2013 Lineup Complete

 With the addition of the up and coming band, Flatt Lonesome, the 2013 lineup is now complete.  If you read the previous blog entry you saw the full list of bands with this one exception.  You can find more information about them at www.flattlonesome.com/ where you will also be able to hear 3 of the cuts from their new cd.
   We are excited about this year's show which is full of your favorites and some new to Dumplin Valley bands for some variety and exciting entertainment.   Flatt Lonesome has a new cd out which is getting a lot of airplay on WDVX, Sirius and WNCW.   I'll get my "web wrangler" to update our website with photos and a complete lineup very soon.
I know this is a short blog entry but I wanted to keep you updated regarding the lineup and will have more info soon.     
See You in September!! m

Bluegrass On The Move

What a great weekend of music.  It began with fine performances by The Dismembered Tennesseans, Brand New Strings and also Balsam Range at the Bijou Theater in Knoxville on Saturday night.  All three bands provided a much needed break for us as it had been a long dry spell without attending any shows.  It was so good to see lots of our Dumplin Valley friends there, too.  The show was the first in a series of shows to be presented by WDVX.  
The next stop on our "weekend tour" was a "special" blueplate special at the WDVX studio on Sunday afternoon.  That show featured Balsam Range with their very special guest, John Driskell Hopkins (Zac Brown Band).  What a show that was!   All those guys have a new project just released and it is called "Daylight".    If you're looking for some great music, check it out.  Here is a link for more info on the project: http://bluegrasstoday.com/daylight-john-driskell-hopkins-balsam-range/
After the blueplate both bands headed over to Thompson Boling Arena for a show with the Zac Brown Band.  I wish we would have had tickets for that.  Would love to have seen our friends from Canton on stage with ZBB in front of 1,000's of fans.   I heard that Balsam Range made all of us bluegrass fans proud with their fine performance.   And I bet they gained a few fans last night.  Hopefully, some of those folks will come to Dumplin Valley to see them in September.  Wouldn't that be great?!
We should have the lineup finished this week.  In the meantime, here's a list of the bands we are proud to present for your enjoyment this year:
Thursday, 9/19/13:  Paul Williams & The Victory Trio; Donna Ulisse; Jimbo Whaley & Greenbrier; Cordle, Jackson & Salley  Friday, 9/20/13:  Rhonda Vincent & The Rage; Little Roy & Lizzy Show; Balsam Range; The Dismembered Tennesseans; The Spinney Brothers  Saturday, 9/21/13: Lonesome River Band; The Crowe Brothers; The Roys; Junior Sisk & Ramblers Choice + TBA

Balsam Range and John Driskell Hopkins

 

Ringing in 2013

 

Wishing You A Happy and Healthy 2013

 

My first thought as I begin my 2013 blogs is that I'm glad we didn't fall off the cliff.  Maybe that's because the news is on and it seems that's all they're

talking about. 

Wouldn't it be great if there were a Good News channel?!?  We could hear about all the people who survived cancer and other devastating disease last year, people who finally got back to work in 2012 and maybe even some stories about children's accomplishments in the classroom.   But I've been told that those kinds of stories don't "sell".  Well, I'm not buying that.  I know lots of people who love good news and I bet you do, too.   It would be a nice place to go when all that other news gets too heavy.  At least the election is over and we don't have to watch/hear those negative commercials for a while.  Yes, yes, I know.............there is power button on the tv and I can & do use it! ha

This year we are once again planning for the upcoming FESTIVAL SEASON with as much fervor as we can muster.  I'll be posting the rest of the bands pretty soon so jump over to our www.dumplinvalleybluegrass.com site to see them.   Hard to believe that this will be our 14th year of sharing music with some of the greatest music lovers I've ever seen.   Our festival families come from all over the world in search of a place to kick back, relax and enjoy some of the best picking and singing to be found anywhere.  If the walls of our old barn could talk...............................

We're also planning another camp out and jam weekend - May 17 & 18.  It will be held the same weekend as the annual Bloomin' Bar-be-que and Bluegrass event in Sevierville.  Since we won't be having any scheduled shows, you'll have plenty of time to head over to Sevierville and catch some of those shows and come back here and pick 'til your fingers can't take it anymore.   If you're planning to camp with us (at either event), you'll need reservations.  Just call us to set that up (865-397-7942).

By the way.................................about those New Years Resolutions people make every year...................well, I'm not making any.  Last year I resolved to do more blogging.   uh.....didn't work, did it?  Nope!  So this year I'm skipping all that and just letting nature take its course.  If I blog, then fine.  If I don't, you can read Ted Lehmann's blog.  It's a fine one filled with photos, videos and much commentary on all things bluegrass plus a few other thoughts wedged in here and there.  Check him out if you haven't already.

