Contrary to conventional wisdom, a camping trip with a three-year-old and a four-month old can be fun. Heading into such an adventure I was skeptical. But it was nice.
This past weekend we made a family trip to the Walnut Valley Festival. Stacy’s family has a lot of history with the event, having attended for most of the 38 editions. The fairgrounds at Winfield have seen a lot of rising bluegrass stars come through over the years, before most people had ever heard names that would later become very familiar. New Grass Revival, Alison Krauss, The Dixie Chicks and Nickel Creek are all alums. The event is legit.
I’m glad we are getting our kids hooked at a young age. Other than a jazz solo, there is nothing quite like the pace of a good bluegrass joint when it really gets humming. The ability to play a piece of music as fast as possible without ever sounding out of control is part practice and part special talent, but it’s all amazing. I can be entertained by skillful banjo/guitar/mandolin pickers all day. (And lest you think I sat around all weekend listening bunch of old men farting around on their banjos, you should check out The Greencards and Mountain Heart. Bluegrass is a changin’.)
Renew and Restore
