John Hartford Days: Celebrating A Bluegrass Trailblazer
Ever since I started going to music festivals as a teenager with my father, I’ve been enamored with the music of John Hartford. His mix of bluegrass sounds, jam tendencies and a sharp wit has truly stood the test of time.
From his songs like “Back In The Goodle Days,” “Steam Powered Aereo Plane” and “In Tall Buildings” to his work on the soundtrack for “O Brother, Where Art Thou?” and the countless festivals and musicians like Billy Strings and Sam Bush carrying on his legacy, Hartford’s songs continue to permeate throughout the American zeitgeist to this day.
That trend continued this past weekend at the Bluegrass Music Hall of Fame & Museum in Owensboro, Ky. with John Hartford Days, a two-day celebration of all things Hartford ranging from pickin’ parties to discussion panels, films and documentaries, and of course, live music.
The latter was fulfilled by Canada’s Lonesome Ace String Band, Oh Me Oh My — Scott Simontacchi, David Long, Mike Bub and Shad Cobb — and the aforementioned Sam Bush Band, who headlined both night’s of the gathering from inside the Bluegrass Hall’s Woodward Theatre.
After arriving in Owensboro around 2:30 local time Saturday afternoon I made my way to the Museum and gave it a walkthrough for the first time in a few years, taking in artifacts from everyone from forefathers of the genre like Bill Monroe and Flatt & Scruggs to trailblazers of today like the The Kody Norris Show and Sierra Hull.
But my favorite parts of the museum were easily it’s two temporary installations — one on Jerry Garcia that includes items from The Grateful Dead along with Old & In The Way, New Riders Of The Purple Sage, his longstanding work with lyricist Robert Hunter, and more — and another, brand new section setup in advance of this weekend to commemorate John Hartford. The Hartford setup includes everything from handwritten lyrics and notes to album cover sketches, original instruments, boat memorabilia, and other nuggets from one of bluegrass music’s most revered faces that offer further perspective into both the singer’s creative process and lasting impact on independent, American roots music.
Meanwhile, downstairs on the museum’s ground floor a jam session was being had all afternoon in the museum’s entrance, affectionately known as the “pickin’ parlor.” Musicians and fans of any skill level were encouraged to pick instruments off the wall to join in, leading to a jubilant recollection of song that served as another part of Hartford’s legacy — how his music has inspired others to being playing and writing their own songs.
From there the influence and impact of Hartford was explored with a discussion panels about his artwork and 1971 album Aereo-Plain before a showing of the 1980 film Ramblin’ With John Hartford shed more light on his love for boats and the river interspersed with light-hearted clips from a live show that perfectly illustrates the trademark weirdness that came to define him.
But where the spirit of Hartford shined the most bright was during the concerts that filled the theatre come evening. The show was kicked off each night by the Canadian duo Lonesome Ace String Band, who mixed in covers of Hartford hits like “Long Hot Summer Day” with their own cheeky originals like “Smoke On The Shoulder” that describe their method for barbecuing pork.
After Lonesome Ace put the keys in the ignition, the Sam Bush Band — Todd Parks, Stephen Mougin, Wes Corbett, Chris Brown and Bush — kicked the show into overdrive with a mix of originals, songs inspired by Hartford, and covers with a slew of special guests that began with Bush’s “On The Road” and “Radio John,” the latter being the title track off his 2022 record Radio John: Songs of John Hartford.
From there Bush opened the revolving door of collaborators for the night by bringing out banjo master Alison Brown to duel with Corbett on the traditional ballad “John Hardy” followed by Jim Lauderdale to take the lead singing on two of Hartford’s most timeless hits, “In Tall Buildings” and “Back In The Goodle Days.” Fellow bluegrass Hall of Famer and founding member of The Dillards, Rodney Dillard, later joined the band to sing his own tune “There Is A Time” along with “Biggest Whatever,” a ditty from 1977’s Glitter Grass from the Nashwood Hollyville Strings from Hartford, Rodney and Doug Dillard.
After a brief set break, Sam and company returned to the stage for another hour of music, welcoming guests like Jamie Hartford — John’s son — as well as longtime member of John Hartford’s band, Mike Compton.
The entire day — and weekend — was a welcome reprieve from the hectic news cycle and endless doomscrolling that only serves to keep us down. Despite all the negativity in the world (and there is a lot) I’m of the firm belief that finding the little bit of light within and bringing attention to it is the best way to begin curing what ails us as a society. The people gathered at the Bluegrass Hall to celebrate the life and songs of John Hartford did just that, showing just how much of an impact Hartford, his “Goodle Family” and music in general can have in moving that needle.
Bits And Bobs
Last week I had an interview published with John Mailander, a longtime collaborator of Billy Strings’ and a current member of Bruce Hornsby & The Noisemakers, about his new album Let The World In for The Bluegrass Situation.
Nicholas Jamerson announced the lineup for his third annual Sleeping In The Woods Songwriter Festival coming to Monticello, Ky. May 16-18. Performers include John R. Miller, Aaron Raitiere, Ben Sollee, Abby Hamilton, Gabe Lee, Dalton Mills, and of course Jamerson, among many others.
Appalachia’s own Sierra Ferrell came away one of the biggest winners at last weekend’s GRAMMY Awards, winning all four categories she was nominated in — Best American Roots Performance, Best Americana Performance, Best American Roots Song, and Best Americana Album for her song “American Dreaming” and album Trail Of Flowers, respectively.
Earlier this week I had a story published in the Chevy Chaser Magazine exploring the upcoming docuseries “Distilled In Kentucky” with co-creator David Helmers and current Kentucky Poet Laureate, Silas House.
Healing Appalachia — the festival fighting opioid addiction for the past five years — has announced a move from Lewisburg, WV to Ashland, Ky. for 2025, with the dates of Sept. 19 and 20 confirmed. While a lineup announcement is still forthcoming, all indications are that it’ll again include Tyler Childers along with others I’ve covered regularly through my various channels.
Bourbon & Beyond just announced a spectacular lineup for it’s Louisville bash happening Sept. 11-14 featuring the likes of Phish, Noah Kahan, Sturgill Simpson, Ringo Starr, 49 Winchester and Brit Taylor, among others.
Coming Next Week
This week on my radio show I’ll be joined by Lexington musicians/record producers Duane Lundy and J. Tom Hnatow to preview the tribute concert to their dear and late friend, Robby Cosenza, taking place at The Burl on Feb. 8.
Listen to it in full on Feb. 5 at 7 p.m. live on Hound FM, The Hound mobile app, on HoundFM.com, or later on Spotify. Also stay tuned for written coverage of Saturday’s show on this newsletter next week.
