop, so if you have friends who are tent camping in the Main Campground, you will be closer to them if you settle in that area. Only a very limited of number RV/Trailer passes will be available, so be sure to grab your RV/Trailer Pass early to assure that we can accommodate you. Once you purchase a pass you will be guaranteed a space in one of the two RV/Trailer areas, but whether you can choose between the TWO will depend on availability of space when you arrive. Note there are no hookups in either of the two areas. Lastly, be aware that there will be very limited tent space, if any, available in the RV/Trailer areas.

The Main Campground

The main campground is huge and the farther you go, the more magical it gets. Camp Navarro used to be a Boy Scout Camp, so there are 11 separate “Villages” spread out along the campground loop. These villages have open space for tents as well as varying numbers of Adirondack shelters, which are three sided wooden structures with bunks that people can use. Please note that the villages are shared use and cannot be “claimed” for the exclusive use of any one group.

Car vs No Car Areas – The Main Campground is divided into “Front Range” and “Back Range” areas. Front range camps are closer to the music and the shower house, but you will not be able to camp next to your car in these areas. Instead, you will drop your gear at your camp and then move your car to a parking lot 100 yards or so away. The back range camps are located a minute or two walk deeper into the forest and away from the shower house, but you have the benefit of camping near or next to your car. The villages that allow camping with cars will be clearly labelled and also appear on the Ramble Camp Map. To use these areas you will need to carefully pull your car into a village and completely off the road, being sure not to drive over or park on any vegetation.

Quiet Camping Areas and Jamming Protocol – Some people like to jam (or listen to jamming) until the wee hours and others do not. In order to satisfy everyone, we have designated certain areas where you can jam late into the night and others where you need to wrap things up at a resonable hour. Please check out the Ramble Camp Map for all the details. This information will also be posted on the gate post for each of the camping villages when you arrive.

Alter-Abled Access/Camping

If you are in need of special services to support any health or mobility issues, please contact us in advance and we will do everything we can to accommodate you.

Lastly, please make sure you know the Do’s and Don’t of Saving Space.

2017 Music Festivals: Del Fest.

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Mar 262017
 

One of my all time favorite festivals to write about that happens in the spring happens in Cumberland Maryland, and it’s called none other than Delfest. You know I LOVE ME some Del McCoury and I highly encourage you to attend the 10th annual Delfest on May 25-28th at the Allegany County Fairgrounds in Cumberland, MD.

The Del McCoury Band plays many of the festivals I cover throughout the year and it’s always nice to run into them on my website adventures. This is his own festival and never falls short of festival fun and you can purchase your tickets and passes HERE.

This is a multiple stage outdoor festival event, that is conveniently located by airports and many hotels.  The fairgrounds have permanent restrooms and showers, and we supplement the facilities with ample portable toilets. Please be courteous and take only the space you need. Roping off areas and saving space for latecomers is not acceptable festival etiquette. Camping overnight on Sunday is permitted. All patrons must leave the fairgrounds by noon on Monday. There WILL BE a family type camping area that is quieter at night, and camping IS INCLUDED in your ticket price, however you may not be camped near your vehicle due to attendance. You also have to purchase a separate parking pass to park your vehicle on the adjoining property. As always because I am a patron that requires hotels at my festivals that my website covers here are some that I found on their website and my own research.

Hotels and Motels

Fairfield Inn & Suites
21 N. Wineow St.
Cumberland, MD 21502
301.722.0340

Holiday Inn Express & Suites La Vale/Cumberland
1076 National Hwy
La Vale, MD 21502
301.729.4800

Ramada Cumberland
100 S. George Street
Cumberland, MD 21502
301.724.8800

Red Roof Inn LaVale/Cumberland
I-68 at exit #40
12310 Winchester Rd SW, LaVale, MD 21502
301.729.6700

Super 8 Motel La Vale/Cumberland Area
I-68 at Rt 53
1301 National Hwy
La Vale, MD 21502
301.729.6265

Rocky Gap Casino & Resort
16701 Lakeview Rd. NE
Flintstone (Cumberland), MD 21530
800.724.0828
301.784.8400

Frostburg Days Inn
11100 New George Creek Road
Frostburg, MD USA 21532
301.689.2050

Best Western Braddock Motor Inn
1268 National Highway
La Vale, Maryland 21502
301.729.3300

