A Wild Storm To End The Weekend Couldn’t Drown The Magic At Master Musicians Festival 2019

Thunder, lightning, and hard rain came out of nowhere Saturday night in Somerset, KY, cancelling the remainder of War & Treaty’s set and headliner Jason Isbell‘s as well, but there was no amount of rain that could drown out the magic that happened over the weekend.

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Master Musicians Festival (MMF) in Somerset, KY took place July 19-20 and delivered national acts that command attention, a great atmosphere, and a heap of local/regional artists that are the backbone of the awe-inspiring music scene in the Bluegrass State.

The Festival is broken up into three performance areas: The Main Stage, Eastwood Records Side Stage, and the SomerSessions Revival Tent; the MMF staff did a fantastic job with the scheduling of the event, so you were able to enjoy each area fully.

I arrived to the festival grounds around 5 o’clock on Friday evening, just in time to hear the lovely Senora May grace the Eastwood Records Stage. She ran through a half hour set of her catchy, but poetic songs, her Eastern Kentucky drawl ever present as she introduced each song. I’ve always appreciated Senora’s music, but I’m not sure I quite understood it fully until I saw her live. It’s genuine, sweet, and sophisticated Appalachian music.

Senora May performs at the Eastwood Records Stage

Heading up to the main stage for the act I was most excited about on Friday, Nicholas Jamerson & the Morning Jays. It’s just a short walk up a bit of a hill and into the blazing hot sunshine, the heat index was well above 100 degrees for the majority of the daytime action. Ripping through tracks from ‘NJ’ and electrifying the acoustic tracks from his most recent release ‘Floyd County All-Star’, Nick Jamerson knows how to put on a show. His voice live is no different than the amazing one you hear in the studio versions of his songs, but his stage presence is that of a seasoned veteran who has played to the people in this audience his entire career. Nick was more than kind to me throughout the festival, making sure to stop, talk and ask about other regions’ music scenes, while we were waiting in line for our delicious food; he enjoyed the steak sandwich, while I had the glorious Jamaican Jerk Chicken (It was delicious).

Nicholas Jamerson & The Morning Jays preforming Friday evening on The Main Stage

Time between sets was our chance to go find some shade and cool off before the next act. MMF and the city of Somerset were well prepared for the weather with what seemed liked unlimited amounts of sunscreen, bug spray, chapstick, and fans for anyone that needed them. They also had a water bottle refilling station that was a lifesaver for everyone who attended. The Tillers, out of Cincinnati, OH put on a rowdy main stage show followed by Jericho Woods on the side stage. I had the pleasure of reviewing their latest effort and I was pleased to see the crowd enjoy them as much as I did, namely the fantastic husband and wife duo of David and Teresa Prince.

To help close out Friday night the MMF staff booked the best dressed man in country music, Charley Crockett. He and The Blue Drifters proceeded to deliver an electrifying set that was sure to have the pit dancing along. I’ve always been a fan of his, but I’m not sure that I knew he was this good, the man just oozes cool, from his wardrobe to his Texas accent. The night cap was the fascinating Cedric Burnside, who I admittedly had only heard of and not listened to. He played essentially two sets, one acoustic and one electric accompanied by his drummer. While the electric was well done, it was his acoustic set that had the crowd clinging on to every snapping of his strings. With a voice straight from Mississippi, the stories that were told in those songs along with some rather funny jokes had the crowd in the palm of his hand and was a great reminder that the blues aren’t going anywhere and are in great hands with this man helping to carry on the storied tradition.

Charley Crockett & The Blue Drifters Saturday night

Saturday kicked off at noon on the Main Stage with a set featuring Darrin Hacquard, Tim Lancaster, Tim Delonjay, Eric Bolander, and John Clay. Each taking turns singing their songs and occasionally joining in with some guitar sprinkled on others songs. The men on this stage are important pieces of of the local/regional scene and each still growing in their craft. It was a true treat to see and something that I’m going to remember when these boys get their opportunity to play for bigger crowds individually.

