"Will the Circle Be Unbroken"
The Chris Talley Trio led the closing song "Will the Circle Be Unbroken" for the Red Clay Bluegrass Festival in Tignish, Prince Edward Island, Canada. All band members were encouraged to come on-stage to help sing, while the entire audience held hands, forming a circle, and sang. This was certainly the highlight of the festival to see all of us come together for the closing.Our trip to Prince Edward Island (PEI) was absolutely wonderful! Thanks to Bruce, Wayne, Elaine, Guy, Junior, Larry, the Poirier's, and hopefully I didn't leave anyone out. Everyone was so nice to us! I would also like to point out how at home we felt. Although we didn't know anybody, it didn't seem to matter. The stage even included the American flag in addition to the Canadian flag! The West Prince Bluegrass and Music Co-operative sent roses, lucky penny keychains, homemade strawberry preserves, and flag pins along with a nice card to our rooms at Murphy's Bed and Breakfast where we were staying.
Since our return, we have had quite a few questions about our trip. Everyone wants to know if bluegrass or if the festival was different than what we have here in the U.S. I can only answer that from a Midwest standpoint, but there are definite differences worth pointing out.
First of all, I liked the fact that on PEI, the crowd listens to the bands that are performing. You won't see a lot of jamming while the shows are going on because everyone is too busy listening. People who want to talk and watch are encouraged to do so from the back of the crowd, away from the people who are listening more intently. The Red Clay Festival was run extroidinarily well. Everything was done on time -- and I mean on time! When it was time for lunch or dinner break, everyone left. When it was time for the show to start again, everyone came back. Even in the rain! The bands all started on time, and the entire show was on time as the schedule advertised. You could just about set your watch by it! When the shows were over, jamming started.
As far as the music sounding different, it didn't really sound much different. Our accent is slightly different here in the Midwest, but the music is about the same. The fiddle playing has more Irish and Acadian influence on PEI. I really enjoyed listening to the other bands. My favorite band at the Red Clay Festival was a young group called "True Blue." This group consists of four boys between 16 and 18 years of age. They have great harmonies, influenced by groups like Doyle Lawson. Their singing expertise is matched by their instrumental abilities. I expect this group to go places.
The length of the festival was slightly longer than any I've attended here in the states. Yes, it was Friday through Sunday, but the Sunday shows went all the way until 4:00 p.m. As I mentioned earlier, the highlight of the festival was the closing. Since we were the featured band, we played the last set on Sunday. We then stayed on stage while the members of the other bands came and joined us (without their instruments). A few words were said, then the audience all got up out of their chairs and held hands, forming a giant circle in front of the stage. We kicked off "Will the Circle Be Unbroken," while everyone took turns singing the verses, and we all sang the choruses together. The circle of people in the audience would walk one direction (kind of like dancing), then they would change directions at will. That was by far the neatest thing I've ever participated in at a bluegrass festival.
Below are some of pictures from the festival. Come back soon because more pictures will be added!
Click on thumbnail for larger picture
Copyright 2004 by Chris Talley Armstrong
URL: http://www.chris-talley.com
Last updated: August 27, 2004
Contact information: blueiis2@aol.com