The city of Galax came alive in early May for the fourth annual Houstonfest. Born out of a community’s grief over the tragic passing of Houston Caldwell, a gifted banjoist and dedicated contributor to the civic life of Galax, Houstonfest has quietly become one of the true jewels of the Virginia festival circuit. Under gorgeous skies, the thousands who flocked to Felt’s Park were treated to stellar sets by such luminaries of bluegrass as Ralph Stanley, the Whites, Sammy Shelor and the Lonesome River Band, and many others. Ricky Skaggs, husband of Sharon White, made a surprise appearance and joined both Stanley and the Whites on stage in memorable performances.
Gallery
Houston Caldwell's army fatigues. Thousands visited Felt's Park for HoustonFest, a celebration of the memory of musician Houston Caldwell, in Galax on 5/3/14.
Pat Jarrett/Virginia Folklife Program
The opening ceremonies at HoustonFest featured a fire company honor guard and the Church Sisters singing the national anthem from the top of a hook-and-ladder truck. Thousands visited Felt's Park for HoustonFest, a celebration of the memory of musician Houston Caldwell, in Galax on 5/2/14.
Pat Jarrett/Virginia Folklife Program
Asa Gravely looks over the crowd while Jon Lohman leads a workshop remembering Houston Caldwell with former band members from Broken Wire. Thousands visited Felt's Park for HoustonFest, a celebration of the memory of musician Houston Caldwell, in Galax on 5/2/14.
Pat Jarrett/Virginia Folklife Program
Emcee Harold Mitchell casts a shadow next to a cart painted with a portrait of Doc Watson.
Boxcars play the main stage.
Spectators dance while the Whitetop Mountain Band plays.
Three of four Steve Martin prize-winners, from left Jens Kruger, Sammy Shelor and Mark Johnson. Thousands visited Felt's Park for HoustonFest, a celebration of the memory of musician Houston Caldwell, in Galax on 5/3/14.
Pat Jarrett/Virginia Folklife Program
The highlights of this year’s HoustonFest are too numerous to name, but some of them included a first-ever gathering of 3 of the 4 Steve Martin Banjo Award winners, including Virginia’s own Sammy Shelor, along with Mark Johnson, and this year’s recipient, Jens Kruger. Another highlight was the appearance of 87-year-old Stanley with his Clinch Mountain Boys. These and other shows on Ralph’s current “Farewell Tour” were touted as his last, but his grandson Nathan informed the crowd that plans have changed: “We decided that Ralph’s career won’t end until the good Lord decides it will,” he told the crowd to rousing cheers.
Gallery
Nathan Stanley performs with his grandfather Ralph Stanley. Thousands visited Felt's Park for HoustonFest, a celebration of the memory of musician Houston Caldwell, in Galax on 5/2/14.
Pat Jarrett/Virginia Folklife Program
Ralph Stanley, left, takes the stage in front of his son, Ralph Stanley II.
Ricky Skaggs performs with Ralph Stanley. Thousands visited Felt's Park for HoustonFest, a celebration of the memory of musician Houston Caldwell, in Galax on 5/2/14.
Pat Jarrett/Virginia Folklife Program
Buck, Cheryl and Sharon White took the stage with Ralph Stanley and the Clinch Mountain Boys. Thousands visited Felt's Park for HoustonFest, a celebration of the memory of musician Houston Caldwell, in Galax on 5/2/14.
Pat Jarrett/Virginia Folklife Program
Ricky Skaggs played with Ralph Stanley and the Clinch Mountain Boys. Thousands visited Felt's Park for HoustonFest, a celebration of the memory of musician Houston Caldwell, in Galax on 5/2/14.
Pat Jarrett/Virginia Folklife Program
Ralph Stanley takes a photo with the Rhythm-N-Motion Cloggers. Thousands visited Felt's Park for HoustonFest, a celebration of the memory of musician Houston Caldwell, in Galax on 5/2/14.
