Greenfest on the Green Belt, 9.29.12

Big Gus Samuelson

The theme for the day seemed to be “It is what it is.” The Greenfest on the Green Belt, held Saturday after months of planning by Texas Parks & Wildlife and the Friends of the Green Belt, was carefully planned out to accommodate thousands of visitors to the state park between Denton and Pilot Point. Mother Nature had its own plans, and opened the skies on the grounds, most of the time in slight sprinkles, but enough of a threat that people stayed away in droves.

The music tent, large and closed in on three sides, was built for the musicians, their equipment, and the sound equipment. But, as the day moved on and Dustin Perkins was scheduled to kick the music off, the fans in attendance were the die-hard fans of both the Dustin Perkins Band and Big Gus & Swampadelic. Later in the day, Bleu Edmondson was due to perform, but planners excused him because of the weather.

Dustin Perkins

Another case of “it was what it was” was that the Dustin Perkins band members had separated the night before, and so Dustin played a solo set.

It was what it was… incredible music performed by incredible musicians, and heard by fans including some new ones who took seats underneath the big tent.

When Dustin opened, he logically, faced outward toward the parking lot with its vendors, rock climbing equipment, horses going by, and activities in the ready. His fans were behind him, out of the sprinkle. So, two songs later, he turned around and played to those inside the tent. Dustin played his standards, drawing out an older song “Whiskey or Me,” when Big Gus requested it. He also played a new song he wrote very recently with Austin songwriter Drew Kennedy.

Big Gus & Swampadelic circled up, facing one another, and the crowd on the provided chairs underneath the tent stayed in place. One woman, at the end of the set, said through the smile that had never left her face that she never dreamed she would hear such great music at the event. The camaraderie between these band members made it fun not only for them, but for everyone.

The band’s new CD, “Parlangua,” made its first appearance at this event. The band’s No. 1 Fan, Tracy Lester, took care of sales, and even with the smaller-than-usual crowd, there were a few CDs that rode home with new fans Saturday evening.

It was what it was… a great day — overused superlatives aside — a great day!.

For lots more photos, click here

Category: *- Features