(Left-Right) Darrin Hacquard, Tim Lancaster, Tim Delonjay, Eric Bolander, and John Clay opening the Main Stage on Saturday

I split time between each performance area for the next hour and half, seeing performances from The Handshake Deals, Lylak, Chris & Jen Shouse; each with their own distinct sound and bands that I will be looking into a little further from now on. 2:30 brought on a similar setup as the opening act, with Wonky Tonk, Jen Tackett, and Abby Hamilton taking their turn on the side stage, singing beautiful songs with deep lyrics. I’m not sure what planet Wonky Tonk is from, but the girl can sing and gives off a countrified P!nk vibe. Jen Tackett and Abby Hamilton each sung a couple of original songs. Abby brought the tears and Jen brought the soul, I was blown away by finally being able to enjoy both of them in a live setting.

(Left-Right) Wonky Tonk, Jen Tackett, and Abby Hamilton performing on the Eastwood Records Stage

Walking back up the hill, heat at full tilt now, we went back to our seats up close to the Main Stage and enjoyed a tremendous set from Mama Said String Band, a Louisville, KY band who is another that will have me digging into their catalog over the next couple of weeks. As hot as it was, it was only about to get hotter with the rowdy rock band, with a hint of country, from Bowling Green, KY. The Josephines brought a ton of energy and the pit, although not full at first, filled up quickly when those crunching guitar riffs courtesy of Zachary Lindsey and raspy vocals from lead singer Brad Tabor filled the air. From my point of view it wasn‘t a performance people were expecting and the crowd seemed to love it by sets end. I’m excited to hear new music from these boys, I believe they’re only starting to hit their stride.

The Josephines bringing the heat to an already blistering hot day

Taking a walk back into the woods a bit, there’s a small tent set up with a plywood platform for a stage. This is the SomerSessions Revival Tent and where some of the coolest moments happened. Sean Whiting, self proclaimed rock singer who just so happens to live on the Country Music Highway was gearing up for a performance. I love Sean’s latest album ‘High Expectations’ and I was a little disappointed that he was going to be doing an acoustic set instead of the hard rocking plugged in set I’m used to hearing, until he started singing. Accompanied by the amazing Josh Nolan on lead acoustic guitar, he played a few original songs and one Sturgill-esque cover, where you couldn’t even recognize the song if you didn’t know the words. Sean’s voice was booming throughout the small tent and you could hear audible approval through moans, damns, and applause. One of the highlights of the weekend and I can’t wait to see the polished video from SomerSessions.

Sean Whiting (Right) with an incredible acoustic performance at the SomerSessions Revival Tent, accompanied by Josh Nolan (Left)

Lost Dog Street Band had started a little before Sean Whiting’s set had ended, so we hurried up to the Main Stage and Benjamin Tod was addressing what was maybe the biggest pit of the weekend, as he was singing songs of addiction and heartbreak. Ashley is the crowd pleaser and Benjamin is the one that makes them cry, while Jeff Loops keeps the rhythm on stand up bass. I only started listening to this group a year or so ago and found out that they are now based out of Muhlenberg County, KY right down the road from my hometown of Owensboro. It was a pleasure to see their interactions on stage and the passion with which Benjamin sings his songs.

The Lost Dog Street Band, out of Muhlenberg County, KY, singing songs about addiction and hard times

The heat was beginning to die down a tad, although still hot in the two bigger stage areas. We walked down to the Eastwood Records Stage to get a performance from Chico, Tyler Childers’ teacher, David Prince, The Laid Back Country Picker. Listen, I’ve loved David since I was first introduced to his music, but I wasn’t prepared for exactly how electric his set was going to be. Guitar solos were flying from one end of the stage to the other and Laid Back had us all entranced, with legitimately hilarious songs that brought true musicianship to the stage. Accompanied by fan favorite/wife Honey (Teresa Prince) on rhythm guitar, the crowd was singing along, with regional acts scattered throughout the pit area having fun and being wild. Laid Back picks up a rotary phone that he has plugged into the sound and runs through some lyrics like modern country music philosophy, Darrin Hacquard (from the opening act on Saturday) asked for the phone and spewed some goofy stuff through the speakers, all while wearing his very revealing wrestling singlet. It was maybe the biggest party moment of the festival and was everything I could have hoped for and more.

