Blues Au Natural

The 9th Annual Bushkill Blues Festival took place at the Lehman Township Community Park located in Pike County, PA on Sunday August 11th. The natural setting surrounding the festival provided a peacefully communal backdrop for the performances so they could be thoroughly enjoyed by the many who came to partake of the musical form. The bands who performed throughout the day were SheilaMark, Teddy Young and the Aces, and The Merchants of Groove.

The day began quietly as I arrived while the final tests of the sound system were nearly completed. Musical instruments were being tuned while conversations among the musicians relating to the music they were about to perform along with other congenial topics could be heard as music lovers departed the shuttle bus to find a spot to relax for the day or to just walk upon the park’s grounds to visually explore the flowing waters of Saw Creek and the plentiful trees along its banks until the music began to play. The momentary screech of audio feedback called the gathering to attentiveness signaling the festival was about to begin.

The festival’s organizer, Teddy Young, took to the stage to welcome all who were present. He would do so again and again throughout the day as the numbers of music lovers increased to fill the park to near capacity. But, for this early part of the festival, he ended his greeting to announce SheilaMark would be sharing their talents with the gathering and by taking up his guitar in order to lend his talents to the performance alongside Sheila Stratton on vocals, Dean Rickard on drums, Stevo Nelson on rub board, and Mark Hamza playing a modified Hammond B3 Organ and Accordion.

From the very first note to the echoing effect of those which completed their performance, SheilaMark captivated the audience with their musical concoction of Blues, Rock, and Zydeco satisfactorily filling the ears, hearts, and souls of all who have ears, hearts, and souls. The powerful voice of Sheila Stratton created a texture to the already substantive lyrics of the songs the group performed as they echoed throughout the park. The music that accompanied her voice added its own collection of nuances as each musician created something unique and joyful through his instrument. SheilaMark has performed in various venues throughout the Pike and Monroe County area and beyond to include The Annual Celebration of the Arts Festival, The Church on the Mountain Gazebo Concert Series, and The Deer Head Inn which are all located in Delaware Water Gap, PA. You can learn more about SheilaMark, their music, and their upcoming performances by exploring their website at www.sheilamarkproductions.com.

The performance given by SheilaMark was, like those who followed, presented in two sets allowing band members to share conversations with those who came out to enjoy their music. Some food and drink was also shared and, while many were welcomed to bring their own food and beverages, a concession area selling culinary items at a very low fee was made available and many partook of their offerings. The proceeds gained from the items sold were utilized to benefit Bushkill Outreach which is a non-profit organization providing food, clothing, and services to needy families in the area. The organization also offered raffle tickets for a chance to win a donated item and a 50/50 drawing. You can learn more about Bushkill Outreach and all they do to enhance the lives of those living in their community by exploring their Website at www.bushkilloutreach.org.

The partaking of food, drink, tickets, and conversation made it seem like an instant had passed before Lehman Township Supervisor Richard C. Vollmer took the stage to share his welcoming remarks and to introduce Teddy Young and the Aces to the gathering. The band consists of Teddy Young (who is considered a world-class guitar player and has toured extensively throughout North America) on vocals and guitar, Rob “Frog” Fenstermaker on Bass Guitar, Neil Longo on drums, and Mark Hamza who remained on stage with the Hammond B3 Organ to lend his talents to the performance. The music they performed moved through the park shaking the trees with every vibration and heating the river until one could see bubbles coming up from its depths. The same effect could be seen in the audience who smoothly moved their bodies with every beat they encountered especially those emanating from the guitar of Mr. Young during his solo performances. As one member of the audience said, it was “Like wow, man.” You can learn more about Teddy Young and the Aces, their music, and their upcoming performances by exploring their Website at www.teddyyoung.net.

After Teddy Young and the Aces completed their performance and a break ensued, Lehman Township Supervisor Paul Menditto took the stage to share his welcoming remarks and to introduce The Merchants of Groove which consists of Paul Lyon on vocals and guitar and Mike Basalyga on drums.  Rob “Frog” Fenstermaker remained on stage with his Bass Guitar as did Mark Hamza with the Hammond B3 Organ and Teddy Young with his Guitar. The band was joined by special guest Joey “Hotbox” Simon on harmonica whose musical presence added a soulful dimension to the already supercharged performance. The music hit people where they healed which was evident as they moved their bodies in dance. The Merchants of Groove first performed during the late 1980s and early 1990s until they ended their prestigious musical career but has recently reunited after a 20-year hiatus. Those who followed them in the past as well as those introduced to them in the here and now found themselves frequently redefining the word, “cool” with every note they played. You can learn more about The Merchants of Groove, their music, and their upcoming performances by exploring their Facebook Page at www.Facebook.com/merchantsofgroove.

It was during The Merchants of Groove performance that the winners of the raffles were selected and awarded their prizes. Yet, as rewarding the cash and item was to those who received them, it could be said everyone attending the 9th Annual Bushkill Blues Festival continually received one prize after another which were manifested through every note, chord, and rift played throughout the day. This, coupled with the beautiful weather and natural surrounding of the park, made it a fantastic day to remembered and looked forward to reliving in 2014 when the 10th Annual Bushkill Blues Festival will take place. You’ll find more photographs taken during the festival in The Bushkill Blues Festival 2013 Gallery at www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10151823232795421.1073741846.636000420&type=1.

The Annual Bushkill Blues Festival is free and open to the public and takes place in the Lehman Township Community Park which located on Winona Falls Road in Pike County, PA. The Festival was founded by Teddy Young and is sponsored by Lehman Township Supervisors John P. Sivick, Richard C. Vollmer, and Paul Menditto. You can learn more about the Lehman Township Community Park by exploring its Facebook Page at www.facebook.com/groups/104405376308248.