what got you hooked ?

[armmon]

 
 in 1999 we headed to Berkshire Mountain Music Festival, a local festival set up at a ski area with a healthy mix of great music ...
 
 Yonder Mountain String Band was scheduled to play a 30-minute 'tweener set on an outdoor patio next to the side stage ...
 
 a hundred fans gathered to check them out, as they walked onto the patio to play an unplugged set ... dark clouds gathered overhead as someone from Jiggle, the band that was scheduled to play the following set on the other stage, walked over and said they were cancelling their set due to incoming t-storms ...
 
 Jeff said that Yonder would be happy to fill the extra time voided by the next band cancelling ...
 
 Yonder kicked off their set in high gear, but it wasn't long until the skies opened up, pouring down a biblical deluge ... most fans headed for the hills to seek shelter from the rain ...
 
 Yonder spotted the nearby beer tent, and asked if they could fit under the small tent so they could play their set ... beer maidens allowed them to enter the tent, and Yonder continued to rip it up for over an hour, while the remaining 20 of us who dared the storm danced our asses off ... there was literally a pile of asses in the corner of the patio that we had to sort through after the set ...
 
 when the rain let up over an hour later, and Yonder was satisfied that they'd ripped us a new one, we shuffled off that patio with wide smiles ... easily the best set of that festival
 
 ... so, what got you hooked ?
 
.

[Hooch]

Great idea for a thread!!

I was invited to TBF in 1996....2 years after moving to Colorado from Florida.  I had never even heard of Sam Bush and knew exactly zero bands on the entire 4-day lineup.  Crazy, right?  So I came, I stood on the street corner waiting for someone to sell me a ticket, I had fun, I went home.  I didn't even buy a t-shirt.  It rained a lot that year.  I also had just bought my 1993 Isuzu Trooper the week before so that was it's first out-of-town trip.  But something struck me.  The next year I accepted the invitation again to go.  I got to Telluride in time to hear Johnny Cash echoing through town as I wandered into the Last Dollar Saloon.  I remembered a couple tunes from last year.  Sammy still cranked out a lot of Newgrass Revival with Johnny C and Bela in those days.  Big Country stuck in my head from the year before when the Flecktones played.  I'm literally embarrassed these days to have NOT known these artists previously.  Who the hell is Leftover Salmon?  By TBF1998 (25th Anniv) I was a regular.  After my first TBF family moved away, had kids, and faded away I then picked up the mantel for "Gen 2" of my festival experience.  That lasted from 2003-2006 which added plenty of new festi-friends including the Utarpia* (*copyright Daniela Shultz 2005ish) crew which I met on the streets of Telluride at 5am.  Not a bad place to hang out if you have to be up that freaking early.  In 2007 I experienced that crazy thing called "Town Park" after Kaptain Karlos was short-sighted enough to invite me to camp with Run A Muck.  The same year this forum started.  Thus begins "Gen 3" festival life.  The music....insanely good!  The friends...insane!  The experiences I've had and the live music I've seen are more than I normal human living a normal human life could ever hope for.  Yet, I prepare again to dive into it in merely 25 days.  Which reminds me of 842 things I need to do before then.  Anyhoo....I'm in the fun position now of being neither new nor old.  I see what has been, and I see who will be our next generation of festivarians.  Some bands have shifted from regulars to "wow they are finally playing TBF again".  But it's still the same feeling of "I must go again".  It's an inseparable combination of music and people and vibe.  The music and people make the vibe.  The vibe and music bring the right people.  The right people and the vibe bring the music.   It's like all that circle of life stuff you see in the Lion King except the voice of Ferris Bueller isn't the main character.  And that is my story.  Oh and one other thing I'd like to mention....boobs!

