[FM] Falcon Ridge Thoughts

Wed Aug 11 11:22:09 EDT 2004

This year I can sun up Falcon Ridge in one short sentence, Just what I needed, when I needed it.

After the past months of political and personal wrangling within our South Florida folk community, I was pretty soured to say the least.  To see so many who called each other friend turn their backs on each other for partisan reasons, my feelings for our folk community were filled with many fractures.  The Susquehanna Music and Arts Festival in May planted the seeds within me for rebirth in the community I have loved for so long.  Falcon Ridge nurtured the seedlings.  Its light shown so strong as to bring them bursting forth with the beauty I had difficulty seeing.

This year I arrived early, Weds evening.  Two years ago the festival combined with WinterHawk (which was the following weekend) and was extended from 3 to 4 days.  For the past 5 years I had arrived Thursday night to conserve vacation time.  This year though, I was invited to sit on the House Concert workshop panel held Thursday afternoon, so traveled Wednesday.  And was I ever glad I did.

I arrived at Bradley Intl airport (Hartford, CT) about 2 PM Weds.  The car rental did not have the compact car I had requested and offered a minivan (looked like the Moss Mobile!).  After trying to talk them into the convertible Sebring, I accepted the minivan and was glad I did when the rain fell Friday afternoon.  It made a wonderful camper since it was dry and my tent had converted into a houseboat.  The swear Dave Carter was whispering, Take the van in my ear. Since I had a lot of time for travel I decided on a scenic route: back roads through Connecticut to Mass State Road 57 into Great Barrington.  The average speed was 40 MPH and it took me 2 hours but the scenery was well worth it.  Being in South Florida for the past 18 years, I had almost forgotten how beautiful New England was.  Carter & Grammer, Jenn Kass, Cadence Carol and more in the CD player and the journey was truly magical.

While the music was incredible as usual, this year my impressions were more of friendship, community and good will.  Seeing so many beloved friends I felt as if I had entered another world.  Last year Carla Ulbrich talked me into camping at the Neilds/Kennedy Camp on level land instead of the 30 deg slope of Camp Dar.  Something about rolling down a hill in my sleep I just didnt find appealing any longer.  But the clincher was when Carla mentioned the hot shower and stocked bar.  As is common at such events I fast became friends with some wonderful and hospitable folkies and was fed until I could not move.  This year, I again indulged in their hospitality, stocked bar (complete with my contribution of 2 gallons of apple pie) and TWO hot showers!!  WOO HOO!!

Thursday was a slow day with mostly work shops and meeting and greeting.  The House Concert Production workshop was loads of fun.  I was honored to be in the company of Sherry & Steve Panzer, Debi Friedlander, Sloan Wainwright & Cadence Carroll.  We had a small but highly motivated and interested audience.  I even met a couple in the audience from West Palm Beach who are considering starting a series.  Funny how far one must travel to meet their neighbors.  After the workshop I ran over to catch the Working with Agents & Managers workshop where Susan Moss joined Charlie Hunter, Patty Romanoff, Dave Wilkes, Anne Saunders, Tim Drake, Sean LaRoche, Mary Granata, Eric Lowen & Dan Navarro for a wonderfully warm and informative presentation.  The knowledge and down to earth persona was incredible and very enjoyable.  But what would one expect with the OzWoman in the group.  It was great seeing Susan sitting side by side with many notable industry personalities. Congratulations Susan on
 your new and envious career.  As for music Thursday, I would say that Mark Erelli got my attention.  I had heard him before in passing but when I took the time to really listen, I became a big fan.

Friday was a challenge.  Emerging from my tent and taking one look at the sky, it was clear that it would be wise to put everything soakable into the minivan.  Waking late, I rushed to the workshop stage for Cool Morning featuring Sloan Wainwright, Lowen & Navarro, Ellis Paul & Nerissa & Katryna Nield. This would make it extremely evident to me WHY I needed to be there that weekend.  Again I could feel Dave Carter pushing me forward.  In all of the festivals and concerts I have ever attended, I can honestly say that this was in the top 10 for musical embraces.  The music and love flowing from stage to audience and back silenced any fears or trepidation I had been feeling over the past months.  I knew at that moment that the community, my community, was alive and as welcoming as ever.  After this, the weekend would be bliss.  Even when the rain started around noon and did not stop until early evening I enjoyed every minute.  Every Friday afternoon the Emerging Artist Showcase is held
 on the main stage.  It rained the entire time but the performers still performed their best in good spirits as many of us sat on the hill in the rain listening attentively. The rain just added to the ambiance.  I think the children loved the rain the most since many were muddy from head to toe with large glowing smiles.  Some adults too.  As I walked up the hill to my camp that evening I was welcomed by two smiling faces from home, Aiden Quinn and Christine Stay of Friction Farm.  Their first year at Falcon Ridge was 2003 and it is wonderful seeing them again this year.  

