Hi, everyone. We just received this touching letter from Belgium and I thought you all would enjoy this as much as I did. As we know, bluegrass touches people around the world and here’s proof. Read on and enjoy:

Hello there,

Here is a ( short but important ) story I’d like to share with you all who are involved in the wonderful Grey fox festival…My name is Steve Louvat ; I am a banjo player from Belgium.

In 1993, I’ve been on your festival for the first time with my great friend Bill Keith – I had my 19th birthday just in the middle of the festival which was named “The Winter Hawk” at this time. I’ve been there again later in 1996. Each time,  I had so great times on your festival that at the end of it, when the moment of hearing “Ice” every where came, I was deeply blue. So I wrote a tune just after the 1996 edition and I decided to call it “The Winter Blues” (with the approbation of Bill).

You can hear and see here the recording of the tune which happened at the national radio in Belgium – hope you will enjoy it.

The Winter Blues on YouTube

By the way, I’ll also take advantage of this mail to introduce what we play with my brother Jefferson.

Other YouTube Sequences
MySpace
www.stevelouvat.com

Wow!  What can we say!  The fine folks at Onboard Research have done it again with an awesome little tuner, the PT10 Mini. The good news is that they will be available at the Grey Fox festival.  We asked Mark to share with us how they came to the new design. Click to read Mark’s comments.

“Competition keeps progress flowing, and we have greatly benefited from the influx of lowcost tuners that adopted the clip-on approach to tuning.  We at OnBoard have gotten feedback over the years from thousands of PT1 users who described the features and capabilities that they liked, as well as the little things that did not like.  So we decided to design a tuner that was small and compact, very lightweight, with a very bright backlight, a clamp that won’t loosen up and fall or get knocked off an instrument, and nestle it snugly behind the instrument’s headstock where it can be seen by the musician but not be distracting to an audience.

Plus, while we were at IBMA, someone approached us with the idea of a light that would change when the string went in-tune, and suggested this approach would make tuning faster because the switch in backlight colors could be seen in peripheral vision, allowing the musician to stay in better contact with the audience during necessary tune-ups.  We implemented a design that glows red when out of tune and snaps to green when the string goes into tune, and the effect is stunning.  It really does make tuning easier and faster.

Lastly, although many people prefer the Intellitouch arrow display, we heard from other people who expressed appreciation for the traditional needle style of display.  Therefore, for the Intellitouch PT10 Mini. we are tipping our hat to the needle displays of the world and offering what we believe is the best one available.”

Of course, the PT10 Mini comes with OnBoard’s exclusive Lifetime “No Questions Asked” Warranty\ that will apply anytime, for any reason for anyone.

Tight accuracy, durable, lightweight, attractive, snug, with a lifetime warranty and priced right: the Intellitouch PT10 “Mini” from OnBoard Research

The Intellitouch PT10 Mini Tuner by Onboard Resarch has a Retail Price of $39.95.

GREY FOX BLUEGRASS FESTIVAL
2009 Main Stage Schedule

THURSDAY (7/16)
Main Stage
2:00   Dry Branch Fire Squad Welcome Set
3:00   The Maybelles
4:00   Farewell Drifters
5:00   Pete Wernick’s Bluegrass Jam Campers
5:30   Red Stick Ramblers
6:30   Boston Boys
7:30   Crooked Still
8:30   The Kruger Brothers
9:45   Peter Rowan’s Bluegrass Band
11:00 Mountain Heart

FRIDAY (7/17)
Main Stage
11:00    Wernick, Wernick & Rigsby
12:00    Farewell Drifters
1:00      Boston Boys
2:00      Dry Branch Fire Squad
3:00      Sarah Jarosz
4:10      Claire Lynch Band
5:20      Gibson Brothers
6:30      Footworks Dance Ensemble 30th Anniversary
7:45      Del McCoury Band
9:15      David Bromberg Band
10:45    The Waybacks

SATURDAY (7/18)
Main Stage
11:00    Sarah Jarosz
12:00    Josh Williams Band
1:00     King Wilkie
2:00     Sierra Hull & Highway 111
3:00     Dry Branch Fire Squad
4:10      Laurie Lewis & Tom Rozum
5:20     Crooked Still
6:30     Marty Stuart and His Fabulous Superlatives
7:45     Ricky Skaggs and Kentucky Thunder
9:15     The Steeldrivers
10:45   Tim O’Brien Band

SUNDAY (7/19/09)
10:30    Dry Branch Fire Squad Gospel Set
11:45    TBA
12:30    The Lee Boys
1:30      BG Academy et al
2:30      Dry Branch Fire Squad Farewell

Schedule subject to change without notice (though we try hard not to have that happen!)

Congratulations to Etienne Cremieux who has been selected as the 2009 recipient of the Grey Fox Bill Vernon Memorial Scholarship. A high school senior and gifted fiddler from Brookline, MA, Etienne will be attending Berklee College of Music in the fall. His band, Red Hot Black Top was also invited to play at Grey Fox at the new showcase sessions at the Masters Stage. Etienne and Red Hot Black Top will play at the Masters Stage on both Friday and Saturday evenings (exact time TBA). As a student of the Grey Fox Bluegrass Academy for Kids, we have watched Etienne’s musical abilities soar over the past six years. We hope you all get a chance to hear Etienne and his hot young band at Grey Fox this summer. They’ve got it all. Again, congratulations, Etienne. Hugely deserved! We should mention, too, that this was no easy feat. There were several applicants for this annual scholarship with excellent credentials and abilities from all regions of the US, Canada and even Japan.

