|
Saturday morning was the biggest day at Grass Stock. It started for me by having biscuits and gravy at the Lion's Club Cafe set up at the entrance to the campground. As I sat eating, I watched a lot of excited fans going through the stacks of merchandise at the WWB tent. Mementos of a glorious time were offered in the way of T-shirts, CD's, DVD's and unique items for everybody from 8 to 80.
A little further back, the staff was preparing the tables for all the items sent in for the annual auction to raise funds to keep the WWB on the air. As I sat looking, I couldn't help getting a little teary eyed as this was the final day for Grass Stock ‘09. The many new friends I had made and the ones from the chat room that were only names and typing now were there in person to share in the wonderful weekend that we had experienced thus far.
I finished the breakfast and ordered another cup of coffee to help me get woken up as I had only had another five to six hours’ sleep again. I went and got a good look at all the items going up for auction closely and mentally tried to put their identity into my memory banks for the sale. As 11 a.m. approached, I was asked to join the DJ's on stage to begin the festivities. We began the day with a prayer and then asked to join in the Pledge of Allegiance to our flag spread out on the wall behind us.
Poppy Tim gave the introduction to Les Sears, who had been very instrumental in the entire running of Grass Stock. A key member of the team, Les talked about the importance of this auction and then gave me a wonderful introduction with the grace and beauty of an experienced announcer. I received a great amount of applause and began by asking Gracie Muldoon to come up on stage. I then talked about us being looked at as celebs and icons and stars and legends, but I said that we are just everyday folks that care about everybody around us. I then reached into my pocket and handed Gracie a check to help the WWB stay on the air.
She grabbed me and gave me the biggest hug of the weekend and told the capacity crowd how much that donation meant to her. I looked at Les and said, "It's time to go to work." The auction began, and, in an hour and a half, we raised $1,300 for the WWB. Items that were personal, private and corporate went on the block, and every one of them got bids. The final two items of the day were hand made benches for the patio. One had two seats and a table in it, and the other came apart in two pieces and could be carried very easily in the car. They were among the biggest money makers of the day. The other biggest sale was two shirts and a CD donated by Johnny Butten (The Guinness Book of World Records’ Fastest Banjo Player) and fetched nearly $100.
We both took our turns at thanking the crowd for their bids and also the many people that donated items for the auction. I looked at Les and said, "Now it's time to have some fun."
At 1:00, the Stevens Family came to the stage to open the show. They came from Berkley Springs, West Virginia, and their set included songs like “Dreaming Of A Little Cabin,” “Firemen,” “I'd Like To Go Home Again,” “Kentucky Borderline” and “Wait A Minute.” J.W., Nancy, Laura, Luke, Ben, Sam and Tommy Stevens make up the band that were asked for one more song after their set was over. Getting a request for more means only one thing, that you did your job well.
Next on the stage was Sonrise, a Bluegrass Gospel group from Fredericksburg , Virginia. They harmonized and entranced the audience with their unique style of Bluegrass for an entire 45 minutes.
The Midnight Rambler String Band were next and, true to their billing, raised the bar a little higher for everybody to get to. They gave us a different look at the world thru their eyes of Bluegrass music. They sang traditional as well as Gospel numbers that left the audience wanting much more of their singing.
The String Mountain Band were up next and continued to raise the bar again with their home style music. They also combined mountain music with their own blend of home written songs.
Percival and Terry Poirier from Canada. Percival: "He is a very talented and gifted musician and valued member of the WWB staff that give more of himself than most people realize. I am proud to include him as one of my friends."
Mike Evans, Mark Brinkman and Bill Castle took the stage like the true professionals they are and sang and picked their own creations that they have written and produced for many of the top artists in the business of Bluegrass. Mark, or "Brink," as he is known to his friends, has been writing songs now for over 25 years and plays a number of different instruments. The threesome did an outstanding set while onstage and then went to do some workshops in the campground.
We broke for dinner and retreated back to our respective campgrounds for a much needed meal. I was treated to some venison steaks on a bun by Chip, our camping mate, while Kurt made some Porterhouse steaks with all the trimmings.
