Posts Tagged ‘bluegrass’

Poppy Mountain Bluegrass Festival is an annual festival held on a 1000 acre farm outside of Morehead, Kentucky. The third week of September every year the “Mountain” fills with bluegrass fans from all over the world. Many bluegrass greats have entertained fans at Poppy Mountain from Alison Krauss, Ralph Stanley, Nitty Gritty Band, and this year Ricky Skaggs.

On my first visit to Poppy Mountain I had no idea what Bluegrass Music was even about. I certainly didn’t think I would become such a fan of the music. This was my 12th visit to Poppy Mountain and in those twelve years I have met tons of people many of which have become what I consider to be life-long friends. My first year I shot about 100 photos, but then again I was just there for the weekend. Now I spend the entire week and shoot thousands of images. I have become know on the mountain as the “PoppyRotzi”.

You can see all of the 2009 Poppy Mounatin photos here. Enjoy!

You can also see the 2008 photos here. Again, enjoy!

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This was the 5th Annual Mandolin Farm Bluegrass Festival, in Flemingsburg, Kentucky. And just as the past 4 years Willie Jarrells put on an awesome festival. You just don’t come across festivals like this everyday. Willie has a great staff of people working for him and you really feel like they appreciate you attending their little corner of Kentucky. From the moment you enter the property and they offer to help you set up your camper to the time you drive away on Monday morning you feel like you’re at home with your closest friends and family.

Thanks for another great year Willie, and we’re all looking forward to next year!

You can view the entire gallery here. Enjoy!

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I’ve been told for years “You need to go to Festival of the Bluegrass”! I should have listened long ago because this festival is way beyond great. Well worth the trip.

I had bought a new camper just a week before the festival but was told that the campground was sold out. So here I was with a brand new camper, headed to another bluegrass festival and couldn’t even use it. I decided that I would go anyway, hopeful to find one of my many “festival friends” to crash with.

Once I arrived at the Kentucky Horse Park Campground I discovered what a huge mistake I had made. Yes, the campground was full, but they open tons of space for camping in the many fields surrounding the campground. I could have used my new camper and invited a couple thousand friends to bring their campers as well. Lesson learned!

I actually did meet up with many friends from various festivals including my old Poppy Mountain friends Tim Cahall, Mandy and Todd and the gang from the Tiki Hut! I also met up with Willie and Sabrina Jerrals, the owners of Mandolin Farm Bluegrass Festival. After walking my way through the festival grounds and the campground I had no less than 6 offers to let me crash. After listening to the stage shows and working my way around the various jams throughout the campgrounds I ended up sleeping in my truck at 4:30 because I didn’t want to wake up any of the people that offered to let me stay. Thanks to all that offered.

I need to also note that I met a new friend at Festival of the Bluegrass. Rudy, from Rudyfest! He apparently was told that I shoot at a few festivals and we talked about me shooting at Rudyfest, but things didn’t work out this year. Maybe next year I’ll be posting Rudyfest photos here!

Now to the photos…. lots of general “around the festival” shots as wells as lots of stage photos. Take a look at the entire gallery here. Enjoy!

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The Hillbilly Gypsies… Great friends of mine were performing for the “Red Barn Radio” Show in Lexington, Kentucky. Since it had been a while since we had our “fix” of good live bluegrass music, a buddy of mine asked if I wanted to go down and visit the Gypsies.

The show was the typical Gypsies show with good hard stompin’ Appalachian old time music. And it was great have a beer with Trae, Jamie Lynn and Ty after the show.

If you ever get a chance to see these guys, take it. Great “down to earth” people, with a great sound.

Here’s the whole group of photos. Enjoy!

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After just getting back from Poppy Mountain Bluegrass Festival in Morehead, Kentucky, I figured it was time to post the photos from last year’s festival. These have not been posted until now because friends at the festival this year asked that I share them. Sorry for the delay in getting this gallery together, but better late than never huh?

See all the photos here. Enjoy!

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