National Old Time Music Festival Opens Doors to All

Courtesy: Bob Everhart

April 27-28-29 SpringFest at the Oak Tree in Anita, Iowa --- Aug. 27-Sept 2 42nd National Old Time Music Festival in LeMars, Iowa.  ---  Oct. 5-6-7  Rural Roots Music Gathering in Fremont, Nebr. ​

LeMars, Iowa (Press Release)....Forty-three years ago, Smithsonian Institution recording artist, Bob Everhart voluntarily stepped forward to help create an old-time music festival celebrating America's bicentennial in Council Bluffs, Iowa.  He also wanted to make a statement about America's many musical genres that were very 'American.'  It was a huge success.  Bob's mentor, Marjorie Guthrie (widow of Woody) was right there in the front row for the first two festivals Bob directed. Her last wish, before she passed away, was his encouragement to keep doing it.  When the festival was over however, no one wanted to continue it, except Bob.  He did continue it, at Mrs. Guthrie's urging, and is still directing it...43 years later at the age of 82.

"We formed a 501(c)3 non-profit to help us keep it going," he said, "and it's become an oasis for all kinds of acoustic music makers from the entire upper Midwest, as well as from around the world.  Every picker, player, performer, singer, that has ever been involved with America's early acoustic musical art forms, traditional country, bluegrass, folk, rural music, mountain, blues, cowboy & western, hillbilly, ragtime, old time gospel, is invited to attend.  We can't pay everyone who comes of course, but scheduled performers get free gate passes for all seven days.  There are ten stages to perform on, and that in itself is a massive amount of work for myself and my wife Sheila, and our daughter Bobbie Lhea.  It's kind of like running ten small festivals all at the same time.  It takes a lot of volunteers to help us make that all happen.  Volunteers also get free 7-day gate passes, and in some of the 'necessary' spots, free camping.  We started 'honoring' those from the past that made such huge contributions to these various genres of music by inducting them into America's Old Time Music Hall of Fame. We have inducted just about everyone of celebrity status and will continue to do that, but this year we'd like to honor every single acoustic picker and singer we can by focusing our attention on acoustic music makers no matter where they are from."

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Traditional style arts and crafts vendor space, and even an area set aside for commercial vendors, is also a part of what Bob & Sheila Everhart offer at this very unique and certainly the longest running event of this type in the middle world of America. 

Bob Everhart recorded for Moses Asch, president of Folkways Records.  When Moses died, all of his catalog was willed to the Smithsonian Institution.  Bob & Sheila just debuted their newest Smithsonian Institution program "How Western Music Won The West" in Apple Valley, California, the ranch home of Roy Rogers & Dale Evans. Accompanying them on guitar, none other than Dave Berg, Executive Producer of NBC's 'Tonight Show.'  Because of the 50-some million 'baby-boomers' in America, both Bob & Dave are working on a 'Senior's' television show. Bob is very emphatic however, about presenting some of the incredibly gifted and talented performers that also have a direct connect to the music of the past.

Dates for the 43rd National Old Time Music Festival is August 27-September 2, 2018.  It's held at the Plymouth Country Fairgrounds in LeMars, Iowa, the home of Blue Bunny ice cream.  Bob & Sheila Everhart extend an invitation to any music maker, no matter what their age, to share in this incredible old-time music event.  The Everharts can be reached at [email protected] or by phone at 712-762-4363.

Terrific festival style food, tent and RV camping with electric hook-ups, flush toilets and hot showers on the grounds, and a 5-star steakhouse less than a block away.  Special 7-day gate pass at considerable savings.  Open jam sessions everywhere.  A dance hall featuring some of the best dance bands in the upper Midwest, even polka music.  Songwriting contests, and contests for children that play music.  Workshops galore for beginning acoustic music makers.  It's a one of a kind 'real-deal' when it comes to old-time music.  

To learn more visit:  http://www.music-savers.com