What are your best TBF memories?

[HuckinFappy]

There was that day...you probably remember it...we woke up in the most perfect place on earth, the day had a variety of weather, we spent it surrounded by the happiest, best festivarians on the Planet, enjoyed mind-boggling music, and collapsed at the end of the day with a smile on our faces.

I think it was '89...no, '92...wait, maybe it was '05.  Hell, I don't know...but it was DEFINITELY a Thursday.  Or maybe a Friday.  Ok, it *could* have been a Saturday.  But if it wasn't, it was a Sunday.

Yeah...that's it.  I smile every time I think about it.   

[swander99]

THE NEXT ONES!    Can't seem to get them out of my mind...time to leave yet?

 Listening to: AKUS f. JD from Letterman last night

[erndog]

I got Town Park wrist band #420 one year without really even knowing it. 

A.J. was jealous . . .

[gratfulpete]

Here's another one from my memory banks...

In 1986 one of the headliners was the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band doing their 20 Years of Dirt tour. Back then the stage was a little farther south and pointed more toward the northwest. As they were starting one song Jimmy shouted out "and it's a full moon" as part of the song, just as the full moon appeared above the stage. Then later in the show they sang "Mr. Bojangles", and David Bromberg came in to sing a verse. At the point where the last chorus was coming up Jimmy hollered out "and let's hear you Telluride", and the whole audience chimed in with the chorus. I recorded that set, and every time I hear it I still get goosebumps.

P.S. That set is available on my website in FLAC format.

 Listening to: ironically as I read this I was listening to Bromberg doing Mr Bojangles. Scary. This is my forst TBF but that already gave me goosebumps

[swander99]

  I'm there!  Thanks!

[Auntie Hope]

Walking back to Town Park during one of the 4 days of music and catching a Monk "peeking" over the fence to see the many camps.

The short little tour we took was fun, finding out he is a HUGE Lakers fan, had never seen an actual Teepee up close and to hear him say, "OH! PRAYER FLAGS!" then "MORE PRAYER FLAGS!" as he spotted them in several camps was priceless. We didn't come in contact with too many folks because the tour only went from Run-A-Muck to TikiBar, but in both those camps much respect was given.

He was greatly impressed with the Dome and the Mash Tent, and asked me what actually took place in the structures. With great pleasure I explained the phrase "Pickin' Tent", pointed out the heaters were there so the musicians hands wouldn't get cold and they could play music later into the night, that all were welcome in the space, and then we peeked out the back of the Mash tent to see several folks having a meal together and everyone waved.

"Ah, many groups of friends, but they friends with that group too! I get it!" he smiled. "Like One Love song.. Bob.. Bob..."

"Bob Marley!" I laughed.

"Yes, Bob Marley. This feel good place too, but feel good for music, not basketball."

Typical guy... wanted to go watch the game on TV back in the room, but not until getting a pix snapped by a passing friend (Thank You Jerry!)

Morals of this story....
-You either get "IT" in Telluride, or you don't.
-Everyone has a passion, like music and basketball, even Tibetan Monks.
-DON'T FORGET YOUR CAMERA LIKE I DID LAST YEAR!
-You never know who you'll find wandering around, but be respectful if you do
  find yourselves in the same space.
-Bluegrass Magic does happen!



My other favorite memory from 2010 was hearing someone stagger up the path from the bathhouse. I was thrilled to hear those boots stomp across the foot bridge and into the circle drive because it was really cold and I didn't feel like pulling someone out of the little creek by my tent. 

Auntie Hope 

[landshark]

My very first fest, now well over 20 years ago. Sitting on the river bank, in the moonlight, singing with folks I did not know yet. Feeling the great vibe of community and music and nature all rolled into one.

 Feeling foolish that I thought we could just pick up a ticket at the gate....yep no ticket the entire weekend... right then and there I knew what I would be doin each December... buying my Tride tickets as soon as they are available.

I think it's almost impossible to attend just one Tride fest. 

[esuzabeth]

 

I was lying in bed the other morning running TBF memories through my brain before I woke up to face the day... ahhhhhh! It was lovely to lay there and feel the cold mountain air of the 5am walk down to the line, that first cup of coffee, the ten-minutes-after-the-sun-clears-the-mountain shuffle of everyone taking off their warm clothing, that big stretch and satisfied grin of knowing your tarp is in an EXCELLENT spot on the very first day of TBF, napping in the back of the grounds under the trees when you just can't stay awake anymore, the feel of a river-water soaked sarong around my shoulders in the hot sun. Mmmmm. I'm on a serious countdown now!!!

Favorite memory: getting married in Town Park, TBF 2005!

 Listening to: My dogs barking at a neighbor walking his dog...

[SteamboatPaul]

My favorite TBF moment came when Bonnie Raitt said that she was having a hard time with the altitude. " If any of you boys want to see me pant, here's your chance." Atta girl Bonnie. Much respect.

 Listening to: Harry Nilson

[kauaigirl]

Wow, these posts read like a fantastic novel! Is this for REAL??

The ones about to be - those top the list for sure.....only moments from now really. 

My memories are jumbled, I started in 1992. Skipped only one or two, so nearing my 20th!

Here are some precious jewels:

- Yup, no tix my first year - last minute road trip, called in sick to work from the highway - spent the whole time at Elks Park, back then there was plenty free music all day, everywhere.  I sat at Victor Wooten's feet in a coffee shop for a solo set. I was hooked.

