Concert Sutra Camping Out At High Sierra

Concert Sutra Camping Out At High Sierra

by terri sapp

Photographs by Leah Yetter

© Concert Sutra, All Rights Reserved

Al Howard

click photos for photo gallery

            From the time I got on the plane in Atlanta, Georgia (even through the extended overnight Vegas layover…thanks America West for the hotel, cab, hot bath, bed, and breakfast), to the time I saw my girls in the family filled Reno Airport, my stomach was in knots with anticipation (and motion sickness) for the good times about to ensue.  As we made our way to the campsite, we could automatically feel the tension melting off of our stress filled shoulders.

            High Sierra Music Festival in Quincy, California (this year on July 1-4, 2004) at the Plumas-Sierra County Fairgrounds is the most laidback camping/music festival I had ever attended.  The Northeast California mountain air must really work as an opiate to all that enter.  First thing Thursday evening upon arrival, the first order of business was to catch Tea Leaf Green.  However, much to our dismay, our time limits kept us creating our campsite, since our delays at the airport.  Sorry Plateface…The beauty of High Sierra Music Festival is that we were camping right in front of the Grandstand Stage on the artists row, so we could hear everything from the Grandstand.  So, we got to hear a good deal of Tea Leaf Green, anyway. Continue reading

Concert Sutra Doin’ it Buffalo Style

Concert Sutra Doin’ it Buffalo Style

by terri sapp

Photographs by Leah Yetter

© Concert Sutra, All Rights Reserved

Tara Nevins on guitar

click photos for photo gallery

As I approached the Variety Playhouse on November 8, 2003, I could feel the ground underneath pounding and vibrating as the music stampeded out of the front door.  Immediately when I came around the corner and saw the crowd kickin’ up dust, I knew I was dealing with a herd!

A little confused, I roamed the range to find the perfect view for the gazing onlooker such as myself.  Once I was a little closer, I found that, sure enough, I WAS in the midst of the grasslands during mating season.  At first, I was sure that there was to be an opening band, and thought I may have missed out.  Then, I questioned, have they added some buffalo to their herd?  I recognized Tara Nevins (on guitar, fiddle, vocals, accordion, and scrub board), Jeb Puryear (on guitar, vocals, and pedal steel), Jim Miller (on guitar, banjo and vocals), Kathy Zeigler (on lowery organ, keyboards, and vocals), Phil Weinrobe (filling in for Jed Greenberg on bass), and Tom Gilbert (on drums).  But had never seen the guy in the black suit with yin-yangs all over the jacket and down the legs!  Come to find out a friend of mine was a big fan of Jim Lauderdale.  I have to say, I am not much on country music, but this guy fit into the herd just right with the way he molds his genre with so many other styles of music. Continue reading