Posts Tagged: blowing rock event photographers

merlefest 2016 – the big wrap up

Pixels on Paper Photography Merlefest 2016 photo

Sythian, backlit

Merlefest 2016 had rain, sun, the pair of us wrapping ourselves in outerwear one minute, covering our equipment in plastic the next, changing into shorts and shedding same outerwear, then later putting sweatshirts back on, downloading photo files and racing to the next stage. WE LOVED IT. The pace was hectic and often we had to remind ourselves to eat and yet we still missed many meals. On almost every day, we would get out of the car, smooch and then not see each other again until it was time to leave that night. Occasionally we’d spot each other and wave when passing from one stage to another. (Fun tip: pack a spare pair of socks and keep ’em handy when attending this or any other multi-day fest).

Pixels on Paper Photography Merlefest 2016 Steep Canyon Rangers photo

Frontman for Steep Canyon Rangers – Woody Platt

Several bands we, and other photographers, were scheduled to shoot decided to block photographers from capturing any images right before going on stage. While we were disappointed, as were the crowds in the first few rows who were also banned, we did get to see new performers to Merlefest, some performers who’ve been tried and true regulars and some old timers.
Newbies included Lindsay Lou & the Flatbelly’s, from Michigan, who were lively and fun.
Pixels on Paper Photography Merlefest 2016 Lindsay Lou & Flatbelly's photoPixels on Paper Photography Merlefest 2016 Lindsay Lou & Flatbellys photoPixels on Paper Photography Merlefest 2016 Lindsay Lou & Flatbellys photoOf the regulars, the Steep Canyon Rangers did not disappoint. Out of Western NC – they drew an enormous crowd.
Pixels on Paper photography Merlefest 2016 Steep Canyon Rangers photoPixels on Paper photography Merlefest 2016 Steep Canyon Rangers photoPixels on Paper photography Merlefest 2016 Steep Canyon Rangers photoPixels on Paper photography Merlefest 2016 Steep Canyon Rangers photoPixels on Paper photography Merlefest 2016 Steep Canyon Rangers photoRyan had the pleasure of covering the Chris Austin Songwriters Competition and photographing participants, including our pal Meris Gant. Austin was a beloved country music singer and songwriter who passed in 1991 and the competition raises scholarship money for Austin’s Memorial fund.
Pixels on Paper photography Merlefest 2016 Meris Gant photoMerlefest will celebrate its 30th year in 2017 and we’re excited about what it will be like in 350 days. With all the new performers and regulars, it’s always nice to see someone who has been performing for 29 years and one of them is Peter Rowan. We’ll leave you with a couple pics of him.
Pixels on Paper photography Merlefest 2016 Peter Rowan photoPixels on Paper photography Merlefest 2016 Peter Rowan photo

We’re just now getting back to feeling semi-rested, and already looking forward to next year.

We love family portraits whether they are set in the studio, the great outdoors, a specific location like the mountains or high country, or on our property in our outdoor portrait garden.Pixels on Paper photographs babies and kidsengagements and weddingsbrides and special events and portraits of all kinds in our Wilkesboro, NC studio. We would be honored to meet with you, learn about you and your family and be a part of taking special portraits that will become, we hope, family heirlooms.

merlefest 2016

4 days, 18 bands, 13 stages, 74,500 roaming festival goers and 22 miles of steps for both of us. And all God’s children and Mastercard ad lovers said, “Priceless.”
We were asked to be official photographers again this year for Merlefest 2016 and were there from Wednesday to Sunday, so we’re splitting this blog into 2. We simply saw and photographed too much to try to load it into one. Like last year, it was amazing: the music, the lively vibe, the pace (read: non-stop) and we’d be lying if we didn’t say we were thrilled OUT OF OUR MINDS to have 3 of Misty’s shots picked up by major media outlets: Rolling Stone, Huffington Post and HCPress.pixels on paper photography merlefest 2016 rolling stone photoRanking the bands would take WAAAY to much negotiation, so we’re just gonna show you shots of those we covered and let you investigate those you’ve never heard of and grin at those you know well.
Barefoot Movement – a bluegrass, folk trio out of Nashville.
Pixels on Paper Photography Barefoot Movement Ryan photoPixels on Paper Photography Barefoot Movement Merlefest 2016 photoPixels on Paper Photography Barefoot Movement Merlefest 2016 photoBecky Buller – bluegrass fiddler, with a classical violin background and Old-Time/Country flair (Minnesota meets East Tennessee)
Pixels on Paper Photography Merlefest 2016 Becky Buller photo

