Here is my diary from the spring skunk festival this past spring April 12-13. It was my first time at the Albino Skunk and what a experience it was. I look foward to return this fall and suggest you get your tickets for the fall festival. Hope to see you there! Fesssssstivaaaal!
Friday April 12th 2013 9:46 am:
I have my things packed for the festival. This is my first time there and not sure what to expect from what I read and heard it should be epic. The adventure awaits. more later….
1:05 pm:
I have arrived on the farm and hanging out in the artist’s campground. I was told more people are on the way. The reality is there are quite a good many folks here now. The weather is damn near perfect for outdoor music festival. I hear someone from the stage doing soundcheck and the smell of BBQ is the air. I must see what this is all about.
1:33 pm:
I am backstage now writing this and Wow the setup here is great the stage is a old barn wall converted to a stage complete with a rusty old Sunbeam bread sign that complements the water tower and radio tower on both sides of the stage that hold the PA system. There seems to be a dance floor on both sides too. I forgot my dancing shoes. Guess I will have to skip that part of the day. Looking at the lineup Darby Wilcox is coming up at 2pm. Some guy who wasn’t on the schedule is playing now and he is barefooted.
2:13 pm:
I have taken refuge in a “Bag chair” there is a sea of every color of the rainbow of them around me. I see two or three real couches someone brought here as well. That has be super sweet. I also like how its down hill giving it a concert hall vibe. Darby is on stage now and just sounds goodern hell. I saw her once and she sang Knoxville Girl. I was the only one in the place that knew the words or perhaps everyone was drunk. This is starting to become epic indeed. 
3:00:
Backstage once again and downing a Thomas Creek Brew. They were nice enough to bring a keg and being my first time having one as well. Its a good brew and cold! Food is everywhere here. Nice
3:24:
Asheville’s Brushfire Stankgrass is on stage and they are very much modern bluegrass.This sound is very very unquie and can hear many different types of influences.
3:46:
Smoke Break…I like how they let you smoke but ask if you not smoke in the general area and not throw the butts down to litter. Thats the way it should be at all times. Well played Albino Skunk.
3:58:
Taking a stroll to the village they have set up with shops ranging from WNCW, Mike and Jeff’s BBQ, cool tye dyed clothes to palm readers. They also have a kids secection with a stage and plenty for the kids to do while they are here. The epicness just gets better and better.
4:46:
Hooray for the Riffraff are on stage and they mention Texas Honky-Tonk singer whom I just recently discovered. I was blown away by James Hand. These guys are playing two sets today according to the schedule.
5:23:
The people and the sea of bag chairs are getting filled up now. I am on the couch right now and feel I got the best seat in the house! on stage is Scott Miller and Rayna Gerrett. Rayna is doing sound check on the mic by saying “Kenny Chessssssssny…..Kennnnny Chessssssny” I am laughing and plan on using that one in the near future. Thank Rayna!
7:01:
I just walked the entire farm to see everything before dark. Some lady asked was I with a band. Time for a smoke break and another beer.
7:17:
I have notice all day that the fella who does the emcee keeps yelling “Festival!” and everyone all around the farm joins in. Must be tradition and learned the guy goes by simply Zig. Fair enough.
8:04:
Dinner time! and what a dinner it was! Jerk Chicken and rice. I will be thinking about that for a while and how good it was. Much needed too. The backstage is filled with sandwiches, chips, mac and cheese, salad, fruit, soda, water, coffee, beer, cookies, cupcakes, peanuts and Moonshine. Yes, Dark Corner Distillery was nice enough to bring clear, strawberry, peach and my favorite apple. AHHH so good. Time to get back up front to the stage I hear music.
9:10:
Town Mountain just did a cover of I’m on fire by Springsteen. Awesome!
10:47:
Mic Harrison and the High Score are on stage and its now darken Johnny Cash’s closet outside. People are everywhere now. I don’t think i don’t to leave this place now.
11:17:
Moonshine break. Fessstivaaaaal!
11:58:
Scott Miller and Mick Harrison are tearing it up on stage right now as I write this back stage. Zig is hanging out here in the back along with some folks who had played later in the day. The music will be winding down soon and I am interested in what is gonna happen next. We shall see.
