A Delfest 2014 Preview by Danny Waltman
What’s up Festi-family, man that was a tough winter, I don’t care where you live. I hope you got some good rides on some fresh powder, and were able to catch a show every now and then. Wherever you are I know you are ready for spring, and thank goodness it is finally here. The trees are blooming and birds are singing, and if you listen closely, you can here the music playing. That’s right folks, festival season has begun! So break out the camping gear (unless it is still in your trunk from last summer, I know mine still is), because it is time to head to the beautiful hills of Cumberland Maryland, for Delfest 2014.
Delfest is a 4 day super pickn’ party in the woods hosted by the legendary Del McCoury, and it is dedicated to building community and family through music. I have never been but it looks to be a celebration of stringed instruments and the joy that they bring to the world. This looks to be the kind of festival that is clean and comfortable and full of great people. The kind of gathering where it is easy to find a friend, and not easy to find a piece of trash on the ground. And I don’t have kids but if I did I would bring them as this looks to be possibly the most family friendly festival I have ever seen. There is not only an arts and crafts faire (most festivals have this), but there is a kid zone, where there are special musical performances, games, along with art, tie-die, and bug classes. They might have more fun than the adults.
On the Delfast website, it reads, “Delfest, proudly delivering top acts to Cumberland Maryland since 2008”. And let me tell you that 2014 will be no different. Everybody is going to be there. Of Couse the Del McCoury Band will play every day, but many other artists like Railroad Earth, Greensky Bluegrass, Joe Craven and The String Cheese Incident will also play more than one set of music throughout the festival. That also means they will be hanging out all weekend, one can only imagine the collaborations and guest playing opportunities. And oh yeah, The Yonder Mountain String Band, Bela Fleck, Ricky Skaggs, The Travlin McCourys and Bruce Hornesby will also be there. The list goes on and on, like I said everybody is going to be there, including the happy camper writing this article.
And this is strictly a pickn’ party with the late night acts being Bluegrass as well. Greensky Bluegrass, Railroad Earth, Cabinet, and The Travlin McCourys will all take turns closing down the festival each night. These bands are good anytime, but there is nothing like late night bluegrass.
“This one time at Band camp…” Well it’s more like, “this one time at the Del McCoury Music Academy…” For those looking to take their craft to the next level, there is a music academy that takes place for the 4 days prior to the festival. For a very reasonable tuition, students will take classes and receive personal instruction in either guitar, banjo, or fiddle from professional musicians including members of the Del McCoury band. There is also Karaoke every night where students play bluegrass tunes backed up by a full band. I haven’t signed up yet but I am thinking about it.
Another really cool thing about this festival is that they had a first annual open artist submission, where bands could apply to play at the festival. On the web-site it said they were looking for four bands, but there must have been a lot of good entries because six lucky bands where chosen to play one set of music throughout the festival. In a world of competition it is great to see people helping others to grow and prosper. I hope to see this happen at more festivals.
Well I am off Maryland to chase that boogie, I will give you updates from the festival, and of course a recap of the all of the music and fun that goes down at Delfest 2104! Peace and Joy to all.
Danny Waltman, Journalist for Music Festival Central