By Jeremy D. Wells
Carter County Times
The pandemic took a toll on a number of events and festivals. Some took a brief pause, while others went away forever.
Fortunately for fans of traditional music, the Fraley Festival is one of those events that weathered the storm and came back in force once the pandemic restrictions were lifted.
This year they’re back at Carter Caves with a full slate of performers, storytellers and jam sessions.
Events kick off this evening (Wednesday), with Jamming in the Round at the campground shelter. The event is free, and open to the public. Everyone is invited to bring their instruments out and join in on the fun to get the festival kicked off on the right foot.
Then on Thursday evening, at the amphitheater, they’ll hold their open stage concert from 7 – 9 p.m. There is a cost to come out and see that show – $6 – but if you plan on being there for the entire weekend you may want to consider the $28 event pass. That price gets you a single ticket for all of the programs on the schedule.
Those continue on Friday afternoon, with an open stage performance at 1 p.m., the old-time banjo gatherin’ at 2 p.m., and the dulcimer gatherin’ at 3 p.m. Costs for those events are $5.
Then, later on Friday, the evening concert will run from 7 – 11 p.m. That event has a $9 admission fee.
On Saturday things get started a little bit earlier, kicking off with storytelling at 11 a.m. That’s followed by ballads at noon, the music of JP and Annadeene Fraley at 1 p.m., a fiddle gatherin’ at 2 p.m. and the guitar gatherin’ at 3 p.m. You can enjoy all of that for the price of $5.
Later that evening they’ll hold the final evening concert, again from 7 – 11 p.m., with an admission fee of $10.
For those who have been doing the math, that amounts to a total of $35 if you planned to enjoy each event a la carte, making the $28 event pass a small, but noticeable, discount – especially if you are bringing a family.
Those evening concerts feature a full slate of musical talent too, including Robin Kessinger, John Harrod, Billy Cornette and Betty Vornbrock, the 1937 Flood, Joe Burdock, the Corndrinkers, Bobby Taylor, Sherry Stanforth, Karly Dawn Milner, Roger Cooper, Steve and Donna Bing, Michael Garvin, Wiley Dew, Dave Haas, Jenny Allinder, Hunter Walker, Chatteroi, Andrew Bevan, Matthew Stallard, and the Rabbit Hash String Band, among others.
Those interested in reading more, or checking out videos, photos, and lineups from past festivals, can visit the Fraley Festival of Traditional Music online at fraleyfestival.com.
Contact the writer at editor@cartercountytimes.com