THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Thursday, May 9, 1996 TAG: 9605090036
SECTION: DAILY BREAK PAGE: E6 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY ROY A. BAHLS, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: Medium: 58 lines
BLUEGRASS enthusiasts get their yearly dose of music and camaraderie today through Saturday at the 16th annual Bluegrass Kickoff at Virginia Beach's Holiday Trav-L-Park.
This year's lineup on the outdoor stage includes Jimmy Martin (``King of Bluegrass''), Country Gentlemen (traditional bluegrass), Osborne Brothers (you remember ``Rocky Top Tennessee''), Seldom Scene (progressive bluegrass), Lewis Family (``First Family of Bluegrass'') Stevens Family (bluegrass/gospel) and Ralph Stanley (traditional mountain music).
Along with the big name performers, festival regulars treasure the campfire jam sessions which spark up around the campground after the outdoor stage goes dark.
``They'll be jammin' all night long,'' said festival promoter Doug Baker. ``They stay up all night.''
Baker looks at his festival as ``Kind of a reunion. People come from all around. Kentucky, Tennessee, Pennsylvania, New York and everywhere. The music and fellowship - it's just a good-time family get together.''
Fans will also be kicking up their heels with some free-style flatfooting, which is a wild foot-stoppin' dance where anything goes.
Baker is usually found at festivals dishing up a steaming sausage sub or steak sandwich as part of his ``Sausage King'' vendor business.
But since 1980, he has reserved this weekend to serve up this three-day good-time gathering.
``I used to be a big festival-goer in the late '60s and early '70s,'' said Baker, 49. ``I got to know the entertainers and they said `You ought to try one in your area.' That's how it got started.''
Baker is matter-of-fact about why he has continued the festival for 16 years: music and money. He loves the music more than ever, but over the years the attendance has leveled off.
He expects about 3,500 to attend his three-day event this weekend.
``There are so many bluegrass festivals,'' he said. ``There are more than 550 nationwide. When we started, we were about the only one in the eastern part of Virginia.''
When asked who is this year's headliner Baker has to give it some thought.
``We are promoting The Country Gentlemen Reunion,'' he said. ``Charlie Waller started the band in 1962. They'll be doing the music they recorded in the early '60s.''
Waller, who still leads the group, will be joined by other original members Eddie Adcock and John Duffey. Both Adcock and Duffey went on to form their own bands which are also performing at the festival.
The reunion performance at 10:30 p.m. Saturday concludes the festival. ILLUSTRATION: [Info box]
Festival Facts
Call: 425-0249
by CNB