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Revival

September 20, 2009 By Greg Falken 3 Comments

Birch Lake

Birch Lake

Sunday mornings at Strawberry Music Festival involves a lot of walking.  First thing after crawling out of my sleeping bag is to hoof it down to Music Meadow to do the “Strawberry Stroll”, during which you stand in line with a couple of hundred fellow Strawberians, waiting to lay out blankets, tarps and chairs for the day.  The gates open at 7 am and by 7:30 we’re all situated and headed back to our camps.

Since it’s Sunday, I’ll grab another blanket and head on down to Birch Lake, for the Revival that starts at 9 am.  Revival is a long-standing tradition at Strawberry and it’s often a challenge for the musicians who enjoyed the “Strawberry Way” late into the evening the night before.  Many bluegrass festivals have a gospel show on Sunday mornings but that doesn’t quite describe the Revival.

Rather than an invocation, we start with a story, often told by Strawberry’s resident storyteller, B.Z. Smith.  Whatever the subject, these stories always provoke a profound sense of gratitude and togetherness among the several hundred souls gathered there on the grass.  And then the music begins.

It’s a different feeling from the main stage at Music Meadow.  Bands that blazed though their sets the night before play with a bit more thoughtfulness (or so I imagine).  And, yes, there are more gospel numbers and they are welcomed.  The paid ticket holders have been here for three days now, the volunteers one or two days more.  Just about everyone is in need of a little revival to make it through the last day of the festival.

The closing act is the Del McCoury Band.  He and his band, including his sons on mandolin and banjo, are dressed in suits and ties, as they are for all their shows.  This year, Del is celebrating his 70th birthday and 50th anniversary playing bluegrass music.  At this announcement, he receives a prolonged standing ovation from a crowd that looks much different from those in his native North Carolina but  who are no less appreciative.

One of the songs performed by Del McCoury that morning is the gospel standard, Get Down On Your Knees and Pray, performed in this video at the Ryman Auditorium in Nashville, in 2002.  I’m here to tell you, Del hasn’t lost a step or a note in the past seven years.  Just imagine yourself listening to those harmonies under the birch trees on a cool September morning in the Sierras.

Music and the Arts Tagged: BZ Smith, Del McCoury, revival, Strawberry, video

Comments

  1. B.Z. Smith says

    September 20, 2009 at 3:54 pm

    A nice trip BACK to Birch Lake. I love your closing sentence. It sums up the experience for every Revival at Strawberry. And yes, those restful moments as we charge into the Festival's last day is, well, reviving.

    Thanks for the nod on the opening story. At Fall 2009 Cynthia Restivo was eloquent in her story of "José." I'm already thinking about the perfect tale for Spring 2010, but of course, it often changes right there during the Festival. You never know what inspiration will come pouring forth at Camp Mather.

    Thanks, Greg!

    Reply
  2. Teri Murrison says

    September 20, 2009 at 7:51 pm

    I can't believe I've never been to the Strawberry Music Festival! Good writing – could see myself there under the trees and listening to BZ and the revivalists with my eyes closed! Thanks for posting this, Greg!

    PS BZ – that sounds like a good name for a band!

    Reply
    • GregF says

      September 20, 2009 at 7:58 pm

      You've got to go, Teri. It's never too late and everyone loves a Strawberry virgin (right, BZ?).

      Reply

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As a web developer since 1995, I find my attention increasingly drawn to the intersection of computers, the Internet, communication and education. On this blog, I indulge my interest in these and several other topics. I hope you find them interesting too. Read More…

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