Grey fox festival is moving

[mzuch]

Received an email this AM from the folks at Grey Fox saying the Rothvoss farm has been sold and the festival needs a new home. It's the end of an era. More info here (http://www.greyfoxbluegrass.com/NewsItems/20080110_RothvossFarmSold.php).

[Kevin Briggs]

This stinks. I knew I should have gone last summer. Regret....

[Tom C]

I knew it was a matter of time as I've have been watching the sale of the farm. This stinks but that's life. 1 more year would have been great. There are about 70 people I meet there each year for the last 10 years and most I do not even know how to get in contact with. Mary did say the new place will not be a "dry" location such as a state or county park (That would just be ludicrous). Currently I am less than a 2hr drive. Who knows where it can end up. I'm sure going to miss "The Hill". I feel a piece has just been taken out of me but I have confidence they will find a great place. They run a great festival where nothing has changed over 30 years. You know exactly what to expect and I am sure they will not settle for anything less.

[sunburst]

I'm sure going to miss "The Hill".
The last time I was there it was still Winter Hawk, but I sure remember "the Hill", and I can't say I'll miss it if they move to some place level and I make it back one of these years...

[Dave Gumbart]

Well, having a drink with a friend in a New Haven bar in 1990, we started to read this flyer on the wall. Peter Rowan, Tony Rice, David Grisman (iirc), Jerry Douglas - all at some place (then) called Winterhawk. At that moment, we were part of the family, giddy as schoolkids to learn about this festival.

We drove up on Friday, parked not too far from the stage (!), and got out of the car to hear the Tony Rice Unit tearing it up, playing "Hold Whatcha Got." I've probably made it to the festival some 12 times since then, and am always sad when some other part of life "intrudes" on festival weekend.

So, as it moves to someplace new, I look forward to being there in '08 and getting a new start on the old magic. Anyone who has a favorite festival they return to again and again knows how deeply a part of your life this kind of event can be. My children (13 and 11) have been 4 times and are proud veterans of the hill - nothing like a Tim O'Brien flashlight experience to leave a lasting memory.

I know the Grey Fox web site has an active "memories" discussion going on, but here are just a few of mine (as briefly as possible):
- sunsets - if you've been, you know. Many a performer has been confused when, mid-song, the whole audience applauds nature's bidding the crowd good night.
- Peter Rowan playing solo, and making brand new material sound like you've known it all your life.
- Red Knuckles, trying to play a solo using a cracker as a pick.
- Yonder Mountain's heartfelt response from stage their first time there when they got the flashlight treatment. And their John Hartford version of the Stones' No Expectations.
- my daughter spontaneously getting up and doing Irish step (she'd started lessons by then) while listening to Natalie MacMaster.
- Chris Thile at the workshop tent, playing Bach to a mezmorized audience.
- The Freight Hoppers, and more recently, The Reel Time Travelers winning tons of new old time fans after their sets.
- pointing out James Nash of The Waybacks to my daughter, as he walked along the mid-way, and telling her how they'd ripped it up so much the year before, the festival invited them back - and having James overhear me, stop, and come on over to say hi and thank us personally "for having us back."
- Doc Watson - any time. EVERY time.
- about a 2:00 AM walk back to the tent after one of the all-star jams on the main stage, being oh so tired, but wondering why it had to end.
- sharing it all with family and close friends.

Ah heck, I could go on forever. What are your memories?

[G. Fisher]

I hope they're able to find a favorable new location. The local festival here had to move because of a sale also and the new location is not as user friendly.

[johnnymando]

This is sad....I've been going intermittently since 1984...seeing Emmylou Harris when it was the Berkshire Mt fest. I watched it grow as Winterhawk then to Greyfox with countless increadible performances...Hot Rize,Peter Rowan,Tony Rice,Grisman,Sam,Del,Allison( at 18),NBB,Ricky,on and on..so many great shows. Was last there in 2003 and had planned on returning this year.
I'll miss the beautiful sunsets,jamming until I drop,swimming at Taconic park on 98 degree days,the big blowdown( 1995?),watching the sunrise before going to bed,great food and mostly just being and feeling part of something so damn fun.
Thanks to the promoters for putting it together for us.

[bradeinhorn]

this is upsetting. i've been the last six years and as much as the hill is a bummer to traverse at times, it makes for such a nice natural amphitheater. i hope it won't be hard to locate all my grey fox buddies.

[RichieK]

Anyone remember the lightening storm on Saturday night, around 1976? Getting up on Sunday morning and watching Boone Creek do a gospel set without power is something I'll never forget.

[Tom C]

The Rothvossess's allowed hundreds, if not more, of folks camp out on their property at the bottom of the hill for weeks until they opened the gates. I hope this tradition does not get lost but it may be a risk the new place will
not want to make.