Suwannee Springfest—Spirit of
Suwannee Music Park—Live Oak, FL—March 21-23, 2013
The sacred trees throughout The
Suwannee Music Park in Live Oak Florida seemed to be
awaiting the 17th annual Suwannee Springfest.
Mother Nature even tried to do her necessary work
around all the wonderful music that was to be played
over the spiritual weekend. Some of the world’s best
bluegrass musicians graced the stage, and we learned
that the music played outside of the schedule during
midnight campfire sessions can be just as powerful as
the festival’s scheduled acts. You’d be hard pressed to
find better hospitality and generosity at a festival
than by those that proudly weather whatever Mother
Nature has in store at Suwannee.
Suwannee Music Park is like Disney
World for adults. In today’s fast paced society it is
common to attract friends together by sending out text
messages or emails, but at Suwannee if you want people
to gather around all you have to do is build a great
fire. The venue has so much to offer it is hard to catch
all the music you want and check out all the grounds in
just one weekend. Once you attend Suwannee Springfest,
if you are like me, you will want to try and catch every
festival that takes place on the Suwannee Music Park
grounds.
Dangermuffin was the first
band I caught at Suwannee Springfest 2013. The Folly
Beach, North Carolina band has a strong stage presence
that is unmatched in today’s Americana bands. Lyrically
speaking they are helping carry the torch for the art of
songwriting in the scene today, with so much depth in
their lyrics. Their song “Walk into the Wind” is a great
example of their craft, with their song “Consumin’ Me”
showing their depth. Just when you thought their set
could not get any better, up walks Tony Furtado
with his banjo, assisting Dangermuffin in a most
astounding version of Grateful Dead’s “Franklin’s
Tower”. As if that was not enough Keller Williams
joined Dangermuffin a few songs after Tony left the
stage and had everyone who could hear the speakers
dancing ferociously to “Jump in the line (shake,
senora)”. Check out the interview I did with
Dangermuffin’s own Mike Sivilli in our interview
section.
Folks, I cannot express how much I
love the band Elephant Revival, and at Springfest
they did not disappoint. Elephant Revival is one of the
most talented and humble bands in the scene today. The
band showed appreciation for the response they received
after playing the Springfest of 2012, and the demand for
them to return in 2013. Jams Plus Media’s own Keith
Griner was lucky enough to interview the band; they were
nice enough to take time out of their busy weekend to
sit down with us. You can listen to this interview in
our interview section of the website. It was a treat to
catch them while they were on stage, and those who were
able to get to the venue in time to catch their evening
set Friday appeared to be as happy as a kid on
Christmas.
There is nothing that compares to
Vince Herman, and when you put him leading a
group of talented musicians that make up Leftover
Salmon it is a recipe for jubilee. Those in
attendance tried to match his energy and catchy wit, but
nobody holds a candle to Vince. Vince has an uncanny way
of showing off each band member’s best attribute, and
“Aquatic Hitchhiker” gave Andy Thorn a great
opportunity to not only get the crowd stomping their
feet but also a chance for him to shine Friday night.
Crowd interaction is encouraged during a Leftover Salmon
show and one cannot help but yell “FESTIVAL” at least
once before a Salmon set is over.
Friday’s set was a nice appetizer
for the Stanky Suwannee Jam that Leftover
Salmon held Saturday night. Four fiddles may seem
excessive but not when such wonderful musicians are
playing them. Members from Cornmeal, Elephant
Revival, Donna the Buffalo, and Darol Anger
joined the legendary Salmon for what was a special
stanky treat. The Stanky Jam helped show what the
weekend was all about, sharing their passion for music
with the masses and doing it with other musicians that
they would normally not be able to share a stage with.
Tony Furtado is the MacGyver
of banjo players, known to be able to turn common
objects into a banjo, and he and his band showed up at
Suwannee Springfest ready to showcase their talent. Tony
made those in the crowd feel like they have been friends
for years by interacting with them in between songs. It
was a bit chilly during Tony’s set but the “Peggy-O” he
covered by the Grateful Dead had everyone who knew the
words singing along and huddled up tight with their
close ones. Tony’s rich history in bluegrass can been
heard and seen while he is performing; if you have not
had a chance please look him up soon.
Keller Williams is known as
a one man band, but when the husband and wife power duo
Larry and Jenny Keel join forces with Keller it
is pure bliss. Keller and the Keels have a lot of
fun when they are on stage together and that flows into
the audience; one cannot help but smile and frolic
around when they are playing. Keller and the Keels had
their own all-star jam with the Travelin’ McCourys
and the great Peter Rowan making appearances on
stage. Keller seemed to be having a ball during the jam
covering Cracker’s song “Teen Angst”.
Cornmeal has spent since
last October rearranging their lineup without
rearranging their dominance. At Springfest they showed
up doing what they do best, setting the energy to high
and breaking off a bit of Cornmeal to everyone in
attendance. I was lucky enough to talk to Chris Gangi
and Wavy Dave Burlingame from Cormeal, and they
were excited how fast the newbies, guitarist Scott
Tipping and drummer Drew Littell, had picked
up the great material Cormeal has created over the
thirteen years of their existence. Whether you are an
old fan or have yet to hear Cornmeal, embrace change or
accept growth, and enjoy the gift that is Cornmeal.
The Travelin’ McCourys
always bring a sense of class and old time style to the
stage. I’ve had the pleasure of meeting the guys before
and know they are as genuine on stage as they are off.
