Suwannee Springfest Was Special Indeed

Suwannee Springfest had about half its usual attendance (2,700  advanced tickets sold, estimated 3,500 in the park.) which turned out to be a special  treat for fans. There was plenty of room and much face time with artists. The whole vibe was intimate and the music was OUTSTANDING. Leftover Salmon's 3-hour Saturday night set was one to remember. Dizzyingly fast picking, tremendous variety, humor, and just a pyycho slamgrass good time. One fan noted: "I  need more time to absorb what I just saw. I'm in a daze!"

Fest newcomer Ruthie Foster was a knockout with driving, Aretha-like vocals. Her slowed-down gospel version of "Oh Susannah" was hauntingly beautiful in the Spanish moss-draped ampitheatre. If she's playing near you, do not miss it.

Other standouts were Nashville's year-old 18 South, sort of a Lyle Lovett-meets-Little Feat-meets-Bonnie Rait vibe with Guthrie Trapp's super cool guitar stylings; Grant Peeples and the New 76ers, with political lyrics and kick-ass vocals; punkgrass talents Tornado Rider; singer-songwriter Jonathan Edwards;  Peter Rowan, Dread Clampitt,  and Donna the Buffalo.

Sunday was an intimate party among artists and friends, tapped off by a wondrous late-night jam between Jeff Mosier (Blueground Undergrass) on banjo and the freakishly talented Rushad Eggleston of Tornado Rider on cello. Mosier says he was so inspired that he wants to do a cello-banjo trance record with Rushad. That would be cool.

The whole experience left fetgrrl filled up with music and love, and reminded her that supporting events like this is more important than ever. Let's keep our scene going long into the future. Every year we get treated to some new awesome talent. Thanks Randy and Beth!