Rocky Mountain Folk Festival

Rocky Mountain Folk Festival

By Art Heffron

Just as the St. Vrain River that flows through Lyons, Colorado gives life to all that it surrounds, so does the music that comes from Planet Bluegrass’ annual Rocky Mountain Folk Festival. (Denver-based Singer/Songwriter) Kyle James Hauser’s “All Long Gone” was the first song played at 21st Rocky Mountain Folk Fest and set the perfect tone for the rest of the weekend.  Hauser plus 10 other songwriters performed in this year’s Songwriter Showcase (www.bluegrass.com/folks/contests.html), a nationally-recognized songwriter competition!   The weekend continued with Brandi Carlile spurring 4000 festivarians to accompany her hit song, “Turpentine”, flawlessly closing out day one.  Day 2 and 3 of the RMFF was filled with Red Horse’s unmatchable harmonies, the comic relief and raw talent of Danielle at The Sandwich, to a packed-out Wildflower Pavilion by Justin Roth.  And we can’t overlook Saturday morning’s opening act, a Colorado-native, Megan Burtt & The Cure for Love, who put the F in Folk Rock!  Burtt, the winner of last year’s Songwriter Showcase, energized the crowd and set the stage for another amazing day of performances. I did prefer last year’s unforgettable Saturday night headline, The Swell Season, to this year’s headline with Bob Weir, Chris Robinson & Chris Green.  During their set I found myself longing for more, but as I looked around and saw a field of seasoned Festavarians who were absolutely loving life and living out Brandi’s cover from the night before “Forever Young”, I was quickly reminded that The Rocky Mountain Folk Festival provides something for every generation!  After hearing a number of local artists who have played for my Denver-based concert series, Strings & Wood Concerts (www.facebook.com/stringsandwoodconcerts), camping for the weekend with close friends & family, along with the savory meals and creative gifts provided by the 2011 Folk Fest vendors, & not being able to physically put my camera down, I am convinced to make an annual pilgrimage to The Rocky Mount Folk Festival.

After Jackson Brown closed this year’s Folk Fest out, my wife and I took one final stroll along the St. Vrain River, & I noticed that not only does the river give life to all the surrounds it, it also offers remembrance.  Every 20 feet or so, previous Folk Fest goers had built cairns in the middle of the river as a reminder of ‘The Greats’ that have come before and to remind us of ‘The Greats’ that lay ahead.  I look forward to the day when I am a seasoned Festivarian, with wife,children, & camera by my side, loving life as our very own Colorado greats like Justin Roth, Kyle James Hauser & Megan Burtt powerfully headline each night giving a stellar reflection to the stars above!

 www.artheffronphotography.com

 Full Gallery of the Rocky Mountain Folk Fest can be seen here by Art Heffron Photography

Category: Planet Buzz