1:36 am April 13 2013
The music has ended but the party has not. I am watching a guy breath fire and girls hoola hoop with glow in the dark hoops as 50s music plays softly on the PA. I am sitting on the edge of the stage and its so peacefully right now. The sea of colored chairs and along with the soft couch are empty. I hear folks from a far in the campground. The night is crisp yet refreshing. Perhaps another beer. Yes.
2:38:
There are campfire jams everywhere here now. I am in the tent and day one was quite the experience. Being a creature of the night I love it. But, I need rest to get thru tomorrow. Nite
3:16:
Had to pee. The joys of porta potty at 3am in the dark. ahhhh
9:45 am:
It is now day two and I just woke up for a quick write before head to the stage. I noticed a tour bus of Nu-blu Bluegrass Band parked outside. Must be a hot ticket. More later
10:10:
Had a Bagel and Beer for breakfast. Feeeestivaaaal!
10:53:
Missed the kids yoga this morning. I wanted to see that. may try and get my palm read today. The day is young and music to be heard, friends to be made, and beer to be drunk.
11:30:
The Fox Fire is on stage and a guy I just met who never gave me his name told me he plays in one or did in one of the bands playing today. I wished I could recall what he said but he was talking and the music was loud. Perhaps I shall see him later.
1:47:
Nu-Blu Bluegrass Band and The River Whyless just played sets and what a pro in the genre of bluegrass. I grew up on this kind of music and really do appreciate its history and good to see groups like these keep the tradition alive. Locust Honey String Band is next….
2:03:
I think I am in Love! Locust Honey is four ladies playing a fiddle, stand up bass, banjo and guitar and they are all very pretty! They sound excellent and almost a throw back. I love em! I gotta get a beer and get closer to stage.
3:25:
Lake Street Drive is on stage and this is pure roots music for sure. I had a friend who really likes them tell me about them. I am a fan now.
4:45:
Just had a conversation with Dark corner distillery folks and sampled some of what they do. Its good to see new business like that take off. I highly recommend them.
8:00:
So, yea its been awhile since I updated this but I am having the best time here and soaking up all the culture here. The food, music, beer, moonshine, and the conversations. I know after all this is said and done It will go in the win column for days that kicked ass! Lake Street Drive is coming up next.
8:02:
Dinner was epic once again btw
8:55:
Its dark now and my belly is so full. I went for a smoke break before this entry and saw Col Bruce Hampton was playing next. Wow, thats huge for he is legend. I saw him years ago before I could respect what he does. I was young and didn’t understand. This should be good and people are packed! this is more than anyone I have ever saw here all weekend. Did I mention I have a crush on Locust Honey String band? Ok, time to pee, grap a drink and see Col. Bruce or Morris the poet in Slingblade do this thing. Suey!
10:15:
Col. Bruce just tore it up! Wow, it was a huge jam that seem to like never ended but was so quick if you know what I mean. I am now in the tent writing this. Sol Driven Train is next I hear from a distance. I am so tired and weary from the shouting, eating and drinking. Perhaps a quick nap.
12: 59 am Sunday April 14, 2013:
I missed Sol Driven Train…I needed rest thought. I hear a jam going on right in front of my tent. I must get back to sleep. I need rest.
1:56 am:
The jam is still going on. I gotta go pee…looking for my cellphone for light. Oh how things have changed.
5:13 am:
The jam is over…wow those guys played all night. I just walked thru the farm everyone is asleep and its weird to see. I guess it was time and the music took a toll. Peaceful feeling and going to go get a few hours of sleep before we pack up and head out back home in the morning. I just heard someone yell Festival at 5am. Ahh the Albino Skunk gods are crazy. I love it! Nite nite!
10:15 am:
Well, things are packed up and ready to go. I need a shower and I think I saw the Locust Honey girls leave out. I wanted to talk to them. I saw Zig on his tractor riding around picking up trash and heard a church bell ring in the distance. Everyone has slowly moved out. We was about to leave but a drained battery that needed jumped off. Thanks to Brushfire Stankgrass for helping out with that. Well its over for the time being. I play on coming back for the fall one. This has truly been a wonderful experience that is family friendly fun at its best. I will cherish this with all my heart. Look for me this fall Albino Skunk. Feeeeessssstivaaaaaaal!
http://www.darkcornerdistillery.com/
http://www.thomascreekbeer.com/