Laid Back Country Picker brought the energy for the Eastwood Records Stage on Saturday evening

As Laid Back was ending War & Treaty were beginning their set on the Main Stage, but I wanted to go see Chelsea and Josh Nolan finish their set back under the SomerSessions tent. Heading down there, it’s an all-star cast of regional talent with Nicholas Jamerson, John Clay, Jen Tackett, oh and Darren Hacquard, yes he will be at it again shortly, there to watch. Chelsea and Josh are both accomplished and beloved musicians in their own right, but watching them with so many other respected artists in a small tent tucked back in the shaded woods was something special. We were all enjoying the music and essentially getting ready to go see Lexington psychedelic rock band Johnny Conqueroo at the side stage and Jason Isbell & the 400 Unit on the Main Stage to close the festival, but something happened. A blazing hot, beautiful, and sunny day turned dark. Thunder was rolling in the background and you can see everyone checking their phones to see what’s in store for the rest of the night. Phones are showing rain, but it will surely pass over. A couple of sprinkles start falling down, so Chelsea urges everyone to scoot in close and get under the tent, the sprinkles are becoming more and more. Chelsea and Josh close with a cut from Josh’s first album ‘East KY Skyline’, a beautiful song that most in the tent know, including resident funny man Darrin Hacquard. He sat down on a bail of hay beside the brother and sister combo and began singing along campfire style, with a pair of deer antlers he was holding above his head, that were previously for decoration. It started off as a funny moment, but it ended up embodying everything that is great about the music scene in the beautiful Bluegrass State. There was a magic in the air and there was also a little more rain now.

Josh Nolan, Darrin Hacquard, and Chelsea Nolan

The set was over, so we were going to head up and get a snack before Johnny Conqueroo and Isbell finished the night. Walking up to the food court the rain turned into a drizzle, then the wind started blowing a little harder. By the time we reached the food court it was apparent that we were going to need to find some shelter, the wind was now blowing viscously and an announcement was made over the sound system that the festival was going to have to be on hold until further notice. We decided we’d just head to the car and maybe run and get something to eat in town, while we were waiting for the storm to blow over, but the storm was not in a hurry to leave. The rain was heavy, the wind was fierce, and the lightning was some of the wildest I’ve seen in 30+ years of dealing with summer Kentucky storms. As we were headed back I got word that the MMF staff decided to call off the rest of the show for the safety of the artists, staff, and attendees. As we were coming upon the festival grounds, I notice that the cars are already filing out of the grounds at a rapid pace and then I see Jason Isbell’s bus, which had just arrived not too long before the storm, on its way out and headed to the next gig.

The rain, wind, and heat had relented when we were walking back in to gather our chairs. Some people were understandably upset and I was a little disappointed myself, Jason is one of the greatest living songwriters and I was excited to see him live, but I’m lucky enough to have tickets for Labor Day Weekend in Beaver Dam, KY. I hate it for those that only attended for Jason and his band, it can be a real bummer, especially for those that drove long distances, but the MMF staff and President Tiffany Finley made the right decision. Damage to the stage, equipment soaking wet, if they decided to go on (which some may have) they could’ve put the lives of everyone, including the headliner at risk. I’m proud that they care more about us getting home to our families than enjoying an amazing concert.

I had the time of my life seeing people that I interact with on a daily basis on Facebook and Instagram, the community support of this festival is a sight to behold. The staff went above and beyond to make sure that the attendees were taken care of and given the best opportunity to have moments they will remember for the rest of their lives. I can’t thank Tiffany Finley enough for inviting me to come and witness the fantastic musical culture that is abundant in the region. Masters Musicians Festival has been going on for 26 years and if this is the kind of service they provide, I see many more in the future. It was the perfect mix of national acts and regional talent and that’s where I fell in love with it. My favorite artists call this region their home and the love that these guys and gals have for each other and the music that gives each of them a voice to express themselves is magical and there’s no amount of rain that could ever drown that out.