09/01/2017
Well it has been almost 2 weeks since the Paddle Faster bluegrass festival and I am recovering from this summer. The kids are back to school, the crisp air fills the mornings and I have to try and catch up with all of the house work I neglected these past few months.
Before I head outside and try to make sense of my tattered lawn I wanted to take a moment and recognize the people who made this summer "the best summer ever", a quote from both of my kids.
First, my family. Tracy Michael, Sarah and Katie. Without them none of this would would have meaning nor would it be possible. The countless hours spent preparing for the concert series doing what needed to be done without complaints.
Kacy Colston, who was there every minute with FOFAH at Hilltop Farm. Without them, I would have abandoned the festival plans 5 weeks before it happened. Thank you for the education and support. Also, thank you to all of the FOFAH members for all you do to keep that beautiful farm on the hill going.
Jerry Crane from the CRC and the entire CRC family for the support with the bluegrass concert series. It was a rough start, but it went out with such a positive note. Without Jerry there is no telling how long it would have lasted, but certainly not as long as it did.
Mark Apgar and Kris Apgar, who not only supported the concerts from their inception, they were some of the most dedicated volunteers we had at the festival. Thanks guys.
All of the volunteers, Mark and Kris Apgar, Michael Lehouillier, John Stavropulos and Emily Azadnia, Dean Vozzolo and Lillian Vozzolo, and Linda Lydon. You guys were amazing and are really what made the festival happen.
JColwick Design, LLC, John Colwick for the outstanding graphics and support dealing with me during the times when things changed and getting everything done. If you need graphic arts I highly recommend John at JColwick Design.
Chili Brothers Food Co., Amber Elizabeth, Jackie and Zippy thank you
For the great Cajun food. Also, for the amazing support from the beginning. Thanks again to Amber Elizabeth for the outstanding article you wrote for the GoLocal magazine.
Sylvias hot dogs, Val Abelin, Bob and Louie, thank you for being there with the great dogs, including Louie. I will be hunting you down later today for a chili dog, I hope you are at your spot over by the airport. Also, just thank you for being so much fun to talk to and for the encouragement.
Thanks to Josh Friend and Suffield Music for the outstanding lights and sound at the festival. I look forward to working with you in the future.
Glen Nelson at Mockingbird Music Co., Inc. thank you for always being there for me. You are my favorite banjo player and let's get togetha soon brother. Also thanks for the guitar for the drawing, it is going to a little girl who had her guitar broken at the Podunk Bluegrass Festival the week prior. That couldn't have worked out better. Let's add a special thank you to Glen's wife Barb, who was kind enough to call me and check up on my progress also to know enough to send the extra canopy.
Gary Babich, thank you for donating the guitar that you won to the girl from Podunk. What a great gesture and truly what the bluegrass community is all about.
Mike Wilcox and Jim Perry from the Podunk Bluegrass Festival for all the great advice and encouragement. You two have been a great and constant resource. See you guys soon.
Thank you to all of the bands:
Damn Tall Buildings, Avery Ballotta, Jordan Alleman, Sasha Dubyk and Max Capistran aka Montana, J. Daddy, Miss D. Bass and Buttons. You are the engine that drove me to doing this festival. Without meeting you amazing guys at Podunk last year and hearing your music and watching your interactions with my girls, I don't know if the festival seed would have been planted. You are special to us and we appreciate everything you have done.
Celia Boyd and your unbelievably talented band. Celia, you and Zoe Guigueno have been inspiring my girls for a long time now and thank you for that. Joe K Walsh and Bobby Britt, you guys were a blast to watch. I appreciate you coming and being part of my little festival.
Mile Twelve, we have been following you guys for over a year now and man what a fun road it has been. It is like a new experience every time you get on stage. Evan, Bronwyn, Nate, BB and Dave we can't wait to see what they come up with next. Good luck at IBMA you are a Suffield family's favorite down there.
Five In The Chamber, Ken McEwen Pete Kaufman, Dave Sasso, Kat Wallace and Dave Casali have been a family favorite for a long time now. Thank you guys for coming and for all the encouragement during this summer.
Man About a Horse, these guys traveled all the way from Philadelphia to be at the festival and I am so glad they did. With Matt, Matt, Matt and the 2 not Matts, sorry Dan and Liz I couldn't help myself, you guys absolutely rocked the house. I can't wait to see you guys play again soon.
Finally, I would like to thank the fans who showed up and cheered these talented groups on. It was amazing to see the crowd of bluegrass fans and to have so many there to the very end was certainly uplifting.
Thank you all, and I hope to see you all soon.
Todd Michael
Paddle Faster Productions, LLC
