Dateline: July 16-17, 2011 Etna, California, Scott Valley Bluegrass Festival - July 19, 2011
Excerpt from Dateline: July 16-17, 2011 Etna, California, Scott Valley Bluegrass Festival
No matter which festival I attend, and each one has its own personality, I am always on the lookout for that one band that I’ve never heard before that brings something unexpected to the musical experience of the festival. The “Sleeper Band” is the term we in the business of festival attendance use for that band that stands out, apart from all the others. This year, that distinction goes to Hudson Ridge, a band from Coos Bay, Oregon. Their performances on stage were like a breath of fresh air apart from the typical, for the most part, “testosterone fueled” fast picking, hard driving performances common to Bluegrass. Their soulful harmonies, backed with their solid instrumentation, coupled with their musical selections, brought the audience to their feet more than once in appreciation and admiration of their combined talents. Their original interpretation of the familiar tunes they shared evoked an audience response that was magical. At times their amazing voices, blending with those of the audience, made the hair on the back of my neck stand up or at times, put a lump in my throat, and kept everyone spellbound from start to finish.
From the expert instrumentation of Bob Shaffar on the dobro and fiddle, the incredible flatpicking and voice of Kevin Freeman, the solid rhythm of Fred Grove on guitar, to the angelic harmonies of Mary Luther, Jerene Shaffar, and Shelly Freeman, their time on stage will be cherished forever and recalled often on their CD. I should have two copies because I’ll probably wear one out. It is without any reservation that I bestow the distinction of “Sleeper Band” on Hudson Ridge but in addition, to the ladies of the band I bestow the title of “Sweethearts of the Scott Valley Bluegrass Festival” Their performance was truly a love affair between the band and the adoring audience. With the depth of emotion and conviction in each song they sang, you can easily tell the music the shared comes straight from their hearts.
Here's the full story.
Back home again from another music festival, my fifth one for this summer, it becomes graphically apparent to me why music festivals are my life’s passion. In my humble opinion, I believe that the Scott Valley Bluegrass Festival is the crown jewel of west coast festivals from Washington to Southern California. “Perfect in every way’” is a gross understatement when speaking of the whole festival experience. In a setting, only rivaled by Eden itself, there is no place I’ve found that even comes close to the beauty of the Scott Valley and the hamlet of Etna. Whoever ordered the weather this year needs a firm pat on the back. Even the cleansing cloudburst on Sunday, did little to dampen the spirits of the crowd or keep them from enjoying the music and fellowship of the festival. Where else on this planet can you still find a place like the Scott Valley, where the “deer and the antelope roam” and the music is as beautiful as the surroundings.
Those that are credited for selecting and inviting the bands that played this year deserve a standing ovation themselves. Being the hardcore festival attendee that I am, there are some bands that I have seen previously but never tire of seeing. Each has their own appeal, and whether performing Bluegrass classics that I can sing along with or blowing your socks off with something new that will surely become a classic in its own time, I can never get enough. Every band excelled in performing their craft with a degree of professional musicianship that I am sure would put a huge smile on the face Bill Monroe himself, the “Father of Bluegrass,” as we celebrate the one hundredth year of his birth.
Every band included in the lineup could hold their own on any stage, at any festival from coast to coast. The band, Northern Departure, from the state of Washington, was my choice for “sleeper band” at the California Bluegrass Association’s Fathers Day Festival in Grass Valley, California. They came out of nowhere to be the biggest and most pleasing surprise at that festival in June. They didn’t only blow my socks off but incinerated them with their amazing musicianship. It is bands like that and Snap Jackson and the Knock on Wood Players (the biggest crowd pleaser at the Susanville Bluegrass Festival in my opinion) that ensures me that this kind of music will be around forever and continue to gain popularity throughout the world.
At the other end of the musical spectrum, the bands like High Plains Tradition, Mark Phillips & IIIrd Generation, Susie Glaze and Hilonesome, that have years of festival experience, I never tire of hearing over and over, both in person and on the recordings they have produced over the years. Also among my favorites was the David Thom Band. Their amazing delivery of all the old favorites in the traditional style along with the mastery of their instruments always hits the mark, whether they are picking with you at camp, in the parking lot, or on stage. Yes, I am a bit partial to this bunch of “California” (Bay Area) pickers.
No matter which festival I attend, and each one has its own personality, I am always on the lookout for that one band that I’ve never heard before that brings something unexpected to the musical experience of the festival. The “Sleeper Band” is the term we in the business of festival attendance use for that band that stands out, apart from all the others. This year, that distinction goes to Hudson Ridge, a band from Coos Bay, Oregon. Their performances on stage were like a breath of fresh air apart from the typical, for the most part, “testosterone fueled” fast picking, hard driving performances common to Bluegrass. Their soulful harmonies, backed with their solid instrumentation, coupled with their musical selections, brought the audience to their feet more than once in appreciation and admiration of their combined talents. Their original interpretation of the familiar tunes they shared evoked an audience response that was magical. At times their amazing voices, blending with those of the audience, made the hair on the back of my neck stand up or at times, put a lump in my throat, and kept everyone spellbound from start to finish.
From the expert instrumentation of Bob Shaffar on the dobro and fiddle, the incredible flatpicking and voice of Kevin Freeman, the solid rhythm of Fred Grove on guitar, to the angelic harmonies of Mary Luther, Jerene Shaffar, and Shelly Freeman, their time on stage will be cherished forever and recalled often on their CD. I should have two copies because I’ll probably wear one out. It is without any reservation that I bestow the distinction of “Sleeper Band” on Hudson Ridge but in addition, to the ladies of the band I bestow the title of “Sweethearts of the Scott Valley Bluegrass Festival” Their performance was truly a love affair between the band and the adoring audience. With the depth of emotion and conviction in each song they sang, you can easily tell the music the shared comes straight from their hearts.
My heartfelt thanks to the Scott Valley Bluegrass Festival, its organizers, its volunteers, sponsors, bands, the sound system, the community (and the deer) for making this weekend the highlight of my summer festival experience. I’m certain that I share this feeling with everyone in attendance and I look forward to many more summers spent in the Scott Valley enjoying Bluegrass music.
George Fredson
About me?
I am a retired teacher (as of June 6th this year) who lives (between festivals) in Redding, California, and a self-appointed Bluegrass Music Critic, Festival Junkie, and Lifetime Bluegrass Picker, Singer, Songwriter.
I can be reached by e-mail at <mrfbrain@yahoo.com> or on Facebook.