At last the time has come, our last chance for a big time getdown, The Bear Creek Music Festival.  Nestled comfortably in Northern Florida, the Spirit of Suwanee park has been recommended to me for years for it's combination of natural beauty and ease of ampitheater and camping accessability.  Home to a variety of festivals this year, such as Wanee and the Magnolia music festival, this funkin' groovy spectacular was the perfect way to wrap up a stellar year on the concert trail.  Oh, and did I mention GALACTIC?!!  Playing TWICE!!!  The drive down saw an unfortunate conflict in timing and a favorite music festival habit, the flush.   I usually add one of those fuel system cleaner thing to my pre drive fill-up, to flush the system clean.   Also in a more personal way, I guzzle water like it's going out of style and flush and rehydrate myself for the trials ahead.  Unfortunately thanks to poor timing on my part I hit Atlanta traffic in early rush hour.  Let's just say that was a squirm-a-rific 'ole time, yes it was!

     I arrived after dark on Wednesday night and found the usual pre show organized chaos that makes me feel right at home.  I've spent so much time at fests that they seem like my real home now, and they are all now part of my family, a festival family if you will, founded on our love of music.  I met Monty, a veteran of decades of music industry work, who pointed me to a production meeting.  Quietly taking a chair, I noted how different my attire was from my surrounding eager eyed brethren.  I was in my tradition travel togs, a suit jacket with collared shirt and slacks, and they already had their dusty music festival gear out and rocked.  Jealous of their comfortable clothes I sat back and listened to Paul Levine and Lyle Williams welcome back their crew.  The camaraderie was noticable and heart warming as Paul welcomed back his staff.  They were far more an organized group of music zealots than a staff however, and it showed through out the weekend.  Whenever anything went wrong, they were there, fixing it.  The love and care shown from promoter to unpaid volunteer was noteworthy and touching.  Florida is home to the Full Sail School, (for various carreers in the entertainment industry) and many of their graduates and students comprised the teams putting on the show, and their professionalism was a testament to their program.

     After watching a genuine "Rock and Roll" Knute Rockne speech, I was led to a quiet camp spot, near some electrical outlets for my prodigious power consumtion.   It was fairly bright with the ambient light so I allowed my eyes to adjust and set my tent up in the dark, and, wouldn't you know it, for the first time it actually went together perfectly, and all the little velcro thingees were in the right spot and everything!  I am truly becoming noctournal!   A full (ten hour!) night of sleep, and a shower had me up and ready to say hi to the neighbors.  I stocked the deck this time and got one of my bestest festest buddies, Greg Hendron.  Greg is one of those people who make a visual statement through their habidashery that is so unique and compelling that he almost shorts out your eye to brain connection.  Seen in regular society he can be crowd drawing, but a music festival his appearances can slide a little back towards the "Just eccentric" side.  A post modern shaman and life coach, Greg walks a very personal, and admittedly kinda weird path, but I am so very glad our paths crossed and continue to occasionally do so.  With him as your neighbor you need not stress, as he even declared himself my "Aide De Camp".  Though I'm not sure we ever completely established what that meant, it apparently did not mean "Carry my crap", so that job is still open!  When asked about his opinions on the music festival, Greg said "I can't really describe my experience. It was trancendant and deeply personal.  Oh, and I liked the funk!"  Thanks Greg, couldn't have said it weirder myself. 

      I then headed to the Spirit of Suwannee music hall, a wonderful permanent buiding that houses 2 stages at opposite ends of the hall, and all the amnenites and of a regular concert hall.  Gravity A and Brother Bean kicked off the music festival in fine style, far more intense and energetic than any opening act I've seen this year!  This was how you start off a show.  The Pnuma live P.A. set got the crowd dancing and the blood pumping, and put me in a groovy mood that was quickly pushed into overdrive with my first new favorite band: The Pimps of Joytime. I end up with about five favorite new bands per fest, and the Pimp's had their musical stable well in hand. A funky outfit with percussion, saxophone and a wicked lead guitarist, my dancing shoes got busted out early.  The evening wrapped with a band that is just about everything I love in one percussive package, Toubab Krewe.  Hailing from the mighty city of Asheville, NC, this world music influenced blends the world instruments and down home American jams.  Their songs, and their shows in general have a build and release that culminates in a wild release of bombastic auditory insanity that always has me full on freaking out. A quick trip back to the tent, and I was fast asleep with sweet dreams of what was to come!

