Ashby Frank
Mandolinist, Singer, Songwriter

Last week I headed up to my old stomping grounds in Galax, Virginia for a few days at the Old Fiddler’s Convention. It’s pretty much 7 nights of non-stop picking and socializing in a muddy park. I had a blast! I only got to stay through Wednesday night, but it gave me time to pick for hours, catch up with some of my friends that I haven’t seen in a few years, hang out with some of my family that made the short trip from home, and compete in the Dulcimer contest!

There was quite a fuss about the Moose Lodge that runs the whole deal shutting down all amps in the park. After some angry words from both the Old Time and Bluegrass “purists” and the Bluegrass pickers that like amps, it eventually settled down. I was in a jam that got “shut down” by the Moose… that was a first! You can read more about it on the Bluegrass Blog here. It’s worth the read.

It was worth the driving from and back to Nashville, that were book-ended with long Special C mini-van rides (The Turtle Top is STILL broken down, and it’s been in a garage this whole time). I fit in all I could! Oh and by the way, I WON the Dulcimer contest this year! Couldn’t believe it.

Galax isn’t for everyone… there’s a lot of music and noise late into the night. There’s a bunch of mud, not a lot of air conditioning, and not much for electricity or nice showers there in the park. I’m one of the lucky ones that has a place to stay just a few miles away, so I guess I come away smelling better than everyone!

I’ve had three days off here in Nashville (other than Mashville last night), and I don’t have to take off again until sometime Friday. We’re heading off to LarryFest, which is a great festival in Wisconsin that we performed at a couple of years ago. I’m looking forward to it!

I hope everyone else has enjoyed another good week of Summer.