Crozet Music Festival 2010

Event founder Biff Rossberg clearly has an “in” with the Big Guy. “I’ve been praying for months for great weather,” he said and clearly his prayers were answered this weekend at the 4th Annual Crozet Music Festival as the sun shone brilliantly over a record crowd gathered at the Misty Mountain Campground to hear this year’s line up of local musicians.

With its side-by-side main stage set-up, the crowd didn’t have to wait more than fifteen minutes ever to see the next musical selection. Headliners on the three evenings included local favorites, Skip Castro Band, promoting the release of their new CD, the Rogan Brothers and Alligator. That Skip Castro and the All-Star conglomerate Alligator could close out their respective nights to a foot stomping crowd of hundreds is a true testament to their staying power on the local music scene.

Said co-organizer, John Updike, “our mission, from day one, really, is to show local musicians that they are appreciated. Even though there are so many national acts coming to Charlottesville venues these days there is still a wealth of music in Charlottesville and Crozet, so from a local and regional standpoint that’s been our goal …to bring in good local musicians and show some appreciation for them.”

Rossberg and Updike certainly had their pick of participants this year, with twice as many acts expressing interest as they could fit on the bill. And though not booked into the traditional headlining spot, any number of the other acts this weekend could certainly have done it justice, including but not limited to William Walter and Co., 6 Day Bender or the Steel Wheels, touring on the release of their critically acclaimed CD “Red Wing.” Said performer Peyton Tochterman about the event: “it’s home grown and its local, and that’s the coolest part. Biff and John have worked their butts off to put this on. There are a lot of festivals in Virginia, but this area, Charlottesville and Crozet didn’t have this, until now, so it’s good.”

And if that weren’t enough to whet your musical whistle, a quick wander up the hill to the indoor stage provided a steady stream of smaller but equally as talented acts. Side show scene stealers included duo act Jamie Dyer and Jamal Millner and Boston based band the David Wax Museum, a rising star duo featuring local gal, Suz Slezak and partner David Wax. With their engaging chemistry and very unique Mexo-Americana sound, featuring Suz on the donkey jawbone, this band won’t remain on the sidelines for long.

With its incredible team of board members, technical and sound wizards, sponsors, vendors, community friends and scads of volunteers….. accompanied by its mission to partner with and give back to the community and celebrate what is unique in Central Virginia music the Crozet Music Festival has staked a solid claim on the festival map and is here to stay. “This is a fun event,” says Rossberg, “I think more people should like fun. People don’t have enough fun.” If you weren’t there for the fun this year, you missed out. If you don’t attend the next, shame on you.