Mountain Music History, Memories and Watermelon Park Fest By Joanna Levi Summer 2009

Bluegrass and it's roots are as varied as the people who migrated to America as early as the 1600's. Including dance and ballads from Ireland, Scotland, and England, as well as Africa. In fact slaves brought the design idea of the Banjo, which is an integral part of the Bluegrass sound.

As the early Jamestown settlers spread out to the Carolina's, Tennessee, Kentucky and the Virginia's, they often sang about everyday life experiences in rural areas. This was called Mountain music. The term Bluegrass was not really used until about 1938, when Bill Monroe, who was from Kentucky (The Bluegrass state) called his band Bill Monroe and the Bluegrass Boys. This band sound birthed a new form of music.

In the 1960's the Bluegrass festival was first introduced. Carlton Haney from Reidsville, North Carolina is credited with envisioning and producing the first weekend long Bluegrass Camp held in Fincastle, Virginia in 1963. Although their have been many Bluegrass gatherings since that historic weekend, Watermelon Park Fest does stand out as one of the earliest and longest running fest's to date.

August 10th 1960 was the start of it at Watermelon Park, this was only a one day event until Labor day weekend in 1969 when the first three day festival was born. And what a lineup they had. The Osborne Brothers, Bill Monroe, Ralph Stanley, Don Reno, Red Smith, Jimmy Martin and many others.

It continued this way till 1977 when for various reasons it was time for a break from this huge three day long Bluegrass event. This was the start of the Gospel shows which continued at the park till 2002. Not until 2003, with a little convincing from local Bluegrass aficionado (Frazier Watkins) did Watermelon Park's owner John Miller Sr. and his son Johnny Miller agree to hold a full fledged festival once again. And it has been held continuously till the present date, drawing Bluegrass music fans to the banks of the Shenandoah River in Clarke County from everywhere imaginable.

My Introduction to Bluegrass was in the form of my fathers relatives stopping by our home in Manassas while traveling through Virginia on their way to various shows along the east coast in the early 60's. My parents were from Kentucky and the south-western part of Virginia, always known as (Down Home) to us kids. And down home music is what they played. Music jams with many of the greats were held in our living room and many demo tapes recorded in my dads studio. My father was a local DJ for WPRW radio in Manassas, and was often the M.C. of the the local Bluegrass/Gospel events in Warrenton , Culpepper and surrounding area's, as well as hosting the Sunday Gospel/Blugrass show at WPRW.

Not until I was in my teens in the 70's did I delve into Bluegrass festivals on my own, attending many with my friend Sue, including The Old Time Fiddlers Convention, Aunt Minnies Farm, and Stompin 76, which was one of, if not the, biggest festival in Bluegrass History. Later being known as the "Woodstock Of Bluegrass" Over 150.000 people attended and more were waiting on the highway to get in. This is where I discovered much of the music I still love today. An infamous day in my life, I was hooked on Bluegrass, Festivals and music in general.

The next festival on our list was Watermelon Park, we were so excited because we only had to drive about 25 miles to this one. Not knowing this would be Watermelon Park's last big festival till the year 2003. We were all packed up in a parents station wagon, their must have been 7 or 8 of us kids in that car, and when we arrived at the gate some of kids were having second thoughts about staying for the whole weekend. Well that just would not do for my friend Sue and I, we did not want to miss a moment of it. So we got out of the car and said please return for us on Sunday, and so it was. Sue and I did not return to Watermelon Park fest again until 2006, and now going there is sort of a right of passage for us, memories of years gone by and the many festvals we attended in our youth.

The 2009 Watermelon Park Bluegrass Festival will be held September 24th through 26th and will feature Bluegrass, Folk and Oldtime Music as well as Cajun and Jazz this year. Their will be Pickin and Band contests and great camping all along the banks of the Shenandoah River.

Tickets can be purchased online and other retail locations throughout the valley, for details about ticket locations, camping and RV information, as well as all the bands that will be featured, go to www.watermelonparkfest.com or phone 540-955-1621.

Till next time, see ya around the stage somewhere, Jojo

The Horseshoe Curve Restaurant (A hidden jewel on the Mountain)

By JoJo Levi
Summer, June/July 2009

Established in 1946 when the current owner (Tracee Wink's) grandfather returned from world war II. The restaurant has long been a staple meeting and dining place for the mountain folk. Not until about 5 years ago has it been a place for musicians to gather. A musician and music lover herself, Tracee decided to start turning living room jams into a music venue. The Horseshoe Curve, or (The Curve) as the locals call it, is one of the best unknown music venues I have been to. Not because of it's size, to be sure, as it only holds about 40 people at most. And not because of it's location, as it is about a mile into the mountain off of Rt. 7. The reason is, because it is a serious listening room, attracting musicians from as far as Key West,Pittsburgh and DC. as well as many local bands, some of who got their start playing there.

I had always heard of the infamous tip jar at the Curve and soon found out why. Bands don't get paid to play at the Curve. That's The Rule. This jar can be lucrative for the musicians, at times bringing in more money than paid gigs. The reason? The patrons are so appreciative of the music. When I asked Tracee how she gets bands that normally get hundreds of dollars to play for tips? She said it is because they have a good listening audience and that the musicians feel at home there, like they are in their own living room.

The TV is rarely on, it is all about the live music on Friday and Saturday nights, and Wednesday is album night , where you can bring your own to spin, or pick from Tracee's vast collection, which is conveniently located in the dining area. They are pondering adding a third live music night on Thursdays just to accommodate all of the musicians who want to play there. The bands are scheduled almost a year in advance.

The Curve is open 6 days a week, closed on Mondays. They have a wonderful home style menu that includes Hot and Cold sandwiches,Burgers,Salads, and the best Fresh Cut French Fries to be found around these parts, Russet potatoes are washed and cut at the moment of ordering. It doesn't get any better than that.

So if you are looking for something new to do in Clarke County and enjoy music from Bluegrass to Rock and everything in between, I hope you will go and give it a try. I think you will be glad you did. Want more information on bands playing and other events sponsored by the Curve, you can check them out on Facebook. If you are a musician or band who wants to play there, send an email to mistermozart@yahoo.com put (PLAY AT CURVE) in the subject box, or just stop by the restaurant and ask for Tracee.

THE HORSESHOE CURVE RESTAURANT
Location-1162 Pinegrove Rd. Bluemont, Va. 20135
Phone: 540-554-8291
Email: mistermozart@yahoo.com
Hours of Operation- Tuesday-Saturday 12 noon to 1:00 am or later
Sunday- 12 noon to 7:00 pm Closed on Monday
Credit Cards NOT accepted Cash and Checks only- (Serving Beer and Wine) NON SMOKING (outdoor patio room provided for smokers)
LIVE MUSIC- Friday and Saturday Nights 9:00 pm to 1:00 am or later Album Night Wednesday at 7:00 Coming Soon Live Music on Thursdays