Bean Blossom Bluegrass Festival Film Clip - June 1971

[@OldStLouisRocker]

What a find. I was 21, lived in Gary, read a Sunday Chicago newspaper supplement with an article about Bean Blossom in the spring of '71. A friend and I took off for Bill Monroe's Brown County Jamboree on a Thursday morning in June, slept on blankets, ate salami and cheese, drank red wine and listened to the music that set my soul on fire for 4 days on Bill Monroe's family farm in Bean Blossom, Indiana. I thanked him and shook his hand on Sunday afternoon after the Gospel service and a country breakfast. Still have the Bluegrass Unlimited Festival Guide with the Bean Blossom program for the week. Thanks so much for posting.

[@SpeegBJ]

We came to Bean Blossom '71. This video is simply stunning; worthy of being in an archive, as well as YT. I was 22, my husband and I young musicians (acoustic guitar, autoharp). We brought our newborn son, now a performer, with us; along with friends and family, of which ALL are singers or guitarists today. To be at '71 Bean Blossom was thrilling.....we were part of the 'new wave' long-haired lovers of the beauty of Bluegrass. .

[@LAGOON118]

This is great! Have been going out here with my family since 1973. Now im 46 and still make it almost every year. Great to remember what it was like back when I was to young to remember. Bean Blossom is absolutely the place to be in June and Sept.

[@kdwilson65]

LAGOON118- I grew up going to Bean Blossom all the time. My father was staff band there throughout the 60’s and 70’s. He was friends with Bill Monroe, Jimmy Martin, Ernest Tubb, David "Stringbean" Akeman, among others. His band, Bryant Wilson & the Kentucky Ramblers, has a FB page. You are welcome to like his page if you are so inclined. I was born in ‘65 and was very young but remember playing with my friends (dad’s band member’s kids) out in those woods. I miss the old barn, however.

[@rrevved]

I was there! I had been picking banjo for only a couple of years and kinda picked out behind the 24 hr/day jams. FWIW, unless I miss my guess, and I apologize if I do, the music which begins at 6:38 (sounds like electric or enhanced bass to me) would not have been allowed on stage or even in the park. I don't know why anyone would think it belongs in this video. People were ejected for electric instruments in the parking/tent area. Mr. Monroe had no love for electric music. Period. Great video.

[@kenweichsel984]

Great film clip! I was there. Thought I'd look it up on Y-T, and here it is! Just like I remember, Hillbillies and Hippies playin' and listenin' and all caught up in the great vibes.

[@johnny85er]

this is just tremendous.. unreal to think about how long this festival has been taking place & how many people have shared such wonderful music on that land :)

[@JimWoltz-s4c]

This was performed by Gene Elders with my band Southland Grass from Roanoke Virginia albumn "doing some serious pickin'" recorded in 1976 in KA Studios/Threshold Recording Gene Elders went on to play for George Straight for 35 years. Gene was my vlose friend and just passed away this year and the music world list an incredible musician and good friend. Jim Woltz posted from Gene's celebration of life in New Braunfeles Texas Oct 1st 2024

[@blainemay8084]

Pine Mtn. Special bus at 3:05 carried a group from Pond Creek area of Pike Co. Kentucky called the "Tater Diggers" Sam King was the leader of the group and played the fiddle. His sons, Jerry and Greg joined him on guitar and mandolin. Jim and John May were also a part of that group. It really brought back memories to see that ole bus. It sat parked( thru the week) close to the home where I was raised in McAndrews, KY and then every weekend in the summer it rolled out to another festival. Later in life, I have had the good fortune to play the Hillbilly Days festival in Pikeville Ky. With Dr. Jerry King and friends. I also recently got to play at the Smith Fest hosted by banjo great, Rod Smith and family. During this festival, I joined three of the original, Tater Diggers on stage. Jerry, Greg and John still have great harmony and really put on a great show.

[@brodank]

This festival videos are AWESOME!! thanks so much for the uploads, they lift my spirits when i am stuck at the office and would soo much rather be jammin at a bluegrass festival

[@orvillej1]

This blows my mind. I found this clip after going to the audio collection that is linked at the John Hartford Facebook page. I was amazed enough to hear the audio from 1971 but then I came to this clip that is linked to the John Hartford Jam Session audio clip there. While watching, at 9:14 there's an audience shot and there I am!! This festival had existed as a fond memory for me for the last 40 years, but to hear the sound again and actually see myself in the film...wow. Thanks.

[@kdwilson65]

orvillej1 Are you the guy wearing sunglasses in the front?

[@JimWoltz-s4c]

This is Gene Elders and band Sothland Grass from Roanoke, VA see comment above for more info

[@orvillejohnson7235]

@@kdwilson65 No, I'm second from the right side of the video, dark hair and beard and a kind of pink-ish looking t shirt.

[@kdwilson65]

@@orvillejohnson7235 I see ya man! I was only 6 years old when this was filmed. My dad, Bryant Wilson, was Bill’s regular staff band there at Beanblossom for a long time.

[@zootcst]

I found this vid while looking for info on the sound system they used in 1973 to record Bill Monroe's Bean Blossom album. Very cool footage and soundtrack. Thanks.

[@fernstreetcircus588]

There's Roland White tuning an upright bass at 12:47 (a member then of Lester Flatt's Nashville Grass). Paul Warren at 13:07.

[@robbif]

This is a wonderful find. It was pointed out to me by 2 members of the Japanese group Bluegrass 45 who wowed the US crowds on the 1970s. It ties in with a project I'm doing to post a collection of bluegrass audio from Ken Landreth which includes this festival. Since I'm not allowed to add a web link here, Google for: Landreth Collection

[@gregsvideos3411]

Oh I'm glad to have googled that, that's a freakin' gold mine.

