Michelle and I just got back from spending our day with my parents, a bunch of bluegrass fans, and a few bluegrass legends. Seeing Vassar Clements play, along with the rest of Old and In the Gray was probably the highlight of the day for me. Those old dogs have played with almost everyone who’s anyone, and played almost anything that can be played. Along with a number of their own songs, they also did great covers of Honky Tonk Woman and Pancho & Lefty.
My dad and I stood against the rail to watch Jerry Douglas and his band. They were all phenomenal, but didn’t seem to get the attention of the crowd. It was probably because he’s more of a virtuoso than a jam musician, so it was harder to freak dance to his tunes. Jerry’s The Wild Rumpus, his own answer to Where the Wild Things Are was as much fun the the book itself.
After Jerry, we joined my parents for dinner at their camper. We had beer, chatted, watched people play frisbee in the field, and jerked to attention when the grass below the grill caught fire. Drinking water was enough to put it out. Dinner was great.