Brief report on the 2015 Old Songs Fest in Altamont, New York, USA. Other than the weather, which was cool & rainy, it was a great weekend! Wonderful performers & the usual chance to catch up with old friends! A couple of items of bad news--If I got it correct, John Roberts wasn't able to come because he broke his hip. Peter Amidon was ill & also was unable to come. A few of the regulars were not there, as far as I know: animaterra, Jeri, kendall & jacqui, the chucks. You were missed!

Folks I did see: Caroline Paton & Duane D. at Folk Legacy, Dave Ruch, dick greenhaus & Susan of DT, Jeff Davis, Reggie Harris, Charlie Baum, Joy Bennett & Chris Koldewey, hollowfox, & Don Meixner.

Of the performances, I particularly enjoyed:
the shape note singing with Stefan Amidon
the gospel sing with Sheila Kay Adams, Mary Alice & Stefan Amidon, Ken Whiteley, & Brother Sun
the blues session w/ Martin Grosswendt, Ken Whiteley, Andrew & Noah VanNorstrand, & Joel Mabus
"Songs that Pete Wrote" w/ Matt Watroba, Magpie, Greg Greenway, & Todd Crowley

I was sorry to miss hearing Brian Peters, but I followed Sheila Kay Adams all weekend, from a workshop on singing w/ banjo to "Where Folk meets Mountain" w/ Matt Watroba to "Family Stories" w/ Joe Bruchac to the gospel sing to "Poetry to Song" w/ Murray Callahan, Ellis, & a sweet woman who subbed for Anne Hills, who was, also, unable to attend.

My last session was sitting by Sheila Kay, singing along w/ Matt Watroba in "Let's All Sing Together." What a great way to end a great weekend!

Best,
bbc