[Cindy Lou]

Oh Hooch honey you almost made me cry!    No that was really sweet. You know I did not know until now that 2007 was your first year with Run A Muck. That was MY first year with Run A Muck! We were both RAM virgins in the same year and didn't even know it. Maybe that is why I love you so.  And what happens in Runamuck, stays in Runamuck.  Well in my case anyway, I don't remember the vast majority of it the next week, so your secrets are safe with me. 

[Cindy Lou]

     ... so, what got you hooked ?

New Grass Revival in 1976. 18 years old, new to bluegrass and festivals, was invited by a friend who said, "Hey you wanna go to this little music festival in Telluride?" and of course I said hell yeah and away we went with no camping gear or food or booze, not much in the way of clothes or shoes, I had a sunburn from hell, and it changed the course of my life forever.  Moving to Colorado was the best move I ever made in my life.

[landshark]

As a girl from Chgo there was not much Bluegrass on the scene. New Riders Of The Purple Sage I think was the very first intro to Bluegrass. Pappa John Creech was givin me goosebumps and then  NGR 

http://nrpsmusic.com/music/lyrics/idont.html

http://www.bing.com/videos/search?q=papa+john+creach+youtube&view=detail&mid=2536F7A52EA5B3473DB22536F7A52EA5B3473DB2&first=0&FORM=NVPFVR

music is regional, bluegrass was bluesy. I went to a Bluegrass Fest long ago on the Swanee River. Not like any we know today. It was county music with cloggers.

[Bevin]

Jerry Garcia led me to bluegrass, just like many others of my generation.  Many years of following and seeing the Grateful Dead and taking part in the tour scene were just basic training for my current festival experience.  The first real festival I attended was the Black Mountain Festival (now known as the Lake Eden Arts Festival) in North Carolina, and I was hooked.  After moving to NM, I went to Telluride Bluegrass for the first time in 1990 and have only missed twice since then (1995 and 2000).  Life changed a little, though, when in 2002 I spent "the whole 10 days" in Town Park.  TBF went from being an annual festival trip to a mandatory, yearly, week long pilgrimage, and I hope I never break the streak again. 

[Hot Sugar]

When I was 14, I started to get really into music. The music I got into was . . . heavy metal (mostly from the 70's and a few from the 80's). My oldest brother (Matt) was working in a mountain supply shop in Red Lodge, MT, that started a chain of events that introduced him to bluegrass. Before long, he journeyed down to Colorado for his first Telluride. I'm not even sure I know he was going at the time. Then, when I was 15, my youngest brother (Alex, 14) went with him. I dismissed bluegrass as this dumb new thing my brothers were getting into and went back to blasting Iron Maiden and Judas Priest. Whenever I would ride in Matt's car and he'd be playing bluegrass, I would shun all conversation and put in my headphones so I wouldn't have to listen to it, until I heard Sam Bush's rendition of River Take Me by Darrell Scott. That was it. That was the moment I realized "Hey, this music isn't half bad." From then on, when I'd be in Matt's car, I'd put my headphones in but wouldn't turn on my MP3 so I could listen to his weird music without losing face as a metal head who dressed in all black and chains.

Then, shortly before Alex and Matt took off for Alex's first festival, I came clean and mentioned how much I wished I was going with them, which took everyone by surprise. They went, and had a fantastic time. Then the plans started for the next year, 2008 (The 35th TBF), and I wasn't going to miss it for anything. When the lineup came out, the only artists I knew anything about were Sam, Darrell (as he wrote the song that started my new obsession), Arlo Guthrie (didn't know any of his music, just his name) and Bela Fleck (who I only knew because I had watched a Flecktones DVD in a music class at school). I was determined to go just to see Sam and Darrell. I saved up and paid for my ticket and camping, as well as tickets and camping for both of my brothers so I could be sure to have a ride down there. They both paid me back in good time (Matt mostly through concert tickets, including Yonder at TCC and The Dead, Allman Brothers and the Doobie Brothers at the Gorge in 2009). Seeing Darrell Scott open the 35th festival was magical. I barely knew any of his songs at the time, something I quickly changed. To this day, I still remember that set incredibly well. Darrell Scott was the first artist I saw perform on the Fred Shellman stage. That's when I got hooked to the music aspect of the festival.

