BS: Livin' on Winfield Time...

Subject: Livin' on Winfield Time...
From: Lin in Kansas
Date: 18 Sep 00 - 09:54 PM

Back from the Walnut Valley Festival in Winfield, KS, and finding it VERY hard to get off Winfield time--up til 3 or 4 in the morning, listening to and participating in some great campfire picking/singing/camaraderie, and awake at 7 or 8 to do it all over again. Only place I know of to spend days and nights with no concern but music--no TV, no telephone, no worries...

We had a blast, and met some terrific Mudcatters. Gary T and his wife hosted a darn good jam on Friday, lots of pickers. Gary, you have a gorgeous voice! The Scamp Camp's reputation for good jammin' spread from the Walnut Grove to the Pecan Grove (good stuff, Bill!). Had a quick chat with Sorcha and crew under the grandstands. Heard a new old song to learn all the verses to (thanks, Gary!).

As always at Winfield, we met new neighbors, camped with old friends, and hugged people we only get to see once a year. Reality? Don't bug me with that for at least a week--I'm still livin' on Winfield time!

Hey, you guys! See ya there next year?

Lin

Subject: RE: BS: Livin' on Winfield Time...
From: Gary T
Date: 18 Sep 00 - 11:39 PM

Thanks for the kind words, Lin. It was a delight to meet you and John, as well as Sorcha and family (Brian, Kate, & Luke), BK, Banjobenny, Smokey, and anyone else whose name slips my not-quite-up-to-speed-yet mind. We've had the pleasure of knowing and playing with Bill (Wlisk) and Deanna--Scamp Camp--for a few years now, and it was great as usual. Enjoyed visiting and sharing music with all of you. Sorry I never did find Lori, now we have to go next year to try again! (BG)

The festival was splendid. The "sweetheart of the weekend" was Tommy Emmanuel, whose guitar playing was literally incredible--I saw it, I heard it, and I still don't believe it. A close second (and most years there's one or none) for the "SOTW" prize was the Krueger Brothers, featuring the most fanstastic banjo playing I've ever heard with the possible exception of Bela Fleck. While the majority of the performers are Americans, Tommy is from Australia and the Kruegers from Switzerland, giving our friends overseas something to take pride in.

I had a BLAST! Looking forward to next year. 360 days to go, and counting.

Subject: RE: BS: Livin' on Winfield Time...
From: BK
Date: 19 Sep 00 - 12:02 AM

Ditto for sweetie 'n me. Winfield really lives up to it's superb reputation. Now gotta plot for next year...

Cheers, 'n thanx to Gary T for the encouragement to try it. BK (Buzz)

Subject: RE: BS: Livin' on Winfield Time...
From: GUEST,leeneia
Date: 19 Sep 00 - 12:08 AM

Lin in Kansas said something like "Reality? Don't bug me..." But surely Winfield is one avatar of reality. You were really there, weren't you?

Does something have to be bad or earnest to count as reality nowadays?

Subject: RE: BS: Livin' on Winfield Time...
From: wlisk
Date: 19 Sep 00 - 09:46 AM

Once again this was the best. What a great year at Winfield. Music, music, music and great friends. Thanks to all for coming by. Bill & Deanna (Scamp Camp)

Subject: RE: BS: Livin' on Winfield Time...
From: Lin in Kansas
Date: 19 Sep 00 - 05:12 PM

Guest, Leeneia--sure, Winfield is reality, but there's more than a touch of magic there, too... something "everyday" reality can be short on at times. 17,000 friendly people--hard to find that many other places!

Bill & Deanna, you guys made great music. Glad we got to hear some of it. I really like that: "once again, this was the best." AND this was the first year since I started going that we didn't get flooded! (Silver linings....)

BK, I'm sorry I missed meeting you, but I'm so glad you made it. Hope you had lots of fun!

Well, the stuff's all out of the fridge and coolers, the laundry's done, and the instruments are set up in the music room again (sigh). Only 359 days left!

Lin (and John)

Subject: RE: BS: Livin' on Winfield Time...
From: Bill D
Date: 19 Sep 00 - 05:19 PM

I gotta get out there again sometime..*sigh*..(the first year, there were 'maybe' 3000 folks there...I had weekend ticket #1100 or so...LOTS of room...)2nd year it doubled...now you need to reserve early!

Subject: RE: BS: Livin' on Winfield Time...
From: Sorcha
Date: 19 Sep 00 - 05:49 PM

We're home, and I think I am still alive. Not too sure my feet will survive though. We had a wonderful time again, but I sure wish I could get my kids rousted out and to the grounds before 11AM.......
We had a great time down at GaryT's place, thanks, Gary for the hospitality. We did go by Scamp Camp Saturday nite, and used the canopy, but nobody was home that early. Honey started turning into a pumpkin just before midnight, so we didn't wait on Bill and D. Sorry we missed you, maybe next year.

My biggest disapointment was Cherish the Ladies. I have heard wonderful recordings and was really looking forward to hearing them live. They seemed to spend every set playing with the sound for 40 minutes (out of a 45 min set), and then the mix was not right, and waaay too loud. Oh well.

Was good to meet all of you, and play some tunes. See ya next year.

Subject: RE: BS: Livin' on Winfield Time...
From: Lor
Date: 19 Sep 00 - 10:08 PM

Back from a whirlwind few days at the Walnut Valley Fest... would have loved to meet up with those of you who were there, but I didn't get in until about 10 pm on Thursday so I missed the 5 o'clock meeting. Then I seemed to be stuck on "Walnut Valley time" and didn't get around to scouting anyone out.

Tommy Emmanuel was awesome!!!! I hope his dynamic playing shines through on his new ONLY cd. Somehow, my cd got stuck in my friends luggage -- mmmmmm a bit suspicious.... I also got one of Todd Hallowell's cd's (he played with Tommy on stage 5 Saturday nite), and am enjoying it.

Yes, I too, noticed the sound system was not up to par. One of the most noticable examples to me was during the Nickel Creek performance on stage two (the grassy knoll).

Besides that & the dust, everything was great. Hey.... did anyone notice the hoola-hoop guy during one of Tommy's performances on stage one????? Oh MY!!!!!

Next year will be an especially exciting festival, the 30th Annual!

~lor

Subject: RE: BS: Livin' on Winfield Time...
From: Ely
Date: 20 Sep 00 - 04:08 PM

I heard from mom that our friend Lloyd won the lap dulcimer championship.

I definitely have to find my way out there some year.