MagnoliaFest-- Spirit of Suwannee Music Park--Live Oak,
FL--October 18-21, 2012
The Spirit of Suwannee Music Park (SOSMP)
continues bringing smiles to the masses, hosting the
annual MagnoliaFest for the 16th year. As a Florida
native and neighbor to Live Oak, I have attended many
festivals at SOSMP and have always been particularly
fond of MagnoliaFest. SOSMP has set the bar high as a
shining example of what a festival should be. Hosting
several annual festivals a year, with consistent quality
performances integrated in the line-up, and possibly the
most accommodating atmosphere on the scene, SOSMP caters
to a wide range of festival goers. SOSMP is notorious
for a handful of festivals held throughout the year,
varying in several musical demographics. Many festival
goers from all around have heard of or attended some of
the bigger ones such as Wanee Festival or the upcoming
Bear Creek Music and Arts Festival; but MagnoliaFest has
seemed to slip beneath most fans’ radar, until this
year.
MagnoliaFest has typically been
billed as a bluegrass festival with a few overlapping
performances in analogous genres. It seems the success
of some of the other festivals has grabbed the attention
of fans all over, inviting them to share in the “Spirit”
of Suwanee. This year MagnoliaFest billed some very
promising acts including Bonnie Raitt, Mickey Hart
Band, The Jimmy Herring Band, JJ Grey and Mofro, and
many others. I have always held MagnoliaFest in high
regard due to the quality of musicians, annual timing
and the traditional family atmosphere that can be
described as the “Spirit” which the park and its
inhabitants hold so very dear.
The artists invited to MagnoliaFest
this year were some of the best I have seen thus far,
and their performances were nothing short of
spectacular. The festival began on Thursday as usual,
with a progressive start and late night lineup. This
Thursday night was exceptional and really kick-started
the whole weekend. It was unfortunate that a large
number of attendees didn’t arrive until Friday, missing
out on 2 very outstanding performances by Mickey Hart
Band and Anders Osborne. Mickey Hart
delivered his typical set highlighted by some of his new
originals. He mixed some new tunes such as “Supersonic”,
“Let there be light” and “Who stole the show”; accented
by some good ole’ classic Grateful Dead, performing a
spaced out version of “Samson and Delilah” and “I know
you rider”. I was instantly gratified with the start of
the festival and pleasantly surprised by the following
set, played by Anders Osborne. Previously, I had not had
the pleasure of seeing his show live and was forewarned
that he was not to miss. I strongly recommend following
this same advice. He was absolutely amazing, playing his
own flavorful version of Bob Marley’s “Could you be
loved”, adding his New Orleans funk to the classic
reggae tune. He then encored with his original track and
new addition to my personal library, “On the road to
Charlie Parker”. The first night set a strong pace that
was spaciously maintained the entire weekend.
The second day was filled with a
more laid back schedule, but nonetheless, entertaining.
Friday was filled with more of the traditional bluegrass
artists. Some fans were just arriving and fortunately
for them, the performances were just as strong as the
night before. It was as though the schedule had been
planned out, allowing rest for those who arrived early,
but still delivering bands that rocked the whole place.
It started strong with bands like Cope, The Corbitt
Brothers and Flannel Church. Flannel Church
treated the crowd with their typical performance, but
stepping it up a notch. I have seen them 6 times this
year, but only three times with the original trio. With
Duane Trucks kicking it on drums, Kevin Scott dropping
bass bombs and Greg Hodges playing a mean guitar; the
trio has always rocked my socks off and this time was
even better. At Magfest, they had a new member I had not
seen before, Marshall Ruffin; adding a little icing on
an already well baked cake. They have always been great
at allowing other musicians to share the stage and it
seems as if Marshall will be joining the gang for a
while. Integrating gospel songs into their hard hitting
rock and roll set, it sounds like they are progressively
perfecting their own unique and savory style. Meanwhile,
Flannel Church band mates mentor, Colonel Bruce
Hampton wasn’t too far away, as he played on the
main stage later that day. He was billed, along with
several other bands, to play twice.
This seems to be a growing trend
and it is comforting, as it allows you to get the rest
needed at these long events and still get the
opportunity to see your favorite bands. I have always
been fond of the “Allgood” or “Jomeokee” structure, with
no overlapping sets. This structure provides the same
solution, presented in a different manner. Grandpa’s
Cough Medicine was alongside of Col. Bruce and both
had been selected for 2 sets on separate days. The
stages aren’t very far apart, so it wasn’t difficult to
hop between the 2, but knowing there was to be another
set the next day was certainly refreshing. I chose
Grandpa’s Cough Medicine on Friday as I am partial to
the Amphitheatre stage and all of its luxuries.
Beautiful acoustics and scenery, laying in a hammock
only a short distance from the stage, makes it easy to
want to lie at that stage all day. It was a good choice
as Grandpa’s Cough Medicine played one of my favorite
original tracks, “Beer Truck Drivin’ Man”. Other Friday
highlights included a relaxing, but comfortably soothing
set by Emmy-Lou Harris Band in which she did a
fantastic cover of Al Green’s “Love and Happiness”. The
Chris Robinson Brotherhood started later in the
evening and ignited the crowd like the start of a muscle
car engine firing up. It had been a relaxing and
lethargic day, but the mood was soon to change and was
now more apparent than ever. It was time to party, as it
seemed the entire campground had now come out to play.