After a great year, I knew I'd be going back again the next. This time, Alex couldn't join us. His spot was taken by Matt's then girlfriend (now fiance) for the next two years. Then, in 2011, neither Matt nor Annalisa could make it, so I went by myself. A few months prior to the festival, I was at a Railroad Earth concert in Missoula. The band was late to start and I'm wondering around the ground floor wearing a Telluride shirt when I hear someone shouting at me from the balcony. I look up to see a large man with a glorious beard asking me what my name on the forum was. We have a brief, shouted conversation and I think "The bands about to start, but I've got to find this guy at the set break." Five minutes later, I turn around just in time to see Rick about to pull me into a huge bearhug. That set the hook for why I needed to stay in Town Park and Rick and I have been great friends ever since.

So, come tie for Telluride, I drove down from Missoula, met someone in Denver to ride the rest of the way with, got there Saturday just before dark and set up camp for the night with Debbie and her family and Hope. The next day, I'm wondering around the campground by myself when I run into Rick outside his camp. He tells me that Billy Beru is looking for me. I had never met Billy outside of this forum and wasn't sure I'd be able to recognize him, but I decided to keep my eyes open. I wonder into the bath house right when Billy was about to leave after showering. As soon as I step in, I hear him shout "Hot Sugar!" I'm a little shocked at being addressed so enthusiastically by a man I'd never met before in a bathroom, and I imagine some of that shock showed on my face. He told me who he was and said "We can't really hug it out in the bathroom, so I'll find you later." After I showered, I was walking up to the Bear Creak Preserve and Billy is hanging out by Duk Tape, I believe. He immediately grabs me and brings me up to Run a Muck and invites me to come camp with them. And let me tell you, Billy with a bottle full of Crunchy Frog can be very persuasive. I moved my tent up to Run a Muck, which led to this fish being landed. Looking back, that was probably a terrible decision, especially for my liver, but I couldn't think of a better place for me personally to spend Telluride. 

 Listening to: Darrell Scott

[sdmjake]

Like Bevin, a pull from Jerry Garcia got me headed down the bluegrass path with true earnestness   but, I distinctly remember getting "hooked" on bluegrass when i heard Jimmy Martin's version of Molly & Tenbrooks that a friend borrowed from the library. Eventually I made my way to festivals (MerleFest in NC) and, watching the likes of Vassar Clements & Tony Rice in the small festival workshop tents, cemented the passion. My lil sister gave me my first trip to Telluride [that magical 35th TBF]as a 40th Bday present. 5 great days in TownPark with cool folks & great tunes. Two years later I returned the favor to her.    
Love being in the Rocky Mountain High...I'm hooked on TBF and hope this is the best one yet for everyone.  

 Listening to: Steep Canyon Rangers - Yellow Backed Fly

[Cindy Lou]

Love it Sugar!  Great story, and you are most definitely one of us.  Like it or not. ha ha Can't wait to see you again my young old friend.
And Bevin, I can certainly relate to the Garcia reference. I was going to write that Old & In the Way got me started down that path, but seeing NGR live is what hooked me for good.  And I too hope to make the pilgrimage every year. Since 76 I've only missed 2005, and getting back into Town Park in 2007 with Run A Muck has made it supreme!

[swander99]

Darrell Scott was the first artist I saw perform on the Fred Shellman stage.   

And let me tell you, Billy with a bottle full of Crunchy Frog can be very persuasive. BB is so hot lickin' likeable... 
    

