Jerusalem Ridge Bluegrass Celebration 2010
Bill Monroe's 99th Birthday
Where the Spirit Touches the Soul
September 30-October 3, 2010
For Information- 1-270-274-9181 docmercer@earthlink.net
www.jerusalemridgefestival.org
Dear Friends !
Hello ! This is Campbell Mercer writing to you while sitting in the Monroe Foundation cedar cabin ("the ranger's station") on Jerusalem Ridge, the birthplace of bluegrass music, where the Spirit Touches the Soul. All of us hope you and your loved ones are well and at peace.
Do we have news for you !
Jerusalem Ridge Bluegrass Celebration 2010 is 47 days away (as of August 14, 2010). This is the 9th annual Celebration and coincides closely with the what would be Bill Monroe's 99th birthday. Mr. Monroe was born on the 13th of September. Come celebrate with all of your bluegrass friends here on Jerusalem Ridge, the birthplace of Bill Monroe, and the birthplace of American Bluegrass Music.
The James Casteel and Bill Stockton and other volunteers are readying the amphitheatre. Kenny Autry and crew are mowing and getting the parking and camping areas ready. Julie, Mandy, and Andy are answering your calls and emails. Sharon Autry is devising faster ways to process your tickets and speed you to the parking area. Julie and Sharon are also lining up the quality food vendors that you have come to expect on Jerusalem Ridge. Campbell, Don Coppage, and Wayne Lewis are working on the band schedules. It is coming together!
In this issue:
Schedules- Times of day for your favorite bands will be emailed to you all soon. Keep tabs on our website for updates and feel free to email us!
www.jerusalemridgefestival.org or mailto:docmercer@earthlink.net
Please see the motel section below. Note that there is a new one in Owensboro that is opening this month. It is the Courtyard by Marriott.
Speedier Ticket Sales- This year Sharon and her team are planning to have you all drive straight in to entrance road all the way to your parking spot. Once there you can stretch, relax, eat. When you are ready you can mosey down, or take a shuttle, toward the stage area. Right before you get to the Monroe Home Place you will see the ticket booth. We accept cash or checks at the booth.
The Jerusalem Ridge Bluegrass Celebration has been named one of the Top Events in America! Please visit www.topeventsusa.com for more info.
As of this week, room for parking for the Celebration is increasing thanks to the farm next door; the farm will be made available for the public to enjoy during the festival! This farm was originally owned by Uncle Pen's best friend, Clarence Wilson. Clarence played fiddle and banjo, and may have been the first banjo player young Bill Monroe ever heard. Uncle Pen lived on this farm for a couple of years with Clarence and assisted in farm work. The classic and historic picture of Uncle Pen on the front of Bill Monroe's Uncle Pen album was taken behind Clarence Wilson's house in the late 1920's. It is a vital part of the story of American Bluegrass.
