Muddy Roots Music Festival 2015… Number four for Inny and me. It’s becoming “normal” you would think, but every time we drive up there, a feeling of coming home takes over. This was number four in Cookeville, we did them all in Belgium, but this time it was extra special. We brought close friends with us and hoped they would have the same experience we had those three previous years. A feeling of freedom, friendship, honesty and pure joy (unless monday morning…) that’s what we where hoping they would feel. I’m damn sure they did.

Sophie, the rebel, doing her own thing, getting on my nerves, buying moonshine, handing out gifts and beer. I tried to take care of her, but I knew better, she’ll be alright where ever she is. Jo, my brother from an other mother (I know it’s cheesy, but it’s true), a wild-man if he wants to be, a caretaker if needed, a great songwriter and a friend for life. Kim, the little loud city girl, a heart of gold, a head full of lovely chaos and the temper of a furious cat (unless she encounters a spider…). And last but not least, Inny, my wife for eight years, my soul-mate for 15. My rock, my know it all head-buster, my Goddess. This was my troop, these where my travelers, these where my fellow pilgrims on the road to mud… We survived… These are our stories…

Mikey Classic and his Lonesome Spur
Muddy Roots without The Goddamn Gallows? HELL NO! Well yeah… but don’t worry, Mikey took on the heavy burden and we all knew he would deliver the goods… Check out his solo album. Is it Gallows Light? I’m not sure, some folks think it is, but for me it’s just Mikey doing his thing and doing it good! I had the chance to do merch for them at some of their European shows earlier this year and they welcomed me as an old friend. I love Mikey and the rest of them crazy idiots, even Avery…

The Barnyard Stompers
Casey and Megan… First time we ran into these guys, they where playing the open mic stage a few years ago. Casey was drunk as fuck and still being one hell of a frontman, while Megan kept the rhythm going on her drums like an army general pushing his troops into battle. The Barnyard Stompers do what they do, they don’t take shit from nobody, follow no trends and get shit done! I love it. They have songs that I wish ANTiSEEN would play, and they should!

East Cameron Folkcore
One of the bands on this years line-up that I never heard of. I gave them a quick listen while making preparations. They made it to my “must watch list”. And boy was I glad I went to see them and even more glad I filmed them. I shot more than just this, but for some reason the camera fucked up two other songs. But for the rest of their set I was dancing my ass off. They gave me a “Refused goes bluegrass” feeling. I know it doesn’t do them justice, but I think you know what I’m talking about.

The Urban Pioneers
Is there life after The Broken Band? Sure there is! Jayke is doing his thing, James always did it and Liz and Jarred are proving everyone wrong as well. What started as an in between project became a solid band playing all over the world. If you got talent, you got talent, it’s that simple.

Carrie Nation and the Speakeasy
“It’s my party and cry if I want to”, that’s the song that pops into my head every time the boys from Kansas come on stage. I don’t think they ever played this song, I’m sure they hate this song. But the fact is, that when they are playing, it’s going to be a party, and if you’re not feeling it… YOU SUCK! In this “scene”, I hate the word, these guys are on the same level as The Goddamn Gallows, and people may not yet know this, but I’m sure that they will make their mark and I wish them all the good things coming to them. TETTE BLOEWET!

The Calamity Cubes!
I know there where people at the festival only to see Dr. Ralph Stanley, I also know that some people came only because these guys where playing. Can you blame them? The Cubes are that good and anyone that says otherwise is a dick… Simple as that! They are responsible for some of the best songs going around our little ball of dinosaur shit and you better learn to live with it…

Sean and Zander
The Legendary Duo! That’s all… Enjoy!

After the Sean and Zander show I put my camera away, it was rum o’clock…