   Rising way too early to enjoy that glorious Florida sunshine, I went on one of my photo jaunts cruising the grounds in search of fantabulous imagery and cool folks.  I met one such person right off the bat in the personage of Cameron.  A resident of Asheville and a jeweler and a photographer herself, she put my get up and goes to shame.  She accompanied me to the Skerik Mike D set and was easily outpacing me, going so far as to accuse me of dilly dallying.  We then shot the Skerik set and had our minds blown.  I couldn’t think of a better pair of roving musicians then Skerik and Mike D.  Again Paul and Lyle’s master plan showed its  shape, as they not only filled a slot on the line up, they added a pair of geniuses to the collective pool.  Lyle explained to me that they wanted to create a friendly atmosphere for the artists as well as the fans, making it a place to be, more so than a place to play.  So they purposefully invited musicians and side bands who were at the center of the funk scene, a rich and incestuous  talent pool of players who loved sharing the stage and mic.  This set with Skerik blowing vicious wind and Mike D showing an incredible array of percussive style, from the triangle, xylophone and Tablas,  not forgetting the good old drum kit.  Minds properly blown we staggered back out into the sunshine, and right into some very kind folks with an important gift.

   Priding myself on my observational skills, I had noticed the large number of people wearing purple fuzzy hats.  Outside of the concert hall there were a group of kids passing out purple hats and purple feather boas.  I took the opportunity to ask them why they were doing it, and was rewarded with a tale that got me down to the heart.  Having already been covered extensively, I’ll summarize thusly:  A young girl named Rachel was already on probation and in rehab when she was arrested with a small amount of marijuana.  Leveraging the time she had on the shelf, they convinced her to participate in a sting in exchange for a reduction of the charges.  The buy went badly and she was sadly gunned down in the process.  There were two arrests in the case.  Rachel’s parents on the other hand decided that someone needed to be held accountable for the actions of the police.  Irv Hoffman and Maggie Weiss, Rachel’s parents, worked with state representative Peter Nehr to introduce and eventually pass “Rachel’s Law” which requires the police to establish and follow guidelines for dealing with informants.  From taking into consideration factors of age and mental stability, to preventing them from misleading informants into thinking they can offer them more lenient sentences, a power not in their purview.   See, I’m a things happen for a reason kind of guy and this was a sad way for someone to get inspired enough to do something.  A tragedy can be turned into a triumph if the pain of the loss can be turned into an impetus for change.  Rachel’s untimely death has spurred a real legislative change which might keep others out of harm’s way.  The giant circus tent was dedicated to her honor, as the Purple Hat tent, for her love of a giant mad purple floppy hat, her fave music festival gear. Before Dubconcious’s Friday set, she came out and made a speech about being careful, about watching out for each other, and just what a wonderful person we lost due to this stupidity.  I proudly rocked the purple hat, though I left the boa to my friend, it just didn’t match my shirt.
    

I generally don’t mention the recreational experiments you see at most fests, but seeing a uniformed officer presence higher than the norm after hearing Rachel’s story made me realize I needed to say something.  I’m from the “If you’re not hurting me or the world, then I don’t care” frame of perspective.  While it was a far more controlled environment than some of the more free-for-all music festivals, people still seemed to have a pretty good time, they just seemed more discreet.  And I say again as I have before, above all else, the music is what matters. All you needed to enjoy the mind blowing tunes and sit ins was an ear or two, and all the fun visuals were free from eyes open.  When a band like say Bonerama  walks out with a front line of three trombonists and start blasting the music of their souls out into the sky, do you really need anything else.  And in the spirit of Rachel’s parents, if a law bothers you, don’t just bitch about it, get to work sunshine.  There are organizations like norml and other grassroots movements out there.  You do have a vote and you do have a voice.  The squeaky wheel gets the grease, the howling wheel  gets action.  Write your senators, your congress people on both the state and local level and tell them you want change, for the waste in both time, money and most importantly of all, lives, to stop.  Now, let’s forget all that and do what Rachel would have done, and in her name and honor dance the night away!

     Another set from Toubab, and a full on freak-out at the Cadillac Jones set with the most frenzied crowd I witnessed all weekend, it felt like the universe was shrinking. Getting downright tiny in fact, as the incredible Mr. Karl Denson and the Tiny Universe took the stage and the night well in hand.  Opening with a song that transcended into a sing-a-long, as we acknowledged collectively that music was “It’s good for your soul”.  As the call and response of the chant from Karl to the band “The music” and “It’s good for your soul” swelled from the crowd I realized that I was singing without even realizing it.  That’s when I know I should be using my camera, those are the moments I strive to catch and share with you all.  These once in a lifetime moments are just that, and we should appreciate them all, from transcendent song to the perfect beam of light breaking from a tree, feed your soul love, beauty and music and watch it grow.  3rd stone from the sun showcased an electric blend of regional influences, blending reggae and world beats with a positive message, and a truly special guest, Mr. Bernie Worrell!  After a chance meeting with the drummer, Sean Patrick Macguire , I got to see them fulfill one of their dreams, to cover a talking heads song with an actual member.  I was impressed with these guys, and see big things to come for this Florida band. Full of love and fulfillment, I wandered the night spreading the love, and finally wound my way to Lettuce’s barn  (Or tent, if you will) storming late night set.  Much fuller sounding and far more explosive than the last time I partook of their onstage mastery.  The best perk of what I do is the view and watching their day closing set made me appreciate them through the righteously rocked faces of the front row. Killer end to day two.

