‘Traveling Man Bluegrass Festival next month’

     

The lodges of the Ninth Manhattan District will be back at German Masonic Park to host its Sixth Annual Traveling Man Bluegrass Festival, with five new acts to perform all afternoon on Sunday, June 11. The park is located at 89 Western Highway in Tappan, New York, and is owned and operated by the Ninth Manhattan, which is home to New York City’s historic German heritage lodges.

This year, the brethren are promising additional attractions, like a classic car show, vendors, Shriner clowns, and that child ID thing.

Admission: $15 at the gate, or $10 in advance here. Children 12 and under admitted free. Gates open at 11 a.m., and the music starts at 1 p.m. (Music Workshop at noon.) Lots of free parking. Food and drink, including beer and wine, for sale in the park.

The bands slated to perform are:

RJ Storm and the Old School




Blue Plate Special




Feinberg Brothers




Jim Gaudet & Railroad Boys




Pork Chop Willie




It’s always a fun time. If you don’t know bluegrass music, or think you won’t enjoy it, you’re probably wrong. Bluegrass is heard best when heard live, so check it out. Proceeds go to several charities.
     

‘Traveling Man Bluegrass in June’

     
The Fifth Annual Traveling Man Bluegrass Festival at German Masonic Park in Tappan, New York is scheduled for Sunday, June 12. The line-up:

RJ Storm & Old School

Dubl Handi

Buckeye Rooster

No Brakes

Buddy Merriam & Back Roads

The Freemasons of the Grand Lodge of New York’s Ninth Manhattan District are the hosts. Proceeds from sales of tickets, food, and drink will benefit a variety of charitable causes.

     

‘Bluegrass photos’

     
Amid several long days of rain, we got very lucky Sunday with a beautiful, sunny respite that made the 2015 Traveling Man Bluegrass Festival a perfect afternoon. The event supports the German Masonic Charitable Foundation. The foundation comprises the Masonic lodges of the Ninth Manhattan District in New York, many of which have their roots in German immigration to the United States in the last century and earlier. The charities funded by this music festival include the Shriner transportation unit—the group of volunteers who ferry needy kids to and from the Shriner hospitals in Boston and Philadelphia—and several other children’s causes.

An enthusiast of mountain music myself for many years, I was very pleased with the talent that performed all day at German Masonic Park in Tappan. Well, one band had a drum kit and electric bass, and played rock songs—I don’t know what the hell that was all about—but they were okay too. The other acts, hailing from distant rural locales like Philadelphia, Long Island, and Brooklyn, were excellent. In addition, there was plenty of beer (it is German Masonic Park, after all) and food. I can’t wait for the fifth annual festival next year.

Some photos:

Jersey Corn Pickers

Dubl Handi

Dubl Handi chose its name for the famous washboard brand. Click here.

Buddy Merriam and Back Roads

Buddy Merriam launched his bluegrass career 35 years ago. Actually, Saturday was the anniversary. He knew and performed with Bill Monroe, and he hosts the program Blue Grass Time on WUSB Wednesdays.

A brilliant mando picker as well.

McMule

McMule is the band with the drums and bass guitar. Nothing wrong with that, but it isn't what one expects in bluegrass bands. I had a mental block about it, so I shot only the dobro and mandolin players.

Cricket Tell the Weather

I suppose if I had to pick a favorite from among the line-up Sunday,
it would be Cricket Tell the Weather.

     

‘Bluegrass festival Sunday at Tappan’

     

The fourth annual Traveling Man Bluegrass Festival will be hosted by the Freemasons of the Ninth Manhattan District on Sunday. I can’t believe it’s been a year already.

That’s at the district’s German Masonic Park, located at 120 Western Highway South in Tappan, New York. Tickets in advance cost $10 per person, and $15 at the gate. Children under 12 admitted free. Food, soft drinks, beer, and wine will be available for purchase inside the park. (No BYO.) Plenty of free parking.

Gates will open at 11 a.m. A music workshop (open mike) at the main pavilion will begin at noon, and the music will start at one o’clock.

Proceeds to benefit a variety of children’s charities.

The line-up this year: McMule  • Dubl Handi • Jersey Corn Pickers • Cricket Tell the Weather • Buddy Merriam and Back Roads.

McMule

Dubl Handi

Jersey Corn Pickers

Cricket Tell the Weather

Buddy Merriam and Back Roads

I definitely will post photos. Maybe I’ll be able to get one into The Empire State Mason. EDIT: Click here for a batch of photos.
     

‘That High and Lonesome Sound’

     










Posting this unexpected interesting announcement makes the sad news about the death of Doc Watson yesterday a little easier to take. The Ninth Manhattan District’s German Masonic Charitable Foundation will host its first Traveling Man Bluegrass Festival next month at its German Masonic Park in Tappan.



Traveling Man Bluegrass Festival

Saturday, June 16, from noon to nine

German Masonic Park

120 Western Highway

Tappan, New York




Tickets are $25 each, and a portion of each sale will be donated to the Masonic Medical Research Laboratory for Sudden Infant Death Syndrome research and other efforts into SIDS research.




Tickets are available here.