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Band Line Up for Jerusalem Ridge Bluegrass Celebration 2010
James Monroe and the Midnight Ramblers- Sat
Jesse McReynolds and the Virginia Boys Fri
Melvin Goins and Windy Mountain Thur & Fri
Larry Sparks and the Lonesome Ramblers Sat
Cumberland Highlanders Thur-Sun
Ronnie Reno and the Reno Tradition Sat
Ralph Stanley II- Thur
McCormick Brothers Fri
David Parmley & Continental Divide Fri
Phillip Steinmetz and his Sunny Tennesseans Thur Fri Sat
David Davis and the Warrior River Boys Thur
Big Country Bluegrass Fri, Sat
Tommy Brown and County Line Grass Fri-Sun
Karl Shiflett and Big Country Show Sat
Larry Gillis & his Hard Driving Bluegrass Band Thur
Ricky Prater and the Midnight Travelers Thur
Sammy Adkins and the Sandy Hook Mountain Boys Sat, Sun
Sullivan Family Sun
Don Stanley and Middle Creek Sat
Mike Webb Band featuring Charlie Cushman Fri
Darrell Winkleman and Mountain Echoes Thur
Lilliemae and the Dixie Gospelaires Sun
Gary Brewer and the Kentucky Ramblers Fri
Clarence Kelly and Nu Cut Grass Thur
Glenn Bolick Thur
David Leatherman and the Stone County Boys Thur, Fri
Eddie Pennington Fri
Robert Montgomery Thur-Sat
The Expedition Show featuring Blake Williams
Duane Patterson & the River Ramblers Sat
Carolina Rose and her Bluegrass Girls- Fri, Sat
Larry, Cheryl, and Brayden Chunn Fri, Sat
Kings Highway Thur-Sun
Horse Branch Bluegrass Band Thur
Sheriff Elvis Doolin and the Magan Square Dancers Sat
Kody Norris and the Watauga Mountain Boys Sat Sun
Doug and Sandy Sun
The Huntley Sisters
Midnight Flyer Sun
For updated scheduling information visit
www.jerusalemridgefestival.org (Be sure to click the "refresh" button on your browser)
or call 1-270-274-9181
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JRBC 2010
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
1. When where is the Jerusalem Ridge Bluegrass Celebration held?
A. It is held once a year. In 2010 it will be held September 30-October 3rd at the Bill Monroe Home place in Rosine, KY
2. Is camping permitted at the festival?
A. Rough camping (NO hookups) onsite is free with ticket purchase. A water hydrant is available to fill water tanks and a truck is available to empty waste tanks for a small fee. No reservations are required.
3. Where can I camp if I need RV hookups?
A. The closest campground with hookups is the Ohio County Park in Hartford, about 9 miles west of the Ridge. They can be contacted at 270-298-4466. Rough River State Park is 25 miles away and their number is 270-257-2311. West KY RV park is also 25 miles away and their number is 270-757-0345.
4. Are generators allowed in the camping area?
A. The general rule regarding generators is that they not be a bother (fumes, noise, etc.) to neighboring campers. Campers are in close quarters so after hours operation of a generator may not always be possible. The quiet kind of generators are the only kinds allowed.
5. Are campfires allowed?
A. Only in enclosed cookers, or hibachis. Be sure to put the fire out before you go to sleep or leave camp.
6. Is food & drink available at the festival?
A. There will be a number of quality food vendors onsite that cater to most any taste.
7. Is there assistance available to the mobility impaired?
A. Wheelchair accessible shuttle vans run continuously from the camping/parking area to the performance area. If additional assistance is needed, volunteers with golf carts are on hand to assist as required. There are wheelchair accessible porta-potties scattered throughout the site.
8. Can I use my own golf cart to get to the performance area?
A. For safety reasons private golf carts are not allowed out of the camping/parking area.
9. Are there showers available?
A. There are a couple in the Ranger's Station 100 yards from the Monroe Home Place. We are not having the shower trailer this year.
10. Are dogs allowed?
A. Friendly, quiet, non-threatening dogs are permitted onsite but must be leashed at all times. Please clean up after your pet.
11. Are alcoholic beverages allowed or available for purchase?
A. Rosine is located in a “dry” county where possession and consumption of alcoholic beverages is illegal. Sheriffs’ deputies onsite will strictly enforce this law as it applies to public consumption.
12. What time does the entertainment start and where can I find out the performance schedule?
A. The music starts each day @ 10 AM and runs until approximately 10 PM. A continuously updated performance schedule can be found at our website: www.jerusalemridgefestival.org
13. Where can I get tickets?
A. Tickets can either be purchased in advance by phone (270-274-9181) or at the gate. Credit cards are accepted ONLY for advance sale. No credit cards are accepted at the gate.