Comfort Inn & Suites
1216 National Highway
LaVale,  MD 21502
301.729.6400

Hampton Inn
11200 New George’s Creek Road
Frostburg, MD  21532
301.689.1998

Microtel Inn
70 N Tornado Way
Keyser, WV 26726
304.597.1400
toll free: 1.800.771.7171

Bed and Breakfasts/Historic Inns

The Inn On Decatur
108 Decatur Street
Cumberland, MD 21502
301.722.4887 or 240.727.7039

Town Hill Hotel Bed & Breakfast
31101 National Pike
Little Orleans, MD 21766
301.478.2794

Local Campgrounds

Rocky Gap State Park
12500 Pleasant Valley Road
Flintstone MD 21530

 

Share your DelFest Photos March 29th!

Be in the DelFest Family Album!

DelFest really is like a family reunion each year—and not just for the McCourys! Your smiling faces are a real part of the fabric of DelFest and we love to see your own special DelFest moments and memories. On that note, today, March 29th we want to turn Facebook, Twitter and Instagram into a virtual 10th Annual DelFest Family Photo Album of memories! Find your favorite DelFest memories/photos and upload them now with the #delfestfamilyreunion hashtag and tell people what you love about DelFest! Then everyone can search for and enjoy each other’s photos…and we’ll reshare some on our pages as well!

 

Del McCoury Band
The Travelin’ McCourys
Trey Anastasio Band
Gov’t Mule
Bela Fleck
Railroad Earth
Leftover Salmon
Hot Rize
The Infamous Stringdusters
Steep Canyon Rangers
Marty Stuart And His Fabulous Superlatives
Tim O Brien
The Gibson Brothers
Sierra Hull
Jeff Austin
Cabinet
Donna The Buffalo
Fruition
Sara Watkins
Noah Pikelny
Billy Strings
Joe Craven And The Sometimers
River Whyless
Dead Man Winter
Cris Jacobs
The Broomstix
Dead Winter’s Carpenters
junior Sisk And Rambler’s Choice
Dre’ And The Collective
The Ballroom Thieves
Head For The Hills
Ghost Of Paul Revere
Kitchen Dwellers
Grand Ole Ditch

 

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2017 Music Festivals: Aiken Bluegrass Festival.

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Mar 062017
 

The Aiken Bluegrass Festival returns to the Western Carolina State Fairgrounds in Aiken, SC, on May 12th and 13th, 2017. This 13th annual event will host some of the biggest names in bluegrass around such as The Infamous Stringdusters, Billy Strings, Larry Keel and Vince Herman as well as our favorite Portland, OR based act Fruition. The 2017 line up also touts a hefty list of artists at large, insuring many collaborations that will be unique to the Aiken Bluegrass Festival stage. Included are Allie Kral of Yonder Mountain, Andy Thorn of Leftover Salmon, Jay Starling of Love Canon and Lindsay Lou! The festival promises to be a weekend full of amazing music, unique craft and food vendors, on site camping, kid’s activities and drink concessions featuring products from New Belgium Brewing, Carolina Moon Distillery and so much more! You can purchase tickets for this event RIGHT HERE.

Trust me for the ticket price this is one of the more reasonable festivals of it’s kind. However when you buy tickets remember you MUST purchase a seperate primitave camping pass, but it’s only 5.00 per person. Coolers are NOT permitted in the stage areas only at your campsite, so you’ll have to buy beer at the vendor tents.
THIS LINK will take you to a nice list of local area hotels for staying for the festival if you are like me and cannot camp.

Festival Lineup

Friday, May 12th – Gates open at 12:00 PM

Doug and the Henrys – 5:00pm
The Herman Clan – 6:30pm
Guitacolypse Now – 8:00pm
Super Jam 1 – Andy Thorn, Billy, Jay Starling, Allie Kral, Travis Book and More!! – 9:30pm
The Infamous Stringdusters– 11:00pm

Saturday, May 13th – Gates open at 12:00 PM

Gipsy Moon Band – 1:00pm
Brad Parsons Band – Featuring Members of Fruition – 2:30pm
Lindsay Lou And The Ladies – Jenny Keel, Mimi Naja, Allie Kral, Lindsay Lou and Mackenzie Page – 4:00pm
ABF Super Jam 2 – As many artists that can fit on stage – 5:30pm
The Larry Keel Experience– 7:00pm
Billy Strings – 9:00pm
Fruition– 11:00pm

2017 Music Festivals: Anastasia Music Festival.

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Mar 032017
 

I am always scouring social media and websites looking for the best festivals possible which fit my lineup of music, and what this website strives to cover. This Florida based festival offers some mighty fine Americana and Bluegrass music of many varieties and is in a truly luxurious part of Florida.

