For more information and Valley Stage tickets, visit Valley Stage's web site.
We first met as musicians years ago, Don. What inspired you to start Valley Stage?
Don Sheldon: I remember I had just been to one of Levon Helm's Mid-Night Rambles at his home in Woodstock, New York, and the idea of informal house concerts had also just been brought to my attention. My own home was too small for such an event but when I looked out to my front yard, the vision of an outdoor concert in a natural amphitheatre with Camel's Hump in the background was compelling. I had had television production experience from when I lived in New York City, and a passion for music that outweighs every other focus of mine. The elements fell into place.
Vermont is full of summer musical festivals. What makes Valley Stage distinctive?
D.S.: First of all, it's an afternoon/early evening event that is very family-friendly. Performances begin at 1 p.m. and the last act ends around 8:30-9:00 p.m. – plenty of time to get the kids to bed at a decent hour. Another thing is we don't focus as much on the acts being known as we do on creating a unique setting for music, food, and family fun. Many who attend have expressed being pleasantly surprised by the acts, many of whom they'd previously not heard. We have local acts but often look to more nationally known talent that brings out the "real" fans of theirs while making new converts.
What's been the hardest part of getting this annual event off the ground?
D.S.: The hardest thing has been making the community at large aware that this is a "real" concert, not just “a party in Don's front yard.” We pride ourselves on having excellent sound, good staging and lighting, a full array of food choices, a great silent auction, and four topnotch acts at a reasonable price. I think that the numerous (38) video files that appear on YouTube will attest to the level of performances that have taken place here in the first five years of the festival.
Give us your three favorite musical highlights from festivals past.
D.S.: I'll have to say that there were four that I will always remember. The Duhks in 2008 were probably my favorite act. They reign from Winnipeg, Manitoba, and played an eclectic mix of bluegrass, zydeco, Quebecois, soul, gospel, and even a rendition of Led Zeppelin's "Whole Lotta Love" that brought the house, or should I say the yard, down.
Ed Gerhard, solo guitarist from New Hampshire, performed at the 2007 concert. I remember there almost being a reverence in the air as he performed brilliant renditions of old blues standards, covers of Lennon's “Imagine,” the Beatles’ “If I Fell/In My Life,” as well as Hawaiian melodies on a Weisenborn guitar. He had everyone entranced.
Vermont's own Anais Mitchell played here in 2008. She was accompanied brilliantly by Michael Chorney and Robinson Morse. I had seen/heard her on a few occasions prior, but felt that her Valley Stage show was an angelic moment for her. We were fortunate to have her perform here before she began to become more nationally known.
Last but not least was Robbie Fulk’s performance here last year. Robbie is one of the best singer/songwriters who comes from Chicago, and has remained relatively unknown here in the East but has a loyal following elsewhere. He performed with his quartet and they played an array of country, rockabilly, and rock ‘n’ roll-inspired tunes with great musicianship and a tightness that only comes with playing together for years. His guitarist, Grant Tye, is one of the best I've ever heard. They even played covers of Michael Jackson's "Billie Jean" and the Jacksons’ "Goin' Back to Indiana" that caught everyone off guard.
How has the Huntington community responded to having a festival in their midst?
D.S.: The 25 percent of the community that even knows what's going on here seem to be very thankful for this little event that fills the air each August. Many have expressed the thrill of being able to travel locally and hear topnotch music from all over the U.S. including San Francisco, Nashville, Austin, and this year from Santa Fe, New Mexico, Austin, Texas, Connecticut, and even here in Vermont. I've had many shows of appreciation and personally it's the reciprocity from the community that keeps my commitment in place.
Where do you see Valley Stage going these next several years?
D.S.: Though the Valley Stage to date has come at a [financial] cost, it is incredibly rewarding, and barring an out-and-out financial disaster it will continue as is. I don't intend to change much except to bring new music (and hopefully more people) here each year. One thing we have discussed is holding a competition featuring local acts. The winner would open up next year's concert. We're anxious to give a local performer the chance to play on a stage with professional musicians before a friendly audience and walk away with a great experience and a professionally produced video that they'll cherish for years to come.
Give us a taste of this summer's lineup, and how do we get tickets?
D.S.: This year's headliner is Danny Barnes, an extraordinary banjo player, singer/songwriter out of Austin, Texas. The likes of Dave Matthews, Phish's Mike Gordon, Bill Frisell, and many others feel that Danny is one of the best performers and has a unique style all his own. Opening this year's Valley Stage is Round Mountain out of Santa Fe, New Mexico. They consist of the two Rothschild Brothers who play an array of different instruments creating their own unique style blending together accordion, trumpet, sitar, bagpipe, that includes dance rhythms from West Africa, the Balkans, and the Caribbean. The String Fingers Band from Connecticut is a five-piece ensemble that mixes bluegrass, Americana, and their own originals that take from many diverse genres. Last but not least, Colin McCaffrey heads up the Stone Cold Roosters, every Vermonter’s favorite rockabilly country swing band.