After Chris Robinson, was a well-placed, bluegrass
themed Jam Session. The “Jam” set consisted mainly of
members of The Travelin McCoury’s, Emmy-Lou Harris
Band, Grandpa’s Cough Medicine, Rev. Jeff Mosier and
Rushad Eggelsten, the player from Tornado Rider.
Reverend Jeff Mosier was a handful and highlighted the
set. There were so many talented musicians on stage and
these “Jam” sets are proving to be one festival trend
that I am growing quite fond of. Watching Rushad
bouncing his bow off his cello, dueling between the
precise and drawn out riffs of Jason Carter on the
fiddle; this was an alternative pleasantry compared to
the typical “pick” battle of 2 dueling guitarists. I
love guest “sit-ins” and they are subjectively my
favorite aspect of festivals. These “Jam” sets allow for
all the musicians to sit in with each other and cut free
from band responsibilities like promotion and rigid
structure, and allow them the freedom to do what they do
best....Jam!
Saturday promised another Jam
session late at night, but beforehand there were still
several bands I was eager to see or had previously
skipped. The docket was filled with legendary local
favorites like Bonnie Raitt and JJ grey,
who come to SOSMP often. The day was also full of
smaller acts, or at least billed as such, but
nonetheless just as enriching and entertaining as the
others. People flocked to the main stage as JJ played
some old favorites like “Ho Cake” and “Brighter Days”
and later, the same for Bonnie. Not to my dislike or
surprise, but some of the smaller stages held some of
the best acts for the day, including some of Bonnie’s
old friends from Little Feat, Fred Tackett and Paul
Barrere. Paul and Fred played on the Amphitheatre
stage and pleased with the crowd with old favorites like
“Sailin Shoes”, “Rocket in my pocket”, and “Willin”.
They had the whole crowd singing along with them, to the
tune of “Don’t bogart that joint” which was pleasing to
see the crowd so enthusiastically involved early in the
day. Between them and the Col. Bruce show, it would
prove to be a quick start to a long night. Possibly one
of my all-time single favorite moments at Suwannee
happened about halfway through Col. Bruce’s
second show, but my first for the weekend. He had
already played one of my favorite covers, Howlin’ Wolfs’
“Spoonful”, and then busted out a couple of my personal
Colonel favorites. He brought Paul Barrere out and
played one of his originals “Basically Frightened” and
then played an old Bukka White tune and jamband staple,
“Fixin’ to die”. I have had the pleasure of hearing
several artists play this particular cover and have
always enjoyed the Colonel’s version. This time it was
extra special as master slide guitarist AJ Ghent,
had acquired a cigar box guitar from Cigar Box Music
and was accompanied by Paul Barrere on his slide guitar,
wrapping it up in one big and variably pleasing wrapper.
I got to play around with one of these cigar box
guitars, thinking I had figured it out; but I was
instantly humbled watching AJ Ghent shred it up,
standing next to Paul Barrere and Col. Bruce, jamming on
their perspective guitars. After both of these shows, it
was the Bonnie Raitt show providing a comfortable segue
into The Jimmy Herring Band and later into the
“Jam” set. Jimmy covered Led Zeppelin’s “Since I’ve been
loving You” and then a Beatles cover with “A day in the
life”; personally adding another great show by Jimmy and
his band to my list. The following “Jam” set concluded
Saturday night and the festival for many of the
attendees. The stage was once again filled with various
musicians ranging from all sorts of bands, such as the
New Orleans Suspects, Cope and Little
Feat. It came as no surprise, as Fred Tackett and
Paul Barrere stole the show. Little Feat’s music has
inspired numerous bands to cover their original songs;
and hearing so many wonderful musicians like Juanja
from Cope and Jeff Watkins of the New
Orleans Suspects, backing Fred and Paul on
songs like “Spanish Moon” and “Down on the farm” with
marvelous horn instrumentals, was an undeniable and
exceptional treat. That is the beauty of the “Jam” set;
questionably deciphering whether or not to chalk these
tunes as covers or originals, or just to write them up
as they were... veritable and impromptu musical moments
never to be repeated. The spirit it brings is something
indescribable; something that may only be experienced,
yet, permanently written in your mind forever.
The festival rolled along until
Sunday with an amazing gospel set by The Lee Boys
and later a memorable performance by local favorites
Tornado Rider. MagnoliaFest, along with many other
festivals thrown by SOSMP, has always had a very well
planned arrival and departure schedule. From Thursday
until Sunday, the music plays on, but allows fans the
opportunity to comfortably set up their camping
equipment and break it down with little stress on time
or worry about missing your favorite bands. The park has
a very mischievous and delightful way of making you feel
like you don’t want to leave; or at least that you may
come back in the same stride and fashion, picking up
right where you left off. Instead of anxiously waiting
in traffic, SOSMP has always allowed festival goers the
opportunity to progressively start and finish their
weekend. The nature and beauty the park inhabits is
nothing short of spiritual. The friendly people and
quality of music seem as an added bonus to the spirit,
naturally dwelling in Live Oak. I am so very grateful
the SOSMP is so close. When I travel, it seems as if I
encounter so many other festival venues attempting to
create that which has remained in my backyard in what is
to be described as “The Spirit of Suwannee”; leaving me
questioning why I ever left, and when is the next time I
get to come back.
Written and Photos By: Joey A. Pye
Edited By: Rosemary A.W. Roberts