[@philthefiddler1]

Spectacular. thank you!

[@hoosierhiver]

Very cool, I live about 10 miles from Bean Blossom.

[@unclejeff64]

thanks so much for posting!

[@grasscapodetutti]

Bill 1:23,JohnHartford 2:09, Tut Taylor 2:19, Norman Blake 2:12 & 2:30, @7:26 is a fiddler w/out a right hand (cannot remember his name), Lester Flatt 8:20?, Doc & Merle Watson 8:38, Jimmie Gaudreau 13:24, Country Gentlemen 13:27, Bill Emerson, Charlie Waller and a bug @13:36, The Aereoplain Band-Vassar Clements, Tut Taylor, John Hartford, and Norman Blake (back to camera, long ponytail hair) 14:01-05. What a time capsule!

[@Kevindad123]

@KLewisChef I agree! You did'nt have a camera around every corner... This is a true gem.....

[@zachhudson9878]

John Hartford and the aereoplane band starting at 2:10

[@mikeo219]

on-stage too at the 14:00 min mark

[@BluegrassLibrary]

@musungutuloko It is the "Orange Blossom Special." The Fiddler is Gene Elders.

[@nickkihearth]

Do you know the source of this video? I really need to track down the rights holder for a national bluegrass music documentary. Or can you point me in a direction of where you found it?

[@SuperMIKEFREE]

If there was ever a place I'd love to go it would be the BBB. It's a long way from Ireland, but I think it would worth it.

[@Bascomblodge]

I got this from a long time bean blossom attender: At 3:46 or so.........standing with the guitar is Bill Banister, Roger is with his back to the camera with the long brown hair and to camera left is the two Crum brothers..... Don on guitar and Dean on banjo. About five years ago Dean passed away from a heart attack

[@SuperOlds88]

Look at all those American vehicles.

[@stansmad]

As a proud Hoosier, I have attended many Beanblossom festivals. Last attended in 2019, but the prices (especially the cart rentals are ridiculous, $1,400 for the week !) . With the talent roster and genres of music now being featured, I probably will not attend any longer. What a shame.

[@ClintonKnorpp]

vassar clements playing on fiddle, doc and merl playing around 9 min. mark, ralph stanley walking around, in the red mr. Jimmy Martin

[@SpeegBJ]

There can never be a lineup like that again. I was at that Bean Blossom and still consider it one of the most important events in my adult life, both musically and not musically.

[@KLewisChef]

life was such a simpler time back then

[@SpeegBJ]

Dr. Ralph Stanley at 11:22. Sharpest dresser to the end.

[@KyndestKid]

John Hartford at 2:15!

[@Cavemanfbs1]

Its gunna be different for sure but if we dont keep it going it will vanish.

[@kdwilson65]

I’d love to know who is singing the third song (Columbus) soundtrack of this video.

[@royrunyon8119]

This is remarkable!! I can type the lyrics into Google, and can't find that song.

[@DolittleMccoy]

Anyone know that name of the song that is playing at the 10:00 mark? And who's song it is?

[@JimWoltz-s4c]

This is Gene Elders and band Sothland Grass from Roanoke, VA see comment above for more info

[@Ron-jd4th]

AWESOME FOOTAGE!! Thanks SO MUCH for posting this!! One question I have, (concerning a rather humorous point in your video), is this: WTHeck happened in "The Country Gentlemen's" set, (around 13:53)??!! It appears that something flew into the stage area, which caused both Bill Emerson, & Jimmy Gaudreau, to "jump a mile backward!!! LOL!!! I dunno what it was, but for the most part, it appeared to be WAY TO BIG, to be an insect!! Perhaps a small bird of some sort?? 😊

[@BanjoChief]

Who owns this footage? Some video producers I know would like to use parts of it for a nationally-televised program on bluegrass music, but will need contact information. CAN YOU HELP??? Thanks. . .

[@JimWoltz-s4c]

Gene Elders and Spithland Grass out of Roanoke, VA see comment above for more info.

[@omahan7]

NiceMusic

[@Sambryan465]

That fiddler at the beginning kicks some major ass

[@cheryllynne5528]

That fiddler is Smokey (Don) McKinnis

[@Bascomblodge]

Bluegrass 45 at 6:45. From Japan. Ralph Stanley in crowd at 9:53, Jimmy Martin walking up back stage steps at 10:28. Ralph Stanley in crowd at 11.22. Jimmy Martin on stage 11:30. 12:20 Ralph Stanley on stage with Curler Ray Cline and I believe Roy Lee Centers. 14:10 Bill Monroe

[@huntermartin4281]

My uncle packing the bass at 0:35

[@markanger1206]

The second song sounds like the Crow Brothers .Who does the Columbus song and wild fiddling

[@fiddlingary]

7:31 Carl Story

[@musungutuloko]

What is the first song? It's so amazingly good.

[@RickRiman]

I think that's John Hartford on the banjo at 2:15. Anybody else have a guess?

[@wannabef]

Any idea who owns this footage? We'd love to use some of it for a documentary project.

[@JimWoltz-s4c]

This is Gene Elders and band Sothland Grass from Roanoke, VA see comment above for more info

[@fiddlingary]

Haskell McCormick next to Lester

[@94757598494309438]

Now that is a Demographically Diverse crowd!

[@SDCBMS]

Sounds like.... Train........,Train........ take me on out of this town.....

[@bjlittleton8074]

Been better to had it in spring or fall when not so hot