Truly Great... What a Venue!

You know what's really great?

When the Great River Folk Festival after almost 40 years actually is held at Riverside Park next to the Mississippi River. What a venue!


Due to scheduling the Festival couldn't be held on the UW-L campus.  Despite Saturday's rainy day's poor attendance, Sunday definitely made up for it and the river's breeze was a welcomed delight on a hot summer's day. Folk artists booths dotted the circumference of the fest grounds. Musicians performed under tents with the main stage being in a giant tent next to the food vendors. The crowd was genuinely pleased with the new venue.

2014 Songwriter winner, Derrick Olsen

After my shift working in the food tent, I enjoyed listening to the 12 finalists in the song writing contest. Talented contestants with a myriad of 
vocal and instrumental styles from Minnesota, Illinois and Wisconsin came to compete for the top 3 spots. The 2014 winner, Derrick Olsen attended UW-L and now lives in New Lisbon, is a new Dad. In addition to opening for the final concert Sunday, his winning song 'Searching for the Wind earned him not only a monetary award but also recording time. 

 A newer young group, Barefoot Movement from Tennessee, knocked my socks off as they shared the stage with folk legends Sally Rogers and Claudia Schmidt, both regulars  on Prairie Home Companion. 



Neither Sally 
nor Claudia disappointed the full tent with their lyrics, harmonious renditions, sing alongs and crystal clear voices. 
Such accomplished folk artists.


Although I didn't get to hear all the performers back at the songwriter workshop tent David Wilcox charmed listeners with his story telling, Grace  Pettis, shared her talents along with Colin O ' Brien. I missed hearing Grace's Dad, Pierce Pettis.

Pettis

Wilcox

Colin O'Brien

A quick jaunt across the fest grounds was the local group Under Paris Skies, Jean Luc, known by most in this area as the Crepe maker, joined the enterouge. It turns out he not only makes great crepes but also is a mean guitar picker. 

I wish I could have been at all the performances across the fest grounds. I just needed more than one of me. Sunday's final concert featured Evergreen Grass Band before Sally Rogers and Claudia Schmidt sang their hearts for a good hour to close the festival.

(I do need to figure out edit the size of the video clip to post a sample of the Evergreen Grass Band's energy.)

It was also great to see all the 'folks' including local folk we know.

I know those folks!

One thing for certain was I got me 'some good music' this week

end.