Magnolia Fest photos

Check out this wonderful painting artist Scramble Campbell, who now lives in Colorado, did of Jerry Garcia. It's a fitting image to start us on a travelogue of what was a real Grateful Dead-filled weekend.

A Message from Our Magnolia Fest Friends

Here's a missive from the folks who run Magnolia Fest, lots of fun info in here:

Dear Festival Folks:
The 12th Annual MagnoliaFest is right around the corner and we are requesting that everyone on our email list help us spread the word about the festival. We've got lots of new for you today.
Today we're covering:

* MagnoliaFest History
* The Lee Boys & Oteil Burbridge @ Smith's Old Bar
in Atlanta this Friday October 10th
* Get your MagnoliaFest Advance tickets NOW
* Schedule - what Schedule???
* The MagMusic Radio Show
* MagFest Kickoff:Inca Maya & TNS Freebird Live Oct 18th
* Laugh, Love, Dance & VOTE

BIG COSMO'S SUNSHINE DAYDREAM WEEKEND AKA MAGNOLIAFEST
When we began MagnoliaFest 12 years ago as Big Cosmo’s Sunshine Daydream Weekend, it was dedicated to the music and spirit of the late Jerry Garcia. Beth and Randy were both longtime Deadheads with hundreds of shows attended between them. Jerry's untimely passing left a huge musical void for them and many of their friends. After establishing Suwannee Springfest in March of 1997, they planned a fall celebration with a distinct Dead-ish flavor. The first lineup included former Garcia collaborators like the Old & In The Way Bluegrass Reunion featuring David Grisman, Vassar Clements, and Peter Rowan, Merle Saunders & the Rainforest Band, and 60's San Francisco ballroom favorites Gary Duncan & Quicksilver Messenger Service. And Donna the Buffalo was introduced to the Florida & Southeastern GD crowd, too.

This year's MagnoliaFest marks a special tribute to the late Garcia with several more of his former band mates appearing. Thursday will find former Grateful Dead vocalist Donna Jean Godchaeux performing along with her new band the Tricksters. Donna Jean & the Tricksters concentrate on the Muscle Shoals R&B which she started her singing career with (Elvis, Aretha Franklin) plus some blues and Dead songs. On Friday, Melvin Seals and the JGB Band are scheduled to render those sweet Jerry Band tunes. And on Saturday, the new trio featuring former Dead drummer Bill Kreutzmann will headline. Kreutzmann is joined by Allman Bros. and Aquarium Rescue Unit bassist Oteil Burbridge and Max Creek guitarist Scott Murawski. The group has been turning heads and opening ears across the nation this summer and they make their Southeastern debut at MagnoliaFest 2008. The band is called KBM and their repertoire includes some fresh original material with lyrics by former Grateful Dead songwriter Robert Hunter, along with other tasteful covers and plenty of classic GD music, too. The band is set to perform for 3 hours to close out the Saturday schedule. Then on Sunday Peter Rowan will be sure to honor both Jerry and Vassar as he deals out a solo set that will morph into our traditional Sunday Bluegrass Set.

MagnoliaFest will take place October 23-26 at the Spirit of the Suwannee Music Pa rk in Live Oak, FL. For secure tickets and complete information please visit the festival website www.magmusic.com


TICKETS FOR MAGNOLIAFEST
You may order tickets online or call 904-249-7990 to order by phone.
Our office hours vary tremendously, but generally Monday - Friday 10am - 5pm. If you get a voicemail, leave a message and someone will call you back. We do call backs at all kinds of hours!

All tickets ordered now are being held for pickup at WIll Call.
For complete MagnoliaFest Ticket information go to http://www.magmusic.com/ticketsformagfest.htm

SCHEDULE FOR MAGNOLIAFEST
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I have it from a very good source that the complete schedule will be posted within the next 24 hours.
It's not up as of the sending of this email, but VERY SOON!
http://www.magmusic.com/scheduleformagfest.htm
MagnoliaFest 2008 October 23-26
Spirit of the Suwannee Music Park Live Oak, Florida

THE MAGMUSIC SHOW
Join us every Tuesday evening from 7-9pm CT (that's 8-10pm in the East) for "The MagMusic Show". Hosted by Randy "Big Cosmo" Judy and Beth Judy. The show can be heard online at Wildman Steve Radio, www.wildmansteve.com. Go by and visit with Wildman Steve himself at MagnoliaFest.


