Suwannee Roots Revival “26: Something Zestier

It appears you have the proper laminate. Welcome to Research and Development in the corner office on the thirteenth floor, where the suits sling it at the wall to see what sticks. While it’s great to have “idea people” on staff, this is where the rubber meets the road. October in north Florida means guitars with new strings slathered with WD40. (Ed. note. Thanks Shane Turner (giterdun)) Both pickers and grinners alike returned to the Spirit of Suwannee Music Park for their pilgrimage to Suwannee Roots Revival. This year’s offering included the Nikki Talley Band, Trampled by Turtles, Sam Bush, Leftover Salmon, Peter Rowan, Donna the Buffalo, Jim Lauderdale, Shadowgrass, Eddie 9V, Shinyribs, The Lee Boys with Roosevelt Collier, Armchair Boogie, Verlon Thompson, Jon Stickley Trio, The Grass Is Dead, Mosier Brothers Band, Holy Roller. Considering the gritty bluegrass, Suwannee family and real OGs, this was Suwannee Roots Revival “26: Something Zestier. It never fails to disappoint and who knows how many more Saturday nights you have playing bluegrass music around the fire. Let’s not waste a second. Welcome to the Happiness Guild.

The attendees pushed through the outer bands of the slurricane, riding the wind, straight die hard to outer space. There were wet fooseball fanatics, dueling Dobros and bookend recreational vehicles. Greasetrapp showed up with the Mother Ship limping, listening to “Do yourself a favor” by Stevie Wonder. Looking for answers in the forest, with a cautious optimism they would be waiting there in the form of the Moon Dog. Lucy had seen it all. Jester masks, Jack o lantern bubbles and sesame street umbrella high jinx. The gypsy prophet said, “Before enlightenment, chop wood, carry water.”

“Do yourself a favor
Educate your mind
Get yourself together
Hey, there ain’t much time”   S.Wonder, 1971.

When Shakes heard the boy say “Gawlee, gimme some space.” he knew things were getting a mite serious. Lucy needle dropped “Power of Love” by Huey Lewis during the VIPness request happy hour. They may have caught the edge of the feeder band but for the Live Oak loyalists, it was a rain perfect for dancing and cleaning the undercarriage. Wrangler correspondent Moonshine Gary reported Jim Cantore was seen at Santa Rosa Beach, so for the patrons gambling on camping in the slurricane, they would fortunately, be in the eye of the real storm.

Granny Kay, the “new” 1962 KH bull fiddle was making her first trip to Live Oak and quickly caught the eye of local media celebrity, ERod, whose gyrations while quasi-inappropriate, were welcomed as she enjoyed being slapped by other men. Thanks Chase Holiday for all the best ideas.

At some point in the tsunami, Highmay’s people were pushed to exit the “A” jam at the Bill Monroe Shrine in search for something “zestier”. Like Firewater Tent Revival? In the dictionary under “zesty” it says, “see them”.

The Wookshire accommodated bookend recreation vehicles which spiced up kamp acoustics and made for a lovely place to enjoy harmless/legal fun out of the rain. Serving also as a perfect place to watch FSU and the Tide get the complete beat down. How did this broad Cindy get past security?

Andy Thorn could be heard yelling “Me so thorny!” and channeling Col. Bruce with a mushmouthed “Breto Gnib” chant. Onlookers thought Ted was dancing in the rain when he was actually standing in an ant bed, losing his mind. Reports of lakefront princess, MitochAndrea bringing her unique and perfect version of the festival spy game reminding the world this is chess, not checkers.

The Gravediver Provides: The only time she talked smack was when her mouth was moving. How many hillbillies does it take to fix a broken starter? Twenty seven. Twenty six to talk like they know about starters, batteries and solenoids and one to crawl underneath and find the loose connection. Dadgummit, Greasetrapp considered, maybe she wasn’t full of shinola after all. A cornucopia of blessings to the Moon Dog, working for a currency worth more than silver and gold. Reaffirming the belief in mankind. When did Sean drop paper in Dahlia’s water dish? Oma goodness, this could not end well…Until the smiling dalmatian ended up at Donna the Buffalo and proceeded to drop it like it’s hot to “Black Muddy Water” with the dirty kids. False alarm. Triple truth Jess Ruth.

Greasetrapp thought his fingers were ready to play bull fiddle all weekend but after splaying hard Thursday and grabbing the top of Shake’s Coleman lantern thrice, his fingerprints had slid off into a soupy mess. The short career was almost over when Jimbo noted that his wife used electrical tape when she played bass. Great gravy said the lady, more machine than man, he was back in business. Bring on Banjovi from Poohville.

