The Soggy Bottom Fest

Greetings from a beautiful, but SOGGY DelFest.

What a great afternoon we’ve had.  Sierra Hull and Highway 111 treated us to songs from their recent release and a threw in a couple of oldies and a few gospel number for good measure.  The comparison of her to Alison Kraus is unavoidable, but she’s a delight, and if she ends up coming anywhere close to Alison’s accomplishments, we’ll all be the better for it.

Sierra was followed by the Travelin’ McCourys, a subset of the Del McCoury band, with Ronnie Bowman on guitar. The group is comprised of Del’s two sons and Del’s bass player and fiddler, all happy to show the crowd why it is called “Del” Fest.

The Infamous Stringdusters played on a side stage (after making a headline appearance last night).

I just love the Stringdusters, and I’m clearly not alone. The skies opened up midway through their set, and in spite of thunder, lightning and downpour, the crowd didn’t budge. If that’s not true love, I’m not sure what is!

The weather is not cooperating. The field, the campground and everything in between is drenched.

We’re not going to be able to shoot anything else tonight, for fear of damaging equipment, but we’re headed out to catch the incredible marriage of Del McCoury Band and the Preservation Hall Jazz Band celebrating their epic tandem release.

Just as well because we just lost power, and I’m typing in the dark.

Hopefully, Mother Nature will be in a better mood tomorrow. More then!

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About the Author

Diane Farineau

Diane Farineau, her husband, photographer, Milo and their friend, photographer, Chester Simpson, hatched a brilliant plan last year to write a book about music festivals. Somewhere along the way The Festival Project, as it has now become, turned into a website and a blog and an amazing journey into the world of today's bluegrass and Americana artists and festival scene. When not listening to or writing about music, Diane has a day job as a hospital administrator, is a mom of two musical teenagers, and writes about life's never ending stream of ironies.