- Got on the volunteer team after that! Loved checking wristbands and camping!

- Volunteered when my daughter was only 2.5 months old - checked your wristband at the bridge in 95 with a stroller! Started getting condos then!

- Many years (brought the kid EVERY YEAR, shes only missed 2 or 3 in her LIFE) volunteering in and making use of the Family Tent - Met Michelle!!!

- Putting the baby down at night in the tent INSIDE the fest (yes, in the back row) falling asleep listening to Bela's set every year in the tent too, cuz I could never hardly rally!

-SUNDAY MORNING GOSPEL - LOVED IT!!!

- Lots of river moments - always jump in - its always so "refreshing" - have video of my teen girl jumping in - LOL!

- TOOOO MANY musical moments to discern - they are all one big happy emotional pleasure soul healing.....but Shawn Colvin, Mary Chapin Carpenter (Elks Park sets -ooooh - I remember some beautiful and funny moments there) Alison Krauss (voice of an angel), Jerry Douglas, Tony Rice, Emmy Lou, Johnny C. - For honesty's sake, for a long time, at first, my entire focus was on seeing as much of Mary & Shawn as I could. Everything else was just sugar on top.  But then, the magic of the strings and the mastery of the artists began to work.  Now my fav is when everyone comes out together (Thunder Jam/House Band/PLUS!) and the stage is crowded and the sound is nothing that can be replicated anywhere again. JAMMIN!!!
And speakin of jammin  - uh those Salmon sets - jeez - that was ALWAYS more than fun - those dust clouds - remember those?? I made some of those!

- How about that Grisman, Rowan, Clements, etc reunion - EPIC Would love to hear some of those again...
- Lyle Lovett in 97 - Also EPIC, as was having Bruce Hornsby around too!

- More recently, I had the good fortune to FLY in to Telluride (which is scary and I do NOT recommend) and I actually MET Jerry and Sam and Linda because we all flew together on the same TINY plane into T-ride.  I was trying so hard to hold it together and "be cool" but I was a hair's breadth away from hyperventilating. They were all so mellow and friendly! Got a great photo of me n Jerry that year at his poster signing.
Jerry: "Hi. I'm Jerry"
Me: GULP "Um, as in JERRY DOUGLAS?"
(sweet jacket w/TBF logos and carrying a dobro - duh!)
haha the airline people tried to tell him he couldn't hand carry it - dobro - onto the plane - he wasn't about to let it go!
I said "Hey arent you guys gettin in a little late this year?" (it was Thursday afternoon!)
Linda said "Sam likes to make an entrance!" I thought she was being slightly sarcastic.

- Getting tasty coffee and bagels at Baked (RIP)

- And did anyone talk about the BEER TENT, UM - YUMMY!!  and listening to the LIVE broadcast in the toasty warm condo when its brrrrrr cold and rainy (thanks be that we've been lucky with that as of late!) So much love to the folks at KOTO!

- Oh and I wrote an official recommendation letter for the Sisters Dumplings to get into the TBF food court - its a long story - you can thank me later! Still love the veggie stir fry folks too though.

- Also more recently, watching my dearest friend Pete, compete in the Troubadour contest, and win second place!

- And of course, late night pickin parties at the Tiki Bar and Camp Cascadia! Though Im a festi-veteran, I was TP virgin till recently!

- Since taking this trip down memory lane - I wondered if anyone else gets that special feeling when the car turns the final curve and you see down into the valley all the way to the waterfall for the first time......
and yup, I still cry when I drive away!

WE ARE THE ONES WE HAVE BEEN WAITING FOR! I LOVE YOU ALL!
Come on Mothers n Fathers, lets go down in the river to pray........


 Listening to: The Boy who wouldnt hoe corn

[meanderingjeeper]

-watching my kids learn to walk
-sleeping next to the graveyard
-watching the World Cup from various years at various venues around town
-blind birds in the middle of the night
-getting to taste James' beer after a long long winter
-seeing all the old people and meeting the new ones
-many many memories I would love to treasure, but due to various circumstances, I forgot

 Listening to: wdvx

[landshark]

Hot hot hot days, so hot the fire engines came to hose us all down. OHHHHHHHHHhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh it was soooooo nice.....

That cool river on my hot sun soaked skin and music flowing in and out of me like waves on the sea shore, endlessly.....

I can almost leave now

[curmugion]

Don't remember the year , maybe 1977, Jamming in town park across the campfire from Sam Bush, John Hartford and Chris Daniels!

[Tiki Boys]

2003, 30th Anniversary, They were having a BBQ for the volunteers behind the Beer Booth. We had stuff to BBQ but no fire. They Happily offered to grill our meal. The next afternoon we were having a pic-nic.......eating leftover salmon and string cheese during the Leftover Salmon and String Cheese sets. We've learned a lot in the last 8 years! Thanks to all the Town Park Folks that took us in and help create what we are today ! We LOVE you all so much , Gary & Dwayne, Camp Tiki

 Listening to: and watching " 30th Anniversary" dvd

[itsRick]

2001 or 2002 Emmy Lou during a rain shower, beautiful rainbow over the valley, at the end of the song she thanks the lighting guy! might have been the same year, Sam's set was during the full moon which just happened to make it's appearance behind the stage as he broke into Howlin' at the Moon! a very magical time.

 Listening to: Uncle Earl