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Bluegrass Festival Drawing 'Relaxed' Crowd

Tribune photo by FRED BELLET

Terry Bernard of Odessa demonstrates a washtub bass, one of several types he and his wife Liz Bernard are selling at the Sertoma Bluegrass Festival. The festival continues Saturday and Sunday.

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By GEOFF FOX | The Tampa Tribune

Published: November 28, 2008

DADE CITY - A small group of musicians sat in the shade of a recreational vehicle Friday afternoon, picking, grinning, singing and talking as a stream of people entered the Thanksgiving Bluegrass Festival at Sertoma Youth Ranch.

Beside banjo player Bill Rich was his daughter, Amy, on fiddle, and son, Nathan, on acoustic guitar. Family friend Jim Waldeck joined on a second six-string. Bill and Nathan Rich and Waldeck are from West Palm Beach; Amy Rich lives in Nashville.

The ensemble went from one song to the next with the relaxed precision of an experienced quartet.

As a stream of people converged on the campground, they sang with gusto:

"Well, somebody robbed the Glendale Train
"And I swear that I ain't lyin'
"Somebody robbed the Glendale train
"And made off with 16 Gs"

The Riches, originally from Pittsburgh, and Waldeck were among a crowd of hundreds that converged at the ranch for the annual festival, which ends Sunday.

"This is the Holiday Inn Express of bluegrass campsites," Waldeck said between songs.

Onstage at the nearby Gilbert E. Turner Pavilion, the five-piece Bluegrass Parlor Band from around Plant City concluded a roughly one-hour set with a song titled "John Harding" about "a desperate little man who strapped on his guns every day."

From a concession stand, the aroma of hamburgers, hot dogs and french fries seemed to mingle with the music and dance in the overhanging Spanish moss.

Under a canopy, Terry and Liz Bernard of Odessa sold paddle basses that Terry makes with cherry or oak and either a bass drum or metal washtub. The instrument is played by plucking its one string and moving the paddle – or lever – up and down to create or release tension.

Terry Bernard started making the basses after he saw a performer playing one at the Florida State Fair a few years ago.

"This is our first time at this festival," Liz Bernard said. "It's wonderful. The sounds are awesome and the people are real down-to-earth."

"Yeah," Terry said. "It's a very relaxed crowd."

Meanwhile, the Riches and Waldeck, who had performed a bluegrass version of The Everly Brothers' "Dream," were joined by upright bassist Forrest Carter of Nashville and mandolin player Jim Reece of Orlando. Each took a turn soloing on the instrumental jam.

As her brother skillfully picked through a difficult riff, Amy Rich smiled and mouthed an encouraging: "Yeah!"

In moments, the group was into another song with Bill Rich singing lead.

"Is it true that I lost you?
"Am I not the only one?
"After all this pain and sorrow
"Darlin', think of what you done"

BLUEGRASS FESTIVAL
WHEN: noon to 11 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday
WHERE: Sertoma Youth Ranch is seven miles west of Dade City and 1 1/2 miles east of Interstate 75, off County Road 41 on 85 Myers Road.
COST: $30 for today; and $12 for Sunday. Weekend tickets are $45. Children ages 12 through 16 are $3 each day or $7 for a weekend ticket. Children younger than 12 are free with an adult ticket. Weekend camping sites are available for an additional fee.
FOR INFORMATION: www.SertomaYouthRanch.com

Reporter Geoff Fox can be reached at (813) 779-4613.

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