| By Drew Moody
You can almost count on most road-traveled musicians to have a good sense of humor, and bluegrass players surely have the best.
Plus, take into consideration Glenville State College's bluegrass program received recent approval to expand to 4-year BA degree status, and there's plenty of reason to have a party.
The 'dean' of GSC bluegrass, Buddy Griffin, took a brief break during Saturday's evening jam and as a few friends came over to say hello said, laughing, "I feel like the old man that everyone comes over to see to wish well."
Buddy Griffin jams with other musicians outside the GSC
Fine Arts Center Saturday evening (Photos by Drew Moody)
Earlier, teasing the crowd, he offered to remove select pieces of clothing to boost cookie sales benefiting the bluegrass scholarship program. As a woman approached the table, and made her request, he quipped, "I want to see the money first."
John Lilly, editor of West Virginia's Goldenseal magazine, served as master of ceremonies. Lilly said Griffin could live anywhere and be a successful musician. "He's seen it all." He surmised Griffin came back to live near his Sutton home because of a love of teaching and his love of the State.
Several groups thanked Griffin publicly during their Friday and Saturday performance, but don't expect to see Griffin standing around talking about himself.
"He's a behind the scenes kind of guy," said Rick Roberts, a fiddle, mandolin, and guitar player, who performs professionally with local singer, songwriter Mike Morningstar. Roberts grew up watching Griffin and his family play music in Sutton. "He's a great talent."
Griffin has performed at bluegrass festivals throughout the United States and Canada with such artists as Bill Monroe, Mother Maybelle Carter, Mac Wiseman and the Goins Brothers and Jim & Jesse McReynolds.
GSC students Josh Chapman (left) and Luke Shamblin
are part of the Glenville State College Bluegrass Band
Lizzy Long (left) and Mountain Fury were featured
both days of the festival.
Friday's opening act was the GSC Bluegrass Band, playing to an enthusiastic crowd. Also featured Friday were Once Blue, Sheppard Brothers, New Ground and the evening closed with a Mountain Fury performance. Mountain Fury initially formed after members met as students at Glenville State College.
Members are Lizzy Long, playing fiddle, banjo and guitar; Rachel Singleton, a Summersville, WV native, plays mandolin; Eileen Marsh, a Gilmer County native, plays guitar. And the newest member, playing bass, is Singleton's younger sister, Robin.
Founding member Lizzy Long has five albums to her credit, the most recent, a joint project with famed musicians Earl Scruggs and Little Roy Lewis. For more information see www.lizzylong.com
Saturday'schedule featured New Ground, Mountain Fury, Little Mill Creek Boys, Once Blue and Laurel Creek.
St. Mary's area bluegrass band, Laurel Creek, were
featured performers at last weekend's bluegrass festival
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