Hi folks here's a rundown on a really fine place opening in Upstate SC on
the 24th, We are centered around roots music (including blues) probably a
lot of bluegrass (it does rule here,) we'll be doing mostly 3/4 bill one
nighters and Fri/ Sat shows about 16-18 throughout the summer. Were are
looking for interesting combinations of artists.
Greg Hils
GATES OPENING ON "THE MUSIC CAMP" NEAR SPARTANBURG FOR '99
Upstate entrepreneur John Featherston is set to open a new
seasonal venue just in time for the 1999 concert season. Greenfield
Excursion -The Music Camp, is an 8 acre park with soft green pastures
surrounded by 55 acres of native woodlands, bordered by the Pacolet River
and conveniently located near I-85 in northern Spartanburg County. The
Music Camp will cater to an audience looking for a relaxed, friendly
atmosphere where quality music and camping can be savored.
After an experimental season in '98, playing host to interested
friends and family, Featherston is preparing a full range of musical events
open to the
general public beginning in April and continuing through October. The
facility features a large covered audience shed and an expansive hand-built
enclosed stage for the performers, complete with a dry docked cabin cruiser
as a green room. Available with your paid admission are ample campsites,
fire rings, a playground for the kids and on-site food service featuring
food by master rustic cooks. If the musicians are taking a break there is
always volleyball, horseshoes, basketball, fishing, a stroll in the woods
and plenty of opportunities for pickin' parties. Camping, especially for
families is encouraged.
The musical menu will be centered around a rootsy mix of regional
and national acts. The season will open on Saturday, April 24 with a
rockin' good evening's worth of song from the Charlotte Americana Showcase
featuring Gigi Dover and Rank Outsiders, Michael Reno Harrell and the No
Angels Band, David Childers and Lenny Federal. This co-op effort receives
regular praise and awards from the Charlotte media including 7 "Best of
Charlotte", Creative Loafing honors for 1998. Special guest will be
guitarist/songwriter Duane Jarvis who has been busy touring with Lucinda
Williams and supporting his own solo project on Watermelon Records.
Bluegrass takes center stage on Saturday May 22 as the very
popular, Appalachian Trail will open an evening of top notch picking and
singing including the highly acclaimed ensemble, Ramblers Choice. Their
self-described "straight ahead bluegrass" sound has found favor with both
the traditional and progressive bluegrass audiences as their "Sounds of the
Mountains," Rounder Records, release continues up the bluegrass charts.
The surprise of the evening will be the return of Brother Boys' founder Ed
Snodderly with some of that groups original members. The Johnson City
based band has been noted for their "old-timey view of the
modern world and a modern gander at the old-timey one." Look for a
delightful, upbeat set as Brother Boy, Ed Snodderly returns to the area.
In June, the Music Camp gets the blues for a special
Friday/Saturday mini-fest the weekend of June 18 and 19. Friday night is
acoustic night beginning with Upstate legend, Col Gene Wyatt and Hot
Guitar. After nearly fifty years of teaching guitar, Col Gene is out
playing the guitar to the delight of music lovers across the Carolinas.
Col. Gene has been awarded the Jean Caney Harris Folk Heritage Award by the
State of South Carolina for 1999 and been nominated for a National
Endowment for the Humanities Heritage Award. His trio, including son Wes
on guitar and bassist Doug Trammel, mix jazz, blues and bluegrass like aged
whiskey and branch water ... real smooth! The local tradition is also well
represented with guitarist Lil' Pink Anderson performing Piedmont blues on
the very soil on which it was born. The evening is capped off by master
blues man Roy BookBinder drawing from a large pool of acoustic blues
influences. Part player, part musicologist, Roy has dedicated his career
to keeping the acoustic blues alive along with the memory of those who
created it. This is certain to be one of the most magical gatherings of
the season when legendary blues man Pink Anderson's son Lil' Pink takes the
same stage Roy Bookbinder, the nationally acclaimed musician who learned
directly from Pink.
Since the price of admission includes camping, fans are encouraged
to spend the weekend. Saturday night the popular ensemble, Cocktail Frank
will open the evening with a set of blues standards and originals. This
quartet features the robust
vocals of Karen Meeks and are favorites in Charleston blues clubs. The
Willy Evans Trio from Charlotte will amaze you with their versatility and
rock steady sound that has been compared to the Robert Cray Band among
others. Leading the final charge of the weekend is a crop of experienced,
nearly old-timers from Asheville, The
Incontinentals featuring the High N' Dry Horns. In just over a short year
together, this 7- piece band has made a name for themselves as the
purveyors of maximum R&B, deftly mixing strong originals with a "who's
who" repertoire of blues, soul and R&B. There'll be plenty of room to
dance so come prepared with a partner.
Coming later in the season, a night of Spartanburg Unplugged featuring
the Albert Hill Band ,an evening with native son Champ Hood, friends &
family and maybe a little zydeco, swing, jazz, more acoustic pickin' and
a whole lot of great musical surprises.
The Music Camp is easily accessible by interstate, slightly more
than 1/2 hour from Greenville, slightly over 1 hour from Asheville and
Charlotte, and well under 2 hours from Columbia The Music Camp is
conveniently located for all regional music lovers.
The Music Camp is soliciting artists to be on various bills and
artists are encouraged to contact Greg Hils at (828)-286-4728 or
[EMAIL PROTECTED] Also craftsmen and artists are encouraged to display
their wares. For more information on tickets, prices, directions, joining
the mailing list and vendor information should contact John Featherston at
(864) 463-0202, email at [EMAIL PROTECTED], or visit our web page at
www.music-camp.com (online mid-April). To schedule interviews or tours of
the facility contact John Featherston.
