Just back from Clifftop 2019, the annual premier gathering of Old Time Music fans and musicians held at Camp Washington Carver, in Clifftop, West Virginia.  This highly participatory festival attracts folks from all over the U.S. and beyond, and is known for its friendly and welcoming community of participants who engage in numerous and spontaneous jam sessions all over the facility.  The actual program of activities (which includes fiddle, banjo, band, and flat-foot dance contests) is but a sidebar to the sense of community that exists here.  To get a flavor of this event, go to Youtube and search for "Clifftop 2018" to sample the flavor of the event.

Those new to fiddle music (like me) will be welcomed into the slower "beginner" jam sessions and encouraged to participate regardless of their level of skill and repertoire.  Interesting vendors and workshop sessions round out the event.

A couple of interesting Old Time resource take-aways from this year's event.  First, check out a website called oldtime-central.com.  It contains a range of resources for the old time aficionados, including a guide to old time festivals and much more.

Second, The Old Time Music Hour is a radio show hosted weekly by Bill Smedley.  This is broadcast by two low power radio stations in Pennsylvania (WSOV 101.7 fm and WXPI 88.5 fm), but can be accessed via internet (just google Old Time Music Hour).  

Anyway, enjoyed the hell out of the event and definitely planning to go again next year.  Cheers!

DennisS