Wayne Craft with Chimney Rock Boys at Blazin’ Bluegrass – photo © Roger Black
The hills of the Daniel Boone National Forest near Whitley City, Kentucky came alive with bluegrass music this past weekend during the Blazin’ Bluegrass festival. Bluegrass fans descended on the Sand Hill Campground to enjoy some of the best local, regional, and nationally known talent that bluegrass has to offer.
Sarah Patrick opened the show on Thursday afternoon with her amazing vocals adding a bluegrass touch to several Loretta Lynn Classics. She was followed by the Black Iron Ramblers, the festival MC Gerald Mullins and friends, and The Acoustic Breakaways. Open Highway closed out the show leaving fans looking forward to the next two days of music.
Friday started out with a great gospel set by The Chimney Rock Boys. Open Rail, always a fan favorite at Blazin’ Bluegrass, then took the stage band and delivered a soul stirring inspirational set. Free Rein delivered two great sets during the day. Deeper Shade of Blue hung around for two days playing two sets on Friday and two more on Saturday. The Gospel Plowboys, in their trademark bibbed overalls and red neckties, took the stage for more great bluegrass gospel music. Day two of the Blazin’ Bluegrass festival concluded with Jeff Tolbert and Primitive Road.
Saturday started off with C.F. Bailey and Shadow Ridge, and included Blue Debut, the West Liberty Mountain Boys, Hammertowne, and Deeper Shade of Blue. Authentic Unlimited took the stage early in the day on Saturday and finished off the festival on Saturday night with a rowdy, hand-clapping and toe-tapping set that left the fans looking forward to the upcoming September Blazin’ Bluegrass Festival with Fred Patrick and his amazing staff of volunteers.
Just a special note about this year’s festival… Clinton and Bonnie West spent their 70th Wedding Anniversary surrounded by friends, and taking to the dance floor at the festival.