MAGFEST KICKOFF PARTY
Come out to Freebird Live in Jacksonville on October 18th
Inca Maya with TNS & Late Nite Transfer
$5 cover gets you a free draft beer & free download of Inca Maya's new album
MagFest Ticket Holders get in free (we suggest you copy your tickets & don't risk losing them)!

VOTE VOTE VOTE
We want to gently remind you all to exercise your citizenship and get out to the polls for this upcoming election. It's important - like laughing, loving and music! Please Vote!

Thank you for your time. We appreciate your support and commit to bringing you quality events that feature great music, a joyful community spirit, healing vibes, and that are just plain fun!

In Harmony,
Iris Blooms (speaking for Beth & Randy)
Magnolia Music & Events, Inc.
www.magmusic.com
904-249-7990













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Magnolia Fest lineup

Expect transcendental jams at Magnollia Fest,October 23-26. Newgrass pioneer Sam Bush is coming, and he's always great to see sitting in with whomever, as well as his own excellent Sam Bush band. He recorded on Dread Clampitt's new CD (not out yet) He played fiddle -- not madolin. Dread Clampitt's talented Balder Saunders held down the smokin' mandolin for the new record. Dread's fantastic fiddle player, Justin from Australia, has left the band, so we'll hear a new sound this Magfest when the boys come over from Walton County, Fla.

I'm psyched to see Donna Jean and the Tricksters, old deadhead that I am. Here's the skinny on the band from their website:

"Donna Jean Godchaux MacKay was born to sing, and over the course of time she’s done so with people like Elvis Presley, Percy Sledge, Boz Scaggs, and Jerry Garcia. Now she has a new band that she’s quite certain is on a creative par with anything she’s ever done. “This band is a perfect fit for me as a singer/songwriter,” she said recently, “and I hope to be doing this for a long time to come. We’re having so much fun with this music!” The Grateful Dead alumna has joined up with six members of the next musical generation – Mookie Siegel (David Nelson Band; formerly Phil & Friends, RatDog), Wendy Lanter (Hope in Time), and Jeff Mattson, Tom Circosta, Klyph Black and Dave Diamond (Zen Tricksters) to form Donna Jean and the Tricksters."

Yeah!!!!!

A number of the Suwannee favorites have new CDs out.

The Duhks, out of Winnipeg, Canada, have a stellar new release called Fast Paced World. Girl singer Jessee Havey is gone, as is the fantastic Afro-Cuban drummer Scott Senior, replaced by Sarah and Christian Dugass. The new disc has a lot more production on it. I'ts slicker than their earlier releases. Sarah Dugass really shines here, but I kind of miss young fiddler Tania Elizabeth's background vocals, they are not as prominent on the new disc. And she really has an angelic voice. How about this for spooky coincidences --- the single off the album, 'Mighty Storm," is an old folk song about a hurricane hitting Galveston, Texas. Who knew?

Donna The Buffalo has a new CD out, Silverlined. It turns out I already knew almost every song on it, because they've been playing them live. A few new treats, though, from this infectiously danceable band. I like the "Superstar" song, it has an old rock and roll feel to it. No doubt the herd will be jumping.

Also new release out from The Avett Brothers, called Gleam II. I reviewed it in the earlier post about Floydfest. It is great, and I can't gush enough about these boys.

Col. Bruce and The Quark Alliance will be in the house, certain to blow everyone's mind. And of course our favorite lion, Peter Rowan. He did a REALLY trippy set at Springfest in the ampitheatre. I hope he brings some of the greats on stage with him, he always does.

TIPS FOR MAGFEST:

The river is really high, so be careful.

Don't forget your radio, they have a lo-fi broadcast from the main stage.

Don't forget your hammock to put up at the ampitheatre stage.

If you have a sun shower, pack it. The showers get gross and they are cold.

Don't miss Slopryland's after-hour stage by the lake in the campground (see picture below) At Wannee, Ralph Rodenberry tore it up back there, and who doesnt love Sloppy Joe and their pre-dawn hospitality! Drikk your coffee and stay up for the late night fun!

Bring pumpkins to carve!

I CAN'T WAIT TO SEE ALL MY FESTY FRIENDS!!