Opening ceremonies at Nothin’ Fancy Festival

Pot luck dinner at the 2016 Nothin' Fancy Festival - photo © Bill WarrenThe Nothin’ Fancy Festival in Buena Vista, Virginia always kicks off with a Wednesday night potluck. This photographer can tell you that bluegrassers know how to cook – and how to eat!!

Wednesday night is also the opening ceremonies. Nothin’ Fancy kicked off with an acapella version of the National Anthem. They followed up with a few tunes from their new CD. Michelle Canning brought her band from Morehead University. She and the other band members are students of Raymond McClain at the school.

Next up was Mark Templeton and Pocket Change from North Carolina. They featured a combination of traditional bluegrass and Gospel. Last up for the evening can only be described as a group of “young super pickers.” Tim Newton on banjo, Daniel Ledford on bass, Jonathon Dillon on mandolin, Caleb Cox on guitar, and Gaven Largent on dobro. They put on a top notch performance.

The festival continues Thursday with The Commonwealth Bluegrass Band, Jeff Scroggins & Colorado, The Bluegrass Brothers, Goldwing Express, and Nothin’ Fancy.