They were pleased to be asked, and even happier to play — 14 students comprising Berklee’s Roots Music Roadshow hit the Grey Fox Bluegrass Festival, the weekend of July 16.

The Roadshow did 7:00 sets on Friday and Saturday, to audiences that truly appreciated their youthful artistry and verve. Grey Fox is the IBMA event of the year, and the crowds here know their music, and don’t stint on showing their love when they hear something great.

Some personal highlights:

- ’06 alum and most modest mandolin monster Joe Walsh sitting next to, and trading hot passages with, David Grisman, one of the giants of the instrument.

- Sierra Hull, charming the capacity-plus throng at the Berklee a.m. Roots Music Clinic with her tale of coming to Berklee, then blowing the crowd’s collective mind with her inventive mandolin playing and angelic voice.

- Berklee bluegrass guitaress extraordinaire Courtney Hartman playing (beautifully) alongside Nashville studio wizard Bryan Sutton, winner of last year’s bluegrass Grammy. Courtney later was named a recipient of this year’s Grey Fox Scholarship!

- The entire Berklee Roots Music Roadshow — Chasin’ Blue, Frankie’s Little .44, the Up Jumpers, and Sierra Hull and Courtney Hartman– holding the crowd close with their youthful verve and virtuosity.

The feeling at Grey Fox is so family, so all about the music, and the Berklee students are in pure, hot-buttered heaven here. On a day like today, one could be forgiven for feeling that we all belong, all men are brothers, and you only need a well played mandolin at any peace conference or international border.

For performance and workshop videos, visit the Berklee Blog or copy and paste this link…..

http://www.berklee-blogs.com/2010/07/banjo-rash-berklee-at-the-grey-fox-bluegrass-festival-2/

Live from Grey Fox Bluegrass Festival Final Wrap Up
By Garrett Frierson

I’ve got to admit my experience at Grey Fox was much different than I expected. Sure I thought I’d be camping, seeing great bluegrass music, and hanging out with a musician or two, but I was completely unprepared for the artist proximity, wonderful atmosphere, and educational opportunities that were constant throughout my time here. All of my interactions with the other campers were genial and laid back, as were most of my interactions with staff. The nearby creek provided welcome relief from the heat while the ever-changing weather reminded us that though we are at an amazing festival, we are still outdoors. Nothing is quite like running from a flash rainstorm to find yourself on a large dance floor with an amazing bluegrass band playing.

The music here surprised me, too. Grey Fox is much more than bluegrass, inviting bands that incorporate all forms of roots music as well as putting a new spin on old techniques. Every band at Grey Fox was obviously influenced by and versed in Bluegrass, but there were many who used it sparingly, if at all. The crowd didn’t mind a bit, cheering wildly after every song and giving every band (well deserved) standing ovations. That energy went straight into the bands, who were glad to return it right back in their music.

Most festivals will take your money an show you some good music, but Grey Fox will give you so much more than just a stage with some bands on it. Here you will camp, meet fun loving festival goers and artists, learn, and experience bluegrass in all its forms. Grey Fox makes community music about community again, and it is an incredible experience.

To read all of Garrett Frierson’s daily commentaries visit the Performer Magazine Blogs. Once you get to the website, scroll down to find all Grey Fox entries.

J-Man from Music Marauders interviewed Del McCoury, Ronnie and Robbie McCoury, Justin Carbone and Sam Bush during Grey Fox 2010. Here’s the link to the videos. Scroll down to these and other interviews and enjoy! http://www.musicmarauders.com/

You can also find them at these YouTube links:
SAM BUSH:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eLQj45k8Bxs
TIM CARBONE:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pvxLZALGRlc
DEL McCOURY:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_-jgTSgsqY4
ROB McCOURY:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rcNDpDo9OQQ
RONNIE McCOURY:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rcNDpDo9OQQ

By Hilary Hawke, Catskill Daily Mail

DURHAM — After a great start on Thursday and a red-hot Friday, The Grey Fox Bluegrass Festival shifts into high gear for the remainder of the event with nonstop music at the main stage, master’s stage, family stage, grassroots tent and dance pavilion.

With wall-to-wall campers and tents, more than 15 food vendors, almost 50 booths selling everything from crafts and clothing to jewelry and instruments there is plenty for day-trippers to do and lots to keep everyone from kids to listeners entertained.

If the thought of thousands of people all converged at one site sounds overwhelming, fear not. MORE

http://www.thedailymail.net/articles/2010/07/17/news/doc4c4142974986a684743991.txt

By MICHAEL ECK, Special to the Times Union
First published in print: Thursday, July 15, 2010

The last time Tim O’Brien was in Albany, in May, he was doing the sideman thing, playing a pile of instruments alongside Mark Knopfler at the Palace Theatre. The time before that — at the Linda in November 2008 — he was performing solo, playing a pile of instruments to back up his own compositions, as well as a few old mountain songs.

Saturday, at his annual Grey Fox Bluegrass Festival appearance, he’ll be leading a band and playing a pile of instruments as he debuts new material from his latest album, “Chicken & Egg,” which dropped on Tuesday.

To say O’Brien is talented is an understatement. He’s working constantly as a much-admired songwriter, singer and instrumentalist.

Grey Fox gives him a chance to display all of those talents, and in a number of contexts.

In addition to his 8:30 p.m. Main Stage show, for example, O’Brien will also be doing a “West Virginia in Song” workshop on the Masters Stage at 5 p.m. with Kathy Mattea (who used O’Brien’s “Walk the Way the Wind Blows” as the title track for her 1986 breakthrough album).

Read more