Published: May 15, 2008 10:27 am            

Bluegress Festival June 6

By Sean Bailey / Staff Writer

Aaron Hamblin has deep roots in bluegrass and he wants everyone to know that Whitley County and the surrounding area’s bluegrass roots are just as deep.

“You can go from here to the five counties that surround us and pick some of the best musicians that I’ve ever heard in my lifetime,” Hamblin said. “We are right in the middle of some of the best talent.”

Hamblin is one of the organizers of the Sally Gap Bluegrass Festival, which will take place on Howard Jackson’s farm the June 6-8.

Hamblin has been to many bluegrass festivals and says the atmosphere at the festivals are “addicting,” and something that he wants to bring to the Williamsburg and Whitley County area.

“This is one of my dreams, is having a bluegrass festival,” Hamblin said. “I’ve been to so many of them, but I really wanted to be behind the scenes of one ... These festivals are something you can go to, and everybody you walk past has smiles on their face, and American flags hanging from their campers.”

The record collection of an uncle got Hamblin addicted to bluegrass, though he says his family is filled with bluegrass lovers, and everyone loves the genre to some degree.

“I would sit out at my uncle’s house and listen to the old records ... I’d sit there for hours and hours listening to them, it sent chills up and down your spine,” Hamblin said. “You go to work, you go home, it’s all that you can hear in your head.”

Hamblin explained that the acts at the Sally Gap festival are in what he calls the “new sound” genre of bluegrass. The new sound is a bit more “intense” and include more “jams” when compared to the stereotypical sound that most people think of when they hear bluegrass, according to Hamblin. Hamblin is quick to point out that the old sound is still good and vital but often gets made fun of as whiny and slow in the mass media.

Two nationally known bands from what Hamblin called the “new sound” will be playing at the festival.

Blue Highway first hit the stage in 1994, and has since garnered two Grammy nominations. Vocalist and guitarist, Tom Stafford is also known for playing with Allison Krauss and Union Station. Blue Highway will be headlining Friday, June 6.

Lonesome River Band has 25 years of experience on the bluegrass circuit. Sammy Shelor, the group’s banjo player, has been voted the “Banjo Player of the Year” on four different occasions by the International Bluegrass Music Association. Lonesome River Band headlines on Saturday, June 7.

Along with the national acts, eight other bands will share the stage throughout the weekend. The festival is hosted by the band Southern Sun, who will play each day of the festival.

Southern Sun hails from Gatliff, and their songs vary from gospel to Lynyrd Skynard covers, to original songs about life in southeastern Kentucky.

Besides regional and national bluegrass favorites, the festival will have activities for kids. Children will be able to construct their own banjos and learn how to play them at free workshops taking place during the festival. On Saturday morning a workshop will be held at the University of Cumberlands for teachers on how to incorporate bluegrass music in the classroom.

Hamblin said one of the goals was to make the festival accessible to families. A weekend pass for an adult is $30, and children from 13-17 years old get in for $5 a day. Hamblin said the prices are well under the $80 he is used to paying for bluegrass festival passes.

With the weekend pass festival goers will be able to camp at the site for free. Hamblin said their will be a limited number of electric hook-ups, but there will be plenty of “rough camping” sites. Throughout the festival, hayrides will shuttle campers from the camp grounds to the stage.

“We want to be able to do this festival every year,” Hamblin said. “As far as getting rich off of it, we’re not going to get rich. We are doing this for the love of bluegrass, we just want to break even so we can do it next year.”

Vicki Cooper, who is also involved in the planning of the festival, said the world class level of the acts should attract all sorts of people. Cooper said the festival has been advertised in magazines that have circulation all over the world.

“We’ve even gotten an e-mail from a man in Australia expressing interest,” Cooper said. “Now, we’re not sure he’s going to make it, but it shows you the reach of the interest.”

Cooper, who not only shares a deep love of bluegrass with Hamblin, but also a bloodline (she’s Hamblin’s aunt) said the family has been dreaming about starting a festival for years.

“The family for years and years felt that the community needed to bring in world class bluegrass acts to our area,” Cooper said. “We wanted to bring in good groups so that we could promote the city and county too.”

The festival is being sponsored by Jackson Farms, Java Publishing Company and the Southern Sun band. The festival is still seeking sponsors for this year’s and future festivals.

This years festival will take place from June 6-8 and is located 7 miles off Interstate 75 on East Highway 92.

For more information call 606-539-0773 or visit www.sallygapbgfestival.com

        

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