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Elijah Clark Bluegrass Festival gets underway Friday at park
Featuring great bluegrass musicians from Georgia, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Virginia, the jamboree is slated to run from 6 until 11 p.m. on Friday, 11 a.m. until 11:25 p.m. on Saturday, and 12 noon until 5:30 p.m. on Sunday. Sunday's program will be comprised solely of bluegrass gospel music. Leading the impressive line-up of talent are the Mountain Angels from Spartanburg, South Carolina. A performance by the hard-driving all-girl band is marked by the finest in traditional and modern bluegrass music. The group is especially known for its "unearthly" harmonies, which can reduce an audience to total silence. The band's name comes from the Dolly Parton song, "Mountain Angel." The group is comprised of upright bass player, Bonnie Lark, a recent cancer survivor; Tracy Anderson on the mandolin; Karen Henson on dobro; rhythm guitarist Kathy Strickland; and banjo player Sarah Caldwell, who is a chemist as well as a musician. According to Caldwell, "We love what we're doing and love playing upbeat music that has a positive message." The Mountain Angels are set to take the stage Saturday at 8:30 p.m. Among the other entertainers appearing at the festival are Trent Harrelson & Solid Ground, 2007 Grammy and Dove Award nominees (Sunday); Lamb Family Bluegrass (Saturday and Sunday); Southern Bluegrass of Harlem (Friday and Saturday). The Etterlee Road Bluegrass and Gospel Band of Evans (Saturday and Sunday); the Southern Travelers of Carlton, Georgia (Friday); Blazing Bluegrass, a band whose members are all under the age of 17 (Saturday); Split Rail from Belvedere, South Carolina (Friday). The King James Boys (Saturday); the Amicks (Sunday); Abney Road (Saturday); the Old Virginia Homestead Band (Saturday and Sunday); Paul Hopkins (Saturday and Sunday); Union Highway Grass from Union, South Carolina (Saturday); and Bluestreek Bluegrass (Friday). In addition, there will be a "Banjo Pull" at 3 p.m. on Saturday and 2 p.m. on Sunday, conducted by Paul Hopkins, owner of W-LIJ Radio in Shelbyville, Tennessee. All of the banjo pickers in the park will be on stage at one time during the two events, which are sponsored each year by LouZee Banjo. Moreover, banjos may be purchased at the festival from Hopkins and his son, David, owners of the D.P. Hopkins Banjo Company. The men will also offer limited banjo repair and adjustments free of charge. A large tent is being provided so the show can go on rain or shine. Guests are asked to bring lawn chairs. "We want to maintain this as an affordable family event in order to promote bluegrass within the ranks of the younger generations," said Don DeClue, the organizer of the festival. "The bands donate their time and talents to this worthy cause - we also have corporate sponsors whose contributions help make this a free event." He went on to express his appreciation to this year's corporate sponsors for their support: Pulliam Lumber Company, Inc., Mitchell, Georgia; Starling Funeral Home, Harlem; Neal's Bar-B-Q, Thomson; John P. Jopling, Jr., DDS, Augusta; Tropical Sno Hawaiian Shaved Ice, Belton, South Carolina; Paradise BBQ, Lincolnton; LouZee Banjo; The Wicker Barn, Martinez; Garner Auto Sales, Martinez; CSRA Camperland, Martinez; Cushman Paint and Body, Evans; the Georgia Bank and Trust Company, Augusta; Patsy A. Woods, Gibson; and Grand Rental Station, Thomson. Along with great music, there will also be concessions available on the premises. The menu will feature brisket sandwiches, barbecue plates and sandwiches, French fries, onion rings, hotdogs, and hamburgers prepared by Paradise BBQ and shaved ice treats, hotdogs, French fries, and chicken finger plates provided by Tropical Sno Hawaiian Shaved Ice. There is no admission charge for the jamboree; however, visitors to the park are reminded that all Georgia state parks charge an entrance fee of $3 per vehicle. For more information about the festival, contact Elijah Clark State Park at 1-706-359-3458. |
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