above: The Lil’ Dude “hoops” to Flowmotion.
I can’t play an instrument and you really don’t want to hear me sing but, I sure love to listen to music. Ditto for the hippygeek (especially the singing part). So, when we saw the opportunity to attend Salmonstock, we didn’t hesitate to purchase 3-day passes for the event.
left: Jim Page
Of course, one of the big draws for us was the fact that Bill Kreutzmann (drummer for the grateful Dead), was the headliner. The Hippygeek is a “Dead fan” from way back so for him it would have been OK if Kreutzmann was the only one playing. It was a bonus for him that the rest of the weekend was filled with great music. The line-up included a variety of bands from Alaska as well as some very popular bands from the lower 48, they are:
Bill Kreutzmann and the 7 Walkers, Jackie Greene Band, Clinton Fearon, Great American Taxi, Flowmotion, The Whipsaws, Pamyua, Old Believers, Superfrequency, Big Dirt, Jim Page, Dana Lyons, Melissa Mitchell Band, Big Fat Buddha, Ratfish Wranglers, Susan Grace, Ginger Boatwright, High Lonesome Sound, Uplift, The Hoons, The Barroom Roses, Spiff, Backstrap, The Milo Salem Project, Wolf Electric, Stuck in Reverse, Emma Hill, Josh Olsen and the Eternal Cowboys, Holy Santos Gang, Hot Club of Nunaka and the Seaside Farmers.
left: Clinton Fearon
The venue for the event was the Kenai Peninsula Fairgrounds which were large enough to accommodate vendors booths, jump castles for the kids, a meeting hall for lectures, a beer garden, and 2 stages yet small enough to provide an intimate environment (yes, it is possible to have an “intimate” environment” at a music festival). I don’t remember a time when I could make my way all up to the edge of a stage and see the musicians sweat. And, I have to admit that I enjoyed watching Jackie Greene sweat.
right: Jackie Greene
Friday was an absolutely glorious day with clear blue skies and after the previous few cold rainy days all I wanted to do was sit in my chair, soak up the sun and listen to music. The Dudes enjoyed the music but, the jump castles and numerous playmates had a stronger pull so they spent much of their time playing.
Saturday, the festival became a little bit more like Woodstock when the rains came down all day. But, the music never stopped and the people kept coming. A little rain doesn’t dampen the Alaskan spirit! By the time Bill Kreutzmann and the 7 walkers took the stage that evening, the place was jammed.
left: A soggy but, very happy crowd.
Sorry, I don’t have pictures of them because from my vantage point, Kreutzmann had a “cymbal” for a head and I could only manage to get a few bad pictures of his band members. Oh well, I preferred to dance anyway.
right: Josh Clauson of Flowmotion
Everyone was absorbed by the music even the Dudes. That is until 12:30am when the Dudes just couldn’t “party” anymore. So, halfway through the set, I took the Dudes home and left the Hippygeek to party on!
left: The Big Dude “hoops” with The Great American Taxi
Sunday turned out to be just as beautiful as Friday and a wonderful way to finish a great weekend of music. The festival attracted young and old and there was a variety of music to please everyone from 60’s vintage activists to reggae to jam bands to good ‘ole rock and roll. The day and the festival finished up with Great American taxi who had the crowd on their feet to the very end.
right: Another picture of Jackie Greene, just in case you missed the first one.
left: Vince Herman of Great American Taxi
Of course, music festivals are a little bit of a tease. You get to hear a lot of great music but only a limited amount of each band which leaves you wanting to hear more so I guess we will be adding some more gigs to our hard drive.
“Music is a moral law. It gives soul to the universe, wings to the mind, flight to the imagination, and charm and gaiety to life and to everything.” Plato
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