Though,
the vendors offered something for everyone, the
Festivals energy is focused around the music.
With stages on both ends of the island the artists
were too numerous to give the all the proper credit
they deserve, but with much variety all who attended
were in for quite a show. Reports one couple from
Charlottesville who drove down to see The Hackensaw
Boys "the kids enjoy it more than we do,
they just love to dance." This was evidenced
by the gleeful gyrations only children can do
with such joy and vigor. The Hackensaw boys inspire
a loyal and varied fan base, having introduced
their sounds too many that may have never attended
a bluegrass concert. According to Skeeter Hackensaw
"touring with bands like Cake adds an element
to our music we just wouldn't get if we only played
bluegrass festivals, we always draw something
from it that keeps our music fresh."
Perennial
Virginia favorites Fighting Gravity pleased the
crowd with their fan's favorites while mixing
it up with covers, and a few of their newest tunes
featuring an ever evolving sound, that always
inspires cries for an encore. Next up was a new
addition to the Homegrown Festivals' lineup, Keller
Williams. Judging from the enthusiasm fans showed
for his performance, he is likely to be back.
Not to over simplify his talent but Keller's performance
can best be summarized as a one-man jam session,
and jam he did. Cracker closed out the show with
a performance of their crowd favorite Top Forty
hits, interspersed with their newer songs that
are sure to become fan favorites.
Now
I must back up a bit and give the whole show a
summary from a personal standpoint, because I
was there. No many how many times you have seen
Fighting Gravity, or Cracker, they never fail
to deliver some of the best live music performances
there are. Balance that with the refreshing sound
of the Hackensaw Boys, and the unique talent of
Keller Williams; put it altogether on a perfect
afternoon on the banks of the James River and
if you missed it, well then you just missed out.
But take heart if you did, thanks to the staff
of Brown Coffee Productions you can have the chance
to experience some Homegrown again. States Schiavone
McGee lead singer of Fighting Gravity, "
we are hometown boys doing our hometown thing,
and we'll back to do it again next year."
- by Jason Wolrey
