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Bluegrassin' in the Foothills!
By Eva Dunn

On a picture perfect summer day in September, my husband Tim and I attended our first bluegrass festival in Plymouth as guests of Larry Baker. Held at the Amador County fairgrounds, the 6th Annual Bluegrass Music Festival, a three-day event, brought Bluegrass aficionados from all around the country for some great jamming.

Larry and Sondra Baker are at the heart of coordinating these wonderful events, bringing out-standing, powerful line-ups, indeed, world-class bands, to the bluegrass circuit. The Plymouth festival has become a fan favorite to wrap up the summer festival season. Band performances were from 10am to 10pm for three days. Wow! We could hear the music as we worked our way through the crowds of people. It was happy, toe-tapping music, with banjos, guitars, and fiddles just jamming. Such energy! The crowd was loving it, sitting in their lo-back chairs on the green grass audience area, hands clapping, and feet keeping time to the infectious music. New Found Road was a group performing when we arrived, singing "Lord, I can't make it without you". What a perfect Saturday afternoon.

It was wonderful and as I gazed out at the crowd, a simply perfect blue sky dotted with white clouds overhead, the band did Rock of Ages. I tell you, this was dynamic. Don Rigsby, a crown favorite, was late flying in from Kentucky for this event. When he finally did arrive, he and the band began "Lord have Mercy", then "Moonshine Man". The people loved it! His songs were simple, heartfelt with powerful meaning that touched hearts. This was the way church used to be in the mountains; simple and pure, and oh, so powerful.

As people enjoyed the music of Michael Cleveland and the Flamekeepers, we noticed these great looking hot dogs and went in search of. We found all- beef dogs and huge Polish dogs at Franz & Cyndi's food stand. They were selling them 'naked' or 'dressed'. Cyndi hailed from Missouri and had been working this stand for six years. Franz had worked it since the 90's, making the rounds of the Blue-grass circuit from Sacramento to Grass Valley. Friendly and fun, they told us "if you take a bite and don't like it, bring it back and we'll eat it!" Theirs was understandably a popular stand.

There was lemonade, root beer floats and great food stands. The music was fun, enjoyed by people walking their dogs, taking a break from their RV's, enjoying their lunch, or just visiting with new friends or old friends, part of the Bluegrass circuit. RV's were parked side by side in mobile communities on the grounds. There was a Kid's on Stage Performance and many other family oriented activities throughout the weekend run. It was a casual atmosphere with the most friendly people I have ever encountered.

Shopping was fun at the various vendors, and I met Terri Strunck from Murphys. She was selling beautiful glass jewelry, hand crafted in her home. We will carry her story in a future issue of the Gold Country Times.

The picking and the melodious tunes from guitars, banjos, and fiddles was so wonderful to listen to. There were various music classes held throughout both days, dancing in the evening, and good food all day long. To top it off, a car show highlighted some real beauties. We marveled at the perfect 1926 Ford, a 'Tall T'. Owners Bob & Linda Mathews of Fair Oaks won best of show.

There were cruisers like a burgundy '57 Chevy owned by Gary and Susan Hunter that took second place, and a '34 Chevy that took 3rd place. A '64 Corvair Spider, a '30 Ford, candy apple red with its original engine. Gail and Brian Pysell were proud of their '50 Ford, a 2-door sedan in hot red. Twenty years ago they bought this car in Pleasanton for $6500. What a beauty.

We had a great time, and enjoyed Bluegrass music! We could have stayed with the crowd all day, lazily enjoying the star-filled sky in the evening. Bluegrass rocks! Serious fun! Great to finally meet you, Larry.

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