Although this summertime festival didn't actually happen in Blacksburg, I know a that a heck of a lot of us where there!
Stompin' 76 happened 7 years after that little music gathering they had up in New York, and in a lot of ways it looked the same. Skinny long-haired youth swarmed Lawson's farm in Carroll County, just north of Galax, for 3 days of music, fun, and freedom. Some folks parked as much as 11 miles away and walked to the site.
One of my personal memories of being there was watching a blitzed hippie fall into a roaring campfire and rolled on out of it seemingly unscathed. There was so much music that I doubt all of us got to see all the acts that showed up. Those that did show up were:
Bonnie
Raitt, Earl Scruggs, Lester Flatt, Vassar Clements, Ry Cooder, John Hartford,
Osborne Brothers, The Rowans, John Prine, Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, Doc &
Merle Watson, The Dillards, Hickory Wind, New Grass Revival, David Bromberg,
Red, White and Bluegrass, Nashville Bluegrass Band, Papa John Creach, Eric
Weisberg and Deliverance, Star Spangled Washboard Band, Grass On The Rocks, Good
Ol' Boys and Joe and Bing.
3 Days of Fun and Music, all 23 bands for only
$12.00!
I was there for every blissful moment. Had a great time, heard some fantastic music and swam naked in the river!
ReplyDeleteI and my girlfriend were there. Had a great time and did some skinny dipping in the river too! I remember some locals in their boats passing out beer and enjoying the naked young women! Accidently wandered into a roped-off biker area and was chased out.
ReplyDeleteI was there with my black great dane. Glad I had the protection, but, nothing bad happened there. Yup, skinny dipping was a necessity. We parked about a mile from the stage because we got there on Thursday - but, didn't get out until Tuesday. Thank goodness we brought a lot of food. Wish I could relive it again!!
ReplyDeleteQuite an experience kind of like heroine have been trying to reproduce it ever since still love bluegrass music still love bluegrass music and festivals not as risqueas the 1970s but still a good time
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