The second day of DelFest was a sunshiny delight with temperatures in the mid 80's and blue skies over north western Maryland, making the perfect setting for some great bluegrass music. 

   My day would start with Joe Craven & the Sometimers. Joe is the MC of the festival and was a longtime member of David Grisman's band. He recently released a new CD, "Garcia Songbook". The set was full of Jerry Garcia compositions, as well as a couple of traditional tunes. The band included Craven's son on drums and his daughter on vocals. This was the first time I've seen a suitcase used as a bass drum. (see photo) 

   Next I was off to see Mountain Ride, a Pennsylvania bluegrass quintet that kept it close to traditional but really jammed it out at times. Their set included originals as well as some bluegrass standards. 

   Third up would be a very intimate set with the Bryan Sutton Band in the Music Hall. Bryan is the guitar player for Hot Rize, who you may have seen turning in a stellar set at Jazz Fest this year. Bryan is an incredible flat picker and Grammy award winner, as well as having been named the International Bluegrass Music Association Guitar Player of the Year nine times. His set was a blend of standards and originals and even got a little jazzy at times.  

   Then it was back to the Potomac stage for Birds of Chicago, a quintet that offered up a set of healing, communal and celebratory Americana music. They are led by banjo player and vocalist Allison Russell and guitarist JT Nero. Birds of Chicago left the crowd feeling really uplifted. 

   Asheville based Jon Stickley Trio was next up for me. Jon is an incredible flat picker. His band offered a blend of gypsy jazz and bluegrass with a touch of hip-hop. Stickley would appear at the end of the night with Greensky Bluegrass for an incredible finale to a wonderful day. 

    Next up was The Dawg Trio featuring David Grisman, his son Sam, and Danny Barnes in a over packed Music Hall, which could not have fit one more person in it. I have to be honest, I left early to write yesterday's blog because it was too crowded for my liking. As always, Dave's mandolin playing was some of the finest you will ever see. 

   It was legends time of the day and another epic mandolin player would be next, none other than Ricky Skaggs and Kentucky Thunder. They brought the thunder for the entire 90 minute set. His weaving of originals and standards was very enjoyable as he paid tribute to many of the old timers, including the father of Bluegrass Bill Monroe. 

   A Friday at DelFest would not be complete without a set from the Del McCoury Band. They would be next up on the Main Stage. Del is such an entertaining person and a stellar musician. The band is as well. The band released a new record on this day and played some cuts from it, as well as some standards and many from the del songbook. The new record is "Del McCoury Still Sings Bluegrass", and it certainly worth the investment. 

   An epic Friday already, but the night would close out with a rip roaring and psychedelic set from Greensky Bluegrass, who also have a new cd out called "Shouted Written Down & Quoted". Jason Carter from Del's band would come out for a couple of numbers, and his fiddle was on fire. The show would close out with Jon Stickley coming to join them with some incredible flat picking. This set turned me into a true Greensky Bluegrass Band fan. 

   There were two more late night shows in the Music Hall featuring The California Honeydrops and Dustbowl Revival, but i chose to spend my late night hopping around some of the incredible picking circles in the campground. The night time picking is one of my favorite things about this festival. What a spectacular day it was and this set the tone for what should be an  epic Saturday. Check back tomorrow for a full report.