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Musicians Against Childhood Cancer Festival
A review of a very special festival
Sep-08-2000
©2000 iBluegrass.com. All rights reserved.
Sometimes the pleasure one experiences at a benefit concert overshadows the noble cause that actually brought the exhilaration to you. This was not the case at the Musicians Against Childhood Cancer festival that occurred near Columbus, Ohio this past July. In fact, from the moment I entered the Hoover Y-Park, the feeling that I was a part of something special was simply overwhelming.
To be honest, I set out on the seven-hour ride to Columbus, Ohio not so much to aid a worthy cause, but to enjoy a spectacular collection of bluegrass. However, upon my arrival, I discovered an underscored sense of camaraderie that was never present at other festivals. It seemed as if everyone was going out of their way to be friendly. The folks at the ticket trailer smiled and joked with the long line of cars and directed me into a well-organized parking lot. From there I walked into a musical celebration that featured a roster of artists that was as astounding as it was entertaining.
While each act could certainly be critiqued, more importantly they should be applauded for donating their time for a worthy cause. However, to ignore the wealth of talent that took the stage over those three days would be a tremendous oversight.
The event began in mid afternoon of Thursday when Dempsey Young's Northwest Territory took the stage. Young, who cut his teeth in bluegrass as a member of Lost And Found, and his new ensemble adopts many of the strengths that Young developed in his prior band.
But the vibes really began when Blue Ridge walked to centerstage. This highly talented band of young Turks signaled the start of a musically explosive weekend with a set of spirited bluegrass. Lead by mandolinist Alan Bibey, the ensemble broke through with a set that was a call to arms for the scattered crowd who had arrived as early as Saturday in anticipation of this outstanding festival. The crowd assembled slowly, but surely, and Blue Ridge certainly did not disappoint.
Perhaps the highlight of the Thursday performance came from Blue Highway. I've been reviewing the music of Blue Highway for several years, but this was my first opportunity to see this ensemble in concert. And, let it be known it won't be the last. This is a band that's overflowing with talent. Wayne Taylor is, perhaps, the most underrated vocalist in bluegrass. He truly finds new ways to develop the bluegrass vocal style and carry it into a more modern format. But Blue Highway is an ensemble that makes its greatest mark on the instrumental side of the fence. Obviously, this was my first time seeing Rob Ickes play, too. I came away with the firm knowledge that another school of bluegrass dobro playing now exists. Ickes doesn't coax anything from the instrument. Rather he attacks each line with the power of his resophonic. This is an individual style that finds a common ground between the instrument's basic elements that allow him to simply blitz through his solos.
IIIrd Tyme Out fashioned a set of seasoned bluegrass in the mode that has brought the band to the forefront of bluegrass. Obviously guitarist Russell Moore captivated the crowd with his lush vocal work. However, the treat for me was watching Wayne Benson work the mandolin. Benson is a deeply inventive player who often punctuates the sound of IIIrd Tyme Out. Watching Benson bring out the reoccurring riff from his slack tuned mando for 'John And Mary' was worth the price of the ticket. Benson found ways to add his touch of elegance throughout the set.
It goes without saying that the line-up on Thursday featured an impressive array of artists who are considered among the top names in bluegrass. The finale', featuring Alison Krauss, was an overwhelming collection of tasteful balladry from this young bluegrass diva. And, while the performance itself was an elegant expression of music that walks the line between light country and bluegrass, the audience punctuated the set with a series of thunderous encores that brought Krauss back three separate times. As usual, Ron Block's contributions on banjo and guitar were stellar examples of the contemporary attitudes that have found a new home in the world of bluegrass. Dan Tyminski was rock solid in support of this fusion of styles. However, when it all came to pass, it was Alison that brought the crowd to their feet time after time. And it was Alison who returned for more music to cap an incredible evening of music.
The crowd was slow to break from the stage area as the Union Station set finally came to an end. It seemed as if the crowd was savoring the music that they had digested and anticipating the music that was to come on the next two days. But when the audience began to empty, a new show emerged. This was the show that occurred in the campground that featured jamming and making new friends.
