This is our third year of attending the Tygh Valley Bluegrass Festival. (Pronounced like ‘tie valley’) Each time it just keeps getting better. This time we talked some of our friends in to joining us in Tygh Valley. Long time friends, Fran Pickering and David and Adrienne Schilling joined us at the fairgrounds. Adrienne, Fran, Judy and I sang together in choir for many years. In addition, Fran is an excellent, classically trained violinist. We perhaps corrupted Fran just a bit.
You see, classical violinists keep their instruments in spotless condition. Fiddle players feel that the haze of rosin around the bridge gives the instrument a bit of character. In fact the saying goes; “The difference between a violin and a fiddle is; it is O.K. to spill a little coffee on a fiddle.”
We arrived on Thursday and set up camp. This gave Fran and I a chance to jam a bit together. David and Adrienne showed up on Friday and we arranged our coaches with the awnings touching to maximize our picnicking and pickin’ area. Friday night was a fabulous steak dinner on David’s BBQ. After dinner we attended a showcase of new bands and then sat in on an intimate performance by a really nice band called Hardshell Harmony.
Saturday morning is the scramble band competition. It was given that I would throw my name in the jar for guitar. It took a little arm twisting but Fran finally agreed to put her name in the fiddle jar. The bands were chosen and I joined a band that decided on the name
“The Tyghed and Dyed Scramblers.” Fran’s band became “The Tygh Valley Mountaineers.” Fran’s problem was that she had never heard either song the group chose. She stood up there like a trooper and played a solo break just like a pro. When the smoke cleared The Tygh Valley Mountaineers just aced out the Tyghed and Dyed Scramblers. I am sure it is just because they had a “cute chick” playing fiddle.
Sunday morning, before the Gospel program they have an “Open Mic” session. Anyone can sign up and stand up on stage and perform. Fran surprised me by asking if we were going to do “Open Mic?” “Duh! Oh sure” I responded. We dusted off our songs from the church performance last summer and invited Adrienne to join us. I ran over and signed us up. An hour later we made our début. Fran performed Amelia and Waltz After Per Roos while I accompanied on the guitar. Then Adrienne and I sang “Just Over In Glory Land” with Fran fiddling on the breaks.
What a wonderful time we all had. There are times when I wish I could magically whisk all of you out there reading this, to where we are and let you experience it too. The best I can do is to give you a verbal summary and some photos.
Check out last year’s open mic experience at this site. https://www.dinsmore-enterprises.com/2009/09/open-mic/
In the meantime, don’t be afraid to try something new once in a while. By the way, Fran, didn’t I see a light dusting of rosin there on your fiddle?
Love Gary and Judy