It's Friday June 27th, day 57 of our 2025 summer adventure. This mornings walk was covered in heavy mist... some might call it light rain! This morning was the big day of the Town Wide Yard Sale. As I walked, I saw lots of cars parking along the fence to the fairgrounds. When I got close to our RV, I saw a horse head. Yes, a horse. When I got back to the RV, I saw the buggy too.It was only 65 degrees this morning, so we did not sit outside to enjoy coffee. We did enjoy watching all the yard sale folks walk the road carrying their treasures! We truly enjoyed watching the Amish ladies bring items to the buggy parked by our rig. It was quite entertaining.
The funniest photo was when the husband came back, saw all the stuff, took off his hat and stretched and shook his head. But, he quietly got to work, making it all fit! He did it! Thank goodness for bungee straps he had to hold it all together!
The day began with another open mic hour. Our neighbors in our seating area are camped near 'J-Tyme" aka the Horst family Bluegrass band. They are lucky to listen to their jamming all the time! It is J-Tyme that opened the show today. Another brave couple, Don and Peggy Covey played a single song together on stage before the programed bands began.
The first scheduled band to play today was Larry Efaw & the Bluegrass Mountaineers. When Larry was seven, he started playing the mandolin and grew up watching his dad's band, Ed Efaw and the Bluegrass Mountaineers. Ed Efaw started the band in 1962.
Larry Efaw has been known throughout his career for staying close to the traditional mountain style of bluegrass. He does this with The Bluegrass Mountaineers, a band his father Ed led for decades. Because of the support, Larry got growing up, Larry has always made a point of encouraging young people. This is evident by the ages of some of the members of his band. They are young, but they are very talented!
The second band up was Lorraine Jordan & Carolina Road. We have never heard them before. We know her name, because she took over Evans Media Source's North Carolina State Bluegrass festival that was held in Marion and relocated it to Cherokee NC. Lorraine is known as the “Lady of Tradition” in the Bluegrass community, she has made an indelible mark not only on North Carolina music culture, but within the greater Bluegrass culture.
Lorraine’s handpicked Carolina Road band is comprised of well-known musicians Ben Greene, Warren Blair, Wayne Morris, Kevin Lamm and Allen Dyer, who have played with a “Who’s Who” in the industry, including Charlie Moore, The Bluegrass Cardinals, Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver, James King, Lost & Found, David Parmley & Continental Divide, and Don Rigsby, to name just a few. Their stellar musicianship and versatility ensure award-winning powerhouse performances of every song. When she is not entertaining or producing a bluegrass festival, she owns and operates Lorraine’s Coffee House & Music, a popular listening hall in Garner, NC.
The third band on the schedule was The David Parmley Band. David Parmley began his musical career at age 15 and by the time he turned 17, he began his full-time career as a member of The Bluegrass Cardinals. That band featured his father, Don Parmley, and David’s lead and baritone voice was the backbone to The Bluegrass Cardinal sound. During a 25-year period The Bluegrass Cardinals recorded 18 albums and the material is considered the finest to come out of the 70’s and 80’s Bluegrass era.
David Parmely left The Bluegrass Cardinals in the 90’s to pursue a solo career leaning more towards a modern approach to Bluegrass Music. David Parmley and Continental Divide topped the Bluegrass Charts throughout the 90’s and now Parmley is back. David had very talented musicians backing him up and joining him in the crooning of these traditional bluegrass songs!
The fourth band on the schedule was Authentic Unlimited. I am pretty sure that we have heard them in person before. I am thinking it was a The Malpass Brother's festival in Denton NC, a year or two ago. Authentic Unlimited is a dynamic bluegrass band that blends rich harmonies with skillful instrumentation to create a sound that is both timeless and innovative.
The unique facet of this band, is it is comprised of seasoned musicians, including former members of the legendary Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver, the band brings a deep-rooted passion for traditional bluegrass. Having earned recognition with IBMA awards, IBMA nominations, and Dove Awards nominations, the band’s talent and dedication to their craft is widely celebrated in the bluegrass community. Their heartfelt lyrics and soulful melodies resonate with audiences, offering an authentic musical experience that speaks to both old and new generations of bluegrass fans.
We went back to the rig for the dinner break and tried to get warmed up. Yesterday the AC was working overtime trying to cool the rig to 85 degrees! Today, we are running the heat! The 2nd set of performances began with Larry Efaw & the Bluegrass Mountaineers. Followed by Lorraine Jordan & Carolina Road. Lorraine did a wonderful tribute to the Military, including flags and standing recognition of veteran's by branch of service. The most unique thing about the tribute was the Bango player was the one who played each service anthem on his Bango. Now, that is talented!
The David Parmley Band was up third and Authentic Unlimited was up last for the performers that had two sets. One of the songs Authentic Unlimited sang is one of my favorite. 'Little Eyes' its all about kids are watching you.... the chorus: Little eyes and little ears; Little hands and feet; Know all we do down here; And words we speak; Watching and listening; As we daily go; Remember, our lives they learn; And surely know.
The final band for the day, was only playing one set, The Malpass Brothers. They are one of Charlie's favorites! Chris and Taylor, The Malpass Brothers, are as good as it gets. They're genuine. They eat, sleep and breathe real country music. They are incredible singers, songwriters and as entertainers, they can mesmerize an audience.
It was a transformative moment when two young brothers discovered their grandfather's LPs collection. Chris and Taylor studied the brother-harmony bluegrass duos of Jim & Jesse, the Louvin and Wilburn Brothers and bathed in the sounds of Hank Williams, Lefty Frizzell, Charlie Pride, Merle Haggard. It was musical mecca to the boys—there was nothing on the radio that fed The Malpass Brothers’ soul more than the music of this bygone era--and today, they still stay to it. After 10:30 pm.... its a late night! Stay tuned for more Two Lane Adventures!
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