Madison County Ballad Singer

Denise Norton O'Sullivan singing Rose Connoly in the Madison County, N.C. Courthouse.
What's there to say? It's beautiful...

Trail Days 2009

I had a wonderful reunion with lots of Appalachian Trail friends last weekend in Damascus. It sure did me good to reunite with Rethinker, Pineknot, Tree, Moonpie, SuperChunk, Segue, Floyd, Mr.Burns, Creek Diver, Sampson, Butters, Shuffles, Stomp, The Tennessee Twins, OrangeDust, Bones, and TroutBum from my 2008 hike.

The stories were better than ever, the memories flowed in great torrents, it was just like I was still on the trail (without the soreness and hunger).

There is nothing sweeter than trail friends, I love each and everyone of them like a brother or a sister!!

I'll leave you with a video I shot while inside the maelstrom of the Hiker's Parade, where the spectators attack the hikers with various water weapons........it was a blast!!!

Trail Days

This coming weekend I will attend Trail Days in Damascus, Virginia. It's the big hiker bash and reunion get-together for Appalachian Trail hikers, past, present, current, and future.

The masses of unwashed pedestrians will descend on this sleepy little trail town like a biblical plague of locusts. There will be lots of activities: a hiker parade, free meals provided by local churches, gear demos, talks, eating contests, dog shows, book-signings, and so on...

The big thing for me will be a chance to reunite with so many great friends who I had the pleasure of meeting on the trail last year. Here's hoping that that they ALL attend!

The Overtakers!!!!

The Overtakers from Jamaica rocked Asheville last night at the Grey Eagle Music Hall.
We were fortunate enough to be there on a Wednesday night, and got to listen to Ruben, Ruth, and Leroy sway the crowd with their own brand of roots rock reggae.
Positively ASSKICKING!!!

Larry Keel and Natural Bridge Live @ French Broad!

Here's another video I shot at the French Broad River Festival in Hot Springs last weekend. You'll see why we are such hard core "Keel Heads"

French Broad River Festival

We had a wonderful weekend at Hot Springs for the French Broad River Festival. In spite of some rain (what's a festival without rain?) we boogied 'til we dropped to some of the best music in the region.

A great time was had by all, what a cool vibe at this little festival. I can't wait for next year!


Highlights of the weekend include:

The Will Ferrell Loofa.

Meeting my Blog Buddy, Caroline Pond (emcee and Snake Oil salesman).

Visiting with some Appalachian Trail friends.

Eating some delicious camping meals.

Larry Keel and Natural Bridge ripping it up, Acoustic Syndicate tearing it down, dancing to Rosie Ledet and the Zydeco Playboys. Snake Oil Medicine show in the big tent.

Black Betty and our daughter Becky

Mark Schimick showing his stuff on the mandolin.