I Don't Know What I'm Doing Here... I Don't Even Like This Kind of Music!

Photos from Thomas Point Beach Bluegrass Festival
Aug 31 - Sep 3, 2006

Photo 1: Little Roy Lewis looking pleased with himself about what he'd done, and me (Michael Floyd) talking to Earl Scruggs
Photo 2: Little Roy Lewis and Lisa (aka Jeepster) from Connecticut
Photo 3: Rob McCoury signs my banjo head
Photo 4: Del McCoury and Kenny Innis

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I just got back from the Thomas Point Beach Bluegrass Festival. It was an unplanned trip, as I had already decided earlier in the year that I wouldn't be attending the 2006 festival. Several people from Saint John attended the festival this year; let me see, 1, 2, 4, 5... there were 20 people that I know of.

Unfortunately, Helen (my bride of 22 wonderful years and the most supportive person on the planet concerning my musical endeavors) couldn't make it to the festival. Instead, Kenny Innis accompanied me, and made the 5 hour drive to and from Thomas Point Beach seem like it was only 2 hours each way. Thanks Kenny! By the way, it was Kenny that twisted my arm to go, although he didn't have to twist it that much. I think the conversation went something like this:

Kenny: Visits me at my house Wednesday morning at about 10:00. "What time are we leaving for Thomas Point Beach?"

Me: I'm in my back yard getting ready to do some more landscaping work - my favorite thing to do. Not! "Oh, I don't know Kenny. I said I wasn't going this year. I went to the Rogersville festival last weekend and I'm going to see IIIrd Tyme Out in Moncton next Saturday. Plus, I have to get this back yard finished."

Kenny: "Oh, I think you should go, Mike."

Me: "Well, let's go inside and call the Atrium Inn to see if they have any rooms available, just in case we decide to go."

You can figure out how it went from there, but I'll give you a hint. I gave my VISA card number to the Atrium Inn.

Upon our arrival at the festival location, Kenny and I met up with several of our Saint John friends who recounted what I alleged about not going to the festival by saying, "I thought you weren't coming this year?" My response was simply, "I don't know what I'm doing here... I don't even like this kind of music!" That little expression turned into a running joke among my Saint John friends for the duration of the festival; I guess no one believed me! By late afternoon on the fourth, and last day of the festival, I figured it out - my purpose was to connect with Little Roy Lewis of the Lewis Family and make a telephone call to the master of the 5-string banjo, Earl Scruggs, at his home. Just in case you can't see it, there's a big smile on my face right now.

Late Sunday afternoon, I met Lisa from the state of Connecticut, USA. Lisa and I both frequent the Banjo Hangout discussion forums. It's nice to put a face to some of the people you've been talking to on the internet. Sorry about my face, Lisa! We had a 45 minute conversation with Little Roy Lewis - what a character!

Our long conversation with Little Roy (he's long-winded, you know) was every bit as fascinating as talking to Earl Scruggs (keep reading). That man is as crazy off stage as he is on, and a real delight to talk to. Little Roy did most of the talking, I asked a few questions and Lisa, well, she didn't say a whole lot; said she was eavesdropping, and couldn't stay away from a good banjo conversation.

We were talking about the Huber banjo I ordered and Little Roy was showing me his 1932 Gibson when right out of the blue he says "hey, you wanna talk to Earl Scruggs?" "Uh, no, that's okay," I replied. "I wouldn't know what to say." Before I knew it, Little Roy had Earl on his cell phone and was telling him "I'm at Thomas Point Beach in Maine and there's a guy here that wants to talk to you," then he handed me his phone.

Everyone is asking me "what did you say?" What could I say? I never really had much time to think about what I might want to say or ask. "Hello Mr. Scruggs. It's a pleasure to be able to speak with you. My name is Michael Floyd. I'm from Saint John, New Brunswick, Canada. I met you at last year's festival, right here at Thomas Point Beach and asked you to sign my banjo head." "It's a real pleasure to talk to you Michael; I'd like to meet you again, some day." "I sure would like that too, Mr. Scruggs. I hope to see you at another show real soon."

We talked for a few more minutes. Being so caught up in the moment, I couldn't think of anything intelligent to say, but I managed to get through it. I thanked him for what he has done for the 5-string banjo and all that kind of stuff. The whole Little Roy Lewis - Earl Scruggs thing was the highlight of the festival for me.

As for the rest of the festival, there were several big name artists present - Rhonda Vincent & The Rage, Alecia Nugent, The Grascals, Jessie McReynolds & The Virginia Boys, The Gibson Brothers, The Lewis Family, Cherryholmes, The Del McCoury Band and more. There were 21 bands in all, and every one of them put on great performances. There was also plenty of field pickin' and jamming during the four day event. I managed to get four more signatures added to my banjo head, the one I'm going to frame - Little Roy Lewis, Eric Gibson, David Talbot and Rob McCoury.

The weather was beautiful for the first three days, but on the last day it rained from about noon onward. The rain didn't matter. In the usual Bluegrass way, people just sat in the rain for hours on end as they soaked up the sweetest sounds on earth - Bluegrass music.

I met a whole bunch of nice people, checked out about 30 banjos (yes, I am addicted to the sound of a Bluegrass banjo), talked to instrument reps, listened in on several jam sessions and listened to Bluegrass music, pretty much nonstop, for 4 days. I can hardly wait until next year. There's only one thing that could be better - dying and going to Heaven!

Kenny Innis took several pictures which I will post on the Bluegrass Friends web site in the next day or so.

I still have a back yard to landscape!