Galax (Fiddler's Convention in Virginia)-comments?

Subject: Galax
From: lefthanded guitar
Date: 11 Jul 07 - 05:04 PM

Have many of you been to the Galax Fiddler's Convention in Virginia. I have wanted to attend for years and am wondering your impressions.

Subject: RE: Galax
From: Leadfingers
Date: 11 Jul 07 - 08:16 PM

Saw some musicians from Galax when I was at Williamsburg Festival - SCARY Good !!

Subject: RE: Galax
From: Celtaddict
Date: 11 Jul 07 - 10:05 PM

I attended Galax only once, alas, some years ago; it was wonderful. I was expecting wonderful instrumentalists (the name assures that) but was fascinated by the quality of the singing.
They used to make cassettes of some of the best, from each year; might check and see if there are annual CDs coming out.
It was very easy to find my way around and find what was happening where and when, as well.
It is in a beautiful area, too.
I would go back in a heartbeat.

Subject: RE: Galax
From: wilco
Date: 12 Jul 07 - 04:43 PM

Subject: RE: Galax (Fiddler's Convention in Virginia)-comments?
From: Fortunato
Date: 13 Jul 07 - 07:29 AM

Great festival for Bluegrass, Old Time and Old Time Country (singing as opposed to tunes). Friendly people, welcoming, etc. SMall town VA park, with thousands of people, crowded but not at all disturbing. First quality performers amidst those who have much fun.
We spend 11 days. Come early in the week if you want to camp, spaces are at a premium, registration to compete is long past. Look for our sign Bluegrass/Folk Music Tonight at the peak of our pavillion roof and the blue Outback.
cheers, chance

Subject: RE: Galax (Fiddler's Convention in Virginia)-comments?
From: DannyC
Date: 13 Jul 07 - 09:21 AM

Rule #3 for Galax contestants:

"3. Only authentic folk songs will be used in the folk song contest."

Says who? Are they tryin' to start a riot or somethin'?

Seriously, I am lookin' forward to it...

Subject: RE: Galax (Fiddler's Convention in Virginia)-comments?
From: lefthanded guitar
Date: 13 Jul 07 - 02:49 PM

Can you find camping anywhere if you don't come early??

Subject: RE: Galax (Fiddler's Convention in Virginia)-comments?
From: Padre
Date: 13 Jul 07 - 08:53 PM

Like Fortunato, I think this is the best festival for good singing as well as playing old time & bluegrass music. Over the years, the cream of the crop in fiddlers, banjoists, etc have been to Galax. And yes, you really need to go early to find a camping spot.

Padre

Subject: RE: Galax (Fiddler's Convention in Virginia)-comments?
From: Bobert
Date: 13 Jul 07 - 09:06 PM

Gets cold at night...

Good pickin, though...

Subject: RE: Galax (Fiddler's Convention in Virginia)-comme
From: Fortunato
Date: 16 Jul 07 - 09:24 AM

sorry, don't know about late camping...

Subject: RE: Galax (Fiddler's Convention in Virginia)-comments?
From: GUEST,Russ
Date: 16 Jul 07 - 09:32 AM

I have not been to Galax.
I have always heard good things about it.
It has always been on my to-do list.
BUT
The consensus among people I know who have been to both Galax and Clifftop is that Clifftop is the best festival for old time music. Clifftop is all old time all the time.
Bluegrass musicians and folkies mostly seem to avoid it.

Russ (Permanent GUEST and old time banjo player)

Subject: RE: Galax (Fiddler's Convention in Virginia)-comments?
From: BanjoRay
Date: 16 Jul 07 - 10:31 AM

I've been twice to Galax (2000 and 2002) and really enjoyed it both times. It's great for a a British old time player like me, because in a three week holiday I can do Clifftop then Galax then the British Summer Camp at Peterborough, so it's three weeks of really good Old Time till my teeth start falling out. Unlike Clifftop, Galax also contains a lot of good traditional bluegrass, but if you want solid Old Time (like me) you can find it - last time there I got to jam with the great Benton Fippen and Richard Bowman (of the Slate Mountain Ramblers). Folk there are very friendly, and mostly local to the area. I think when they judge the competitions the first thing they note is which county you're from - if you're not local, winning is a lot more difficult (IMHO). This of course doesn't bother me, I'm not there to win, but queing for the competition can be a lot of fun, with some great humour. If you take part in the competition and do all your stage appearances you get some of your camping fee back.

If you're camping in a tent get there early and try and find a spot above the level of the field. In 2000 we got 4 inches of rain in 4 hours which turned the site into a 6 inch deep lake. The trailers and RVs (who always get there early) were fine - the locals are used to it. You can pay to get a shower in the nearby swimming pool, or you can use the sports field's single free very cold shower, which is either fire engine strength or off. There's never a queue!
I've never seen the singing competitions, so I can't vouch for them, but the instrumental ones can be very entertaining (and also very bad). If you sit there all day you'll see some really great people randomly interspersed with some truly awful acts - but the audience is always great to them all - even you if you get on stage!
I'll hopefully be there in 2008, with a fiddler and a good guitar player, but this year it'll be Sidmouth which is on the same week.
Cheers
Ray

Subject: RE: Galax (Fiddler's Convention in Virginia)-comments?
From: Fortunato
Date: 01 Aug 07 - 09:38 AM

Susette and I are headed down to Galax on this Saturday, august 4th. We're always interested in meeting with new folks, mudcatters of course, so PM me if you're there and we'll reconnoiter ('hook up' in today's slang. If Will Key's old green school bus makes it up from Mt Airy, we'll be camped adjacent to that.

Here's a website for Will and some other friends.

turn off you television and come make some music

chance

Subject: RE: Galax (Fiddler's Convention in Virginia)-comments?
From: GUEST,fiddlin' fool
Date: 02 Aug 07 - 03:22 PM

I never miss Galax, and wouldn't for the whole world. If you haven't been, give it a try. Here are a few things worth knowing:

1. It's big.
2. It usually rains...a lot.
3. People stay up very late...and some of them drink...a lot.
4. It is very well policed...and the cops mean business. Still, you can have all the fun you can stand.
5. The music is abundant and generally very good. Some is as good as you will ever hear anywhere.
6. The best music isn't on the stage, but throughout the vast camping area.
7. I've been camping at Galax for over twenty years, and I only remember one instance that they flat sold out.
8. Some camp sites are better than others and most folks try to stay about the same place every year.
9. The ball field farthest from the stage is lighted all night...for good reason. It is the high ground, but it's also where most of the young locals stay and they enjoy it louder and later than some.
10. Great food both on the midway and in the camping area where grills and smokers abound.
11. Getting in on Sunday is a huge hassle, but part of the experience.
12. It ain't like it was in the early 70's, and that's both a blessing and a curse.

See ya' there!