In 1998, a team of bluegrass all-stars who reawakened the world to the sounds of traditional bluegrass were the big winners at the IBMA Awards Show. Bringing home Recorded Event of the Year and Song of the Year honors that year, Longview ruled the world of traditional bluegrass in the late-nineties/early-two thousands. Fifteen years later, the (almost) original Longview still makes bluegrass fans jump out of their seats.
The spring edition of the Southern Ohio Indoor Music Festival (SOIMF) took place over the weekend in Wilmington, OH. For two days, the Roberts Convention Centre was filled with bluegrass fans from not only the Midwest, but from as far away as Australia! Host band, Joe Mullins & The Radio Ramblers welcomed The Seldom Scene, Dale Ann Bradley, Audie Blaylock & Redline, The James King Band, Art Stevenson & High Water, Lou Reid & Carolina, Don Rigsby & Midnight Call, and Russell Moore & IIIrd Tyme Out for a fun weekend filled with great bluegrass.
The festival was capped off with a Longview All-Star Jam featuring Dudley Connell, James King, Joe Mullins, Don Rigsby, Marhsall Wilburn, and surprise guest, Michael Cleveland. All are still leaders in their fields, and although they have only reunited together as Longview a handful of times since 2002, their chemistry is still there. Original fiddle man, Glen Duncan, does not travel anymore, but Michael Cleveland more than filled his shoes.
The band could do nothing wrong. Hearing old favorites such as Lonesome Old Home, Faded Red Ribbon, Little Annie, and more, the audience soaked in the sights and sounds of a rare performance. In addition to Longview standards, the show featured some other special moments. A new member of Longview, Lou Reid joined the band on stage for Eatin’ Our Of Your Hand and I’m Gonna Love You One More Time. Hearing a banjo/fiddle instrumental from Michael Cleveland and Joe Mullins was a treat as well. Everyone in attendance agreed, this was a very special performance which will never be forgotten.
SOIMF returns to Wilmington, OH on November 9 & 10, 2013. The fall lineup features Joe Mullins & The Radio Ramblers, The Spinney Brothers, Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver, Marty Raybon & Full Circle, The Wildwood Valley Boys, Balsam Range, Paul Williams & The Victory Trio, Larry Sparks & The Lonesome Ramblers, and a special “Old Friends Get Together” featuring Doyle Lawson, Paul Williams, and J.D. Crowe. For more information, visit www.somusicfest.com.
