Sierra HullNaomi Shelton & The Gospel Queens
Day 2
Day 3
Nora Jane Struthers & The Party Line
Red Wing V dates have been announced! Mark your calendars for July 14-16, 2017!
Sierra HullNaomi Shelton & The Gospel Queens
Day 2
Day 3
Nora Jane Struthers & The Party Line
Red Wing V dates have been announced! Mark your calendars for July 14-16, 2017!
It’s the third year in and I’m not tired of it yet. Not one bit. I love the driveĀ to Mt. Solon. I love the growing sound of banjos and harmonicas as I walk closer to the Chimneys. I love seeing all the familiar faces ofĀ Harrisonburg. I love meeting new faces. I love overhearing people gush about how beautiful this festivalĀ is. I love the running, smiling, happy children. I love being blown away by performers I never even knew existed. I love my dirty feet at the end of the day. I loveĀ watching the weekend through my viewfinder. I love when a moment is so perfect it pulls me from a conversation because I just can’t not take that photo. I love the blue skies. I love the gray skies. I love the food. Oh God,Ā the food. I love working with photographers who are kind and respectful and fun. I love that next year, Red Wing Roots will returnĀ and IĀ can do it all again. Aw sookie!
Below are a few of my favorite shots. You can find more on my Facebook page in the coming days and on Instagram at @bsomephoto.
Bands pictured in this post in order of appearance: Dr. How and the Reasons to Live, Locust Honey, Bryan Elijah Smith and the Wild Hearts, Mandolin Orange, Jon Russell, Chatham County Line, The Judy Chops, Scott Miller, CahalenĀ Morrison & Eli West, Missy Raines & the New Hip, The Barefoot Movement, Nikki Lane, Sarah Watkins – Sarah Jarosz – Aoife O’Donovan, The Steel Wheels, Possessed by Paul James, Billy Strings & Don Julin, Red Tail Ring, The Shook Twins, Spirit Family Reunion, The Honey Dewdrops with Caleb Stine, The Wood Brothers
Other relative links pictured: Lucas Roasting Company, Larkin Arts, South Fork, South Street Brewing, Eno, Friendly City Hoops
It felt a lot like a Sunday when I parked my car on the third and final day of the second annual Red Wing Roots Music Festival. Time moves differently on Sundays. It ticks away andĀ remindsĀ us to notice the smells and colors and faces and light,Ā to slow ourselves down and enjoy one last little morselĀ of, in this case,Ā aĀ mid-summer musical dessert. When I shut my car door, there were no echoes on this third dayā¦no soft melodies or harmonicas bouncing offĀ the Chimney’s. There was quiet. A little alarming, I admit, for a music festivalā¦but I proceeded anyway, with curiosity and camera.Ā As I moved towards the back of the seated, silent crowd, I heard Trent Wagler wailing out a line from his gospel set. It was an experience to be there in that moment, watching this community churchĀ under overcast skies,Ā surrounded by beauty and bodies who neededĀ this healing sound. People napped and recovered and carried themselves to the stage to wake up. Dang good way to start a day.
Next up was Willie Watson, who I found to be a pleasant surprise. I love watching passion pour from a face with each lyric…eye wrinkles forming in the delivery of a verse, veins bulging withĀ blood pounding from an achingĀ heart and a shaky esophagus to distract from a tear. I got to see this inĀ Willie’s performance of Rock Salt and Nails, among others. I feel you man. But before I let myself get stuck in my own head, I wandered around to mingle and grab images of smiling faces. It was a good move, the sun joined usĀ andĀ the rest of the day came with a smooth, steady beat as each new band took the stage.
Above: Lucas Roasting Company saved the day for a lot of folks. Below: Year-old swagā¦we missed you this year Caleb!
Above: Blackfeather Furniture made taking a break look goooood.
JP Harris &Ā The Touch Choices
Bryan Elijah Smith & the Wild Hearts
It was time to fill ourĀ tanks with some Hanks.