Sorry, Robert Randolph, it was a full day and we had to hit the highway...

Our plan was to arrive for the start of Geoff Muldaur's set around two-thirty. Lunch in Mystic on the way down.  With all due respect to the Danny Barnes Trio and Horace Trahan & New Ossan Express, who have the noon and 1:15 sets respectively, you just can't do it ALL!  Muldaur is an old jug-band folkie from the early sixties' Greenwich Village era, but has continued to create great music.  I've never seen him live.  We arrive right on time, pulling into the nearly full parking lot to their opening number. We grab our shit, buy our tickets and file into Rhythm & Roots 2010. It's a picture-perfect day: sunny, clear and just brisk enough. We mark our territory, open our chairs and....sit. "Great seats, hey buddy?" Sharie is skeptical about being in one place for the next seven hours and is subtly lobbying to ditch Robert Randolph & the Family Band before they come on at 9:15.  She hints at doing some hiking, kayaking, para sailing, skiing, snorkeling- anything to pass the time.  The Reet is attending as a favor to me; she has little interest in the music.  Keith is my ally in this venture.  But it's all good.  Keith/Sharie venture over to two-step at the Johnny Gumbo dance tent (yes, named after the one and only for his legendary smooth dance moves at R&R!).   The Reet holds down the fort.

I've heard enough of the Texas Sheiks for now.  I explore, finding my way over to the workshop tent where Dave Alvin is holding court.  The iconic Blasters co-founder (along with brother, Phil) takes questions, self-effacingly spins anecdotes about the sources of his songwriting, and sings a few songs.  Thoroughly entertaining.  We'll catch DA shortly at the Main Stage with his new band, Dave Alvin & the Guilty Women.  While exiting the tent, I run into an old neighbor of mine.  Now divorced and with his girlfriend, he apologizes for the time he screeched out of his driveway and, while roaring down our quiet little street, thrust his middle finger out the window.  "It wasn't meant for you, it was for my fucking ex-wife."  No offense taken, my man.

Back to the main stage as CJ Chenier & the Red-Hot Louisiana Band's ready for their 3:45 set.  My phone rings, but I can't figure out how to answer it, so I have to check missed calls.  It's Barry D, restaurateur/Pool Hall Stud, now in the house with his entourage inquiring of our location while they fill up on potato pancakes.  We're over HERE!  Finally, all  introduced and settled, we're now nine strong as CJ launches into his set of high-energy zydeco.  Keith offers to fetch the beers.  All that's missing is Gumbo and that Will Farrell-guy.  On second thought, it's nice and peaceful.  At five o'clock, Dave Alvin & the Guilty Women turn the music toward a roots rock vein.  During a bathroom break, The Reet & I take a quick look-see at the Dance Pavillion, where Preston Frank, Ed Poullard & Friends are playing to a packed dance floor.  Back to see Steve Riley & the Mamou Playboys, a band we've seen countless times.  Good stuff.

We notice that the festival program has an advertisement for the Knickerbocker Cafe (Southern NE's home of roots music year round) in Westerly, which features some of our favorites:
Sat, Sept 4- Sugar Ray & the Bluetones
Sat, Sept 25- Sarah Borges & the Broken Singles (I've been accused by friends of being a stalker, but haven't seen her in over a year)
Sun Sept 26- Lil' Ed & the Blues Imperials (had a song on one of the legendary JohnnyK Christmas CDs)
Sat, Oct 23- "The Beehive Queen" Christine Ohlman (a long-time favorite; Keith and I served her band dinner from Anthony Jack's in the Southington Town Hall basement when she played Johnny Gumbo's Apple Harvest Festival a few years back)
Sun, Oct 24- Susan Cowsill (Gumbo and I saw her, along with 25 of our closest friends, at Cafe Nine a few years ago.)
Sat, Nov 13- Robert Earl Keen

I sample the jambalaya (liberally sprinkling hot sauce on my portion and pay dearly for it).  While waiting in line, we are entertained by the Hot Tamale Brass Band (I have video, but still trying to get it transferred from my phone).  The Reet tries to relive her hoola hoop daze with limited success.  It's now heading toward 7:30 and the Newport set decide they've had enough fun and frolic for one day.  Not even staying for Donna the Buffalo!  They are out.  Teary goodbyes all around.  While DtB is really good, I've seen them several times and Sharie's idea of leaving early is making more sense by the minute.  Okay, let's do it.  The Reet gives our extra Bayou Bucks to an appreciative neighbor while we pack up.  On the way out I attempt to buy a R&R Festival tee shirt, but the colors I want are sold out.  I leave empty handed.  After a bathroom stop at Wendy's (all four of us march in, march out), Keith steers us safely home (while I catch a few zzzzz's).  Golf at 7:37AM.  Night all.

Five Bayou Bucks will get you a Longhammer IPA

Not a cloud in the mid-afternoon sky for Geoff Muldaur & the Texas Sheiks

Former Blasters founder Dave Alvin talks songwriting, life and lost love at the Workshop Tent.