The aura was almost mystical in nature. I forged several new friendships and met people that I will never forget at the MACC festival. And, while the campground was jubilant all weekend, nobody stepped over the line. It was truly a community of friends!
Friday was the most relaxed day of the festival. J.D. Crowe was present with his current ensemble, which certainly keeps legend of this bluegrass pioneer thriving. Following Crowe was the hard-cutting James King Band. King, who specializes in pure mountain soul, can hold his own with any traditional singer in the business. He was a showstopper in Columbus.
But the Bluegrass Classic, which was the forerunner to MACC, gained a reputation from providing special moments for the crowd. Thus, the Friday finale was a jam session that features Larry Stephenson, David Parmley, Allen Mills and J.D. Crowe. It's always special to see players perform in this manner and MACC gave the audience what it hoped for.
The buzz around the campground centered on the Saturday performance. And it turned out to be everything that anyone could expect. Dudley Connell earned MVP status as he contributed three straight hours on stage Saturday afternoon. First he held court with The Seldom Scene and returned with Joe Mullins and Glen Duncan for a set of Longview material.
The artists who performed at MACC appeared only once in the day. But that appearance was a 90-minute set. Thus, Connell managed to perform for three straight hours before catching a plane so the band could play at the Birtchmere that evening. This is a fine example of the devotion that was woven into each performance. Connell, who recognized that he was facing an extended stay behind the mic never softened his attach. He belted out the music to a highly receptive crowd that had grown as the weekend progressed.
Also pulling a double shift was Larry Cordle who sat in on a songwriter showcase with Carl Jackson and Jerry Salley, then returned later in the evening for a great set with his band Lonesome Standard Time. Cordle impressed me with the depth of his music. His composition, 'Jesus And Bartenders' is a fascinating exploration into our never-ending search for comfort and forgiveness. This is a songwriter with style. He captures the contemporary country scene with 'Murder On Music Row' and illustrates how he transcends country music with a bluegrass version of 'Highway 40 Blues.'
But the moment I was waiting for was the festival finale. Few could ever imagine what it would be like to see Doyle Lawson and Dan Tyminski string it up with Tony Rice and Bela Fleck. Folks, this one was pure gold. Tony was in a jovial mood and gave the crowd a slew of guitar performance that I have never seen matched. Each player found inspiration from the other. However, the interplay between Tony and Bela was magic. These two musical giants pulled strength from the other and push out energized solos that just had to be heard. The mood was electric.
Then Tyminski announced that Tony was going to play his showcase version of 'Shanandoah.' However, before he brought the magic from his fabled Martin, Rice stepped to the mic and dedicated the number to Mandy Adkins who is suffering from inoperable brain stem cancer and is being treated at St. Judes. Tony told the audience that the musicians were where they belonged. Tony was right, but he left out that the audience were where they belonged, too. It was even a deeper moment when you realize that Mandy was able to attend the entire festival.
Rice then played 'Shenendoah' to a hushed crowd.
The Musicians Against Childhood Cancer Festival was a great time! The performers were all-star class and each musician who took the stage put their heart and soul into every note. All of the musicians donated their time at this one. And each deserves to be applauded for their generosity. I can't remember being as emotionally involved in a cause as I felt here. I will surely return to this festival next year. It's for a good cause, the promoter makes you feel like you belong and the music never lets up.
Let me publicly than the following bands for their contribution to a worthy cause:
Alison Krause & Union Station
Bela Fleck
Blue Highway
Blue Ridge
Carl Jackson
Jerry Salley
Dan Tyminski
David Parmley & Continental Divide
Doyle Lawson & Quicksilve
r
Iris Dement
The James King Band
J.D. Crowe & the New South
Joe Mullins & Glen Duncan
Kim & Joel Fox Band
Larry Cordle & Lonesome Standard Time
Larry Stephenson Band
Lost & Found
Northwest Territory
The Osborne Brothers
The Reno Brothers
The Seldom Scene
IIIrd Tyme Out
Tony Rice
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