That’s right, this past weekend  many of us took the yearly journey to Cumberland, MD for the  Delfest Bluegrass Festival. This years Fest boasted excellent weather great music and lots of positive interactions. The best part is to catch up and renew friendships and to make new friends that turn out to be lifelong friendships not to mention the new relationships created at the Delfest Academy, which I may have some interest in participating in next year! My personal observation was, this year was everything I wanted and more.                  

Personally I feel the female artists had some of the best sets of the weekend. From Molly Tuttle and Golden Highway, an excellent show by Sierra Hull, to a new band for me out of Portland, OR called Never Come Down, to my most anticipated and possibly my festival favorite set by Sierra Farrell. Along with her great originals, she covered “Don’t Let Me Down” that had the Music Meadows responding with resounding approval.

We also heard great sets from The Price Sisters, Rising Appalachia and A.J.Lee and Blue Summit. Don’t get me wrong, there were also other outstanding performances by the rest of the artists like The Infamous Stringdusters, Trampled by Turtles, Sam Bush, Peter Rowan, another outstanding show by The California Honeydrops, The Traveling McCoury’s and of course The Del McCoury Band. This year we also got to see The Travelin McCoury’s and Dels fiddle player, Jason Carter, have his own set to support his recent album release of Lowdown Hoedown that is receiving significant airtime on bluegrass radio.    

So the countdown starts in anticipation of the next Delfest.  The atmosphere will leave you mesmerized and excited to return the next year as you feel like you’re part of a great family. I left with many new friends as I do every year!