Cheers erupted from the crowd as the first line up announcement was made for the 4th Annual John Hartford Memorial Festival (JHMF), during the morning Chompdown at their annual Fall Festival & Pickin’ Party that recently occurred. For those who may not know, Chompdown is a pot luck-style gathering where volunteers cook up fresh food and goodies for all to enjoy, adding a community feel to a public event.

The time has finally arrived after surviving the many long months of winter, finally, festival season. “I grabbed my sleeping bag from behind the couch and headed out the door on a path that’s free to walk”. It’s time to celebrate the life and music of one the greatest writers of the 20th century, time for the John Hartford Memorial Festival, year III.

Preparations are underway for the 3rd Annual John Hartford Memorial Festival being held in the hills of southern Indiana at the Official Bean Blossom & Bill Monroe Music Park in beautiful Brown County, May 30–June 1. This is the third of what the festival’s creator, John Hotze, and co-promoter, Dan Dillman, hope to see as an event to preserve the legacy and music of the late John Hartford, one of America’s most beloved songwriter/performers and musicians.

Grateful Web was recently fortunate enough to speak with bluegrass/newgrass mandolinist, David Grisman.  Dawg was kind enough to share some of his history with bluegrass legend, Del McCoury, David & Del’s new release, Hardcore Bluegrass in the Dawg House, Davi