The Old Settler's Music Festival is the perfect size. Unlike some of the monster festivals that I've attended around the country, this one has just the right number of performers (about 30) and stages (only 2). Maybe I'm getting old, but I just don't dig fighting massive crowds and walking miles between parking lots, stages, etc. Like I said, this one is perfect.
Musicians: You're welcome to use any pictures that you like. I would appreciate a photo credit and an email if you do. All others please contact me for permission. See more details at the bottom of this page.
Questions or comments ?? Contact Ron Baker
Another amazing and fun year at Old Settler's. Click on the links below to see Flickr photo sets and slideshows for each day of the 2008 festival. As you will see, I did my best to cover as much ground as possible. I apologize to the bands and singers that I missed. Maybe next year?
It was a pleasure to see this amazingly talented young lady once again. Sarah Jarosz was joined on stage by her mother Mary, as well as the super multi-instrumentalist Erik Hokkanen. You will notice from the various photos on this page that Sarah was a frequent guest artist all weekend (see Abigail Washburn's set, Uncle Earl's last set, and the Vassar Clements tribute). It's very cool to see the respect she has already gained from the world-class musicians in attendence. I look forward to watching Sarah's continued growth and success in the future.
Warming up before the show:
Sarah & Mary on stage:
Sarah playing solo:
With Erik Hokkanen:
Backstage with family and friends -- Gary and Mary Jarosz, Erik Hokkanen, Ben Sollee, Warren Hood and Ronnie McCoury:
Jamming and rehearsing with Abigail Washburn and Ben Sollee (see Saturday performance):
It was great to see these ladies again. I really love this band. This time around, Kristin, Rayna, KC and Abigail were joined by Sharon Gilchrist on bass. Sharon also played with the Rowan and Rice Quartet on Saturday. You can see lots more g'Earl photos further down the page and on my SXSW page.
Uncle Earl on stage:
It was a blast seeing and hangin' with the Waybacks again. There was a little technical glitch during their set. The sun set while they were playing, but the stage lights didn't come on until they were walking off after the last song. The guys kept a sense of humor through it all and came back out for an encore with the lights on. You can see more Waybacks photos on my Hardly Strictly Bluegrass page.
Del and the boys played an outstanding set (as usual) and had the crowd all fired up. These guys are professionals all the way. I think they played the whole set list while rehearsing backstage. You can see more Del McCoury photos on my Concerts 1 and Hardly Strictly Bluegrass pages.
Warming up before the show:
Sharp dressed men at work:
In addition to playing with Uncle Earl all weekend, Abigail gave a fine solo performance of her original material. She was backed up by Ben Sollee and his killer cello. And Sarah Jarosz sat in for several songs, including one of her own compositions.
Abigail and Ben:
Abigail, Ben & Sarah:
The Grassy Knoll Boys are local Austin favorites who play bluegrass with attitude. I caught them for the first time during South-by-Southwest. It was cool to see them on the Old Settler's lineup and hear them play again. You can see more GKB pics on my SXSW page.
This workshop featured several fine mando players. It was lead by Mike Marshall. Also participating were Sarah Jarosz, Kevin Willett (right) and Tom Ellis (left). Tom (with sunglasses) also makes fine custom mandolins.
Sarah and Mike taking a break (talking about thumbs?):
Susan is an excellent singer-songwriter who has written some great ones for folks like the Dixie Chicks ("Wide Open Spaces"). She had a solid band backing her up. That's Richard Bowden on fiddle, Drew Campbell on drums and David Carroll on bass. I'm pretty sure that David also played for part of the Vassar Clements tribute later in the night (see below).
I met Chris Stuart and Janet Beazley back when I was living in California. I was fortunate to hear them play their beautiful music on several occasions. It was really great to see and hear them again here in Texas. They were joined by Mason Tuttle on bass, Eric Uglum on guitar, and Brian Wickland on fiddle (also see Brian in the Vassar Clements tribute section below).
The workshop was lead by Janet Beazley. She was backed up by her bandmate Chris Stuart. I'm not a player, but I still find it interesting to listen to the questions, answers and techniques.
Saturday on the Hill Country Stage. Damn it was hot !! So was the music. That's Ben Sollee filling in for Sharon Gilchrist while she played a set with the Rowan & Rice Quartet:
KC and Rayna with Mike Marshall before the Vassar Clements tribute:
This is one amazing band made up of Peter Rowan, Tony Rice, Bryn Davies Bright (bass) and Sharon Gilchrist (mandolin). Words can't do justice. Just do yourself a favor and go see them when you have the chance.
Afternoon on the Bluebonnet stage:
Terri is an exceptional singer-songwriter and entertainer. She is backed up by as tight a band as you'll ever hear: Lloyd Maines on guitar and peddle steel, Glenn Fukunaga on bass and Paul Pearcy on drums. You can see lots more photos of Terri and the guys by going here.
Saturday night ended with an all-star tribute to the brilliant Vassar Clements who died this past year. Featured musicians included Mike Marshall, Erik Hokkanen, Brian Wicklund, Tony Rice, Peter Rowan, Sharon Gilchrist, Bryn Davies Bright, Sarah Jarosz, Lloyd Maines, Redd Volkaert and the rest of Heybale. I apologize to anyone I've left off here, but there was a lot of talent on that stage (send me an email and let me know who I need to add). It was an impressive conclusion to my weekend. God, I feel blessed to live in Austin, Texas where there are so many fantastic musicians. Thank you to my local friends and to all the visiting artists. You're all amazing.
*** Note: I do not copyright my photos with watermarks (way too much trouble). And I'm not set up for online sales of my pics. Instead, I rely on most people to do the right thing. In other words, the honor system ***
Musicians: You are welcome to repost my photos on your website, MySpace page, etc. at no charge. All I ask is that you provide a photo credit with my name (Ron Baker) and send me an email:
Publications: Please contact me for permission. I would like to get paid the normal "stringer" (or fair market) rate for photos used.
Individuals: I'm not set up for online sales. So I ask that you send me a few bucks as a token donation for each picture that you print. Feel free to send cash, checks or money orders to support my music junkie habit and photos:
P.O. Box 301385
Austin, TX 78703-0024