    After catching a nine a.m. (What the hell’s wrong with me?) golf cart to a good distance back into the property I hiked out and took a little photo tour of the grounds.   The grounds are huge and visually spectacular, and I can’t wait to shoot the park again.  I then met up with one of my friends from this crazy inter web, Natasha.  She was stressed as one of our mutual web friends, Jennifer,  who had made it had passed out in the general store.  The staff was super helpful and the onsite emts were quick to respond. After stabilizing her, they decided to have her checked t the hospital as a precaution.   Natasha was stressed, and after hooking up with some friends was able to get word that she was stable.  Turns out she suffers from vasovagal syncope. Though I didn’t find out that day and continued to worry all day, she was fine and back in under three hours, and raged the night away.  That’s how it’s done.

     No more time for anything but tunes at this point.  Robert Walters reinstated his 20th Congress, and we were all the richer for it.  The man can play an organ with such depth of tone, such passion, it’s just a marvel to see. Steve Kimock and his Crazy Engine, smiling widely, graced the stage with his immaculately precise playing, with the stellar Melvin Seals on the organ, giving fine Another set by Lettuce with a special guesting of Derek Trucks kinda gave away the mystery set, to everyone’s great anticipation.  My first taste of Galactic was sweet, and only whetted the whistle, not quenching my thirst.  The legendary Neville family was represented by Brother Ivan, and the Dumpstaphunk superjam.  A parade of quests and collaborations, this was the musician’s musician show of the weekend. The mystery show was revealed to be: Soulive with special guest Derek Trucks.  A short hop and a skip for Mr.Trucks, they had the crowd begging for more.  Dashing back and forth from The New Mastersounds  other side of the pond take on funk and soul and The Benevento/Russo Duo’s near telepathic collaborations, I found myself in a near state of Nirvana. Everywhere I turned there was incredible music, smiling faces and dancing bodies and energy.  Charged up with the massive energy floating around the place I felt like there were literally sparks of happiness coming off of me as Karl Denson again managed to contain an entire universe of funk on one stage, transporting the crowd to a different plane, all united in the movement of the groove, dancing to the same beat in different ways, to be sure, but dancing none the less.  We spilled out of the tent and into the cold night, needing a few minutes of sleep at least, to prepare for the last day, our last chance to dance.

     After hiking to my friend Natasha and Jennifer’s campsite and finding all was well we came back to the concert area to check out some last day action.  The Yonrico Scott Band was a powerful start to the day, and features a Lee bys cameo in the form of Roosevelt Collier.  A perfect kick off to Spunday it got me to shake off my weariness and regain my groove most excellently.  Natasha and I both agreed that it was refreshing to see a band like Surprise me Mr.Davis not only well practiced and honed in the musical arts, but snazzy dressers to boot.  Breaks up a weekend of photography when folks feel the need to dress up a bit, so thanks guys for the sounds and the sense of style.   Dubconcious used their second set to announce the dissolving of the act, as various pressures were forcing their focuses elsewhere.  Sadly, they went out on a high note, rocking a crowd one last time, and if you’ve gotta go, go doing what you love.  Now it was time for my set of the weekend, Galactic’s big Sunday spectacular.

     Just so you know, Galactic is my favorite live band, period.  I love all kinds of music, but no band gets off live like they do.  Stanton Moore is the finest drummer in the Business, Ben Ellman blows the sax like it’s a birthright, and together, the band is like a propulsive force, a charged energy that blasts away all your cares with the power of the New Orleans funk.  This is like, my gazillionth Galactic show, but my first where I got to sit in the pit and see my boys in their full glory.  With special guests galore, among them Ivan Neville, Mike D, Corey "Bone Money" Henry of the Rebirth Brass Band on trumpet and an ultra special  J.J.Grey guest vocal on a jaw dropping cover of “Sympathy for the devil”, the show didn’t fail to satisfy.  And when Corey decided to crowd surf and then climb the lighting rig right above me, I knew I was exactly where I should be, having my mind blown by the best funk band in the biz.  I reiterate a standing offer, if you’ve never seen Galactic, I will buy your ticket. If you like them pay me, if not, it’s on the house.  I’ve done it a dozen times, and always gotten my money back.  Solid as steel.

     Another set by the Mastersounds, with a tent closing out one two by Dr.Claw and a second set by Dumpstaphunk closed down the weekend and my energy in style.  I’ve done nine fests this year, and this was easily the most tired I’ve been on a Sunday. It’s also the most dancing I’ve done all year.  Paul and Lyle deserve far more praise than I have here for their efforts in creating such a wonderful party.  Though this was my first visit, it was just that, a first visit, one in a long line I hope.  I now know to trust any event put on by these gentlemen, and look forward to next year with an already growing excitement!  Thanks guys!

Words and pictures by Rex Thomson

Please see Rex's slideshow Photos of the Bear Creek Music Festival