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The date was August 10th, the place Almost Heaven Campgrounds in Forksville Pennsylvania. The weather was great and we had a great line up of bands, but where were the people? We had less than 100 people through the gate. The sound guys were late, It was already 5pm and they were no where to be seen, and no bands had arrived? I wondered if I showed up on the wrong day for my own show?
Soon some guests informed me of what the problem was, Pennsylvania State Police
set up Two "DUI" check points on the main road to the show. They also set up checkpoints
on each of the other three roads leading to the venue. They even had the audacity
to direct traffic through the parking lot of the local Fire company, where all cars were,
searched. It didn't take long for the word to get out and nobody wanted to come anywhere,
near Almost Heaven for fear of arrest. When I questioned the local authorities about,
these clearly unconstitutional search and seizures, I was told that they just had 80 new
grads from cop school and this was a practice forum for possible terrorist attacks.
Nothing personal mind you...
At 5:30 Riders on the Storm called and said they couldn't make it, Around 6pm the sound company finally showed up. They said they had been held for two hours at the checkpoint... Michelle Vargo showed up just before seven, but sound company wasn't ready yet, but Michelle pleased and teased with her Folk Rock from around 8pm until 9:30pm. More people began to show up, but no where near enough. By evenings end I was jokingly referring to the show as my bankruptcy Party. Around 9:30 surprise guests David's Foote took over with their wild antics. Then at midnight the Zen Tricksters did what they do best, the music of the Grateful Dead until shortly after 2:30 am.
Saturday, a few more people showed up. We began the show at 1pm with "the World according to Pauly", a one man show, that blends the philosophy of skateboarding with 20 plus years of guitar from the Legendary Paul Young. Afterwards a young lady whose name I forgot to record along with John from the Future Chicken Farmers, did a hour or so of classic folk songs. Then at 4pm the Waxy Monxs, Jam band showed the crowd why I brought them all the way from Columbus Ohio. At 6pm the Future Chicken Farmers from some little Island in the Atlantic (Staten Island NY) took over the stage with their special music. 9pm Mamadou, a Musical peace offering from Senegal Africa, blew away the crowd with their reggae, like tones. 11pm Juggling Suns, the Jam band from New Jersey ended the show with an amazing set of psychedelic rock.
