A college student recently asked me for help on an assignment she has been asked to write. I would surely appreciate it if some of you festival goers could help her with some of these questions. She says no time pressure, but that was before I let it lay in my box for over a week! Thank you in advance for any help you can give her. She asked specifically about festivals in the Ozarks, but I am sure that some of her questions would apply to other regions as well.

The focus in on bluegrass music in the Ozarks, and particularly the sub-culture of music festivals.

I was wondering if you would be willing to give me some more insights on your own experinces, seeing the music evolve and festivals become popular. Feel free to write as much or little as you want, no time pressure! Here are a few questions to get things started...

How did you come to love and play the music you do? How would you classify that music?

Why do you think bluegrass and/or folk music festivals are so popular? What draws the people? Which ones do you attend regularly, which are your favorites?

How do festivals differ from one another? Does a festival in the Ozarks differ much from anywere else? How is the region/land important to the festival and festival goers?

What is the typical bluegrass festival goer? Are there divisions/discriminations of age or where people come from?