Clifftop 2022

8/9/2022 - Hello, Clifftop lovers!
Here’s my first film of Clifftop 2022. I arrived early this year to experience the people and the night before the “land grab.” Got some fun memories of that event. Figured out it's a great way to meet new friends that can steer you to jams and such once the regular crowd arrives.
The number of attendees was lower than anticipated this year, mostly due to the most recent Covid scare. But the enthusiasm was what you'd expect after a 2 year absence from the Mountain. Spirits were high!
As always, there’s WAAAY more footage than I can fit in a single film (under 40 minutes, anyway). So there might be another. I have a fabulous jam of Sail Away Ladies from the FoDa fun folks. Maybe watch for that later. In the meantime...
Click this video into a FULL screen and TURN IT UP! Many of you will be watching these attendees/musicians for the first time. Some of us will be reliving the 2022 moments again (and again... and again). Can't seem to get enough of the experience.
Enjoy the return of Clifftop!
Craig Evans
8/9/2022 Update: In case you’re wondering, yes, this is the second time I posted this video (I had to delete the first one). KZbin had edited out a section of a tune that had a copyright and left the hole rather ragged. Then the ending was shortened without explanation. The video is art… my art. Rather than leave it up there, tattered, I decided to repost. Yes, it had at least 2,200 views at the time, but the program is more important than the count.

[@kevinthepilgrim5441]

I attended a bagpipes convention in Scotland some years ago. I swear those bagpipes were still ringing in my ears a week later. It must be the same for the good folks at Clifftop. I envy them 😊

[@Rynriley]

Thank you for capturing me and Echo at 17:06. He loved clifftop and I loved playing with him! Unfortunately he passed away about a month ago due to an accident.

[@eea9374]

This video was randomly recommended to me on the front page. I'm a beginner mandolin player from Raleigh and this is exactly the type of event I would love. Thanks for the footage!

[@CnBlu]

Wonderful video, love the atmosphere. I'm enjoying American Old Time music from northern Europe and this video has me thinking I'd like to fly over the Atlantic and join one of these years

[@craigevans4010]

Do it! You won't regret it!

[@kenberner4051]

Thanks, again Craig! You continue to bring joy to those of us so physically remote from the midst of it all.

[@autismhangout]

You're welcome, Ken! So glad you can enjoy these. I love doing them for folks like you! Too good not to share.

[@anthonybalzarini-leonhart8562]

Excellent, Craig! Glad you got out to Clifftop, and thanks for bringing it to the rest of us in Minnesota and everywhere else.

[@23cpower]

Sweet. The Beauty of humans in tune.

[@larrythefairy1553]

It's so refreshing to see people hanging out playing music with no cell phones in sight. Great vid

[@ibassnote]

Nice! Haven’t been to cliff top in a decade but I was there for the second one when nobody was there at all until about Thursday or Friday!

[@charlieflipperrig]

Another great one, Craig, not that I'm shocked!

[@craigevans4010]

Thanks Charlie. :)

[@MSBurns-im8ih]

So fun to meet you in the line which is so much more than just getting in on the "land grab". Great video!

[@steveh2o]

Great Video as ever! Your videos are one of the many reasons that a trip to Clifftop landed on my bucket list to begin with. Attending this year I had such a grand old time I'm already planning for next year. Also, it was great to meet you. (I left this comment...more or less on the original version also.)

[@craigevans4010]

Thanks for the repost, Steve! Yours was one of my favorites from the first film posting. It was a pleasure to meet you and I'm delighted to know Clifftop met with (surpassed?) your expectations. :)

[@steveh2o]

@@craigevans4010 SURPASSED! I even started to get a big head and feel like I was low level "Clifftop famous" by the end of the week when the photographer from Goldenseal stopped at my camp and said "So you are the guy with the washtub bass people keep telling me about". Ha! (not sure what they told him about, I hope it wasn't how terrible I was.) ;o)

[@surreycountyfiddle]

A little late to the party but this is great Craig, thanks so much! If you're able to enlighten me as to the tune at 27:34 that'd be amazing. See you again soon hopefully.

[@bobpete4543]

Dunbar from Ed Haley

[@tiffanymitchellsetliff5915]

Thanks for sharing this!!! Enjoyed it!

[@bernhardnizynski4403]

Looks like so much fun!

[@5150show]

Outstanding

[@Dubhain82]

Thank you.

[@richardstevens5383]

Look forward to attending it an meet other banjo players to help me learn more ways of playing.

[@raindogtom]

thanks for posting rhis

[@loboyloboyloboy]

hey john and mary! it’s logan from indiana (who played with janan and dan). we had to leave early but happy to get to see you all playin thru the inter webs. shame we didn’t get to jam. what IS this tune you’re playing???

[@feelinghealingfrequences7179]

17:06 so cute

[@davidschumaker8107]

Sometimes it pays-off being a bird!

[@gregercalhan7059]

Great video, hope to make it some day. What is the song that starts around minute 21?

[@craigevans4010]

Salty River Reel

[@harrisonpantera7243]

Not sure how much traffic this video gets these days, but I'd love to know the name of the tune starting at 22:14 if anyone knows it

[@autismhangout]

Ootpik waltz.

[@NickJennings]

Anyone know what that beautiful song is at 10:14 ?

[@NickJennings]

Answered my own question, sounds like Over the Garden Wall (Recorded by The Carter Family)

[@johnmcneil9164]

Anyone know the name of the tune Trisha is playing at 19:10 ?

[@craigevans4010]

Pretty sure it’s Mississippi snagboat.

[@johnmcneil9164]

@@craigevans4010 Yes that's it! Thanks!

[@5150show]

One day ……..

[@kathrynswords2400]

is that Rachel!?

[@craigevans4010]

Yup.

[@dbadagna]

What a great video! Who is the banjo player at 25:30?

[@taylormorris_]

Idk, but he was killing it, for sure. I was amazed at how clear every note was, the banjo really held its own against the fiddle!

[@banjolady]

Brendan Kent he lives in upstate New York now used to live in Vermont

[@tomlamiam]

are there any non-musicians who attend?

[@craigevans4010]

Many. Mostly friends and spouses.

[@tomlamiam]

​@@craigevans4010 Got it. Grew up in an urban West Coast city and only stumbled upon old time during the pandemic and I've been hooked ever since. Just curious what the experience would be for a single non-musician who just appreciates the old time sound and vibe of the event. Thanks for capturing and sharing.

[@craigevans4010]

@@tomlamiam You’d certainly be welcome. Do remember though, a lotta introverts in this crowd. Just show up and patience pays off.

[@tomlamiam]

@@craigevans4010 I'm an introvert as well! Your videos are awesome. Thanks again for capturing this magical event.

[@SilverQueen]

I went back in 2016 as a non-musician! (Well, I dabble with the banjo but not enough to jam.) I still had a great time. There are lots of events throughout the day like buckdancing and square dancing classes, slow jams for beginners, etc. There was a shape note singing class that year as I recall. Stuff like that. There are also competitions that are fun to watch. I personally didn't feel comfortable watching people jamming unless there was already a crowd, because most of the jams are friends just playing together. But there are Facebook groups for Clifftop where you can maybe make some friends to tag along with during the week.