I woke up Saturday to Barry Staples and Driveway, my band mates from Eating the Invaders, telling me to wake up.  They said it was one o’clock and the bands were about to start.  I was a bit groggy to say the least, and slightly uncomfortable from sleeping in the back of Staples’ van, but decided to rise regardless.  I didn’t want to miss any of the acts.

We were at the Deep River Music Festival this weekend.  I rode down with Driveway and all of his sound and lighting gear Friday afternoon.  When we arrived at 3pm, there were people decorating the barn-type rec hall where we would be playing later that evening.  Hay was being spread over red clay mud.  The structure was an amazing sounding, huge church-like building with exposed rafters, glassless windows, unfinished and beautiful.  And it sounded amazing.

I helped Driveway unload the van and place speakers around the concrete stage.  The building had a large wooden dance floor in front of the stage and freshly spread gravel covering the dirt from wall to wall.  The hay bails that lined the walls turned into seats as one by one, the volunteers finished up and waited for the festivities to begin.  The man of the hour (who invited us to come out and play music), Jim Brooks, took some of us through the trails to see the the Deep River and the Native American fishing weir.

When we returned, folks started showing up, the other half of our band included.  Porta-potties rolled in, a kitchen was formed downstairs, water was run, hand-washing stations were erected, and I was given an artist badge to wear around my neck.

From a performer’s point of view, the festival was outstanding.  My artist badge enabled me to eat food in the kitchen, drink free delicious pale ale, and pretty much just feel cool.

Soon after this, the members of Amelia’s Mechanics (the weekend’s opening act) cruised up the dirt road and began unloading and setting up to play.  They messed around with an adorable 6 week old puppy named Stella and sampled Rodger Lenhardt’s ElderBerry Juice and Cough Syrup.  I’m pretty sure they bought some, too.  It was divine.

Tents were put up, kegs were tapped, and we were about to be on our way.  Amelia’s Mechanics kicked off the festival, then Eating the Invaders, and Holy Ghost Tent Revival closed out Day One.  I had so much fun that Saturday morning, I fell for the old “wake up, it’s one o’clock and the bands are about to start.”  It was really about 10:30am when Driveway and Barry woke me up.  It took me about an hour to realize it.  They thought it was funny, and I suppose it was.

Part two coming soon.  The Deep River Music Festival: Amelia’s Mechanics is being worked on now.  Cool pictures to follow of the lovely ladies, thanks to Driveway’s lighting.

more from M. Sheets Photography.