The Santa Fe Trails bluegrass festival in Kansas City this weekend was just superb. GaryT told me about it and I met him and his wife KarenT (for Ta-DAH!!!) there. I only went on Saturday, but had a great time. This is only the festival's fourth year, but it's definitely one to put on the calendar for next year. About 12,000 people attended, I think.

My favorite performer was Stephen Bennett, who played a gorgeous National Steel and a harp guitar, among other instruments, and had a delicious voice. The absolute best concert was Saturday evening's offering by the Bluegrass Sessions: Bela Fleck, banjo; Sam Bush,mandolin; Jerry Douglas, dobro; Stuart Duncan, fiddle, mandolin, guitar; Bryan Sutton, guitar; and Mark Schatz on bass. Sort of an all-star lineup. They absolutely tore it up and were just a joy to watch and hear.

Gary T. went to some other performances and will probably share some of his impressions with you when he recovers from four days in the Kansas City sun, but this is definitely a worthwhile festival and it'd be great fun to have a big Mudcat contingent next year. So y'all come on down -- or up -- or over. WhatEVer ...

ww