Hockhocking Folk Festival

May 19-20, 2006

Stuart's is a proud supporter of the Hockhocking Folk Festival at Robbins Crossing on Hocking College campus in Nelsonville.

This spring, on May 19-20, Hocking College will resound once again with great music.  The 8^th Annual Hockhocking Folk Festival has posted this year’s performance schedule, and it promises to deliver the same amazing, diverse, and entertaining lineup it has become famous for.  “Every year, we try to figure out how we can possibly match the year before, and every year we exceed our expectations” says Festival Coordinator Ken Bowald.

Headlining Saturday’s schedule this year is Grammy Award nominated singer-songwriter Greg Brown.  His style and roots are largely Midwestern, which reflects his upbringing in rural Iowa, rugged coal country much like southeastern Ohio.  His music has been covered by such diverse artists as Willie Nelson, Carlos Santana, and Joan Baez.  A recent tribute recording “Going Driftless” has raised over $60,000 for breast cancer research and much of Greg’s time and talent are directed at charitable causes.  His homegrown humor, heartfelt stories, and poetic lyrics will surely enchant everyone who attends the Saturday night concert.  The evening will also feature the return of Fred Eaglesmith, who has developed quite a following in the region, and there are sure to be a contingent of “Fredheads” in the audience.  The Canadian performer and his band “The Flying Squirrels” will follow a great day of diverse music, including Stacey Earle and Marc Stuart, Ernie Hawkins, and lots more.

Also featured this year (on Friday night) is perennial favorite Jonathan Edwards.  Perhaps most famous for his 1970s hit “Sunshine”, Edwards is also a local favorite with songs like “Down in Athens County.”  Preceded and followed by the high energy sounds of the Wailin’ Elroys and the Spikedrivers (respectively), Friday night promises to be “a festival unto itself” commented Bowald.

The festival will once again host music workshops, instrument building, artists and crafters, a storytelling tent (including a “Liar’s Contest on Saturday, with great prizes), and the Ohio State Flatpicking Guitar Championship, Ohio State Clawhammer Banjo Championship, and (new this year) the Hockhocking Old-time Fiddle Contest.  Combine this with the Living History atmosphere of Robbins Crossing, great food, and an atmosphere of song-swapping and fun, and you have a festival that is unmatched in the region (and possibly the universe!)  More information can be found at www.hockhockingfolkfest.org, or by calling 1-877-HOCKING.

For more information, visit www.hockhockingfolkfest.org