BLUEGRASS FUN

We look forward to the annual Bluegrass First Class Festival held in Asheville, NC every February.  We've been attending ever since we moved to the mountains in 2006 and have worked our way up to reserved first row seating.  A true treat for anyone attending any live music event.

 A mixture of new groups and ones that have played this venue every year come to entertain.  Besides not having to travel far for us to attend, the small showroom makes this long weekend intimate and so enjoyable.  The only negative that continues from year to year is the unpredictable February weather which impacts us since we travel back and forth from home.

However, it's totally worth the tense travel time on I40 getting to see my all time favorite group....The Seldom Scene which has been going strong since 1971.

One of the newcomers to Bluegrass is Carolina Blue.....and they are a local group from Bevard, NC.  We saw them several years ago and oh my...they took the house down this time.  New groups can take awhile to find their voice.....and they sure have!

Besides loving their music, I'm totally enamored with their new album cover....wondering if any of you followers recognize what it's portraying??  Shout out if you do.....I noticed it immediately.

 This is an event like no other since it's held indoors...most bluegrass festivals are outdoors.  Everywhere and I mean everywhere in this large hotel complex you'll find pickin' and singing.  There's even a small stage set up just off the hotel's lobby.

 Doors to hotel rooms are often left open for folks to jump in with their instruments for impromptu playing.  In fact the hallways are often so crowded with folks standing to peer into these rooms, it can be difficult to pass through.  All good!!!

I love how the organizers help perpetuate new generations of Bluegrass musicians....they invited this 6 year old boy on stage during one of the short breaks to play his fiddle.  Heartwarming!!

Next year will be the 25th anniversary of this festival......we can't wait.