I agree w/ all who said the heat & humidity were a bit of a trial, but I wouldn't have missed the 25th Old Songs for anything. This was the first Old Songs I had ever attended that it didn't rain! I met several folks attending for the 1st time & there was a goodly number of younger folks. Other than reuniting w/ old friends, the highlights for me were shape note singing, the "Meet Guy Davis" session, & hearing a song by Shelley Posen called "The Old Songs Home" performed on the main stage by Bill Spence & Fennig's All-Stars. It's a whimsical explanation of where songs go when they're forgotten. Sandy & Caroline (w/ their sons, David & Rob, & their granddaughter Linnea were the second to last to perform Sunday afternoon on the main stage (Bob Franke did a nice job closing). They ended their set w/ "All the Good People" & "Handful of Songs." Although "Handful of Songs" is by our Jerry Rasmussen & I've loved it since I first hearing, all I could think of on this time was Rick Fielding & I cried through the whole thing. I still can't listen to Rick's recordings since his passing. He would have loved Old Songs, I think.

Ron, it seems that you & I were in various sessions together (BTW, there were too many good ones scheduled against each other!). I was just in front of the unnamed NJ folkie in the Folk Legacy session. I was surprised at his comments, too, but not at the grace & conviction w/ which Sandy & Caroline met them. Area 2, behind the crafters, was the hottest spot, I think, but had some truly wonderful sessions, such as the songs of conscience that you mentioned & one on protest that included the Patons.

People I saw: Animaterra, Don Meixner & his sweet wife Cynthia, dick greenhaus & Susan of DT, Sandy & Caroline Paton, karen k, Jeri, Allan C. & very nice to meet his sweetheart edelweiss, kendell & Jacqui c. (She got a photo of me w/ heartfrog!), Barbara Shaw & Frank, Hollowfox, georgeward (always a pleasure), Susan A-R & friend down from Vermont, delighted that Ferrarra was able to make it up from the D.C. area but I sure wish Bill D. had seen fit to accompany her. Hope I didn't miss anyone; easy to do w/ heat stroke! Folks from past Old Songs who I wished had been there this year: bill/sables, Charlie Baum, Dennis & Judy Cook, Barry Finn, dharmabum, Vixen & Reynaud. You were missed! How about next year for the 26th annual Old Songs Festival?

sweaty hugs & salty kisses,

bbc