July 8, 2009 — Many campers already camping
The 19th Annual Carter County Shrine Club will be hosting their Bluegrass Festival July 16, 17, and 18 at the Shrine Park in Olive Hill.
Headliners will include: Doyle Lawson and Quicksilver, Blue Highway, IIIrd Tyme Out, Lou Reed and Carolina, Ralph Stanley II, J.D. Crow and The New South, Continental Divide, Junior Sisk and Rambler’s Choice, and many more!
Doyle Lawson wil be appearing for one of only two shows he will perform in Kentucky this year.
This year’s bluegrass festival is in memory of Keith Whitley. All of the bands will be singing some of Keith Whitley songs and there will be words said in his honor.
“We expect this year to be one of the biggest years yet,” said Chris Binion, festival organizer. “We have received many phone calls, and there seems to be a lot more interest. We want people to know that this is a great family festival,” said Binion.
Campers have already started arriving. Binion said the first group of campers arrived right after Rudy Fest.
“I and my wife have been coming here for 16 years, and we love it,” said James Meade of Flat Gap, a camper already at the Shrine Park. Elizabeth Meade added, “I love this place! We have been coming here since 1995, and have made a lot of friends just camping.”
A camper from Salyersville, Grant Cantrell, said he really enjoyed being there.
“We love it here, it is one of our favorite places for bluegrass,” said Katie Lucas of Rush.
“I really like this place and have a good time just playing cornhole, cooking and eating. I also like that everyone looks out for each other,” said Don Lucas of Rush.
Greg Mayo of Cannonsburg said, “I believe that the Carter County Shrine Bluegrass Festival is the best of all the festivals, they have great management, facilities, and line up. They treat you like people instead of numbers.”
The campsites are going fast at the park. To reserve a campsite stop by the park.
The Carter County Shrine Club will also be having the “1st Annual Jammin’ at the Park and Pig Roast” August 29, which will also at the Shrine Park in Olive Hill.
For information about this event contact: Chris at 286-1805, Richard at 316-0376 or Alma at 286-4611 or visit www.cartercountyshrineclub.org
In memory of Keith Whitley
This year’s Carter County Shrine Club Bluegrass Festival is in honor of the late Keith Whitley.
May of 2009 marked 20 years since Whitley’s death.
“He’s still popular, still influencing newer artists,” Doyle Whitley said of his brother. “People still love him. People are writing songs all the time about him in bluegrass and country.”
Each band’s performance will feature songs that were written by Whitley. Some of Whitley’s family members will be at the festival, including Dwight.
Dwight and his wife, Flo, live in Stephens, Kentucky part of Flo’s family farm.
“Keith used to come over here and we’d walk the woods,” Dwight said. “Flo would put a big pot of soup beans on and when we’d get back we’d eat soup beans and cornbread.”
Dwight and Keith developed a special bond because of music, Dwight said.
“I had a high school band in the ‘60s,” he said. “It was an old ‘50s style rock band. Keith was eight or nine years old at the time and he would sing and play guitar with us. He was the star of the show. When he’d come on stage, he’d just take over.”
Throughout the years, Keith went onto play with Ralph Stanley and the Clinch Mountain Boys, J. D. Crowe and the New South and his own band, the Country Store and New Tradition, which Keith formed himself.
“I preferred to stay home and be a father and husband,” Dwight said.
Whitley spent about 15 years playing bluegrass music and recording on about 50 albums, Dwight said. His national career was short-lived.
Keith had four number one hits: “Don’t Close Your Eyes,” “When You Say Nothing at All,” “I’m No Stranger to the Rain” and “I Wonder if You Ever Think of Me.”
“I was listening to ‘80s Billboard on the radio,” Dwight said. The number one song of the ‘80s on the Billboard Charts was, ‘I’m No Stranger to the Rain.’ I was really proud. That was my favorite song that Keith ever did.”
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photo by Cassandra Porter
Shrine Club Bluegrass
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