Camp Counselor Derek Reflects on His 15th Summer Camp Music Festival

Yeah, I’m the jackass with no shame in opening many of my festival conversations with “I’ve been to every Summer Camp ever” – and I’d be lying if I didn’t admit to being especially proud this year, the festival’s 15th. Celebrating “the 15th anniversary of that time I hung out in the woods with Al, Chuck, Jim, Rob, and Vinnie” was a truly amazing experience. And if those names don’t sound familiar, you’re A) probably much younger than I am, and B) definitely not coming off your 15th Summer Camp. In 2001, as I entered Three Sisters Park for the first ever Summer Camp Music Festival, I approached the main entrance, an orange-netted safety fence (the kind that catch runaway downhill skiers) located just in front of the area that currently hosts the Grassroots tent — formerly a cement slab that acted as the “second stage” of two at the event. I didn’t know then that this would be my home away from home for the next decade and a half. I was just a wide-eyed 22 year old excited to see three of my favorite bands at the time: Ekoostik Hookah, The Samples, and moe. At the time, there were no names for the two stages, and while I realize DJs have been around longer than 15 years, there were certainly not enough booked in 2001 to indulge the EDM fans that now spend a full three days at the Vibe Tent. Other things that didn’t exist (or weren’t common) at my first Summer Camp? Well, I did not bring a cell phone into the first festival (the iPhone would not be around for another 6 years) and back then we still called them “car phones”. Digital cameras weren’t around yet either – in 2001 I brought the ole trusty disposable kodaks (and possibly a 35mm Advantix roll). There was also no Facebook at the time (and it was pre-Myspace too). There were very few flat brimmed caps, there was no slapping the wine bag (when the hell did that start anyway), there were no wristbands, and for that matter… there were very few music festivals in general! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aTxpW12hJjo I went to the first three Bonnaroos (a legendary time in my mind), but soon realized that I was looking forward to Summer Camp more. It was more manageable in terms of size, weather, and location. Over the years (and they all kind of blend together) my family and friends came to understand I would not be around during Memorial Day weekend. This year, I joined the ranks of the infamous Nick Stock and friends as a “Summer Camp Counselor,” an honor I’m sure had something do with my 15 years, and probably also my profession as an art director. I was reluctant to be a part of the program in previous years because we all know part of what makes a festival special is being where you want to be when you want to be there. Fortunately, there are a diverse group of counselors and the program encourages just that. Thursday evening I tucked my 2-year-old son into bed, said goodbye, thanked the wife and packed up the 06 Hyundai to head down to camp. Fifteen years ago I plotted the route out on a paper map. This year, I told Siri, “Give me driving directions to Chillicothe.” Arriving late Thursday night I spent the evening playing tunes from the back of my car until meeting up with the head of the program. Fortunately, he left me in good hands (and at a good spot) with a group I’m happy to now call my friends too. And isn’t that part of the magic of Summer Camp? I set up in the dark while listening to the Infamous Stringdusters – a solid start to the weekend! Friday morning our first order of business was to… introduce moe.! I’ve been on the main stage as a fan before… however, this was something more special. It was only for a minute, but being up there to introduce a band I love meant a lot. After that it was off to interview Janis from Family Groove Company on the Ferris Wheel. Why the Ferris Wheel? Because she is afraid of heights. Look for that from my fellow Camp Counselor Carmel in the coming weeks. It’s also spawned an idea that I hope to debut this time next year… the “uncomfortable artist interview”… hammocks, tents, showers… i’m taking this everywhere but the porta potties! Each year there is generally one act I am looking forward to most… this year that act was Godboner. And man, do I love to say Godboner. While I am not a Umphreak per se, I do enjoy their immense talent. Watching them with Huey Lewis a couple years back was a great treat as Huey was my first concert. And the set with Aaron Freeman (aka Gene Ween) this year was equally satisfying. It also happens that I have a long standing love of Billy Joel, and that cover of “The Stranger” was oh so funky.  So well done Godboner — in the absence of Ween, it was the next best thing. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fdu-hmVaZCE The rest of my Friday night consisted of Old Shoe in the Soulshine tent, The Main Squeeze at Campfire, Karl Denson at Starshine and moe. in the barn — all phenomenal. Speaking of Old Shoe, if you stumble upon a band with drummer Greg Fundis, go see them (Old Shoe, scamp veterans 56 Hope Rd., Fareed Haque and Math Games, and anyone else who is smart and needs a bad-ass drummer). Main Squeeze was one of those bands that I didn’t know anything about and stumbled upon. I’ll be seeing them again. Amazing energy and musicianship. Saturday brought more Gene Ween (Freeman) with a solid set on the main stage. At that point it was time to visit the band of an old college theater friend… The Fergus Daily Band. Oh the connections you find at SCamp. The Femmes were very big in my youth, and it completely amazed me how many people they drew to the main stage that knew every single word of their hits from 25+ years ago. They sound just as good as they did back then. moe. kept me busy for the remainder of the evening. I fell asleep after the moe. set to the sounds of Kung Fu – mind you, I’m a very heavy sleeper (and they were tearing it up on the Campfire Stage). Sunday. the rain came. In the scope of Summer Camp, this weather wasn’t so bad and after a short delay I was catching the end of Bruce Hornsby with moe. – a real treat. Bruce Hornsby was joined by his Noisemakers following that set, and he’s still got it. Later on Sunday, Steve Miller played a solid set of hits with a very tight band. I have to admit, I wouldn’t have pegged Victor Wooten as a huge Steve Miller fan, but there he was standing next to me in the crowd with his enormous lens’ed camera snapping away for a good portion of the set. Of course, it made perfect sense when Steve Miller introduced (his extremely talented keyboardist and probably the best singer on stage) Joseph Wooten. From that point on, my path was less clear, as there was a bit of carousing and bouncing around the Three Sisters Park. However, without a doubt one of the highlights of the festival came when I stumbled upon a group of mummies. My first thought was, what the hell is this? Now as I told my friend who wasn’t particularly happy with their set, “You’re at Summer Camp, and they don’t have bad bands at Summer Camp. So there’s that.” But mummies? Well, don’t judge a band by its covers. Judge it based on 10 bad-ass musicians who produced the Great Wall of funk. And with songs like “Kinda Lingers” (say ten times real fast and you’ll get it), they were lyrically entertaining as well. The lore is that they are Grammy-winning studio musicians under contract with major record labels and as such, must conceal their identity. I don’t care if it’s true or not… they were a blast. I ended my SCamp the way I always have for 15 years… with the only group of musicians who have been to all 15. My boys from moe. never let me down. I did get to say hi and thank Al for 15 years, but I’m not entirely sure he believed me. Summer Camp is a home to many. And for some of us, it’s the only place we get to be who we really are for a whole weekend. See you next year! ]]>