Clifftop Highlights Reel 2023

8/6/2023 -
Dear friends in music, thank you for another truly magnificent mountaintop experience. Like most of you, Clifftop has become the highlight of my year.
As usual, I came back with way more footage that I can use in one show. So here’s reel number one. When time allows, pour yourself a refreshing drink, open this video full screen, turn it up and enjoy the memories of time well-spent among friends and loved ones.
Just a heads up, I’ve written a book about Clifftop... specifically, our experiences, relationships and passion within the Old-time music and dance community. I’m excited to share these thoughts with you. I’ll keep you apprised of the publisher's process, but I’m hoping to launch it sometime early next year.
Thank you for being a part of this astonishing community and this magnificent event held in this most extraordinary place. If there is a heaven on earth, this is it.
Love to you all.
Craig
PS - When you watch, don’t miss the delight in the faces of the players, those watching and the dances of the fingers, bows and folks in the back. This is what music does to and for people.

[@morbanjo2503]

Thanks for what you do Craig!

[@JanetBeth13]

Thanks for the generous use of your time and talent for sharing the magic of the moments!

[@edwinmcallister560]

I can't believe I haven't watched this till now! What a treat. First Clifftop I've missed in almost twenty years, but it looks like y'all did okay without me. Thank you so much, Craig, for catching the whole thing. It did my heart good to hear Chris singing the Doodle Bug Song!

[@autismhangout]

Hope to see you this year. :)

[@Rynriley]

Thank you Craig for capturing me (fiddle), Sammy Wetstiem (cello), and Keira (guitar) playing wizards walk at 31:40. I had an amazing clifftop!

[@rebelrog]

But there are two fiddlers, are you standing or setting? Whichever you are, you both play very impressively!! I was unfamiliar with that tune, I appreciate you leaving the name of it. God bless and happy fiddling!!

[@Romancandle5929]

Came to the comments specifically to see what song was being played at 31:40 definitely outside of what I'd expected in this video. Great job!

[@kcalhoun32]

Absolutely awesome, Ryn and friends! Ryn, you are a fantastic fiddler with your own world-influenced form of old time! I love it. Must be your classical background...? I love that your banjo player is using a resontator! ;-)

[@Rynriley]

@@Romancandle5929it’s a tune I got from the Portland collection called wizard’s walk

[@Rynriley]

@@rebelrogI’m the one sitting 😊

[@thewildhoneybees273]

Thanks for putting me in there, Craig! What a surprise to see myself in the opening segment!

[@Iliketobeactive]

One of the most important KZbin channels! Thanks for all you do

[@andrewwigglesworth3030]

Thank you for posting these videos, they are a delight to watch and listen to. I don't play Old Time music, or even live in the same continent where it's being played here (I'm sat here in the middle of England). However, I do play our own traditional music (at home, music sessions, festivals, dances etc), so I recognise so much of what is going on in your videos at Clifftop.

[@loishornbostel7253]

Thanks Craig. Lovely!

[@terryhoffer3360]

Thanks Craig. Great job as usual! I know you lost a little hide this year !

[@autismhangout]

T’was worth it! :)

[@dbadagna]

Thanks as always for capturing so many sensational moments.

[@craigevans4010]

Can't help it. If there was a campout where you could come close to interacting with the Divine playing music, this is it.

[@CliffRiggs]

Great seeing you this year, Craig. Thanks for the video!

[@autismhangout]

Good seeing you, Cliff. Happy you’re a part of this community. :)

[@jamadir]

You just made my week!

[@brentturner8085]

This is great! Thank you!

[@marvingoodman7381]

Just as it should be.....real folks making music and having fun....The thing that impresses me is the fact that a lot of them are young folks. It's so good to know that this kind of music DOES have a future...

[@AintItGreat]

GOLD every second is absolute GOLD

[@Hostetter100]

Incredible!!!

[@ubasshudson1]

Much appreciated

[@mitchmatthews6713]

It sure beats Lollapalooza!

[@3fiddlers]

Thanks!

[@mikemcmanus116]

Thanks.

[@johaunZ]

Wow!! Thanks for sharing!! Serious jamin! Just might have make the trip this year!

[@pauandres6815]

CLIFFTOPPPP i loveit. some day ill make it back :´)

[@davidhamilton7628]

Whew yeah whew yeah😂😮

[@kieranmoomin5826]

Kansas City Reel is real naughtical

[@therealmcoys3892]

Amazing video! I d really love to make it there sometime. Can anyone please tell me the name of the tune that starts at 15:15? What an amazing tune...

[@kenhforrest]

I see my band leader Denise Warren playing her mandolin here!

[@banjolady]

Lounging fiddle player in road to Malvern is Ben cocchiaro.. Tim Rowell on banjo

[@banjolady]

Love the Kevin Enoch and Dave Rice duet

[@mikesherman4513]

Bill Schmidt & Dave Rice

[@lapboard340]

14:41 Nice quilt!

[@jimselikoff889]

David Bass!

[@Campbells-Calamity-Soup]

Thanks for the video footage of the youngsters! 🎻🎶 (31:38) I'd like to share with credits if you wouldn't mind..?

[@banjolady]

Ken bloom on the strange looking instrument with the italian tune or whatever it is Brian Slattery on fiddle

[@craigevans4010]

It's Ken's zither. And he's playing an original number he wrote for a friend's memorial. I recorded the story for posterity. It's beautiful. Ken is a treasure.

[@Riverish]

@@craigevans4010 where can I find a recording of it? and what's the name?

