Bluegrass Beat

By Berk Bryant

July, you have a lot going for you: Independence month celebrated on the Fourth, fireworks, picnics. And that means family fun. Unfortunately, it means some irresponsibility, including highway wrecks and death, which is NOT family fun.

June was a "hottie" and I'll bet you will be too. Just noticed, the Fourth comes on a Friday, which means a long weekend for a lot of folks. That can be a plus; always was for me. Get the hose out, water down the kids, have a backyard picnic and save gas. It costs me more to run my lawn mower now than it used to cost to run my car.

Last month being my birthday month and my being overdue for a physical, I called my doc to make arrangements. Now this is my kind of doctor. I have known him for a long time, but this was to be my first "professional" visit with him. I called for an appointment and was given one in this unusual manner: We don't have an appointment system around here; come on down about three Tuesday afternoon. Since it is quite a distance from where I live, an invitation to spend the night with him and his wife was accepted by me. A most enjoyable visit and breakfast of country ham, country cured bacon, eggs and homemade jellies, also home grown. When it comes to doctors, I think I've got a keeper here.

Good Bluegrass in Bardstown

The Bluegrass 101 Bardstown festival was a goody again. Lots of good and favorite acts. Among those: Tommy Brown, Vince Combs, Kentucky Sassafras - who continue to shine - and David Davis. Always like David and the opportunity to visit with him. The 101 festival is a show that is going to continue. Actually, the next round will be August 22 and 23, Bullitt County Fairgrounds. A good lineup for that one.

Great Jams

Area jams are going great. Vine Grove on Monday nights and others around that seem to spring to life. Bobby Smith, jammeister at Vine Grove, informs us that the Tuesday night jams at Colesburg have been cancelled; however the Friday night sessions are still in play (no pun intended). I don't know the reason but I do share some concern that gas prices are going to take their toll on festivals and jams, among many other things.

I drove to Virginia last month to see my daughter. I think I'll go back after payday and bring my car back. It's just getting harder and harder to hitchhike these days when there's nothing to hitch.

Gary's Back

Gary Brewer has finally surfaced! Many of you have been asking for about a year if I had heard from Gary. Finally and suddenly last month I got an e-mail from Gary with the following info plus. This I took from his web site, brewgrass.com. Check it out:

Gary announces Music on the River, a concert series he will host every second Saturday each month, from June through September, noon until 6 p.m. with local, regional and national acts. It will be held in West Point, Kentucky, at Veteran's Park, right on the mighty Ohio River. It is free to the public and is an alcohol-free event. Music will range from bluegrass, country, rock, gospel, etc. each month.

The July concert will run in conjunction with the popular River Days / Civil War/ Festival. The concerts will build up through the summer and end with Gary's signature Strictly Bluegrass Festival in September

Keep visiting here for more info on Gary's performances on the road and in town.

Gary is also again part of the mayor's SummerScene concerts in Louisville, performing 2-3 shows per day from June through September. Gary's boys, Wayne and Mason and Gary's dad Jim now perform with him each day.

Visit Gary's online store for all his recordings. More later... .

Bluegrass who,where and what

• Don't forget the Belle of Louisville Bluegrass Cruises every Sunday afternoon. They are buffet cruises, with a great spread. Oh, yeah, it's gooood. July 6, Fresh Cut Grass. July 13, Next Exit. July 20, Pickin Time. July 27, band not listed. August 3, Goober Says Hey.

• The New Silver Heights Bingo Hall, 9206 Blue Lick Road, Louisville: changed from Sunday afternoon to every Tuesday, 5:30 until ?.

• Bluegrass in the Hills, Hopedale, Ohio, July 10-12 and August 7-9. July: James King, Timber Ridge, Melvin Goins, Jamie Dailey and others. August: Goldwing Express, Wildwood Valley Boys, Nothing Fancy, The Moron Bros. and more.

• C.R. Wilson and Dennis Howell Bluegrass Festival, July 4-5: Audie Blaylock and Redline, Michael Cleveland and Flame Keeper, David Parmley , Tommy Brown, Blue River, Bluegrass 101, Kings Highway, Cowan Creek Boys.

• Missing Link Bluegrass Festival, Aug 1-2: Greenup Co. Fairgrounds, Greenup, Ky.: Ralph Stanley II (S), James King Band (F), Melvin Goins (FandS), Hart Bros. (S), Ernie Thacker (S), Tommy Webb, Bo Issac (S) and Stony Creek (FandS).