14. Is there a “senior discount”?
A. Since a large number of our festival attendees are senior citizens, a discount has already been figured in.
15. Am I going to have any problems getting my large RV/old car/motorcycle/bicycle up the road to the festival?
A. If you made it all the way to Rosine Kentucky, the last mile should be no problem!
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Cumberland Highlanders TV Show
www.cumberlandhighlandersshow.com
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Jerusalem Ridge Kentucky
Where the Spirit Touches the Soul
September 30-October 3, 2010
Please note that we are in the CENTRAL time zone
You can email anytime, or also call us Monday-Saturday at 270-274-9181 between 9 AM and 5 PM central time. If you have a pressing question you can try calling at other times but we may not be here, but please leave a message and we will return your cal
Airport Information
The closest airport is Evansville (75-80 miles) followed by Louisville (100 miles) and Nashville (115 miles). You can rent a car at any of these airports.
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Jerusalem Ridge Bluegrass Celebration 2010
Where the Spirit Touches the Soul
September 30-October 3, 2010
TV Show and Event Information- 1-270-274-9181 docmercer@earthlink.net
www.jerusalemridgefestival.org
We want to remind y'all that there are 47 days until Jerusalem Ridge Bluegrass Celebration 2010 ! This is the 9th annual celebration held at the very birthplace of this precious, yet rugged, American art form. Please join us under the trees within a stone's throw of the Monroe Home place as you listen to some of the greatest acts in bluegrass and old time mountain music.
Plan your Kentucky vacation this year at the festival honoring the Monroe Brothers and the other bluegrass pioneers right here on Jerusalem Ridge overlooking Rosine, Kentucky where it all began. Over 40 top bluegrass bands will perform over the 4-day event. Please honor the Father of Bluegrass Bill Monroe, and help support The Monroe Foundation's efforts to restore and preserve Jerusalem Ridge and the music it fostered. We operate as a 100% non-profit corporation. Your support and the support of the bands is what makes this dream, which was also Bill's dream, possible.
Bring Lawn Chairs (Canvas Captains Chairs work the best!)
Tickets
Four day pass $80, Three day $75, Thursday $25, Friday $30, Saturday $30 and Sunday $20.00
Directions
6 miles east of Beaver Dam, KY on Highway 62 and follow the signs. (Between Owensboro and Bowling Green) See detailed map on flyers or web site or email or call for more directions.) From the south proceed north from Bowling Green on the Natcher Parkway to the West Kentucky Parkway, then head west on the West Kentucky Parkway one exit to Beaver Dam. From the north proceed south on the Natcher Parkway through Owensboro and get off at Hartford KY. From the east take the Wendell Ford West Kentucky Parkway to Beaver Dam. From the west take the Wendell Ford West Kentucky Parkway east to Beaver Dam.
Parking
Plenty of Parking. No blacktop. The parking is in the fields of the Monroe Farm.
Shuttles
Shuttle service will be provided by GRITS transportation. These shuttles have sure pleased our previous festival attendees. The drivers are great folks and the shuttles are handicapped accessible with wheelchair lifts. The shuttles will take you from the parking area to the seating area unless you want to walk. (The walk can be from 200 to 600 yards depending on where you park) Shuttle will also run to Rosine, the Rosine Cemetery and the Beaver Dam antique district and downtown-about 7 miles. There is also a shuttle from the Ohio County Park to Jerusalem Ridge- about 10 miles.
Event Information- 1-270-274-9181
www.jerusalemridgefestival.org
docmercer@earthlink.net
Motels / Bed and Breakfasts
Owensboro has the most rooms and is about 33 miles from us. Very easy, beautiful drive on the uncrowded Natcher Parkway with new road surface. Closer hotels may be full. Bowling Green is open with lots of motel rooms and is about 50 miles from us. LOOK at the news entry at Rough River State Park. Elizabethtown is about the same distance and should have lots of rooms. We'll look those phone numbers up for you and send them your way in the next newsletter, and on the web site.
Beaver Dam and Hartford (7-10 miles) FULL
Beaver Dam Inn -270-274-0851
Eagle Inn of Beaver Dam- 270-274-7121 (Formerly Budget Inn)
Historic Hillside B and B- 270-298-7121
Owensboro (30-36 miles) Vacancies Available
Courtyard by Marriott- Just Opened! 1-800-321-2211.
