Denton Bluegrass Festival

I've been a huge fan of Bluegrass music since being introduced to it 1980 by my BFF, LTC Luther Woods (holder of the Distinguished Service Cross for valor BTW).  I drove Daniele crazy playing it all the time, especially Stained Glass Bluegrass on WAMU on Sunday mornings in DC. Now I drive Robin crazy with Sirius Chan 62, esp on Sunday mornings.

But, Robin has roots to it. Her cousin, John "Paw Paw" Holder has owned and operated the renown Blue Ridge Sound LINK for 35 years that serves a huge number of festivals and is the sound engineer for the famous Balsam Range band LINK.

John "Paw Paw" Holder

I met John for the first time last year at the Marion festival (see earlier post). He knows everyone in Bluegrass! Since then he has endured my many questions. He's the one that clued us in on the 37 year running Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver Bluegrass Music Festival at the Denton (NC) Farm Park LINK. LINK. I think every band praised John's company's work.

So, on Thursday we head to Denton, a 2 hour journey. What a treat! Our first Bluegrass Festival in the motor home. We're here for 3 nights. We can sleep and rest in the RV and walk to and from the stage. What an operation! The Farm Park could be used as a movie set with all the old buildings on the grounds. Even has a train that circulates around the Farm Park.

Church, Stores and a Mill in the distance

Lots of old farm machinery, including this steam shovel

So we arrive and are escorted to our site. It includes 50 Amp power and water for $35/night. They told me that they had 470 RV reservations and expected drive-ups. And there are the folks that come for the day in their cars. It is only a short walk to the stage area. Really fun to see all the campsites. There is a little bit of order but in most cases groups travelling together "circle the wagons" and many have jams late into the night.

This is the 37th year of this festival. Many folks we talked to had been at most of them!

Picking and Grinning one of many

This is us

The stage area was amazing. Easily seats 2,000, I think.

It fills up when really famous bands play.

John working while be hammered by allergies

The music was awesome. Top tier bands. What a show. Of course we love Balsam Range but my old time favorite is the host of this festival: Doyle Lawson. Love his music and especially the Gospel songs. I asked John and he said Doyle is the real deal...what you see is what he is on and off stage. I thought his closing performance was the highlight of the show. Wrong.

At the end Doyle reminded the audience that church service was always held on Sun at 0900 in the church on the grounds. We had to go. What a beautiful little church and there was Doyle up front and his band (Quicksilver) in the congregation.

Doyle (left) and the Preacher

Doyle led the signing just like a music director would do in any church. He used his smart phone for the music but mostly it was acapella. Wonderful sing of the old time favorites. The Preacher turned out to be famous also. Evangelist Dale Tilley from Ringold, GA LINK. He has led this service at this festival for many many years. He and Doyle go way back from Bluegrass band days. He has played with Bill Monroe and the Grand Ole Opry. His message kept the congregation on the edge of our seats. Amazing.

What  a memorable service. He and Doyle greeted everyone at the exit and was in no hurry. He lit up when Robin mentioned John and said kind words about John. I mentioned WAMU and he went on about that era about what that station had done. 

Doyle (white hair) and his band greeting congregants

What a great 4 days. I should add that with all these people there was noting but great family environment. No drunks. No fights. Just smiles. We're already planning our next festival. I think it will be in "Pickin in Parsons" in Parsons, WV on 1 August LINK