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Hear what Roots on the River veteran performer and crowd favorite,
Hayes Carll, has to say about the festival.
Lineup Shaping Up for Roots on the River
By Dorothy Read
BELLOWS FALLS ¬ The lineup for the thirteenth annual Roots on the River Music Festival is shaping up nicely, with some old favorites and new voices scheduled to take the stage during Southern Vermont’s premiere summer music event June 7-10.
This year, in addition to headliner Fred Eaglesmith and his band, fans will be delighted to know that Hayes Carll, Mary Gauthier, and Red Molly will all make return appearances this year. Over the course of the weekend, more than 20 sets will be offered! Free parking at all venues, and lots of great food!
Ray Massucco, Vermont Festivals LLC producer, announced that this year’s non-profit partner is the Bellows Falls Farmers’ Market.
“We’re excited to support our farmers’ market,” Massucco said. “It’s a natural and logical extension of our focus.”
Massucco said the farmers’ market is one of his favorite non-profits.
“I was involved from the beginning in the legal formation of the co-op,” Massucco said. “Our Friday concerts there are very popular with the festival fans. They stock up on maple syrup, local cheese, and Miss Mouse Soaps.
“This year in particular, our emphasis is on the environment and ‘green’ living, so having our non-profit provide not only our environmental component, but our musical roots as well, is a double bonus.”
The Roots on the River lineup always features an eclectic mix of Americana musical genres. The festival has grown into an immensely popular four days that draw musicians and concertgoers from around the world.
Each year, headliner Canadian Fred Eaglesmith and his band make new fans and entertain their stalwart followers as well, a group affectionately known as “Fredheads.”
Thursday night’s opening show will feature new and regional artists at 33 Bridge Street, an historic mill building with a large dance floor, located right on the Connecticut River. This venue was a hit last year.
On Friday, the village of Bellows Falls will be the scene of a series of six exciting free open-air concerts around the Square and the popular farmers’ market.
Then, the evening stage will be set at the Big Tent festival site at the Everyday Inn with Brock Zeman, Danielle Miraglia, and Blackie and the Rodeo Kings.
“Veteran performers, but first time festival artists such as Blackie and the Rodeo Kings and Melissa Ferrick have strong followings and will surely bring in a whole new slew of fans,” Massucco said.
We have many new artists to the Roots stage this year, Massucco said, and some folks wearing different hats.
“Steel Wheels, Danielle Miraglia, and Brock Zeman will challenge each other for the favorite ‘new artist’ crown,” Massucco said. “Barnstar!, which includes an old friend of the festival, Mark Erelli, is also on the bill for the first time.” Additionally, former Roger Marin sideman Phil Bosley has his own set this year, he added.
“And local talent includes Hot Mustard and Michael Hertz who will definitely attract their large contingent of loyal fans,” he said.
Saturday’s full lineup of artists includes Steel Wheels, a group that offers up a popular mix of blues and bluegrass, old time sing-a-longs, and body-moving fiddling. Sprinkle in some spicy Hot Mustard, and the big tent will definitely see a rise in temperature.
Barnstar! will make its festival appearance, a scrappy vibrant bluegrass band featuring Erelli, Zack Hickman, Charlie Rose, Jake Armerding, and his father Taylor Armerding.
On the feminine side of things, festival favorite trio Red Molly will dish up their signature creative arrangements and engaging harmonies.
Veteran Roots on the River performer Hayes Carll has said this festival is one of his favorite festivals, and he’s returned to captivate the hearts of any who have not seen him perform. How many could that be?
“Hayes Carll is returning to RotR after a three-year hiatus, coming off a spectacular year,” Massucco said. “His work was most recently a part of the Country Strong Soundtrack, and his last record, “KMAG YOYO,” was one of the year's most acclaimed roots-rock albums.
Eaglesmith will follow Carll, to the delight of the collective mass of concertgoers, offering up his unique mix of a few stories, some songs, a few more stories and quite a few more songs.
The festival winds down on Sunday with the popular all-acoustic concert at the historic Rockingham Meeting House. Joining Eaglesmith at this venue will be crowd favorite Mary Gauthier, who has played this particular concert several times.
There are still underwriting opportunities, as well as deluxe tickets for the best seats in the house.
Also, volunteers are always welcome to apply through Vermont Festival’s website: http://vermontfestivalsllc.com/. Day and weekend passes are available in exchange for working at the concert.
Deluxe ticketholders get preferred seating under the big tent and at the Rockingham Meeting House, and early admission to events. They are treated to an opening reception on Thursday, receive a “goody bag” filled with gifts, primarily Vermont products and coupons, merchant bingo prizes, and free admission to the parting event.
The concert is always family and pet friendly, and smoke-free. A popular Saturday feature is a Kids’ Tent with organized activities, games, and healthy refreshments provided throughout the day. Bring a lawn-chair or blanket for Every Day Inn concerts if have not purchased a deluxe ticket.
For more information, please call 802-463-9595, or visit the website.
Our Place
Drop-In Center has been serving the greater Bellows
Falls area as a daytime shelter and food shelf for over 18
years. In 2008, Our Place served a total of 5,828 breakfasts
and lunches, and provided boxes of groceries to an average of
149 people monthly. In the last few years, over 400
individuals, farms, restaurants, markets, businesses, schools,
churches, and community groups have contributed food to Our
Place. These collaborations help ensure those we serve enjoy
fresh produce, healthy bread, and other nutritious fare as
often as possible.