Greetings from all of us at Grey Fox. Many of you have been asking what the layout will be like at Grey Fox this year. We are making many changes, big and small, that we feel are very positive. We want to thank you for your suggestions, beginning with the “Grey Fox Community Meeting” on Sunday last year and throughout the year. We have looked at all the possibilities and weighed each suggestion. Some of your suggestions we CAN do and others we simply cannot. Here are some of the changes we are incorporating in 2009. We sincerely hope they will enhance your Grey Fox experience.

1. LOCATION OF MAIN STAGE: The Main Stage will still be in the upper field, but it will be moved to the left more (as seen from the audience) and turned to face southwest. This will give fans sitting on the hill a better view and will allow more of the field to be used for seating with a clear view of the stage. We considered moving the stage to the lower field, but there is not enough room.

2. OUR WONDERFUL FOOD VENDORS have been given the choice of being “up” or “down” and they have spoken. There will be food in both locations. Fans in the Main Stage area will be close to food, while those at the Masters Stage, Dance Pavilion, Kids Academy, Family Stage, Grass Roots and Slow Jam Tents plus all of the craft vendors will have a nice choice of foods down below, too. We think this is an excellent win-win situation for everyone. Bon appétit, y’all!

3. OUR AMAZING NON-FOOD VENDORS will be nestled much closer to the base of the incline leading up to the Main Stage. The same is true for all the other stages. This has some big advantages. Firstly, craft vendors will be much closer to the Main Stage. Secondly, fans in the Main Stage amphitheater will be able to walk down the incline just a little ways and be at the front “doors” of all the craft and lower food vendors. There will be an added walkway to make the little trek that much easier.

4. The MASTERS STAGE will anchor one end of the craft vendors in the lower field. The other end will be anchored by the Dance Tent. All will be located as close to the “incline” leading up to the Main Stage area as possible. Another advantage of this layout is that camping will begin closer to the west end of the lower camping field.

5. LOWER CAMPING: Blocks in the Lower Camping field will be designated as Quiet Camping, General Camping, HC Camping and Generatorville. We will have “helping hands” to assist on Wednesday to help campers find a spot and save a reasonable amount of space for friends coming later. Campers may save space until Thursday at 2 pm when the music begins. At that time, other campers will be able to fill in areas not taken. A map will be on the web site and in the festival program book showing the locations of Quiet, General, HC and Generatorville Camping. Please be kind and think of others when taking space. PLEASE bring only what you need and leave the rest at home.

6. QUIET CAMPING will be all around the FAMILY STAGE and BLUEGRASS ACADEMY FOR KIDS tents. Families will not have to haul infants, kids, strollers and gear so far. This Quiet Camping Area will be for anyone who wants to turn in early. Please keep noise to a minimum from 10pm to 8am.

7. QUIET STAFF CAMPING (and QUIET CAMPING OVERFLOW) will be in the very south section of the lower field (by the barns). This is where Staff Camping was last year and will be again this year. THIS YEAR: Staff who want to be in quiet camping will set up in Quiet Staff Camping and stay there. QUIET CAMPING OVERFLOW will be in the Staff Quiet Camping section and will be available for ticket buyers if space allows. Any Quiet Camping section must be quiet from 10pm to 8am. IMPORTANT NOTE: STAFF who eventually want to camp in “General Camping” with friends will set up prior to Wednesday in the far east end of the campground (near the entrance). At 6 pm on Wednesday, they will be able to move out into General Camping.

8. HANDICAPPED CAMPING (Tent, Pop-ups & RV) and HANDICAPPED PARKING will be along the gravel access road. This will enable us to provide convenient transportation for those needing assistance. 24 hour Medical Service, HC accessible toilets and handwashing facilities will be nearby. A MAIN STAGE SHADE TENT for handicapped fans will be set up in the Main Stage area in about the same area as last year to provide shelter from the elements as well as a spot at which to wait for transportation assistance. To ensure that our HC facilities are used by those who truly need them, please bring proof of HC status. HC Camping will be considered Quiet Camping (10pm-8am).

9. GENERAL CAMPING, also known as “PICKERS PARADISE,” will be located from Quiet Camping on the west to the far east edge of the lower camping field. Its northern edge will be along the woods bordered by Catskill Creek. Folks in Pickers Paradise are free to pick until the cows come home. Reasonable noise levels are recommended. Please be considerate of your neighbors. Most of High Meadow Camping will be considered General Camping/Pickers Paradise (but tents only, no cars). There should be plenty of space for you to get away from other people if your group wishes to be quiet at night.