The McCourys are a true gem and the beauty of
Springfest is that many of the performers you want to
see will be on the schedule more than once, with many of
them making unannounced appearances during the weekend
as well. The majestic Peter Rowan coming on stage to
join them made it a special treat for their Friday late
night set.
Bluegrass just cannot grow without
a little rain, and at this year’s Suwannee Springfest,
Mother Nature was nice enough to hold off until Saturday
to do her duty. Though the rain came down fast and
heavy, by mid-afternoon it had passed and the only real
casualty was the Meadow Stage being shut down due to
technical difficulties. Keith Griner and I spent the
greater part of the afternoon backstage interviewing
Dangermuffin, Elephant Revival, and Cornmeal.
We cannot thank these bands enough for taking time out
of their schedule to chat with us.
Sol Driven Train was a band
I caught after the Saturday interview sessions that I
had never heard of, but was so glad I stumbled upon
them. Their fun lyrics and catchy tunes have you wanting
to share in the groove with everyone around you. Their
song “Long Johns” put smiles on all the children’s faces
and their cover of “Waterfalls” is still stuck in my
head days after hearing it. I had so much fun in the
Suwannee Music Hall during their performance and find
myself telling folks back home that they need to check
out this fun loving, energetic band. Their website
soldriventrain.com is a great way to be introduced to
the band if they do not tour around your way, yet!
The rain that took place during the
day made it great for foot stomping mud action by
nightfall, and partway into their set Mother Nature
poked her beautiful head out and matched Old Crow
Medicine Show’s energy by bringing more rain.
Everyone on and off stage seemed to relish in the rain,
which gave Old Crow an extra topic or two for their
spontaneous stage banter. I love their song “I hear them
all” and when they broke into the Woody Guthrie treat
“This Land is Your land” during the middle, it made for
a truly special treat. Bluegrass fans are seriously some
of the most dedicated fans on the planet and with the
rain that took place during Old Crow, it proved this
fact once again. Tom Petty’s “American Girl” being
covered during the latter part of their Saturday night
set was the icing on one of the best cakes of the
weekend.
Tornado Rider is a trip to
say the least. The band has ages 4 to 74 cavorting
around as if the energy is being shared by everyone. I
felt fortunate to finally catch Tornado Rider and see
what all the hype was about. The band is doing something
that has never been captured before and their unique
stage show, I dare say theatrical stage show, should be
witnessed by all. Tornado brings song, poetry, drama,
and charisma all wrapped up in one. Check out Tornado
Rider on the social networks and find some videos on
your favorite sites.
If you make it to Suwannee
Springfest, make plans to attend at least one night in
Slopryland. The motto in Slopryland is “Somebody wrote
it right, welcome to the club, we play it wrong”.
Musicians from your favorite bands can be seen shoulder
to shoulder around the fire playing with fans who
brought their instruments from home; for me Slopryland
is what it’s all about. It was an honor to be part of
the magic each night til sun up, watching everyone have
so much fun; whether you were playing or simply just a
spectator, joy filled the air and kindness could be seen
everywhere.
Sunday is always bittersweet at a
music festival, but at Springfest they know how to go
out in style. Mamajowali started off my Sunday
right, throwing African sounds and spirits with improv
and jazz. It was such a delight to hear their Sunday
gospel that lifted the soul. Jim Lauderdale who
followed Mamajowali in the music hall always dresses to
impress, and he made sure to wear his Sunday best.
Wearing a purple suit, he brought his sense of class and
timeless touch to those who caught his set. The music
hall was really the only place promoting the website
www.musicliveshere.com, check out Suwanee’s website
and their social networking pages as well.
Peter Rowan is a living
angel, and his Sunday set was tagged “Peter Rowan and
friends” building up anticipation to see who would jump
at the chance to play with their idol. Though Peter
could be seen jumping on stage with many of the acts
throughout the entire weekend, the sense that the stage
was “his” Sunday afternoon made it a magical
affair. Darol Anger , Jeb Puryear, Jerry Douglas, Jim
Lauderdale, Bonnie Page, and Bridget Law
joined Peter for classics like “Rain Maker” and “Sit
alone in the Moonlight”. It was such a treat to finally
see Peter Rowan perform.
Donna the Buffalo is a great
way to end the official Suwannee Springfest schedule.
The kid in everyone comes out once the Buffalo’s start
playing on stage. Though they only have one drummer
everyone dances to the beat of their own drummer and it
is truly a joyous occasion. Jeb Puryear’s voice
makes every song seem like he is preaching the most
heavenly of gospels. His messages in the songs he sings
carry with you after their set is over and you cannot
help but get caught up in the emotions being portrayed
through the speakers. Donna the Buffalo’s spirit is a
true testament to what the Spirit of Suwannee Music Park
is all about.
Sunday night when all the stages
are bare, and their lights are off, everyone who is left
in the park gathers in Hopsville. Ten beer taps are
connected on a trailer and given out free to the masses
still in attendance. All the remaining musicians, from
Jim Lauderdale and Peter Rowan to those who could be
seen in Slopryland, could be found around the fire in
Hopsville having fun one last time before sun up. I
cannot think of a better way to end a spectacular
festival such as Suwannee Springfest other than what
takes place on the last night in Hopsville. I feel
honored to have had the opportunity I was given and
encourage all my readers to attend Suwannee Springfest
2014; I seriously hope to be able to make it down in
2014.
Written By: Tyler Muir
Photos By Keith Griner
Full Photo Gallery
HERE
Edited By: Rosemary A.W. Roberts