Holiday Inn Express of Owensboro-270-685-2433
Sleep Inn of Owensboro-270-691-6200
Hampton Inn of Owensboro-270-926-2006
Budget Inn of Owensboro-270-683-7311
Motel 6 of Owensboro- -800-4MOTEL6
Knight’s Inn of Owensboro-270-683-3395
Days Inn of Owensboro-270-684-9621
Fairfield of Owensboro-270-688-8887
Ramada Inn of Owensboro-270-685-3941
Morgantown (25-29 miles)
Motel 6- 270-526-9481
Green River Lodge 270-526-6262
Falls of Rough 25 miles FULL
Rough River State Park- Lodge Affordable
1-270-257-2311
Leitchfield (22-25 miles)
Hatfield Inn- 270-259-0464
Countryside-270-259-4021
Central City (25-29 miles)
Super 8 -270-757-1700
Coronado Motel- 270-754-1320
Best Western- 270-757-0222
Convention Inn- 270-338-9797
Days Inn- 270-754-1222 1-800-325-2525
Festival Camping
The beautiful camping on the Monroe Farm is free this year. No hook ups but central potable water and a truck to empty your holding tanks is provided. The truck driver charges a small fee to empty the tanks.
Recreate in you mind the way the Monroe's lived in 1839 when they arrive to Jerusalem Ridge in a covered wagon! Showers are available in the foundation office for $3.00.
Camping with RV Hook Ups
Ohio County Park (10 miles) 270-298-4466
Western KY RV Park (25 miles) 270-757-0345
Rough River State Park (25 miles) 270-257-2311
Lake Malone State Park (60 miles) 270-657-2111
Audubon State Park (70 miles) 270-826-2247 (cottages also)
Bowling Green KOA (270) 843-1919
Beech Bend Park (270) 781-7634
Gasper River Retreat (270) 746-0410
Bowling Green
Newly Listed Information! Great town to stay in if you are coming from down south! Average distance is 15 miles further than Owensboro . Bowling Green is halfway between Nashville and Rosine on I-65 and the Natcher parkway.
Baymont (270) 843-3200
Bryce Inn (270) 563-5141
Best Value Inn (270) 781-9594 or (877) 781-2407
Best Western Motor Inn (270) 782-3800 or (800) 343-2937
Candlewood Inn & Suites - (888) CANDLEWOOD
Comfort Inn (270) 843-1163
Cardinal Motel (270) 842-0328
Continental Inn (270) 781-5200
Country Hearth Inn (270) 783-4443 or (877) 294-6491
Courtyard by Marriott (270) 783-8569 or (800) 321-2211
Crossland Motel (270) 842-0351
Days Inn (270) 781-6470 or (800) DAYS INN
Drury Inn (270) 842-7100 or (800) DRURY INN
Econo Lodge (270) 842-6730
Economy Inn (270) 842-0321
Fairfield Inn by Marriott (270) 782-6933 or (800) 228-2800
Hampton Inn (270) 842-4100 or (800) HAMPTON
Hilton Garden Inn - Opening August 2007 (800) HILTONS
Holiday Inn University Plaza (270) 745-0088
HomeTowne Suites (270) 846-3311
May Fair Motel (270) 782-3282
Microtel Inn (270) 745-9922 or (888) 771-7171
Motel 6 (270) 843-0140
News Inn (270) 781-3460 or (800) 443-3701
Quality Inn (270) 846-4588 or (800) 228-5151
Ramada Inn (270) 781-3000 or (800) 2 RAMADA
Red Roof Inn (270) 781-6550 or (800) 733-7663
Sleep Inn - Now Open! (270) 842-3800
Super 8 - Now Open! (270) 745-9986
Bowling Green Bed & Breakfasts
1869 Homestead B&B (270) 842-0510
Cave Spring Farm (270) 563-6941
Triple H Stables B&B (270) 779-2652 or (270) 529-3480 or (866) 935-2555
Victorian House B&B (270) 563-9403 or (800) 843-5210
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For more Festival News and Hotel info- www.jerusalemridgefestival.org or docmercer@earthlink.net - 270-274-9181
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Have a great week!
