Hi, folks,

We are back from the weekend & have taken the festival "stuff" back to Sandy & Caroline, after Duane D. manned the Folk Legacy booth & I assisted. Many thanks to all who stopped by the booth to chat, to buy, & to send messages of love & support to the Patons. I was so happy to reconnect with friends & to bask in the music after a hard year at school! I only took part in a few sessions, but they were great--2 Sacred Harp sings, Gospel & Hymn Sing, Crazy Love, & How's the Weather. It was great to see Christine Lavin, after following her early career; she's still very funny! Cindy Mangsen & Steve Gillette obviously enjoyed sharing the stage with Lou & Peter Berryman--honoring them twice by singing their songs--"Double Yodel" & "Odd Man Out." Lou & Peter make no bones about using lyrics when they perform & they were quite impressed to see that Cindy & Peter had memorized the lyrics. When they asked them how they had accomplished that feat, Cindy replied that they sing the songs, again & again, while driving through Kansas (I think, or was it Iowa?). It was great to see Tony Barrand performing with John Roberts again, although I love to see John on his own, too. In the Gospel & Hymn Sing, Lea Gilmore was amazing & Josh White, Jr. was wonderful! Although I love Matt Wojcik, it was great to have Peter Amidon back, leading the shape note singing. Galitcha was a different expression in the Gospel & Hymn Sing session, but their music was great & their lead singer has a wonderful voice. They, also, made a point of doing a song on which the audience could sing along. There is nothing like the sound of Old Songs spontaneous harmony singing; it does my soul good every time! Duane & I are headed off, in a couple of days, to a new experience--the Swannanoa Gathering's Traditional Songs Week in North Carolina. I'll be sitting at the feet of Sheila Kay Adams for traditional ballad singing & storytelling. Can't wait!

love,

Barbara