10. CAMPSITE VEHICLES: Cars at campsites will be parked perpendicular to streets (not parallel). All vehicles must be able to get out in case of an emergency AND cars parked in this way is a more efficient use of space. Either pull into or back into your camping space, whichever makes sense for your type of camping. Do not parallel park as you could get blocked in. We will have volunteers on hand Wednesday and Thursday to help organize the campground. Please be considerate. People who actually CAMP in their vehicles will be able to pull into the camping block, but you will not be able to move once you’re in there.

11. CAR CORRAL: Once again we encourage campers to eliminate as many vehicles as possible from the campground. If you park your vehicle in the car corral you will be entered into a raffle with daily drawings and a grand prize of two full festival tickets to Grey Fox 2010. You’ll be able to use your car during the festival for off-site travel, but you will not be able to drive into the campground until Sunday when you pack up to leave. If you have an emergency and have to leave early, ask staff for assistance.

12. “GENERATORVILLE” CAMPING (for RVs using generators) will be adjacent to a shuttle bus stop. Shuttle buses will run continuously during Main Stage hours. RVs not using a generator at all will be able to park in any camping section, weather permitting.

13. PUMP OUT SERVICES will be provided by a new company this year. If you want to have your camper pumped out you can pick up a sign to put in your window at the ticket booth as you come in or at the information booth. We have a new sanitation company this year, so give them a try!

14. HIGH MEADOW CAMPING will again be for tent camping only (no vehicles) but with a much improved delivery system. All day Wednesday (until dark) and until noon on Thursday, tent campers headed for the High Meadow area will be allowed to drive up the gravel road to drop off your gear at the “turn-around” circle. You will then drive down and park in an on-site car corral near the festival entrance. If you wish to use your car for transportation into town or for storage, you may do that. You will be able to drive up back up on Sunday morning to retrieve your gear or take the shuttle bus back down. Between Thursday noon and Sunday morning you will need to use the shuttle or walk to get around the site.

15. BIKE CORRAL: A bike corral will be set up for those bringing their bikes. We believe that more people will be bringing bikes each year. And we think this is a good thing!

16. MAIN STAGE SEATING:  The LEFT FRONT section of the amphitheater will be restricted to low back beach style chairs and blankets. The FRONT RIGHT section of the amphitheater is for any style of chair. And of course, the HC tent is a shelter for HC patrons only. Please do not block the view of others. Sunshades and sunbrellas are permitted around the perimeter of the amphitheater. Ask staff if you are unclear. When you leave your seat, it is the Grey Fox Way for someone to borrow it until you return. If you don’t want anyone sitting in your seat, take it with you when you leave.

17. THE HILLSIDE CHAIR: We’ll be selling the “Everywhere Chair” again at the Tee Shirt Booth. It’s been a while! These low profile chairs are adjustable, well made and easy to carry. To order chairs in advance, email burdette@greyfoxbluegrass.com by June 15 with quantity desired. They will be dark green. They will sell for $49.00 and will come with our logo on the back of the chair. You can pick them up at the tee shirt booth at the festival. The supply at the festival will be very limited, so let us know if you want one!

18. SEATING at all of our tented venues: Leaving your seats in place is permitted at the Main Stage only. For all other venues, please take seats with you whenever you go. There will be chairs at the Masters Stage this year, so you won’t need to bring chairs with you. Please do not remove festival-provided chairs from any venue.

19. CATSKILL CREEK: It is New York State law that during an event the size of Grey Fox, patrons are not allowed to “swim” in the creek bordering the property. And by swim, that means sitting, standing or wading in the water. It’s a technicality that we have to live with. So, that’s the bad news. The GOOD NEWS is that we’ve been told that It is OK to sit on the banks of the creek and have your feet in the water. We will be posting signs to this effect.
20. ZOOM FLUME SPECIAL DISCOUNT: Speaking of swimming and cooling off, the great folks at Zoom Flume (www.zoomflume.com) are again being very generous and offering discounted day and weekend passes for Grey Fox patrons. Anyone wearing a wrist band from Grey Fox will be eligible. Prices will be $27.95 for a four-day pass. Discounted one day passes — on Saturday and Sunday only — will cost $18.95 ($15.95 ages 3 - 7). Thanks to Ed and the entire very cool crew at Zoom Flume!

21. CAMPING GATES OPEN AT 9:00 AM WEDNESDAY, JULY 15. That’s when you will be able to drive onto the Walsh Farm, get your wristband and set up camp. DAY VISITOR GATES OPEN AT 8:00 AM THURSDAY THRU SUNDAY. Parking is free.

22. Main Stage Music Hours: Thursday 2:00 pm-midnight; Friday 11:00 am-midnight; Saturday 11:00 am-midnight; Sunday 10:30 am-2:30pm.

23. SHUTTLE BUSES: Free shuttle buses will run continuously from the ticketing area to the Main Stage area each day. They will start roughly one hour before the music begins and stop approximately 45-60 minutes after the Main Stage shuts down. 

We hope you’ll join us on the farm this year. The lineup, as always is spectacular and we’ll be once again doing everything we can to make sure you have a great time. Be watching for more information, coming soon. We have exciting announcements about a new talent showcase. Stay tuned!

Thanks for reading all this. It’s a lot to digest and we hope it tastes great to you.

From all of us at Grey Fox