Last week I returned from this unique European event, which was held already for the second time in the heart of the Haute Savoy, in La Roche-sur-Foron, a pretty little medieval town in the French Alps, near Mont Blanc.
A festival of superlatives!
Organized by Christopher Howard-Williams, the chairman of FBMA and supported by the town's mayor, the Tourist Bureau and others.
After a lot of rain last year, this time the weather was beautiful.
Thirty bands from eleven different countries: France, the Czech Republic, Spain, Estonia, Switzerland, the Netherlands, Germany, Spain, Russia, Slovakia and the U.S. came to play. Altogether they created over twenty hours of free concerts.
The whole city was beating to the rhythm of bluegrass music, and in the local movie theater they even screened the famous movie "Deliverance". On Friday, there was a gala concert with the French bluegrass comedy show band Zip Code 2025, Bluegrass Stuff from Italy - the last year's contest winner, and the headliners from the U.S. - The Hickory Project.
Saturday and Sunday was dedicated to the European band competition.
On Saturday afternoon, this year's winners of the European Bluegrass Pioneer Awards were proclaimed.
The beautiful hand-made wooden awards went to Jaanus Vainu from Estonia, Loek Lamers from Holland and Petr Kus from the Czech Republic.
The winners of the band contest were:
1st place Jiri Kralik & his Rowdy Rascals from the Czech Republic,
2nd place Country Saloon from Russia
3rd place G-Runs & Roses, a young hot band from Czech Republic.
Apart from music, several other attractions, such as western market, music market, pony rides, master workshops, bluegrass gospel singing at Sunday mass and so on were offered to suit all tastes and ages.
Over 10,000 of festival audience enjoyed this great event over three days !!!
Those of you who will be in Europe next August, don't forget to stop by.
As for me, it was the event of the year 2007 !!!!!!!!!!
