No, it’s not what you’re thinking! I was not in Deliverance country, being serenaded by dueling banjos… I was at a golf and ski residential resort in the Shenandoah mountains for their annual bluegrass show, the Mountain Jamboree.

Massanutten Resort’s Mountain Jamboree

This is a small festival – three acts on the schedule – set at the base of the ski trails at the resort. What a glorious setting for live music!

Moon Over Massanutten

We got to the Jamboree a bit late, so we missed the first act. On stage when we arrived was Hot Day At The Zoo, a bluegrass band from Lowell, Massachusetts that I have seen a few times.

Hot Day At The Zoo

HDATZ refers to their music as progressive bluegrass, or, as I sometimes say, bluegrass on speed. They are a quartet of mandolin, acoustic bass, guitar, and banjo. Unfortunately I have not been able to find the names of the band members.

HDATZ bass player

HDATZ guitarist

HDATZ banjo player

HDATZ mandolin player

A bluegrass band that hails from Lowell is a rarity, and I was thrilled to be able to see them outside their home town! The crowd seemed to enjoy them quite a bit and the band reacted to that enthusiasm.

HDATZ

I think they are quite talented and hope they continue touring. They have been around for more than ten years, although the members of the band have changed over time. They played a bluegrass version of the Beatles’ song ‘I Saw Her Standing There’. Who knew that the Beatles’ music would translate well to bluegrass? I know I didn’t…

HDATZ

After the sun set, the Larry Keel Experience took the stage.

Larry Keel and Jenny Keel

The band comprises Larry on guitar and vocals, Jenny Keel on acoustic bass, and Will Lee on banjo and vocals.

Will Lee

Larry

Jenny

This band played a mix of bluegrass and something that’s not bluegrass, but I can’t adequately describe it. I prefer the more traditional bluegrass they played, and would love to see Larry perform with Sam Bush (one of the best bluegrass mandolin players around).

Larry

I would like to see Will again as well, because I loved his banjo playing as well as his vocals.

Will and Larry

Capping off the Jamboree was a fireworks display. I did not photograph it because I did not have a tripod with me, but it was a nice albeit short display.

What a lovely evening under the stars!