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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