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TRADITION, MUSIC AND LIFE BLEND IN BLUEGRASS

July 10, 2008 12:15 am

Keeping alive the memories and sentiments of days gone by, making it possible for people of today to hear and enjoy the tunes of yesterday.

--1935 newspaper description of the first Old Fiddler's Convention in Galax

At 73 stately years, the Old Fiddler's Convention is affectionately referred to as "Galax," the name of the tiny Southwest Virginia town where it is held each year.

Galax is one of the oldest and best-attended music festivals in the country--but it's not the only name you hear spoken in reverential tones among Virginia's best banjo and mandolin players.

Graves. Mineral. Floyd.

Each event offers a unique take on traditional Appalachian music, and each draws fans from all over the state, country and world.

In addition to those big-league shindigs, there are smaller festivals that fill up nearly every available summer weekend in Virginia. Mr. B's in Ladysmith, Watermelon Park Fest in Berryville, Nothin' Fancy Bluegrass Festival in Buena Vista.

In all cases, the pickin' is hot, the harmonies are high and tight, and the crowd is laid back in the camp chairs they brought from home. Each festival still maintains the same basic goal Galax set in 1935.

If you want to see quality music close to your own front porch, you won't find a more casual setting than a bluegrass festival.

At 25 years old, the Mineral Bluegrass Festival is one of the legends of the genre. When you settle in among the shade trees of Walton Park, time slowly unwinds--eventually grinding to a satisfying halt.

Then it spins backward faster than a Sonny Osborne banjo lick.

A day at Mineral could easily be a scene from 1930, with the same people sitting in front of the same stage, listening to the same music. Real life doesn't get more sepia-toned.

The newest standard-bearer for the ancient sounds of bluegrass is Dailey & Vincent, named for frontmen Jamie Dailey and Darrin Vincent. Both are lifelong pickers and singers with notable careers backing up Doyle Lawson and Ricky Skaggs, respectively.

Their self-titled debut CD shot to the top of the bluegrass charts, and they've been getting rave reviews at each stop on the summer festival circuit.

The two will perform July 18 at Mineral.

Both men grew up "in the tradition," as they say--playing at festivals since they were old enough to pick up an instrument.

"It's just a family environment with wholesome music," Vincent said. "It works. It's laid-back. You can just go and lay your burdens down and not worry about a thing."

Both men noted the unique interactive nature of bluegrass festivals.

"Festivals are more hands-on," Vincent said. "People want to talk to you. They have a story to tell and they want that one-on-one contact. Of course, a lot of fans are shade-tree pickers themselves.

"Communication is awesome in bluegrass," he continued. "At most concerts, you go to see the show, but there's no communication with the artist. I think that's where bluegrass festivals get a big gold star--by giving fans a chance to interact with the artists."

Communication is just as crucial between the musicians on stage. Complex arrangements, four-part harmony and flashy improvisational sections blend seamlessly, but require close musical relationships.

Dailey & Vincent may be a new group, but their decades of experience helped them hit the ground running. It also helps that their vocal blend is a shining example of the classic country sound usually associated with acts like the Stanley brothers, Louvin brothers or Osborne brothers.

"I can't say we really 'learned' to sing together," Dailey said. "We just sing together and it happens. It comes natural--we do what the good lord lets us."

It sounds like a good decision now, but starting a new band was a huge gamble for Dailey and Vincent. Both were ensconced in comfortable long-term gigs before they set out on their own.

"Even though I knew Jamie and I had something unique to give the bluegrass community, it's a scary move to jump out of a perfectly good flying airplane," Vincent said.

The decision was particularly difficult for Vincent, who was accustomed to life as a sideman.

"Coming front and center has been a challenging position for me," he said. "It's been very scary, but I'm thoroughly enjoying it. I'm connected to the audience in a way I haven't been in my whole life."

Neither man is second-guessing the decision.

"So far, it's worked out wonderful for us," Dailey said.

To reach Jonas Beals: 540/368-5036
Email: jbeals@freelancestar.com