The icing on the cake was when I saw hometown favorites Nick Annis and Elizabeth Crisfield walking down Dave Carter Blvd. Later that night we ventured up to Alan Rowoths BOT (Big Orange Tarp) which is a signature late night show place known to festivals from coast to coast.  Alan features the showcase and established performers until the wee hours of the morning, then opens it up for an open mic.  Alan was gracious enough to give Nick and Elizabeth a seat along side some incredible talents.  As many have discovered, they did not fail to impress all.  Nick and Elizabeth did their song Im Not Him with Elizabeth first walking away to indicate Nick would do a solo.  When Elizabeth joined with her part from across the tent all eyes, ears and smiles were on them both.  It warmed my heart to see the beloved talented pair wow so many who were not privy to their skill.  They made a lasting impression.  Friction farm had also sat in the circle the previous night and equally impressed the
 crowd.  I am proud to say that Folkies from Florida have become well recognized at many festivals and venues.

Daybreak Saturday and the clouds had cleared.  By far, the highlight of the day (and every Falcon Ridge Saturday) was the Rolling in The Aisles workshop this year made even more special by our own Carla Ulbrich. She joined former SFFF Singer/Songwriter finalist George Wurzbach, & The Storycrafters.  Carla even did her F WORD song, self censored of course.  We were indeed rolling in the aisles.  For those who are not aware, Carla Ulbrich was in the Emerging Artist Showcase last year and was voted by the audience as MOST WANTED along with Jeffrey Foucault, George Wurzbach & Terence Martin to return this year as featured performers. After this, the rest of the day was just gravy. Well, until 11:30 that night when Richie Havens took the main stage, and I do mean TOOK the stage.  I had seen Richie once before at a free concert in N Miami Beach and was captured by his humble person.  Richie was the finest example of graciousness and maintained the feeling at Falcon Ridge.  Accompanied by
 Walter Parks (formerly of the Nudes), Richie embraced the huge crowd and turned the evening into one large intimate encounter.  It was a great thrill to get the chance to speak briefly with him after the performance.  He did remember the concert in N. Miami Beach and exclaimed how friendly the crowd was.  For those fans of the Nudes I have some exciting news.  Walter told me that he will be again joining with Stephanie for a Nudes reunion tour.  He did not say when but I will certainly be looking forward to it.  If all works out you will be able to see then at a Glades Edge House Concert.  It was great fun having dinner at Jack Hardys camp eating his home cooked venison while swapping political and musical stories with good friends like Stuart Kabek and Spook Handy.  It is always great seeing friends you do not spend time with often enough.

Sunday was a lazy day filled with Solemn good-byes.  I spent most of the day filling my soul with seldom seen friends.  The afternoon music was incredible.  In the middle of Ellis Pauls set, just after Vance Gilbert joined him on stage, the sound went completely dead.  Ellis and Vance just walked to the edge of stage and sang out loud so all could hear.  After a short break to fix the sound, Tracy Grammer walked on stage accompanied by her beautiful smile and Jim Henry.  Tracy would be reason enough to attend any music event.  I sat silently drinking in the final moments of a most miraculous weekend.

After dinner with the Dar Camp gang I returned to the campground.  I was not to leave until Monday so another night of music and friends was in order.  Fortunately, Nick and Elizabeth also were staying the night.  They both joined us at the camp and again WOWed listeners and musicians with their talents.  We then ventured down to the Front Porch tent for some final tunes and friends.  One performer even sang Cleanin Out My Closet, an Eminem song. Cool!!!

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The weekend did prove to be bitter sweet though.  In speaking to Eric Lowen of the duo Lowen & Navarro, I learned that he had just received news of a second opinion which confirmed that he had contracted ALS.  Eric is amazing in spirit.  All weekend he was positive, joking and as lovable as ever.  I was very impressed by his determination to attack this illness with all the tools he could find and to let it interfere with his life as little as possible.  Why is it always the best who get hit the worst?

Over the past months many have said that its about the music.  After this years Falcon Ridge I must somewhat disagree.  Yes it is about the music, but more importantly about the friendship, trust, support, listening, sharing and most of all caring.  There is much too little time in life to spend it searching for someone to blame or to be angry.  Take the time to really listen to people and you will find a Falcon Ridge moment in their heart.

I would like to thank Anne Saunders, Howard Randall and all who work so hard every year to insure the continuation and spirit of such a wonderful event.  It is people like them who keep the true meaning of the community in our hearts, AND remind us who may start forgetting.

Thank you.