O.C. Festival Review : Bluegrass Lovers Rally ‘Round the Motor Homes

The circling of covered wagons in the Old West brought a sense of community and belonging to frontier folk, spirits reborn over the weekend at Traveland U.S.A. Only now the modes of transportation are motorized and modernized: More than 100 coaches, bus and van conversions and travel trailers converged Friday through Sunday for the park’s first Summer Bluegrass Festival.

Normally used for social and romantic occasions, a white gazebo in the park’s lakeside courtyard served as the stage for seven acts from Southern California, presenting their own variations on the bluegrass sound.

Sponsored by the 1,500-member Southwest Bluegrass Assn. and Traveland U.S.A. to promote bluegrass and provide exposure for local bands, the free festival included a barbecue, craft and acoustic instrument workshops (dobro, banjo, bass, guitar) and on Sunday, a Band Scramble and Open Mike Jam.

Some people came from as far away as Phoenix. For many, though, the festival was just an extension of the get-togethers held every Saturday evening in homes of Southwest Bluegrass Assn. members, who made up 90% of Friday’s audience of about 100, according to a spokeswoman.

The friendly, folksy nature of the concert-goers--who ranged from nearby residents and families to amateur musicians and assorted pets--created more of a neighborhood/back-yard atmosphere than one normally finds at a typical nightclub or amphitheater.

Indeed, one of the main attractions was the pre- and post-concert “jams,” with fans and some performers alike sitting around on folding chairs between RVs, swapping songs, stories and chitchat.

For others, like 2 1/2-year-old Paul Slemmer of Lake Forest, the big draw was the dancing. “We came because we wanted to try something a little different, and our son loves dancing to all kinds of music,” said Paul’s mom, Marcia. “It’s a fun atmosphere. . . . We’re outdoors on a summer night and enjoying music for free.”

The first day’s most impressive set came from Clay County, a band from San Dimas that since 1987 has updated the bluegrass tradition by infusing Southern gospel music and bluesy ballads.

Led by singer-songwriter-guitarist Sue Nikas, the quartet played life-affirming songs, rich in character. In these songs, dancing, singing and romancing all contribute to life’s simple and cherished joys. When Nikas sang:

I’m dancing in my kitchen;

There’s love down to my toes

from her song “Dancing in My Kitchen,” one could feel the warmth radiating from the stage.

Whether playing rollicking numbers (“Hamilton County Breakdown,” “Green Rolling Hills”) or such gender benders as “Are You Missing Me?” (which she introduced as “a feminist bluegrass song--or is that a contradiction in terms?”), Nikas and her band mates displayed solid song-craft and contagious enthusiasm.

More traditional in style, Crystal River from Orange offered a mix of standards and originals during its 55-minute performance. Fueled by Don Clark’s banjo pickin’ and Chris Ruud’s delicate mandolin strummin’, “Sweet Little Miss Blue Eyes” and a faithful reworking of the recent Dwight Yoakam/Ralph Stanley hit “Down Where The River Bends” were among numerous highlights.

Fiddler/newcomer Lebra Nelson--who said she’d only had one rehearsal with the band--provided a young, cheerful presence along with her musical skills. Her soloing throughout “St. Anne’s Reel” was dazzling as she alternated aggressive and delicate strokes with equal aplomb.

The Orange County Bluegrass Band opened the festival with its own mix of standards and originals. This strength of this 3-year-old band is clearly Texas native Don Langford, whose guitar chops and lead vocals inform the sound with panache and precision. Set highlights included “In the Pines,” “Old Folks Home” and Langford’s take on the legendary outlaw Jesse James.

Wild Oats Reunion, which re-formed in 1993 after disbanding in the ‘80s, now plays a mixture of traditional, contemporary and original bluegrass and country. But Bert Patterson’s vocals are thin, and the foursome suffers from a troubling lack of energy. To paraphrase the title of one song they covered, they’re like trying to throw a rope around the wind.

The closing acts, Rock Springs Road and Stoney Creek, also were disappointing. The splendid singing by Rock Springs guitarist Cinde Linton was overpowered by mandolin player Don Branson (whose stale, sexist jokes further marred the proceedings), and Stoney Creek played its old-style, no-frills bluegrass for only 35 minutes instead of the hour that was scheduled.

The same acts, and Alive and Pickin’ from Claremont, were scheduled to play Saturday. Sunday was set aside for the Scramble and Jam.

Even though the music had its ups and downs, one person said he’d been thoroughly satisfied Friday night. Jerry Seulvester, 55, a white-haired and bearded street sweeper from Downey, noted that he “got to see some old friends, made a few new ones. . . . Would have bought a bus conversion had I won yesterday’s lottery.

“I know I’m not getting any younger,” added the former clog dancer, roller-skater and backpack leader who now finds time to play his banjo and to prospect for gold in the nearby deserts and mountains. “But I ain’t gonna be one of those people you see in the old folks’ home, no sir.”