Carlton Haney’s Roanoke Labor Day Bluegrass Festival is widely recognized as the first multiple day and band bluegrass festival. The event was held September 3–5, 1965, at Fincastle, Virginia, near Roanoke, VA.

In 1998, Haney was inducted into the International Bluegrass Music Museum Hall of Honor.

The museum’s Web site’s description of Haney’s 1965 festival reads, “The event proved to be a prototype and precursor that initiated the festival movement in America and ultimately in other countries, bringing incalculable economic benefits to the industry and creating a larger and more diverse audience for the music.”Roanoke Times

Phil Zimmerman of Bluegrasstime.com was present at that first Bluegrass Festival. On his web site He shares some great memories of the weekend and also offers for sale some outstanding, classic Black and White photo’s he’s taken over the years of some of the biggest names in the business.

Below is an excerpt from his website. I highly encourage you take the time to read Mr. Zimmerman’s recollections of that weekend and sample his photos.

“We took the Fincastle exit and began looking for Carlton Haney’s First Annual Roanoke Bluegrass Festival. We found the turn-off and followed the dusty tire tracks across a pasture toward the tree line in the distance. Even before we reached the makeshift parking lot, we heard the thump of a stand-up bass wafting across the field on the hot late-summer breeze. Moments later we were navigating between small groups of musicians picking away. Back at school there were barely enough players to scrape together one band, but there we were, surrounded by bluegrass!”Phil Zimmerman

These historic videos from that festival, include footage of Bill Monroe, Mac Wisemen, Don Reno, Jimmy Martin along with a cameo of John Hartford.

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Williams & Clark Expedition

Williams & Clark Expedition is hosting the Mid-West SPBGMA awards held annually in Jefferson City, MO. This year’s event takes place on January 12th at the Crown Plaza Hotel. In addition to hosting duties, the band will also perform at 4:00pm and 10:00pm.

Bobby Clark, mandolinist for Williams & Clark Expedition, just received news that an instrumental he wrote several years ago is being recorded by banjoist, Justin Jenkins. Justin is a member of Blue Moon Rising. The song is titled “Bell Cove Breakdown” and will be released in 2008 on Justin’s solo project.

Williams & Clark Expedition is scheduled to perform at the “15th Annual McReynolds Memorial Bluegrass Concert.” This years show will benefit Butch Baldassari who was diagnosed with an inoperable brain tumor several months ago. The concert will be held January 31st at the Gallatin, TN Civic Center at 6:30pm. In addition to Williams & Clark Expedition, other artists scheduled to perform include Jesse McReynolds & The Virginia Boys, The Grascals, Ronnie Reno & The Reno Tradition, The Larry Stephenson Band, Larry Cordle & Lonesome Standard Time, Nashville Mandolin Ensemble, Luke McKnight & Thunder Road and other special guests.

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The Infamous Stringdusters

Friday, January 4th

Doyle Dykes - 8:30-9:00

Bobby Osborne & The Rocky Top X-Press - 9:00-9:30

The Isaacs - 9:30-10:00

Saturday, January 5th

Infamous Stringdusters - 7:30-8:00 & 11:00-11:30

Doyle Dykes - 8:00-8:30 & 10:30-11:00

Jesse McReynolds & The Virginia Boys - 8:30-9:00

The Grand Ole Opry is broadcast live on WSM 650 AM radio, online at www.WSMonline.com and on XM Satellite Radio (XM 11). All listed times are central time.

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