Pixels on Paper Photography Merlefest 2016 Becky Buller photo

Becky Buller’s high-spirited accompaniment

Girls, girls and more girls! In order….
Emi Sunshine – a 12-year old dynamo/prodigy whose surname is spot on (from Tennessee)
Jennifer B & the Groove – Americana rock band out with a kick-butt front woman (Austin, Texas)
Sarah Potenza – Raw vocalist who leaves it all on the stage (Nashville, Tennessee)
And, finally April Verch, who Rolling Stone said best embodied the spirit of Doc Watson. She’s a CHARMER!
Pixels on Paper Photography Merlefest 2016 Emi Sunshine photoPixels on Paper Photography Merlefest 2016 Emi Sunshine photoJennifer B & the Groove…Pixels on Paper Photography Merlefest 2016 Jennifer B photoPixels on Paper Photography Merlefest 2016 Jennifer B photoSarah Polenza…Pixels on Paper Photography Merlefest 2016 Sarah Potenza photoPixels on Paper Photography Merlefest 2016 Sarah Potenza photoApril Verch…
Pixels on Paper Photography Merlefest 2016 April Verch photoPixels on Paper Photography Merlefest 2016 April Verch photoNow for some boys, starting with We Banjo 3 – a brilliant mix of Irish and American strumming, fiddling and flash.
Below those guys are Old Crow Medicine Show out of Nashville. We may have lost count, but there were at least 2 banjos, an upright base, guitars and fiddles.
And finally, the Wood Brothers – an amazing trio out of Nashville.
Pixels on Paper Photography Merlefest 2016 We Banjo 3 photoPixels on Paper Photography Merlefest 2016 We Banjo 3 photoPixels on Paper Photography Merlefest 2016 We Banjo 3 photoOld Crow Medicine Show…
Pixels on Paper Photography Merlefest 2016 Old Crow Medicine Show photoPixels on Paper Photography Merlefest 2016 Old Crow Medicine Show photoPixels on Paper Photography Merlefest 2016 Old Crow Medicine Show photoThe Wood Brothers…
Pixels on Paper Photography Merlefest 2016 the Wood Brothers photoPixels on Paper Photography Merlefest 2016 the Wood Brothers photo<Happy Sigh> enough for now.
Ok – two more: Sunday Morning Blues and South Carolina Broadcasters.
Pixels on Paper Photography Merlefest 2016 Sunday Morning Blues photoPixels on Paper Photography Merlefest 2016 Sunday Morning Blues photoSouth Carolina Broadcasters…
Pixels on Paper Photography Merlefest 2016 South Carolina Broadcasters photoMore in our next blog about the new-comers, the regulars like Steep Canyon Rangers and the old-timers who’ve made Merlefest every year for 29 years.
We’ll leave you with another media love-up, this one from Huffington Post. We couldn’t be more honored or humbled!
Pixels on Paper Photography Merlefest 2016 Huffington Post photo

 

We love family portraits whether they are set in the studio, the great outdoors, a specific location like the mountains or high country, or on our property in our outdoor portrait garden.Pixels on Paper photographs babies and kidsengagements and weddingsbrides and special events and portraits of all kinds in our Wilkesboro, NC studio. We would be honored to meet with you, learn about you and your family and be a part of taking special portraits that will become, we hope, family heirlooms.

the Grievous Angels ~ photographing a killer charlotte band

These guys use only the good notes.

Pixels on paper photography charlotte band music photoIf it’s your cup of tea (or whiskey) to go to a live local show, then you need to see the Grievous Angels Band. We ADORE them and were honored to photograph a performance of theirs. They’ve got some fab photos from fans and friends, but wanted a few more for promotional use and we threw our equipment in the car and sped their way. Do you like American music, vocals that range from gravelly to crazy smooth, guitars, guitars, guitars with texture, folk, rock and a confluence of talent, grace, mischief, energy and a pure force that brings you back to earth? These guys are for you, … and when we say guys, we mean guys (precisely 5) and one gal – Alicia – nicknamed “the Pistol.” Any woman who can elbow her way into that mix is a mighty thing and Alicia is mighty.pixels on paper photography charlotte nc band music photoThe photos for this session were taken in February of this year at Summit Coffee in Davidson where they perform regularly. As with all truly good live music, the vibe was raw and fun and we loved focusing on each band member. The Grievous Angels, by the way, are Joe Ciarlante, Tim Farney, Richard McDevitt, Reid Cathcart, Jim Gamble and Alicia Akima R Driver.

pixels on paper photography charlotte nc band music photo

Drummer (and booking agent) Jim Gamble

pixels on paper photography charlotte nc band music photographers

the lovely, the talented Tim Farney, Ladies and Gentlemen.

pixels on paper photography charlotte nc band music photo

(left) Joe Ciarlante and Reid Cathcart and the brilliant Richard McDevitt on piano

pixels on paper photography charlotte nc music band photos

Grinning Reid (left) completely caught up and DY-NO-MITE Joe shredding and singing on the right

pixels on paper photography charlotte nc band music photo

Reid Cathcart

pixels on paper photography charlotte nc band music photo

The Pistol – Alicia Akima R Driver (get OUT of the way ya’ll)

pixels on paper photography charlotte nc band music photo

L-R: Joe, Richard and Alicia

Pixels loves photographing musicians, as you know, and would love to do so for your band, group, ensemble, trio or musical tribe. We’re looking forward to Merlefest in a mere 4 weeks.

We love family portraits whether they are set in the studio, the great outdoors, a specific location like the mountains or high country, or on our property in our outdoor portrait garden.Pixels on Paper photographs babies and kidsengagements and weddingsbrides and special events and portraits of all kinds in our Wilkesboro, NC studio. We would be honored to meet with you, learn about you and your family and be a part of taking special portraits that will become, we hope, family heirlooms.