I am a bluegrass newb but i can tell you that this stuff is so intimate and RIPPING its ridiculous.

After attending monstrous wook fests like phish shows and Bonnaroo and the like, it was so refreshing to get back to basics. THE MUSIC.
Thats what these fests are all about. My guess is that 70% of the people who go to these fests play music as well.
And out of that, ill bet that 50% of those who play have mastered the art of picking fiddle tunes.

Most of what these guys play are fiddle tunes and there are about 25 standard fiddle tunes that you HAVE to learn to REALLY become intertwined
with the jam. I just noodled along.

I didnt know any of the songs they played all night except for uncle pen and rocky top.
It was refreshing to be exposed to a new kind of music and scene.

It was ROOTS.

These fiddle tunes are a somewhat long semi complex phrase of staccato notes played really fast with a bridge or chorus or both.

I had the most amazing experience which was a great boost for my confidence in my ability but very humbling as well.

My first picking circle

I listened to these guys rip it up for about 2 hours.
Noodling quietly away from my own camp site till i gathered up the courage to approach the circle.
I was sooo nervous but this what I came for and i wasnt about to let a little insecurity get in my way .
I had never joined a bluegrass picking circle before , and these were talented bluegrass musicians.
I was intimated but determined to be a part of this stellar music.
Plus i was pretty warmed up after picking to them from a distance for the last 2 hours .

I stood there, (feeling conspicuous) with my guitar for a moment.
I scanned for a "dont interrupt" vibe...Its clear!
Time to step up to the plate. Musically in my mind , I was still an outsider, a question mark of soul and talent.
'Who is this guy?' gleemed the casual glances in my direction.

I decided to stand outside the circle until the song was over.
I figured that was the etiquette.
I was wrong...
HOLY SHIT...
The banjo player to my right has just stepped aside and motioned me to join!

'This is REALLY happening...'
It was fight or flight and I came out swinging.
I stepped into the circle and dove right in ....
It was fast and furious and holy shit im doing this!
oh my g-d ive joined the circle !!! Here it comes...
The banjo player to my right finished his lead and passed the molten lava to me .
In a millisecond, the precise reigns of musical momentum were in my hands for 2 mind blowing measures.
My kidneys throbbed with adrenalin, my fingers felt feather light ,ripping up and down the scales in perfect syncopation to the dazzling cross section of musical acrobatics flipping thru the air. Almost there
I was in perfect rythm and key , demonstrating my ability to join the ebb and flow of music.
My heart, now pounding thunder in my chest fuels my desire as I go for broke.
I double time the last measure, my eyeballs vibrating in my skull.
"Badadiddleiddleiddleiddlebadaiddlediddlediddledeerrrrr!"
YES!!
I passed thru the ring of fire and survived! The music never stopped!

I effortlessly forked the musical baton to the right,
contained my overwhelming sense of accomplishment ,
and jammed for a few more songs, feeling ( for lack of a better word) - accepted into this amazing musical brotherhood.
It was a musical high I will never forget ,
and hope to have many times over as i practice and practice ......