Later Thursday night the family jam was joined by Johhny Rib Bone and neighborhood acoustic and digital storyteller, Ashley Feller. All the best things happen at Roots. Be careful what you wish for, you just might get it. Pish posh.

Love your Maura.

Shakes was spilling around Hobo Kamp like a drunken reprobate, having been peppered with turkey oak acorns all afternoon. Mawmaw would say his bell had been sufficiently rung, maybe to knock some sense into him. Tamiami would have reminded him that in years with increased acorns, the hogs would taste better. Nuggets of cracker wisdom could always be expected at the Spirit of Suwannee Music Park. Pearls of tabletop trivia.

Linda Joy made the call with the news they’d lost Tommy, who was discovered years ago. camping solo down by the Frog Pond. It was hard news to take in the middle of all the revelry, but dollars to donuts, it was the perfect place to celebrate Suwannee royalty. Music lives here…forever.

Lucy and Mr. Clowne were headed to the Music Hall for a cool whiskey drink when they slid in on Nikki Talley and Jason Sharpe. With her powerful yet angelic voice it wasn’t too long before both street thugs were crying like girls with a skint knee. Barmaid, make it another round for mothers and daughters.

Lisa Joy managed to wrangle the entire crowd for a surprise sunrise message party at her camp. Greasetrapp entertained visions of getting a right rubdown but at the end of the day, ended up serving as cabana boy and slathering baby oil on fat men. Oh the fickle finger of fate. Always a bridesmaid, never a bride.

This crowd works/promotes/attends festivals of every make and model; EDM, bass, jam band, acoustics, electric, eclectic and everything in between but when push comes to shove, the late-night, home grown music at Roots is something a bit zestier. Sit a spell. Stay a while. Everyone is always welcome at jamkamp.

Poohville’s Banjo Leonard (Get a hat!) won the Suwannee Roots Fishing Rodeo for the second year in a row. Invited on A side quest it was actually an adventure to go TO Asydequest on the main stage where Barb and the boys laid down some delicious, greasy slather.

His Blazeness and his crowd of rowdy prepubescent thugs rolled into Hobo Kamp late Sunday night, reeking of axe body spray. Against their better judgement, after a lil discretion expression, they were coerced into staying for a few jams sponsored by Chinese bluegrass and fraternity contraband.

Hatch joined the chaos at the Fallout Shelter and introduced the throngs to Cindy who brought an honest sass and spunk to the Georgia game. Maybe a little too much. Plenty of pluck and grit in that one. Thank you power.

It wasn’t FOMO the Consigliere had, it was JOMO (Joy of missing out).

The Suwannee River Pirates would have been disappointed at the lackadaisical effort put forth by this year’s crew. Five flags stolen from kamp and zero booty reclaimed. Who’s watching the store? Poor form by men who were taught better. Sorry Hulaween, you will definitely pay the price. Please remember to hang your booty, less you get tagged as lower stock. Got my eye on you cowboy. Do better.

Sun of stars elevated the dance tent on Sunday with the mashup song about security taking mushroom chocolates at Hula, into the Other One and back into Hula. The rain moved Highjinx to follow Shadowgrass into the Music Hall where the dance floor was filled with Zoomers and Boomers of all make and model. He noted overzealous wook wrangling wand wavers at entrances, smugglers and smugglers beware. In his “sleep” he could still hear the beeping.

We miss you Kent.

Visit the the Suwannee Roots Revival website and like their social media channels on Facebook and Instagram. The future is here. Thanks for making Wranglers Media your number two source for festival tripe. (Behind Eric Rodriguez of course) Still one hundred percent human because obviously a robot wouldn’t make as many grammatical errors. Thanks to Dreamspiderweb, Beth Judy, Laurie Dyer, Jamie Knowles and Joey Lunch Bucket for all their help.

The clock is ticking…

This gibberish is dedicated to the beautiful and crafty Thomas LaRose. Linda Joy informed the family of his passing while in the forest, where he spent countless weekends playing Grateful Dead piano songs and preparing vegetarian meals for the masses. He would wake up early and complain about the shenanigans at five am but he could never bring himself to move further back. Dr. Tommy Thermometer, Pepe, La Rosa Nostra. Tommy Lazarus. Forever loved and remembered. Kamp Happiness royalty. See you soon my friend.

Ghosted by Sherlock. What does it mean man?

Follow Kamp Happiness as we continue the October Suwannee celebration with Hulaweem, the maze inside of the maze. Something funky this way comes. Find the key that opens all the doors. Let’s get zestier.

“You left me with nowhere to run, nowhere to hide”  JJ.Cale