This takes place March 16-18th in St. Augustine Florida at the St. Augustine Amphitheater,  and features many of the acts are scheduled to play twice, which I wish some festivals would do more often so I could have better prep time and meal breaks when I am covering live festivals. There are three stages included in this event the Main Stage, The Parking Lot Stage and the Acoustic Stage.

The Anastasia Music Festival is an epic 3-day music festival featuring over 20 of the brightest traditional and modern bluegrass musicians touring today! Hosted at the St. Augustine Amphitheatre in beautiful St. Augustine, Florida on March 16, 17 and 18!
Children 10 and under are free with paid adult admission!

Friday March 17, 2017 Lineup and Schedule
12:00pm – 12:45pm The Honeycutters (Main Stage)
12:30pm – 1:30pm I Like Dandelions (Acoustic Stage)
1:00pm – 2:00pm Grits & Soul (Front Porch Stage)
1:15pm – 2:15pm The Broomestix (Main Stage)
2:00pm – 3:00pm Flagship Romance (Acoustic Stage)
2:45pm – 3:45pm Fruition (Main Stage)
3:00pm – 4:00pm Dustbowl Revival (Front Porch Stage)
4:00pm – 5:00pm Nikki Talley (Acoustic Stage)
4:15pm – 5:15pm Cabinet (Main Stage)
5:00pm – 6:00pm Mandolin Orange (Front Porch Stage)
5:45pm – 7:00pm David Grisman’s Bluegrass Experience (Main Stage)
6:00pm – 7:00pm Robbie Dammit & The Broken Strings (Acoustic Stage)
6:45pm – 8:00pm The Travelin’ McCourys (Front Porch Stage)
7:30pm – 8:45pm Elephant Revival (Main Stage)
8:00pm – 9:00pm Paper Bird (Acoustic Stage)
8:45pm – 9:45pm Jon Stickley Trio (Front Porch Stage)
9:15pm – 10:30pm The Del McCoury Band (Main Stage)

Saturday March 18, 2017 Lineup and Schedule
12:00pm – 1:00pm Joe Pug (Main Stage)
12:30pm – 1:30pm Remedy Tree (Acoustic Stage)
1:00pm – 2:00pm The Broomestix (Front Porch Stage)
1:30pm – 2:30pm Sierra Hull (Main Stage)
2:00pm – 3:00pm The Applebutter Express (Acoustic Stage)
2:30pm – 3:30pm Mandolin Orange (Front Porch Stage)
3:00pm – 4:00pm Jeff Austin (Main Stage)
3:30pm – 4:30pm Alastair-Byrd Review (Acoustic Stage)
4:00pm – 5:15pm Dustbowl Revival (Front Porch Stage)
4:30pm – 5:30pm Fruition (Main Stage)
5:15pm – 6:15pm West King Street Band (Acoustic Stage)
5:45pm – 7:00pm Jon Stickley Trio (Front Porch Stage)
6:00pm – 7:00pm Del McCoury Band (Main Stage)
6:45pm – 7:45pm Town Meeting (Acoustic Stage)
7:30pm – 8:45pm Sam Bush (Main Stage)
7:45pm – 9:00pm Cabinet (Front Porch Stage)
9:15pm – 10:30pm Grateful Ball w/ Travelin’ McCourys & Jeff Austin (Main Stage)

So let’s talk about the usual thing most of you are interested in the most…the lineup:

The Del McCoury Band
David Grisman’s Bluegrass Experience
Sam Bush
Elephant Revival
Fruition
Cabinet
Jeff Austin Band
The Travelin McCourys
Mandolin Orange
Sierra Hull
Joe Pug
Dustbowl Revival
The Broomstix
The Honeycutters
Taylor Martin
Jon Stickley Trio
Grits And Soul
Nikki Talley
The Applebutter Express
Paper Bird
Flagship Romance
Town Meeting
West King String Band
Remedy Tree
I Like Dandelions
The Alastair-Byrd Revue
Robbie Dammit And The Broken Strings
Steve Pruett

What to bring when you come to a concert at the St. Augustine Amphitheater:

  • Tickets
  • Seat Cushions
  • Poncho or Jacket
  • Blankets
  • Palm-size Point & Shoot Camera (unless prohibited by show)
  • Sunscreen
  • Bug Spray

What NEVER to bring to a concert at the St. Augustine Amphitheater:

  • Backpacks
  • Outside Food or Drinks
  • Umbrellas
  • Large Cameras with Detachable Lenses
  • Ipads or Tablets
  • Strollers
  • Weapons or items construed as weapons (e.g. guns, knives, sticks, fireworks)
  • Video Cameras
  • Audio Recorders
  • Musical Instruments
  • Gifts for the band
  • Chairs
  • Alcoholic beverages or illegal drugs
  • Animals (except guide dogs)
  • Skateboards or inline skates
  • Personal property that is a potential hazard to others (e.g. chains, wallet chains or jewelry with spiked edges)

So under my usual guise of working these festival articles I shall include to the fullest of my knowledge the hotel in that area I have found. And to my knowledge there are a few campgrounds in the direct area to stay at.

ST AUGUSTINE ISLAND INN
(904) 471-1440 / 894 A1A Beach Blvd, St Augustine, FL 32080

AMERICAS BEST VALUE INN
(904) 471-8010 / 3955 A1A S, St Augustine, FL 32080

SCOTTISH INN
(904) 824-2831 / 420 Anastasia Blvd, St Augustine, FL 32080

BUDGET INN
(904) 824-1962 / 12 Anastasia Blvd, St Augustine, FL 32080

EDGEWATER INN
(904) 825-2697 / 2 N St Augustine Blvd, St Augustine, FL 32080

QUALITY INN
(904) 471-1474 / 901 A1A Beach Blvd, St Augustine, FL 32080

THE CONCH HOUSE MOTEL
(800) 940-6256 / Bldg 1, 57 Comares Ave, St Augustine, FL 32080

COURTYARD ST AUGUSTINE
(904) 940-3800 / 605 A1A Beach Blvd, St Augustine Beach, FL 32080

SLEEP INN
(904) 825-4535 / 601 Anastasia Blvd., St Augustine, FL 32080

SUPER 8 ST. AUGUSTINE BEACH
(904) 471-2330 / 311 A1A Beach Blvd, St Augustine, FL 32080

REGENCY INN & SUITES
(904) 471-7700 / 331 A1A Beach Blvd, St Augustine, FL 32080

HILTON GARDEN INN
(904) 471-5559 / 401 A1A Beach Blvd, St Augustine, FL 32080

HAMPTON INN BEACH
(904) 471-4000 / 430 A1A Beach Blvd, St Augustine, FL 32080

CASTILLO REAL
(904) 471-3505 / 530 A1A Beach Blvd, St Augustine, FL 32080

BEST WESTERN SEASIDE
(904) 461-9990 / 541 A1a Beach Blvd, St Augustine Beach, FL 32080

LA FIESTA INN & SUITES
(904) 471-2220 / 810 A1A Beach Blvd, St Augustine, FL 32080

HOLIDAY ISLE OCEANFRONT RESORT
(904) 471-2555 / 860 A1A Beach Blvd, St Augustine Beach, FL 32080

From their website, a brief history of the St Augustine Amphitheater:

History

The St. Augustine Amphitheater was built in 1965 to commemorate St. Augustine’s 400th Anniversary as our nation’s oldest permanent European settlement. The 16-acre section of Anastasia State Park that makes up the amphitheater grounds includes an old quarry where coquina rock was obtained to build early St. Augustine homes and commercial buildings, as well as the fort, Castillo de San Marcos.

Pulitzer-prize winner Dr. Paul Green wrote The Cross & Sword, a symphonic drama to re-enact the founding and early years of St. Augustine under Don Pedro Menendez de Aviles. Following the completion of the Amphitheatre in 1965, the play began its 32 year run on the stage. In 1973, Cross & Sword was designated “Florida’s Official State Play” by the State Legislature in recognition of the cultural and historic value of the production and the events portrayed on stage. In 1996, the Cross & Sword had its final performance.

In 2002, St. Johns County made the decision to invest in refurbishing the St. Augustine Amphitheatre. After 5 years of construction and a sizeable investment, the Amphitheatre is a state of the art performing arts venue with the capacity to hold up to 4100 concert goers. A brand new conference room, 4 concession stands, a merchandise area, a large plaza, and an elaborate arboretum of walking trails make up the new facility.