Decent Folk

Aspen Run at Goofy's in Spring Grove, Pa. (Sept 2, 2012 - Photo by Ed Henry)

2 September 2012 - Spring Grove, Pa.

It's election year. I'm tired of it all. The negativism, the mud-slinging, the pandering to special interests, and each party (we have only two in this country) trying to bait each other into petty arguments that have nothing to do with the specific problems our country is facing. I live in the DC Burbs. We get a full 24-hour helping of this political garbage daily just because of our geo-location so close to the center of what I like to refer to as "The Great Chinese Magic Show." You've seen the act: a guy appears in a silk robe and starts spinning plates on a stick. It usually ends in a puff of smoke produced by a hidden bag of black powder. Lots of oo's and ahh's and then applause. Then endless commentary from the Talking Heads as to whether he spun the plates in the right direction, or whether there was enough smoke to cover his exit.

Labor Day Weekend was a good excuse to escape it all and travel beyond the Beltway where the Decent Folk gather to celebrate the end of summer. As I traveled northward I could see families enjoying themselves in their back or front yards with barbeque grills and coolers. The local farmers were out on the roadsides selling the last of their corn crop. Here and there a Romney sign stuck in the ground near a mailbox. This is beautiful country between Baltimore, Maryland and York, Pennsylvania. If any painters or photographers are reading this, I highly recommend you travel through it and capture the images before we lose them. If you're a 'burbanite like me, you don't have to travel far to spend some time with the Decent Folk. You don't have to listen to boring campaign speeches or hours of propaganda. The decent people just want to make a living, protect what they have, and exercise their liberties. As I drove the last four miles of the trip to Spring Grove (up a big hill, down a big hill,) I had quiet time to ponder these things. You might be wondering what any of this has to do with bluegrass music. For me, it has everything to do with bluegrass music - and the people who gather to enjoy it.

I was pleasantly shocked to enter Goofy's and see that the place was filling up an hour before Aspen Run was due to appear. Good sign, this. The Decent Folk chose this as their Labor Day Get-away for entertainment. I'm used to every venue within the confines of the Beltway competing for the entertainment dollar. All around me this weekend were some of the best bluegrass festivals you can imagine, if you are a follower of the schedules like I am. When you've got the money and the time, it can be a hard choice. I prefer bluegrass up-front and personal, which is another reason why I find myself ending up at Goofy's. What makes it the great space it is, is the audience of die-hard bluegrass fans who regularly show up to support the music and the venue. They're just decent people who are out for a good time away from the sameness of their lives - even if it is a holiday weekend.

Aspen Run epitomizes the kind of entertainment the Decent Folk are looking for. If you're questioning why I have the nerve to make such a statement, you should join us sometime and find out for yourself. Ask the fans. They'll tell you what decent folks the Martin Boys are. They'll tell you what a hard-driver Herb Martin is with his three sons. The drive is to do better, grow in the business, take care of the family. No grandiosity here. Just make every appearance better than the last one and maintain a sense of humor. There is a kind honesty in Aspen Run that is hard to manufacture. You don't manufacture it at all if you're to succeed in the entertainment business. You either maintain honesty or you don't. There is nothing more naked than an open stage occupied by a string band that is lying to the audience. The Decent Folk won't pay their money to see it.