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Also this issue: Musical Chairs Strong Man Zod Records Tour Phil Markowitz Le Tigre |
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August 29-September 4, 2002
musicpicks
It's just a coincidence, says Delaware Valley Bluegrass Festival organizer John Lupton, that this year's gala features no less than four acts from the Down from the Mountain tour. The Nashville Bluegrass Band, Patty Loveless, Norman Blake and Del McCoury were all booked a year or so in advance, long before DFTM became the phenomenon it is today. Besides, of the four, only Loveless will be making her Del Val debut. Of course, says Lupton, every year the festival tries to book an act with appeal to those who favor Nashville-style country. Ricky Skaggs has filled that bill several times. The appeal to folks beyond the bluegrass inner circle helps to create the financial cushion that keeps this festival alive. Lupton describes mounting this festival as a "high-wire act. Every year for the last 30, we've thrown caution to the wind, gone on rain or shine. We've been pretty fortunate so far, but then we have a meteorologist on our board."
This year there are plenty of highlights -- Rafe Stefanini and the Rockinghams, Bob Paisley, Gibson Brothers, Sally Love -- spread out over three days. Dry Branch Fire Squad is notorious for its deeply rooted sound and Ron Thomason's wild stories. Lupton also urges folks to pay attention to Barachois, of Prince Edward Island, Canada. This will be the first time for Franco-(North)American country music at the festival, although Canada has been well represented in the past by Natalie MacMaster. Lupton calls Barachois the Dry Branch of French Canada. They are indeed a funny lot and will teach the crowd some new north-of-the-border slang before they are done.
Delaware Valley Bluegrass Festival, Fri., Aug. 30-Sun., Sept. 1, $20-$65, Salem County Fairgrounds, Route 40, Woodstown, N.J., 302-475-3454, www.brandywinefriends.org.
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