Hello festivarians, I bring more news of Telluride performers.
But first may I digress?
Today’s lineup announcement has me thinking back 18 years ago to 1992. Some of you may remember the 20th annual. It was an extra crazy festival for us as Ferg was putting together our first festival radio show hosted by Emmylou Harris and I was producing a live recording that ended up being our first festival double CD called Planet Bluegrass; Incredibly Live. The collaborations that year were special, with performances like Shawn Colvin’s Shotgun Down the Avalanche accompanied by Mary Chapin Carpenter, Alison Krauss and Bela Fleck…and John Cowan’s over the top vocal on the Beatle’s Oh Darlin with Bela’s fledgling Flecktones… even I got to play the mainstage with Jim Salestrom and Timberline. I still remember taking my radio off, jumping out on stage to play and going right back to work immediately after the set. Fun times….
1992 was also the year that brought Ralph Stanley and the Drepung Monks of Tibet to the same festival. Whooa… that was heavy. But later, hearing them woven together as an intro to our radio show, I knew I had heard a truly original musical moment that somehow as made sense. For those who missed it, I’ll make sure to find that soundbite for you to hear.
Guessed who it is yet?
The music and contemplations of the Monks became a transforming part of that year’s show. Their live performance was also released on a Planet Bluegrass CD that is now out of print. Anyone have that? I remember thinking that I would probably never have another opportunity to produce a Monks CD so why not go for it.
Ah, the magic of Telluride.
So, this Sunday, I’m pleased to announce that the Monks will be back for your Sunday morning wake up call. The Monks have come to the US from the Drepung Loseling Monastery in India with the intention of preserving their endangered Tibetan culture. They have set up a center in Atlanta where they continue to cultivate both heart and intellect and provide a sanctuary to nurture inner peace and kindness, community understanding and global healing. They will also be leading a meditation open to all over the Telluride weekend.