God Bless,
Doc Campbell Mercer & The Cumberland Highlanders, and the Monroe Foundation
PS- Don't forget to visit Rosine, the birthplace of American Bluegrass Music, with its every Friday night Jamboree at the old barn, and Owensboro, Kentucky the home of the International Bluegrass Music Museum and BBQ Capital of the World, just 30 minutes from Rosine and the Monroe Home Place.
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PS 2- Below information is taken from a letter sent out earlier in the year. There is information that you all
might find useful.
Doc
Fall 2009
Dear Friends of the Cumberland Highlanders, Jerusalem Ridge, and all the great genuine bluegrass and old-time musicians who do their part to keep this important part of America alive and thriving,
Jerusalem Ridge Bluegrass Celebration 2010 is almost upon us! Remember the festival starts Thursday September 30 and runs thru Sunday October 3rd.
What a festival the 2009 Jerusalem Ridge Bluegrass Celebration turned out to be ! The Spirit was there, and so many new and old friends took part in the biggest and best one yet.
Tell us about the 2009 festival
The 2009 JRBC was the biggest traditional blue grass celebration since Bill Monroe's early Bean Blossom Festivals. We had 15,000 + friends attend this year. There were fans from 49 states. (Apparently the blizzard I had predicted in Hawaii did not materialize, so the fans decided to stay in that fair state and enjoy Jerusalem Ridge on RFD TV.) International fans joined us from 7 countries including England, Israel, Sweden, Netherlands, Germany, Canada, and Australia. The bands and the their music were the greatest we have ever heard, and you too will witness this when you tune in to the Cumberland Highlanders Show every week on RFD TV.
History continued to be made on Jerusalem Ridge this year. Bill Monroe's son, James Monroe, joined the line up for the first time since 2002. Curnie Wilson sang the 'Lonesome Old Home' with the Highlanders. The elder statesman of Blue Grass Boys, Frank Buchanan came back for an encore. Dr. Ralph Stanley, Sammy Adkins, and Karl Shiflett, were back. Uncle Pen's last fiddle was loaned to us, and Michael Feagan played an ancient sounding "Methodist Preacher" on it Saturday night. This sent chills up all of our spines! First time performers like Men of the Week, Charlie Collins, Frank Ray and Cedar Hill, the Southern Strangers, the Walker Family, and Larry Gillis delighted the crowd.
On top of that, the little girl who was the inspiration for Bill Monroe's classic song, "The Little Girl and the Dreadful Snake", almost 60 years ago was on stage for JRBC 2009 and will make an appearance on this week's upcoming TV episode. Praise the Lord, she actually lived from the snake bite…and well, she married Ray Alingh, the gentleman driving the mini van this very moment. Her name is Jill, and she was Bill's step great niece. Ray is CR and June Wilson's son. I was stunned and thrilled to learn of Jill Alingh this year. Historical surprises continue to occur every year at the birthplace of American Bluegrass Music.
When the going gets tough, the tough get going!
Little Joe Carter (my 6 year old son), and I forecasted 4 days of beautiful weather…and that is what we had. Just perfect! Blue skies, low humidity, temperatures in the 70's. The only problem was that we both forgot about the nights! Thursday night, at about midnight, it started raining. By morning it stopped, but almost 2 inches of rain had fallen on Kentucky. Since the summer of 2009 had been the wettest on record for Kentucky, the subsoil had been previously saturated and there was no place for the water to go. It sat on top of the ground and made parking real challenging until about 1 PM on Friday. Our 250 volunteers, worked like draft horses to find the driest spots for our beloved friends.