The World Famous DJ Band were next on the stage, and it brought all the members that keep Bluegrass going 24/7 on the world wide web. They had three bass fiddles. many guitars, mandolins, fiddles and banjos, along with singers to do their thing. Ruby Whitaker sang and joined Heather Mandich, along with Vicki Abbott and Gracie Muldoon, and had the time of their lives. The audience got involved with the singing and joined in on many of the songs. There was also a young man by the name of Tyler that was in a wheelchair and blind that joined the musicians on stage and sang a couple of songs. What a voice he had on him. I was told later that he had just won a contest in a large Bluegrass festival in Virginia the week before.
The Kati Penn and New Town Band were next as the sun started to set on the stage. They did songs like “Booth,” “Bare Hands,” “Thirteen,” “Never Gonna Change” and “The Hills Of Alabam‘.” Members of her band from Lexington, Kentucky include Kati, C.J. Cain, James Kee, Terry Poirier and Junior Williams. If you are fortunate to go and see them in concert, you are in for a very special treat.
The Hagar's Mountain Boys were next and really set the bar up higher than most could reach, but there were four more sets to follow them. Blake Johnson, who plays the upright bass and sings a few of the numbers that they did, is joined onstage by his father Mike, who plays guitar and sings as well with a voice that can be heard in the next county. Cliff Smith from Virginia plays the banjo and harmonizes with the others. Ricky Stroud from North Carolina plays mandolin and sings in many of the numbers and is the largest of the boys. He is the driving force behind the group that practice many long hours to make their performances perfect.
Their latest CD encompasses a variety of hand written songs like “Shot Man Blues,” “Forever Yours,” “Lord Don't Leave Me Here,” “Anymore,” “Summer’s Gone,” “Head Over Heels” and “Washing Away.” They did most of the numbers from that CD for the crowd at GS ‘09.
Shadez of Blue were the next group to adorn the stage. They had a tough job trying to follow the Hagar's but did just that with their own songs, penned by many of the artists that make up the group. Gentleman Jim Chatfield heads up the band and plays bass. If dedication is measured by blisters on your fingers from playing too much bass, then Jim is dedicated to Bluegrass.
Blue Storm rounded out the evening with their set. I am a huge follower of this band since hearing them at the Glass City Opry a little over a year ago. They did songs like “Breaking In A Brand New Pair Of Shoes,” “The Breeze,” “99 Years,” “House Of Gold,” “Mountain Home,” “Power Position” and “Life's Highway.” The group was without their fiddle player Stevie Williams, who had just undergone a quadruple bypass the month before, but the rest of the team picked up the pieces for them.
We were next treated to the WWB Opry, which was an unveiling of some of the best groups that were at GS, and they sang and played for the next hour. In all, over 12 groups participated in the set, including Selena Leonard and her pink mandolin. Also, Jon Eric and Johnny Butten doing “Dueling Banjos.” There is a lot of stuff from the show on You Tube. In all, we were treated to a little of the very best in the show.
The Green Bottle Boys, a local group that has closed the last two years for Grass Stock, did just that, and they walked away with a standing ovation from the crowd that had set thru the entire three days.
We picked, sang and visited until around 4 in the morning before I finally gave up and hit the tent.
I would like to thank the entire staff at WWB for making me feel LOVED and wanted. To the many of you that were in attendance, thank you. To all the musicians and band members, thank you. To Ron Workman for giving not only of himself ... but his farm for Grass Stock to happen at, thank you. To Ruby Whitaker, Chip & Laura and their furry kid Dakota, Gracie Muldoon and her family and my brother from a different mother, Kurt ... Thank you for sharing a space of ground with me and making this weekend ... one of the best in my life.
Percival A. Friend,
Retired
The Epitome of Wrestling Managers
2003 BWC Hall of Fame Inductee
2004 CAC Hall of Fame Inductee
2006 LWA Hall of Fame Inductee
2007 TCCW Hall of Fame Honoree
|
