https://www.austinchronicle.com/daily/music/2007-10-22/553212/

String Theory

By Jim Caligiuri, October 22, 2007, 3:07pm, Earache!

“Where should I park?” I asked the woman at the gate after she gave me my credentials.

“I suggest somewhere in the shade,” she replied.

It was going to be that kind of day, one where everyone was just so glad to be there, helpful to a fault, and filled with the spirit of good music. As I walked to the pavilion where the main acts were to perform at Camp Ben McCulloch, gaggles of musicians dotted the the campgrounds. The air was filled, throughout the day and well into the night, with the sounds of guitars, fiddles, mandolins, standup bass, banjos, and the occasional dobro and accordion. Some was bluegrass, some folk and pop, with a few added old-time tunes that had been passed down from one generation to the next. The pickers ranged from gray-haired men with ponytails to young women with tattoos and pierced navels.

Saturday of this year’s Austin String Band Festival was perfect in many ways, from the cool October weather to the engaging main stage acts. Attendance estimates were in the mid to low hundreds, but everyone was appreciative of the variety, whether they were actively performing or listening with ears wide open. This is how the annual Old Settlers Festival got its start – intentionally low key, just a gathering of folks filled with a love of music.

Of the main performers, each shined in their own way. Eddie Collins displayed why he’s revered as one of Austin’s best guitarists and banjo players. Twangzilla brought a youthful verve to their raw yet traditional bluegrass. The three and four voice harmonies of old -timers the Gray Sky Boys were outstanding.

16-year-old phenom Sarah Jarosz was joined by internationally renowned cellist Ben Sollee for a set that was beautifully haunting. The Mexican Roots Trio, featuring Joel Guzman and Sarah Fox, added special guest guitarist Andrew Hardin for a set that unearthed the roots of Texas conjunto. The day was capped with a set by banjoist Danny Barnes and Friends – actually three members of Twangzilla – who burned through tunes from Mac Wiseman, Earl Scruggs, and other bluegrass masters, anchored by Barnes’ evil grin.

Sated after nearly eight hours of music and heading back to the car, the picking remained a constant buzz, a sing-along with the cricket’s roar. Like all things Austin, the String Band Festival proved once again that too much of a good thing is just about enough.