Also on Friday morning, our ticket people were swamped by the largest one-time influx of fans we had ever seen. At one point, the line at the entry gate was nearly 2 miles long and the sheriff decided to temporarily divert about 500 cars to Wal-Mart, and to the Mercer Farm next to the Monroe Farm.
Then the cell phones from Wal-Mart went into use. You wouldn't believe how many cell phones and how few extra shuttles there were in the world that morning! My wife, Julie, and her staff in the Ranger's station fielded your calls and kept the communication lines open. Bless you Julie!
Our team, and the fans responded like troopers. By the end of the morning we had managed to get 10 more shuttle buses from the wonderful folks at GRITS of Owensboro to haul folks from Wal-Mart, and my family's farm next door. The great band, Men of the Week, drove to Wal-Mart and entertained folks waiting fans in the parking lot, and the other fine band, King's Highway went to the Mercer farm and entertained those folks as they waited for shuttles. Thank you to those bands! The people told us how much they loved you and what you did to make them a little happier.
Local folks who were driving by Friday morning, saw the crowd at Wal-Mart and thought we had moved the festival there. Meanwhile, the stage team led by Don Coppage and Dave Rousseau kept the stages at Jerusalem Ridge running like well oiled machines.
On Friday, the parking team, led by Kenny Autry, and Bill Stockton never stopped pushing folks, and pulling folks by hand, and with our John Deere tractor and Kenny's Kubota. Fans were helped to the stage area with the super efforts of our shuttle team led by Andy Berley, and golf cart team led by James Casteel .(When I bought that John Deere last year, Julie almost sent me a 'Dear John letter'. Now she is happy we got it !) .
The world saw the Jerusalem Ridge team at their very best as they continued to work to make JRBC 2009 one of the greatest festivals in American history. Some fans told us that the mud Friday morning made them love the Ridge even more because they got to witness and even be a part of the cooperative force that was, and is, the Jerusalem Ridge Bluegrass Music Foundation.
To all who came: we love you and thank you. To all who sat in line on Friday: we love and thank you and we know what you went through. While you were missing the music, we were suffering for you in our hearts. We are very sorry for any music you may have missed. To all the volunteers, we just couldn't do a thing without you.
Happy Birthday to Curly Seckler
Curley Seckler was the man who replaced Bill Monroe in 1939 as tenor singer in the 'Monroe Brothers' after the brothers went their separate ways. Curly worked off and on for Charlie Monroe throughout most of the 1940s. On Christmas Day of this year he celebrated his 90th birthday. A big party was held at the home of Gerald McCormick, and over 250 friends attended. Parts of this event will be shown on our TV show this year!
James Monroe
James Monroe, the son of Bill Monroe, Father of Bluegrass Music, has just finished shooting an interview segment in the Monroe Home Place for the Cumberland Highlanders' Show, and you will be seeing highlights of this footage in 2010 on RFD. The interview segment takes place in the very spot in front of the Monroe fireplace where an 8 year old Bill Monroe first heard his Uncle Pen play the fiddle in 1919 !
DVD set
Don't forget about the Mac Wiseman and Reno and Smiley DVD set now available from Highlander Country Store. Hey, look at the whole catalogue at highlandercountrystore.com . Every purchase helps keep The Cumberland Highlander Show on the air for you !
Prayers
Please remember in your prayers the families of Jack Cooke, Allen Shelton, Ralph Smith, and June Rigsby. These beloved friends passed away during the last 4 months. June is the wife of our bass player, Jim Rigsby.
Under the Weather
And Susie Lewis, wife of Wayne Lewis needs our prayers as she battles cancer. Kevin Pace, Eddie Pennington, Frank Ray, and their families need you prayers as they, or there families face health challenges this year. Pray for everyone since we never know all of those who really need our prayers. Margie Sullivan, Doug Morris, and Lilliemae Whitaker continue to do well after there recent hospital stays.
Until next time,
God Bless You All,
Campbell Mercer and the teams from the Cumberland Highlanders Show, the Jerusalem Ridge Bluegrass Celebration, and Highlander Country Store.