Here
is our story from the year we used an
uncomfortable, dirty, basic downsized campervan offering limited
amenities;
Our
RV doesn’t have built-ins, it does have a tiny holding tank and a small
sink.
These things are inadequate for a week of camping, so I have a kitchen
rigged
outside under a screened patio tent. No bugs. It is efficient. We are
surrounded by self contained RVs and tents.
I
find the minimum size doesn’t work well for me. I like my morning
shower and
dislike being dirty all day. Even though the ‘spit’ bath in our small
sink is
an option, it is not a favorite for me. Water faucets are scattered
around the
grounds for the campers.
As
we walk along the line of parked RVs, we enjoy the music being played
at almost
every campsite. We know we will hear the headliners practice clear into
the
morning and look forward to the rhythmic, joyful sound. Some bands
continue playing
well past dawn. It is a great backdrop for dreams.
Wandering
from jam to jam, dirt clings to me like a dust magnet. My feet are a
different
color from the rest of my body by afternoon.
This has to stop.
Late
into the first day, my husband and I drive to the nearest RV Park. We
introduce
ourselves to the owner and ask, “Do
you
have showers?” I don’t wait for a reply before adding, “Can we use them
daily
and what is the cost? We are from the Bluegrass Festival and many of us
want to
wash away the caked on daily dirt and be clean.”
“It
is $6.00 each person, but your husband and you can use one shower unit,
if you
like.” She is smiling and gracious.
OK.
I am too cheap to
pay that every
morning. I look at the woman behind the counter. “What can we do to cut
the
cost?”
She
thinks a moment, and then says, “You can shower free if you put on a
bluegrass
show next weekend for everyone at our park right here.”
“I’ll
round up enough people needing showers to agree to that. I’ll come back
with
several other musicians every morning for a shower and we’ll put on a
good show
for your park,” I have to add, “We promise to have a clean
show.”
She
laughs and says, “I am happy with that. We can’t get to any of the
shows because
we must stay here and run our park, but love bluegrass. Many retired
people
live here year round and for a variety of reasons, whether it’s a
limited
income or physical limitation, don’t or can’t get out. We’re too far
away to
hear the music. It’ll be the best of two worlds.”
We
shake hands. My husband and I leave that day clean, thanks to our first
free
shower.
When we return to the Bluegrass
Festival grounds, I round up musicians who are without showers in their
campers
or tents. It doesn’t take long to gather a willing group of grubby
musicians who
play a variety of instruments. Among these, a mandolin, a fiddle, two
guitars, a
banjo, and some are singers. My husband is our stand-up bass player,
and as
long as we follow him, our rhythm will be fine.
The
first musician is a banjo player from Canada. Banjos add a rich
authentic
bluegrass sound. We
begin by making a
list of songs we know. It is a long list to choose from, and offers a
variety
so we pick many pieces. We were strangers to each other before getting
together
to use the RV Park showers. Everyone agrees it is a good idea and worth
the
time and energy it takes to do this project.
We all hate being dirty. Our payoff is perfect for this
little group of
musicians, we are happy to be clean the entire time we are at the
Festival.
Some
of our little group are ‘greenhorns’ and have never performed on stage.
As we
get to know one another we find our strengths and weaknesses. We repeat each song together
until we are
playing as one. Every day we practice the songs we chose to perform.
The
beginners do quite well. We have a good time and lots of laughter as we
progress.
We
choose to wear the same colored clothes so we look like a legitimate
band.
The
day comes. We dress for our presentation. We load our amps,
microphones, music
stands, instrument stands, all our instruments, and make sure our
tuners,
capos, and finally our music is in place. We have written lyrics and
chords of
our songs with us. It will prevent any goof ups. I emcee and have
notes, ready
to introduce our little band.
Proudly
standing on the make shift stage. We are inside the opening of a large
barn that
houses a fish hatchery. Behind us and next to us are rows of fish
tanks. It’s
an unusual yet tranquil setting. We set up in the large opening with
doors
swung back against the barns front walls. I face a crowd of people
sitting across
a green lawn. They warmly welcome us with applause.
My
mouth is dry, I feel sweat run down my brow, I take a deep breath and
begin.
“Good
afternoon. We are proud to bring you Bluegrass music today. May I
introduce the
“Mountain Shower Bluegrass Band”?
I hear
giggles behind me. They didn’t know I was going to do that.
We
play our hearts out and are well received. I have no idea how we carry
through
the show with the stage fright we all have. Somehow, we manage.
I will remember this neat experience. Bluegrass music will always have a clean-cut, dirt, dust and grubby free, spot in my heart.
