Picking sessions at Mary E Ilium

[12_String]

Hello,
 
We're travelling from the UK to our first TBF.  I have no problem findings sessions pretty much every night at home but all the focus on sessions here seems to be centred on Town Park & Warner (neither of which we could get tickets for, so if you have any for sale..... ).

Are we still gonna find plenty of action at Mary E Ilium? We'll be packing guitar, mando, singing voice (with authentic UK bluegrass accent) and a bucket full of enthusiasm so if somebody could point us in the right direction?

Thanks,

Andy

 Listening to: Marty Stuart - Sure Wanna Keep My Wine

[Matt]

My girlfriend and I will be down there picking with guitar and mando (and possibly a fiddle).  They may not be as huge as the Town Park picking sessions, but they are still big.

[JamminJoel]

i was there last year and definetly heard no shortage of music. i camped by a firepit and had peoepl playin music most of the nights. i'm gettin out there on monday or tuesday(still not sure, gotta keep talkin it over with my girlfriend and make our decision) i'm gonna be out there with a guitar and some vocals and ready to jam!

[cletusaz]

We're bringin' the whole band to illum this year, look forward to meeting and pickin' with you all!

[Matt]

Any idea which area you are going to be camping in?  I'd love to get some good picking in with a full band around us.

[cletusaz]

Any idea which area you are going to be camping in?  I'd love to get some good picking in with a full band around us.

Hell yea man! i'm always up for pickin'!

Never been there in the past so I'm not  exactly sure where I'll be,  BUT I'll be movin' camp over to illum from TP ABGAT on Tuesday. The plan is to find a nice spot where we wont bug our neighbors and has a fire pit.  We'll be easy to spot, just keep an eye out for the big HEADLINE banner. 

Bein that your an illum vet, i was hoping you might be able to help me with some questions i have.

How is firewood availability? Lots of deadfall handy to collect? or do you think i'd be better off bringing a couple walled easy ups and a propane heater for a pickin' tent?

Recommend any spot in particular?

[collinplaysbass]

What about Lawson Hill, espically late at night, cus those are always the best. Will there be late night lawson hill jams?

[Matt]

I usually stay way back in the back, but it seems like there's usually more of a party in the front.  We are going to be arriving much earlier this year so hopefully will get to be up front.  As you go down the hill there's a little spot off to the left that has always looked promising.  Not sure if there's a firepit or not, but I'm sure there is.

There's usually lots of deadfall around and it's not hard to have fires going most of the night every night you are there.  That being said, I doubt anyone would object to some easy ups and a propane heater for some picking!

[cletusaz]

What about Lawson Hill, espically late at night, cus those are always the best. Will there be late night lawson hill jams?

We raised some pretty good hell in Lawson last year, not a ton of pickin' but there were a couple camps jammin' each night.

Matt, thanks for the info!

[Matt]

No problem.  Hopefully we'll see you there!  I'll definitely keep an eye open for the banner, and I'll come ready to pick.

[Ron N Deb]

Any idea which area you are going to be camping in?  I'd love to get some good picking in with a full band around us.

Hell yea man! i'm always up for pickin'!

Never been there in the past so I'm not  exactly sure where I'll be,  BUT I'll be movin' camp over to illum from TP ABGAT on Tuesday. The plan is to find a nice spot where we wont bug our neighbors and has a fire pit.  We'll be easy to spot, just keep an eye out for the big HEADLINE banner. 

Bein that your an illum vet, i was hoping you might be able to help me with some questions i have.

How is firewood availability? Lots of deadfall handy to collect? or do you think i'd be better off bringing a couple walled easy ups and a propane heater for a pickin' tent?

Recommend any spot in particular?

Yo Bro you dont have TP Tixs ?
want me to add ya to the List ?

[cletusaz]

Yo Bro you dont have TP Tixs ?
want me to add ya to the List ?

Thanks Ron, but were good. Between bandmates, significant others, and family we would have needed a small army's worth of tickets.  When I didnt win the lottery we all went ahead and bought tickets for illum. We'll make the most of it and have a damn good time in the process im sure. Thanks for the offer though!

But dont think you are totally off the hook , ill be in town park at least 5-7 days before the fest for ABGAT and I'm dragging any of the crew that wants to come with me along.  It worked out extremely well last year.

[12_String]

We're bringin' the whole band to illum this year, look forward to meeting and pickin' with you all!

That's great news - I take it that includes the ill-equipped but very excited UK visitors?  We're travelling light so no EZ-ups, awnings, BBQ heaters or much of anything except a love of good music, a new guitar from one of England's best builders and a 12+ year anticipation of great things from TBF.

Andy

[lalagay]

Hi there 12_string !

Sounds like we should get talking: I'm a Telluride fest virgin as well this year and coming all the way from the UK! so, what's your plan of action? how are your trip plans working out? I'm on the verge of booking flights but still humming & haahing about it...just want to get the best possible deal!
I've also been looking forward to this for longer than I can remember and have been working in earnest on that authentic UK Bluegrass singing accent...It's all about feeling lonesome and yearning for those hills of west Virginia I think...well it's definitely a sign if you've never set foot in the US ! 

I was going to book at Lawson hill campground, but from this thread I'm thinking maybe it's best to go for Mary E Illium?

 Listening to: Nina Simone - I shall be released

[BillyBeru]

Hi there 12_string !

Sounds like we should get talking: I'm a Telluride fest virgin as well this year and coming all the way from the UK! so, what's your plan of action? how are your trip plans working out? I'm on the verge of booking flights but still humming & haahing about it...just want to get the best possible deal!
I've also been looking forward to this for longer than I can remember and have been working in earnest on that authentic UK Bluegrass singing accent...It's all about feeling lonesome and yearning for those hills of west Virginia I think...well it's definitely a sign if you've never set foot in the US ! 

I was going to book at Lawson hill campground, but from this thread I'm thinking maybe it's best to go for Mary E Illium?

Hey Lala,

You may want to check with some of the Town Park veterans because I'm pretty sure I read somewhere on this forum that some TP regulars were looking to score you a Town Park campground pass. I recommend you reach out to Ron of Ron N Deb infamy as he's got the 411.

Giddyup.