Very nice, HS, but it's obvious to me that I must share with you how to s'wander in wonder @ Festivaaaal! (and no, I'm a music major)

For me, the hook was set here in Mpls @ The Fine Line in 1993. This is when I first heard something called Polyethnic Cajun Slam Grass. Something about that conglomeration of musical fun really stung me that night, and it continues to fester, grow, and sink deeper inside every time I'm able to see a member of the TBF music family play.  This is a pilgrimage to my Musical Mecca fersure. We can't get it done every year, but TBF-XXXX will be the first time we've made 4 in a row. Skol Planet Bluegrass, and the Town of Telluride!

 Listening to: wdvx online in heart(flat)land office

[Debbiefromtucson]

Sugar- when did we meet for the 1st time- was it 2009? I remember you hanging on my tarp ( shade) for a little while and chilling with the boys which was so appreciated!!! And, I know you were instrumental in the "great ticket hunt for the Aussies" before any of us actually met them

[Hot Sugar]

Debbie, you and I first met in 2010, which was my first year in Town Park. Matt and Annalisa were there with me that year. We were camped down on the river banks on a bed of rocks. I believe we were pretty close to  Huckin Fappy and his family, but I'm not 100% sure on that.

[Debbiefromtucson]

seriously, only 3 years ago?? seems like it has been much longer than that.. ( that said in a good way)

[Maple Al]

I got hooked a long time ago, back in the goodle days. I remember watching John Hartford on the Smothers Brothers show & Glen Campbell show but didn't listen to much country or bluegrass growing up. More into bands like the Rolling Stones, The Doors, Mott the Hoople. But about three weeks into my freshman college year I was invited to the college radio station at UWRF where I again listen to some Hartford and smoked some good hash for the first time before seeing my first newgrass band that night, Monroe Doctrine. In 1976 I was talked into going to the first Great Northern Bluegrass Festival, Mole Lake. The original New Grass Revival was there the first two years, then again in 1984 and 1985 with Béla and Pat. This festival was on a Indian Reservation with no real laws and very few rules but some of the greatest bluegrass bands ever. Bill Monroe, Doc Watson, John Hartford, Earl Scruggs, Vassar Clements, Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, Ozark Mountain, The Band, and many others played at this festival from 1976 to 1991. After hearing about Telluride from my friends, Dancin Dave & Steve Schulte who went in 86 and 87, I decided to head to my first one in 1988 and this year I will be heading back up the mountain for my 26th time. Although it took until 1994 before I made it into town park, but mill creek had been fun before then. After seeing Sam Bush, Doc Watson and John Hartford I was fully hooked. And I still am. Looking forward to the Hartford Memorial in a week & a half then its time to pack for Telluride.

 Listening to: Ray & Robbie of the Doors

[skyrunner]

   Years ago I had this friend that told my about this music festival in Telluride Co. I didn't give it much thought, but always had his story's from TBF in the back of my mind. Then five years ago I just happened to have enough money to do something special. Just by chance that was right at ticket time. Thinking it might be nice to go see what this thing was all about, I took a chance and ordered a couple of tickets. I didn't even know where it was, but I was going.
   Not knowing any better we arrived late on Wednesday night out at Mary E. But it was OK because we ran into some of the coolest people that showed us right were to go and get set up. That was my first real good indication of how much fun I was going to have. The next day we met even more cool people that were camping all around us. I remember the first bus ride in like it was yesterday. Coming around that last big turn to the right when the valley opens up, I had this sudden feeling. That this was going to be just F#$%^&g great. Out of all of the festivals I have ever been to. TBF was the first one that I immediately felt right at home the first time I walked on the festival grounds. I guess that's when I knew I was going to be coming back year after year.
   Over all It's real hard for me to pin down only one thing that got me hooked.  I get to listen to some of the best live music you can get. I get to meet some of the coolest people you could ever meet, both at the festival and the campground. All while being surrounded by about the most beautiful places on earth. That's a tough one. I don't know, it may take at least another five years or so before I can pin it down to one thing. Even if I wanted to. I'm hooked because it's Telluride Bluegrass Festival.

 Listening to: Mumford & Sons