GMF 2008 A Big Success

Thanks to a divine appointment, the festival steered around some serious bumps and arrived safely at the finish line.

The tent setup was delayed and the installers had the wrong poles, the stage pickup was delayed 90 minutes because the rental shop couldn't find all the parts. We had to run out to the main warehouse to load up what we could get.

The weather man said no rain but with lots of heavy clouds for the last 48 hours, I wasn't sure we could trust predictions..

And after everything was finally setup just in time....we had no sound man. Finally, we got a call that he had been stuck behind a major accident on the highway and would be at least an hour late.

We cobbled together some small amps and a microphone to get the first act underway, and Don Hesson volunteered his mobile sound system in case Trace couldn't make it.

We got started OK, and by the time Don got all set up to start, Trace finally arrived....poor Don had to go disconnect everything and haul it back home, go pick up his flute player, Charlie, and be back in an hour.

Can you spell stress?

The musicians were wonderful, the audience was understanding, and the sun was shining so we just kept going while all the speakers, mikes and cables were strung.

After this whole fiasco, we were only about 20 minutes late.

The rest of the day was very nice weather, good food, great music and lots of fellowship.


Campbell Creek Rising





David Junge
Laura Carmichael
Jody Grimm
Russ Grimm
Kelley Leseman

2008 Anchorage Gospel Music Festival

2nd Annual Gospel Music Festival
Anchorage, Alaska
July 12, Noon to 8 P.M.
6748 Old Seward Hwy

Event sponsored and funded by Immanuel Baptist Church

Last year, we had a great time with some wonderful musicians. Most of them are returning, just a couple will be out-of-state this July. We also have some new performers, better advertising, some activities for little children and lots of food!

All these talented people play at the festival because they love to sing, and more importantly, they appreciate a venue to sing specifically about their faith. We at IBC are happy to be the catalyst for this outpouring of joy in music.

One note about musicians. Even Christian musicians have to put gas in their car, so this year we will have an opportunity for folks to donate to a kitty that will be given to the performers to defray their expenses.

You might be interested in pictures from last year. Click here to see them.

This year's schedule is just about finished...may be some minor changes before July.
**Update 6/9**

12:00 to 12:30	Teresa Fowler and Mike Allison
12:30 to 1:00	Robbie Beebe
1:00 to 1:30	Kelley Leseman
1:30 to 2:00	Melissa Beck
2:00 to 2:30	Marv, Glen and Friends
2:30 to 3:00	Tucson Don and Friends
3:00 to 3:30	Margie Lawrence
3:30 to 4:00	Campbell Creek Rising
4:00 to 4:30	The Oudeans
4:30 to 5:00	No Compromise
5:00 to 5:30	Tony Elder
5:30 to 6:00	Mountain Waxwings
6:00 to 6:30	Ginger Boatwright
6:30 to 7:00	Buck Kuhn
7:00 to 7:30	Country Gospel
7:30 to 8:00	Anchor Baptist Mission

8:00 to ? Lost Riders BlueGrass Band


Bring the kids. Bring a chair. Bring an open heart and mouth!


May you all be blessed by this event.

Russ

Alaskan Guitar Players Association

The NAAGP is an organization I just became aware of.
Their current site is apparantely here.
http://www.jacmuse.com/pages/jacmuse_bio2.html

for information contact Joe Craig -- info at jacmuse dot com -- 274-8317

A Bluegrass Newsletter ?

Ken Brown is floating the idea for a bluegrass newsletter for anchorage. If you're interested and want to contribute give him a holler - His address is ungaknunap at hotmail dot com.

Anchorage Folk Festival coming soon !!

Don't forget the Anchorage Folk Festival is coming....see their website.

GET READY FOR THE NEXT ANCHORAGE FOLK FESTIVAL:
JANUARY 17-27, 2008

Guitar/Mando Session to End All

Wow, what a session on YouTube. I think I'm inspired. Chris Thile and Bryan Sutton tear it up -- is it BlueGrass? Is it Jazz? Is it fantastic? They are simply awesome.


AW Tozer wrote in The Pursuit of God that since God works through us, perhaps everything beautiful is Him crafting/speaking through human tools. I choose to agree with that idea. What a comforting thought that the Creator of the Universe desires to please us---through music and art. Did you ever wonder why you feel so moved by a painting or a song? Is it those times He is touching you? What is your best response to such an event?

Good luck figuring that one out.

2008 IBC Gospel Music Festival

The date for 2008 Gospel Music Festival is Saturday, July 12 Noon to when it is over.

Big performance tent, sound system, food, sanitary facilities all available. Plenty of parking and sitting space. Location -- 6748 Old Seward Hwy, Anchorage. Just a couple blocks South of Dowling.

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2007 Festival Performers
click on picture to get a monster-size image

Campbell Creek Rising -- That's my group, so naturally nobody takes pictures of me!
Two guys, two girls...good harmony, good music choices

Robbie Beebe
She sang played with a guitarist friend, Kevin who made some great sounds with that guitar.









Tucson Don Hesson
A good performer with some talented friends -- Charlie on penny whistle, Bob on saxophone, and Mike on bass-- making an unusual but very pleasant mix of instruments.








Marv, Glenn and friends
These folks play a lot together at Providence Extened Care...and it shows! Nice tight arrangements of great old time gospel.













Ginger Boatwright
Ginger sang some great music and included the one-armed guitarist, Buck Kuhn, in a smokin' duet.









Patric D'Eimon
Patrick is a veteran of the Anchorage music scene and lent a modern influence to the mostly old-time music.


Mountain Waxwings
Suzy Crosby and Melanie Kennan bring wonderful harmony and moving songs .











Debra & Steve Oudean
Guitar and electric bass backed up this fine duos well trained voices.











Melissa Beck
Singing and playing solo, Melissa was enchanting with her poignant songs.











Lost Riders BG Band
Mike, Mary and the band were great BG entertainment as they always are.














Davis Normand/Jill Ekstrom
Old timey gospel from the Southland.















Margie Lawrence
Soulful, lovely music from a woman who wears her heart on her guitar.














Red Head Express
The Walker family playing a lively fun set. We'll be seeing them in Nashville one of these days. What a great finale.