Pat Jarrett/Virginia Folklife Program
Sammy Shelor, right, plays with the Lonesome River Band. Thousands visited Felt's Park for HoustonFest, a celebration of the memory of musician Houston Caldwell, in Galax on 5/3/14.
Pat Jarrett/Virginia Folklife Program
Jens Kruger, center, performs with his brother Uwe, right, and bassist Joel Landsberg. Thousands visited Felt's Park for HoustonFest, a celebration of the memory of musician Houston Caldwell, in Galax on 5/3/14.
Pat Jarrett/Virginia Folklife Program
Jens Kruger performs with his brother Uwe and bassist Joel Landsberg. Thousands visited Felt's Park for HoustonFest, a celebration of the memory of musician Houston Caldwell, in Galax on 5/3/14.
Pat Jarrett/Virginia Folklife Program
The Ashe County Junior Appalachian Musicians (or JAM for short) performed on the Camp Houston youth stage. The JAM provides traditional musical lessons for children in grades 4-6. Thousands visited Felt's Park for HoustonFest, a celebration of the memory of musician Houston Caldwell, in Galax on 5/3/14.
Pat Jarrett/Virginia Folklife Program
What sets this festival apart from so many other bluegrass festivals is its focus on young performers. Simply put, kid pickers were everywhere–on the stages, in the parking lot, and anywhere else they could jam–and their artistry was nothing short of astonishing. Several exciting youth projects, including Close Kin, Generation Bluegrass, and others, were on display, dazzling audiences young and old alike. “I’ll tell you what,” exclaimed Sharon White from the Firehouse Stage during the White’s workshop with Virginia State Folklorist Jon Lohman, “our music is in very good hands.” Many of the young performers will be assisted by the Houston Caldwell Scholarships, created by master dobro player Rob Ickes to provide funds for promising musicians to take lessons with local masters.
Listen to the entire workshop with the Whites above.
Gallery
Kaden Miller practices with the Loose Strings band. Thousands visited Felt's Park for HoustonFest, a celebration of the memory of musician Houston Caldwell, in Galax on 5/3/14.
Pat Jarrett/Virginia Folklife Program
Joe Wilson hangs out with the Whites after their set. Thousands visited Felt's Park for HoustonFest, a celebration of the memory of musician Houston Caldwell, in Galax on 5/3/14.
Pat Jarrett/Virginia Folklife Program
The Whites, Buck, Cheryl and Sharon, perform. Thousands visited Felt's Park for HoustonFest, a celebration of the memory of musician Houston Caldwell, in Galax on 5/3/14.
Pat Jarrett/Virginia Folklife Program
Buck White perform on the main stage. Thousands visited Felt's Park for HoustonFest, a celebration of the memory of musician Houston Caldwell, in Galax on 5/3/14.
Pat Jarrett/Virginia Folklife Program
Luthier Wayne Henderson celebrated his birthday at HoustonFest.Thousands visited Felt's Park for HoustonFest, a celebration of the memory of musician Houston Caldwell, in Galax on 5/3/14.
Pat Jarrett/Virginia Folklife Program
Emcee Harold Mitchell checks his watch before taking the stage on the opening day of HoustonFest. Thousands visited Felt's Park for HoustonFest, a celebration of the memory of musician Houston Caldwell, in Galax on 5/2/14.
Pat Jarrett/Virginia Folklife Program
Martha Spencer of Whitetop Mountain Band.
Rhythm-N-Motion Cloggers prepare. Thousands visited Felt's Park for HoustonFest, a celebration of the memory of musician Houston Caldwell, in Galax on 5/2/14.
Pat Jarrett/Virginia Folklife Program
The Virginia Folklife Program was proud to be a part of Houstonfest. Houston was a dear friend of ours, gracing our stages and blessing our lives. We can’t wait ‘til next year! See more photos here.
Pat Jarrett/Virginia Folklife Program
