© 2010 Acoustic Music Society of Southwest Florida

IT WAS A BIG SUCCESS

REPORT FROM THE EXTRAVAGANZA

Though the weather threatened, the show went on.  I felt a little guilty on Saturday--after praying for rain during the summer dry months, I hoped this time that it would move on to bless someone else's parched land, and allow us to present the weekend's Florida Bluegrass Extravaganza without getting soaked.  Finally we were lucky.  Though the clouds never really parted, the rain stopped in the morning and we were treated to great music all afternoon.  The Bean Pickers were on top of their game, and virtuoso fiddler Linda Kallinger demonstrated the instrument donated by her employer, the Violin Shop of Bonita Springs.  Lots of us bought chances before it was raffled off on Sunday (after Linda played it again, of course!).  Congratulations to lucky winner William Clayton of Marco Island!

Frontline's glorious voices and arrangements were Saturday standouts.  Naples depends on them to deliver fine bluegrass, and they're invariably up to the task.  Andy Wahlberg's very, very dry humor is so polished  that it's easy to overlook what a fine and versatile guitarist he is.  His exotic harp guitar is as much fun to watch as it is to hear.  Ex-Fleas Bob Shea, Karen Batten, Doug Gerdon and Steve Stadler were joined  by bass ace B.K. Koetting, and put on a rousing debut in their new incarnation as the Bugtussle Ramblers.

We were honored to host Tomorrow's News, the potent family band from central Florida, whose vocal trios prove once more that blood is thicker than water.  Victor Hall (guitar) and his teenaged wunderkinder Kalyn (bass) and Bryce (mandolin) sing trio harmony that makes your hair stand on end, and Keith Bass's powerful banjo takes no prisoners.     (Click Here to continue)