Oh, I want to thank Ashley Brown Photography, Sevierville for the family photo.  She did a great job the day we got our family together for photos. 

I hope you will check back to catch up on our news and we hope you'll make plans to join us this year.

m

 

 



Linus Monologue - A Charlie Brown Christmas

Christmas Is In The Air

The holidays are upon us and I'd like to take this opportunity to wish all of our bluegrass friends a very Merry Christmas.   We are thankful for the friendships we have gained through our association with bluegrass events.  These friendships are blessings that we treasure.  Our bluegrass family has grown each year and we thank you for that.   We're looking forward to seeing many of you in 2013 here at our annual festival in September and also in May for a camping and jamming weekend.  Those dates are Sept. 19-21 and May 17-18.   And hopefully we will see you along the bluegrass trail at other fine events.
We are working on the 2013 lineup and will be revealing it soon. So check back often for that information here and on our website and Facebook page.  * Thanks to Ashley Brown for the photo.

 

2012 Festival Week..........It's Here!

It's that time of year again when music lovers of the bluegrass variety come together on the farm to celebrate, visit, attend shows maybe even participate in the numerous spontaneous jams. Although the bands won't be here until tomorrow, there are already many people here enjoying the laid back atmosphere leading up to the big events this weekend. Tonight is the kick-off potluck dinner which is always well attended by the campers already on site who will pick their favorite foods from the tables laden with the cuisine of their fellow bluegrassers. It's always a good time to meet and greet and spend a little time getting to know others who are here for the weekend. With the exception of the beans and cornbread provided by the hosts, the "menu" will be full of surprises.
We always love to hear from the folks who come from far and wide. Just how do they find us here in little ole Kodak which is often left off maps. Ah, but where there is a will there is a way and in this day and age it is usually via the internet. This year we have sold tickets to people traveling from Switzerland, UK, Netherlands, California, Texas and many states outside of the Southeast. I think we can safely say that bluegrass is a universal music appealing to a broad variety of people.
Many of our festivarians play instruments, some sing and some just play the radio. But they all have that one bluegrass thread in common. They all come together from their homes with their own particular taste in this music to create a living bluegrass quilt. We love getting to know them and enjoy having them visit our little part of the world.
The lineup is a great one with a few bands here for the first time in September. You are sure to find something you like on stage and hopefully something you like in the vendor row.
Some of our food vendors have been with us for several years. Try the brisket if you're looking for a great taste. A lady from Texas was so taken by it that she commented that it was the best she'd had since being home. And we all know how serious the Texans take their bar-b-que. Oh, the kettlecorn............yum! This year we have a big ice cream truck to satisfy your need for that sweet tooth. And there are also brats, etc. There are also vendors offering a fair range of items to purchase if you so desire. And one lady will be here to offer a chair massage for your tired neck and shoulders. You can try out our photo booth if you want to create your own souvenir photo.
The weatherman has issued a great forecast for the upcoming weekend so make plans to join us. We've got you covered with shade and protection from the elements with a covered performance area. So, plan on coming rain or shine.
Come on out and join us, your friends and your favorite bands for a great weekend. And for those of you who just have to watch football on Saturday, keep in mind that there are tons of folks out here in campers with TV's so you won't be left out.
We hope to see you soon here in Kodak.

Staycation Time

Make your own free photo slideshow

We have recently had company and enjoyed a little "staycation" time. It seems that we don't have a lot of opportunity to visit the myriad of attractions, restaurants and such. So I have made it a point to visit as many "local" businesses catering to tourists as possible. In the past month we have visited Dollywood, the new Hollywood Wax Museum, Lumberjack Feud, Alewine Pottery, The Old Mill Square, the shops in Walden's Landing, Ole Smoky Moonshine Distillery (where one of the bands on our September lineup can be seen performing quite often), Ole Smoky Candy Kitchen, The Village in Gatlinburg and the big one.....The Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Julie and Eliza visited Ripley's Aquarium last week with some friends. And Joe has been seen at Cherokee Trading Post on Hwy. 66. We've checked out a small restaurant caled Taste of Dandridge and felt like we had discovered a little gem nearby. Being located near the 407 exit, we are just a short drive from major tourist destinations as well as being close to some favorite local hangouts. Hopefully, some of our bluegrass patrons will be able to spend some time exploring this area so rich in variety whether glitz and neon is your "thing" or whether laid back and out-of-the way is more to your taste. You'll find a little of both nearby. Just let us know what you are seeking and if we don't have the answer, the local chambers of commerce/visitor centers will have the answers for you.
Festival time is going to be here soon. Have you made your reservations and plans? Better git-r-done! :)