Hardley Strictly Bluegrass 17

Hellman Hollow, Golden Gate Park, San Francisco, Ca.

Photos and Review By Joseph F. Carney III, EarthMusic Photography

On a cool fall morning, the city streets are alive with music fans headed from every direction towards Hellman Hollow, Golden Gate Park for the annual Hardly Strictly Bluegrass Festival. As folks move into the beautiful park, it becomes apparent that this is no ordinary festival. The first thing you notice is the diversity in the crowd, Everyone is here. All coming together in this the 50th Anniversary of the Summer Of Love, to witness Warren Hellman's dream of having a free bluegrass festival in San Francisco.

Nestled in the trees and fields, a weekend crowd of around 750,000 music fans moved smoothly, had picnics, sipped wine, played frisbee, and danced amongst the flags, totems and bubbles. 

The Magpie Salute Jams In Northern Florida

October 29, 2017


The Florida Theatre
Jacksonville, Florida

by Michelle Wilson of Rock Legends Photographers

Jam-band rockers The Magpie Salute cruised into Jacksonville on a cool, crisp Florida day and took over East Forsyth Street with their two mammoth tour buses. Members and road crew were in and out of the buses all afternoon into the evening, which was great fun for fans on the street (this one included). The casual appearance of Rich Robinson chatting outside of his bus in front of the fabulous Florida Theatre was a warm, inviting vision indeed. Following the demise of The Black Crowes in early 2015 after co-founding brothers Rich and Chris Robinson parted ways, Rich moved forward rapidly to assemble a superior lineup of musicians including guitarist Marc Ford, bassist Sven Pipien, keyboardist Eddie Harsch and backup vocalist Charity White, all former Crowes members. (Tragically, Harsch passed away just as The Magpie Salute was starting to take off.) Rounding out the ensemble are guitarist Nico Bereciartua, drummer Joe Magistro, newly added keyboardist Nick Rosen and lead singer John Hogg, who injects his own unique spin into the Chris Robinson sound, as well as backup vocalists Adrien Reju and Katrine Ottosen. With their self-titled debut record dropping earlier this year, the 10-piece collective has been touring steadily and offering a different set list at each show. Digging deep into the BC catalog and also opting for covers as well as material from individual ventures, this group knows how to mix it up and get it done right. What a treat it was to hear Robinson and Ford once again trade tasty licks with their dueling axes.