Clifftop Appalachian Music Festival 2010

Subject: RE: Clifftop Appalachian Music Festival 2010
From: MissouriMud
Date: 09 Aug 10 - 11:53 AM

We got there late on Tuesday (the day before the official festival starts) and could hardly find a place to camp in the regular areas - ended up way up the hill to the left (as you approach) by the water tower while all of our friends who had sent emissaries to save places the prior week were down the hill to the right.   At night we got lost trying to wander around down below so we mostly stayed up at our end after the evening contests. It was a slightly older and less rowdy crowd up there, but still plenty active. The playing up there stopped around 2am most nights - I understand that down in the "swamp" it went on until 5 or 6 in the mornings (as a result of which some of our friends slept through contest registration).

We didnt have problems with snakes or racoons in our area. Someone did see a bear shaped rock, or rock shaped bear (they werent sure which)while hiking down by the waterfall. We werent near any garbage cans and tried to keep things pretty secure and tidy, and the fiddle tunes pretty well blocked out the coyote howls.   I ended up using ear plugs to go to sleep early on the last night, which I recommend to anyone that actually wants to try to sleep particularly with a long drive ahead the next day.   

It was a good time - next year we'll try to get a spot down lower - I may have to wear the ear plugs more if I want to sleep.

Subject: RE: Clifftop Appalachian Music Festival 2010
From: Martha Burns
Date: 09 Aug 10 - 11:50 AM

Banjo Ray, I enjoyed meeting you there. Kept on running into the Australian guy after that, and thinking he was you. (He wasn't.) Wondered where you went to!
Martha

Subject: RE: Clifftop Appalachian Music Festival 2010
From: Janie
Date: 08 Aug 10 - 11:00 PM

Talked to Annie this evening, and she was still glowing from the fun of playing music and reconnecting with folks from a bunch of different places, but especially with our old pals and gals from Charleston, Green Creek and Morgantown. Said she fiddled, fiddled, then fiddled some more. She commented on wonderful dulcimer playing and singing in which Russ was involved. She also mentioned encountering a rattlesnake, racoons panting to get at trash if the people would just go to bed, and coyotes howling in the distance. Said it was chilly enough the last night or so for there to be propane heaters going in a place or two.

Subject: RE: Clifftop Appalachian Music Festival 2010
From: MissouriMud
Date: 08 Aug 10 - 10:56 PM

Well I met BanjoRay at the Festival - turns out I camped right next to him totally by accident (out of about 3,000 people there). Asked him if he knew a banjo playing Englishman; he said he was a banjo playing Englishman; so I asked if he was BanjoRay and he said yes - it was easy!   We camped next to each other for five nights, jammed and had a great time.   Ray and his mates entered the trad band contest as the Red Coat Ramblers and tied us for 7th place - well ... us and 29 other groups, since they only announced the top 6.   If I can figure out a way to get the few photos I took posted I will.   

Didnt run into sister Annie that I know of - there were quite a few gals with fiddle, guitar and bass. She may have been down with the rowdy crowd at the bottom of the hill! Maybe next year.

It was a good festival but it seemed to be best if you already knew a bunch of people there. Some of the jams were a bit closed to strangers - although you could always find someone to play with.   The contests were great - some fantastic talent and groups including some of the real old timers several of whom acquitted themselves very well.

Russ - I agree about it being the best Clifftop ever, but it was my first.

Subject: RE: Clifftop Appalachian Music Festival 2010
From: GUEST,Russ
Date: 08 Aug 10 - 10:50 PM

Best clifftop ever.

But I say that every year.

Russ (Permanent GUEST)

Subject: RE: Clifftop Appalachian Music Festival 2010
From: Janie
Date: 22 Jul 10 - 11:10 PM

Sister Annie will be there. Look for gal with the fiddle, guitar and bass:^)

Subject: RE: Clifftop Appalachian Music Festival 2010
From: Fortunato
Date: 22 Jul 10 - 11:48 AM

NickP the following year then, very good. 2012.

Ray's at Swannanoa, Janie, don't know if he'll have time come up to the mountain, and we're not going to Clifftop this year, perhaps next, so we may not see him this trip.

Subject: RE: Clifftop Appalachian Music Festival 2010
From: nickp
Date: 22 Jul 10 - 07:27 AM

I think he's at Swannanoa

Subject: RE: Clifftop Appalachian Music Festival 2010
From: Janie
Date: 22 Jul 10 - 04:56 AM

Where in NC, Ray?

Subject: RE: Clifftop Appalachian Music Festival 2010
From: GUEST,BanjoRay
Date: 21 Jul 10 - 11:26 PM

Yes, I'll be there. I was also there in 2008 - I'm the guy with the camera in TopCatBanjo's link at 21-40 or thereabouts.
Cheers
Ray (in North Carolina at the moment)

Subject: RE: Clifftop Appalachian Music Festival 2010
From: nickp
Date: 21 Jul 10 - 06:43 AM

And in line with the original question, I know BanjoRay is going.

Subject: RE: Clifftop Appalachian Music Festival 2010
From: nickp
Date: 21 Jul 10 - 06:42 AM

Hey Chance, thanks for the offer. Next year is very unlikely but maybe the year after...
Nick

Subject: RE: Clifftop Appalachian Music Festival 2010
From: TopcatBanjo
Date: 20 Jul 10 - 08:48 AM

I'd love to make it over the pond to this event one day, even though I'm a bluegrass rather than old-time player.
Here's a great half hour documentary on Youtube:

Clifftop clicky

Subject: RE: Clifftop Appalachian Music Festival 2010
From: Fortunato
Date: 20 Jul 10 - 07:09 AM

next year. NickP I'll bring the big tent if you and C come over and you can come visit us.

Subject: RE: Clifftop Appalachian Music Festival 2010
From: nickp
Date: 20 Jul 10 - 04:04 AM

Not this year, sadly.

Subject: RE: Clifftop Appalachian Music Festival 2010
From: GUEST,Russ
Date: 19 Jul 10 - 11:12 PM

I'll be there.

Russ (Permanent GUEST)

Subject: RE: Clifftop Appalachian Music Festival 2010
From: GUEST,masha
Date: 19 Jul 10 - 10:49 PM

We'll be there... somewhere!

Subject: RE: Clifftop Appalachian Music Festival 2010
From: maeve
Date: 19 Jul 10 - 04:49 PM

Looks like a fun gathering. Here's more information: http://www.wvculture.org/stringband/

Subject: Clifftop Appalachian Music Festival 2010
From: MissouriMud
Date: 19 Jul 10 - 04:46 PM

I've finally arranged to go to the Clifftop WV festival this year (Aug 4-7) - several of my group from St Louis will be there.   Just wondering if any other Catters are going.