An incredibly sad loss!

Kent Gooding died on July 4th - in his 33nd year!  A wonderful person and incredible musician.  We had just really become friends in the last year as we enjoyed his music at several of the Winnsboro venues and at our JamFest in October and again at the MusicFest in May.  It was an honor to have him here.  We will miss him greatly!  He leaves behind a wife and daughter that would appreciate your prayers.


Here's a video of one of the songs he sang here in October. Kent at the JamFest

Wildernest Treehouse MusicFest

See the Musicfest website here!

The dates for the MusicFest are May 4-6th.  Buy tickets on the website or call 903-342-1854.

Only 250 tickets will be sold.  

See the website for important information about attending.

.

MusicFest on the internet

A Google search just turned up these hits on the MusicFest:

Winnsboro Online Guide weekly email

Winnsboro Online Guide

Wood County Electric Coop website

Winnsboro Center for the Arts website

Winnsboro Chamber of Commerce Facebook page

Heather McCready's press release in several locations

Mineola Monitor

Heather McCready;s Facebook page

Tyler Lenius website

American Classifieds website

Crossroads Music Company website

and all kinds of things on my blog where you are seeing this!

MusicFest posters going out today!

 

And the website www.wildernestmusicfest.com is already up!

MusicFest

There's been a lot happening with the MusicFest and we're now beginning to put some check marks on the to-do list.  The website is up, tickets are designed and ordered, the Chapel Worship Service program is in final draft.  The community is being very supportive and we are signing up some sponsors!!  Next on the list is working on the CD cover - looks like either a six-panel or the standard jewel case with an insert. Lots to say!  Gus is still working on the musician line-up but we've already got enough confirmed to put on a great show!  And still a lot happening that I can't put out here yet.  My blog used to be a personal/family thing but having referred to the MusicFest in previous posts Google is now sending quite a few people here.  If you're one of those I hope you enjoy your visit but note that you can get all the info on the new website.  The page up above is a link.  And remember to check the Crossroads Music FB page for future updates.

And if any of you are coming up on retirement and wondering what you're going to be doing with yourself, my recommendation is to find yourself a Gus (Gustafson) and put on a music event.  You will stay busy!

The bigger view

So far, the pictures of the stage that I've put on here were take to show the details of what we are building. These two are meant to give a hint at why it was a special place to many of the musicians that played here in October. One shows the stage and its' surroundings and the other was taken from the stage.

Wildernest Treehouse MusicFest stage - close enough to done to call it done!

Shadow loves the stage and is intimately acquainted with all parts of it!

The final touches this week were the lanterns on each side of the door, the milk can, and - most importantly - the "tin roof" over the left side of the stage (over the windows and doors).  Click the picture to see it better.

The inspiration for the stage design came from a John Fogerty video that Alex has.  The main elements are the "house" with the tin roof on the left side of the stage, the tree growing through the stage on the right, and the extension from the front of the stage.  The one on the video was huge but we got the main parts. Presentation will also include colored lights.  The last things we will add for performance times are (1) curtains and a lamp in the windows, and (2) the Crossroads banner that will take up most of the space between the totem pole and the door.  The "wings" can also be used for sponsor's banners.  We are about finished too with the backstage part of it that includes a big built in table for guitar cases and a short ladder/steps to a small landing behind the door so performers will be able to enter the stage that way.  There is a small cleared area for seating there too.  We've also done lots of clearing in front too to accommodate the larger crowd expected.  Several trees had to go but that makes the area more "park-like" and it also gives the remaining trees more room to grow.

The new stage after five days work

I like this shot!  It says that we are getting where we're trying to go.

Gonna look a lot better after we get the skirting on it.  Will probably happen today.

And this one really shows where we need to stain the new wood. The darker wood is the old stage (old like in October)

We'll probably finish the construction work today or tomorrow and then do some more clearing of the area.  Unfortunately the oak tree in the center will have to come down.  There are more trees too to cut down but most are dead, small, or redundant.  The stage is looking good!