[@craigevans4010]

I went back to the raw tape. The name of Ken's original tune is Tango De Cuevas. He wrote it for the memorial celebration of dancer David Cuevas. You can contact Kenneth Bloom at his site of Facebook. @@Riverish

[@Riverish]

Thank you so much!@@craigevans4010

[@user-xw8xe3hf4g]

12:35 great tune, anyone know the name of it? Great video overall. On my bucket list to get there one year 😊

[@autismhangout]

Road to Malvern.

[@user-ei1qf4lo4y]

that group at 1:00 in, holy moly, who are the players and what is the tune?

[@craigevans4010]

Hi John. Bull at the Wagon is the tune, started by Rosie Newton. The other fiddler is David Bass of The Freighthoppers fame. Frank Evans is on the banjo and the bass player is Rosie's husband Paul Martin.

[@mikesherman4513]

Kansas City Reel

[@camiecamper]

Do you know what they are playing at 23:05 ? It's so beautiful!

[@craigevans4010]

It's Ken Bloom on zither and Brian Slattery on fiddle. And he's playing an original number he wrote for a friend's memorial. I recorded the story for posterity. The name of Ken's original tune is Tango De Cuevas. He wrote it for the memorial celebration of dancer David Cuevas. You can contact Kenneth Bloom at his site of Facebook.

[@johnbanjo5772]

Does Clifftop have a main stage with bigger/well known musicians, or is it a get together for small jam sessions or both? Either way it looks like a great time.

[@autismhangout]

Yes, there is a main stage. Although they might not be known on a national/global basis, many of us turn out to support those community members that are advancing/promoting the art form of Old-time music. Small sessions are core to how it works.

[@dbadagna]

Did you capture some clogging in your other videos from this year's Clifftop?

[@craigevans4010]

Sadly, no. But there's another filming attendee, a clogger, that records dancers. Look for Clifftop films by Miss Moonshine

[@ngzcaz]

Love to know where these lyrics came from...

[@shoutingATclouds-btw]

Fiddln Ryn Riley at time stamp 31:41

[@strutt01]

Is this the Clifftop in West Virginia? I haven't been able to find info about it for a couple of years.

[@autismhangout]

Yup. It’s also called the Southern Appalachian Stringband Music Festival.

[@ryane1975]

What are the tune names at 13:45 and then the following tune at 15:15? Please and thanks! Great music!

[@sophia136]

I’d love to know, too!

[@3fiddlers]

Where is clifftop located?

[@autismhangout]

West Virginia. Google Appalachian String Band Music Festival

[@dbadagna]

I've never seen a jam as large as the mother of all jams (MOAJ) seen at 45:34. What's the story on how that one got started?

[@craigevans4010]

It's a breath-taking, beautiful experience. All those incredibly joyful, dynamic, magnificent women coming together to celebrate who, what and where they are. So powerful! I'm glad you feel it through the camera! I sure do. Ok. I'm going to see if I can find one (or more) of them to add to this response to your kind comment (explaining what this jam is all about).

[@dbadagna]

@@craigevans4010 This is my favorite "monster jam" old-time video of all time: v=73gamh_znMg

[@craigevans4010]

I can't get that to play. Try the COMPLETE address again? @@dbadagna

[@lynnhill9538]

Around 2012 or so a group of 8-10 women were jamming at the Rockbridge Festival. It was such a wonderful time that I decided to keep it going and with the assistance & support of my hubby, it has grown into what you see on the video. The EstroGin Jam happens at Clifftop & Rockbridge & is a highlight for many

[@craigevans4010]

Love this! @@lynnhill9538

[@Raybob51]

Do you happen to know the tune that starts around 38:30 ? I thought it might be "And The Cat Came Back", but it's not, and I can't place it now. Thanks.

[@jerryhannibal9056]

Josie-O from the playing of Art Stamper

[@Raybob51]

Yes of course. Thank you much!@@jerryhannibal9056

[@banjolady]

Rhys Jones riley calcagno. Paddy ??

[@jeddhaberstro9922]

Do you know the names of any of the musicians captured? I think that was Frank Evans on banjo in the first segment?

[@autismhangout]

The second (long tune) group playing Bull at the Wagon is anchored by fiddlers Rosie Newton and David Bass, formerly of the Freight Hoppers. Frank Evans is on banjo. I’m unfamiliar with the bass player.

[@Clomwellschimdt]

@@autismhangoutbass player is Rosie’s husband Paul Martin

[@craigevans4010]

@@Clomwellschimdt Thank you!

[@rappstephen]

@@autismhangout Isn't that tune actually called Kansas City Reel?

[@brianbrenner4288]

Anyone know the tune at 43:20?

[@autismhangout]

Liberty. Thomas Jefferson’s favorite tune.

[@feelinghealingfrequences7179]

23:06 fascinating insturment what is it called?

[@Riverish]

a zither

[@gracestormont5250]

Happen to know the name of the tune in the second jam?

[@autismhangout]

Bull at the Wagon

[@Jimmyrey6857]

38:25 Josie O

[@armageddonouttahere8972]

Anyone know the name of the Rhys Jones tune at 25:38?

[@nathanvargo4642]

Paddy on the handcar

[@armageddonouttahere8972]

@@nathanvargo4642 thanks 👍

[@feelinghealingfrequences7179]

32:00 anyone know the composer of this tune? wizards walk

[@TheTannerFour]

Jay ungar

[@CAVEDATA]

not the way it was wheres matt?