Cornbread Revival at the benefit for Saxapahaw United Methodist Church – photo © Laura Ridge

On Saturday, October 4, an estimated 300 people came to support Saxapahaw United Methodist Church after Tropical Storm Chantel left them under three feet of water in July. Reconstruction fees are likely to be $400,000. 

The benefit show in Snow Camp, NC was hosted by Buddy and Brenda Michaels, and William and Allison Riley. There were too many sponsors to list, but there roughly 20 local businesses helped sponsor the event.

Performers included Cornbread Revival, Hot Wax & The Splinters, and Carolina Critters.

Pastor Mandy Sayers said of the day’s events, “BBQ and Bluegrass; I think this is what Heaven will be like.”

The food was cooked by William Riley, with sides made by local restaurants. 

Anyone who would like to donate to help the rebuilding of the Saxapahaw United Methodist Church will find a donation link on the church web site.

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Kenny & Amanda Smith at the Camp Springs Labor Day Festival – photo © Laura Tate Photography

Laura Ridge was on site Friday for the Labor Day Bluegrass Festival at Camp Springs Blue Grass Park in Elon, NC. She shared these photos from the day.

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Open Highway at the 2025 Orange Army Bluegrass Festival – photo © Laura Tate Photography

Here’s a second batch of photos, and videos, that Laura Ridge shot at last weekend’s Orange Army Bluegrass Festival in Olive Hill, KY.

She captured a number of Saturday’s highlights, including a festival goer named “Slim” who cut off his hair to donate $2,700 to the Army’s efforts on behalf of cancer patients, a live auction for promoter Sleepy Porter to chop off his goatee which raised another $5,000, and a beautiful guitar built and donated by MC Casey Berry which was sold at auction.All told, the auctions raised $21,000 for the Orange Army.

Laura also shot video of some of the performers on Saturday, including Shannon Slaughter…

…Billy Droze and Gary Nichols…

… and Brandon Rickman with his sons, Briar and Chet.

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Appalachian Road Show at the 2025 Orange Army Bluegrass Festival – photo © Laura Tate Photography

Orange Army Bluegrass was organized 3 years ago by Sheila & Robert “Sleepy” Porter and several of their friends. Sheila had been diagnosed with breast cancer in June of 2022, and before they knew it, the bluegrass family was putting together a benefit show to help them with expenses. They both decided they wanted to pay it forward from that point on and organized Orange Army to help others in the same situation. They had their first benefit festival August 2023 at Mandolin Farms. All of the money this organization raises goes straight into the hands of cancer patients as everyone in the Army volunteers their time.

Their mission is described in this brief video:

I am honored to now be a part of the Orange Army Bluegrass family, and was present this past weekend at their 3rd annual event, which was held at the Carter County Shrine Park in Olive Hill, KY.

I met Sleepy and Sheila in January 2025 while covering the Pickin’ For A Purpose benefit concert for Hurricane Helene victims in Greenville, TN. In just a small amount of time I learned how special these people are, and I knew I wanted to help spread the word and get them even more support from our wider bluegrass family.

On June 12 of this year, Sheila Porter passed away. This would be their first festival without her, so I knew this would be a bittersweet time for Sleepy, and all who have surrounded them with love since day one. 

All proceeds from the Orange Army Bluegrass Festival are donated to the cause, which has been organized into an official charity. Their mission is to help cancer patients and their families with incidental expenses like travel and accommodations, without regard to medical expenses. Sleepy had noted how much that helped when he and Sheila had to travel to see specialists, and the two of them want to do the same for others.

I just need to express how wonderful this group of people are in the Orange Army. Last weekend was one of the best experiences I have ever had involving a bluegrass festival and fundraiser, besides the one day festival I did back in 2013 called Ridgefest.

My heart is so full! I cannot believe how much money was raised ($54,000), and how much time people gave to such a wonderful cause, none of them wealthy individuals.

As for the festival itself, the music and the atmosphere were wonderful all weekend. MCs on stage were Vic Adams and Casey Berry, who brought top acts like Appalachian Road Show, Hammertowne, Breaking Grass, and local favorites like Keith Prater & Lacy Creek to the stage.

The Kentucky Blood mobile was on site Friday, as well as King’s Daughter’s Mammogram Mobile. People who gave blood and ladies who signed up for a mammogram received a free ticket to the festival Friday.

Saturday featured a tribute to Sheila Porter with a sideshow and lantern release. That was a very emotional time for all on hand. 

During the festival, Sleepy got a call from Shaun Pope of Southern Home Renovations in Morehead, KY saying that he will donate 15% of every roof his company sells to Orange Army.

The Orange Army accepts tax-deductible donations anytime from their web site online.

We’ll have more of Laura’s photos from the Orange Army Bluegrass Festival tomorrow.

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The Grascals at Pickin’ For A Purpose (1/18/25) – photo © Laura Tate Photography

What a wonderful day of fellowship and music Saturday at Pickin’ for a Purpose in Afton, TN!

Bands who donated their time and talents to raise money for hurricane relief in Greene County, TN were Ashleigh Graham & Appalachian Highway, Tennessee Borderline, Red Camel Collective, The Grascals, Lonesome River Band, and No Joke Jimmy’s (Jamie Johnson, Josh Williams, Mike Cleveland, Kyle Perkins, Jason Davis, and Brandon Rickman).

Promoters Ronnie and Tara Crum put their all into anything they do. They’re known for their huge hearts and selfless charity work alongside their friends and helpers Tonya and David Tackett, Robert “Sleepy” Porter, Roger Shelton, Mr. Emmons, Gary York, and many others. With charity events like CamFest, Orange Army, Mandolin Farm, Skinnyfest, and Rudyfest, these hard working people have truly made a huge impact in helping our bluegrass family over the years.

Mark Ramsey, known from the popular show Moonshiners, came to MC the event, and little did we know, he can sing! The Grascals invited him up on stage to sing Lefty Flynn.

I asked Mark and Ronnie about how they came to know each other, and just like anyone else who has been bitten by the bluegrass bug, it was meant to be. They had met at the Dumplin Valley Festival years ago and have been friends ever since.

Quoting Tara Crum with regard to Mark Ramsey, “Mark is…. well he’s Mark! Just like the rest of us, with the most giving heart.” Ronnie asked Mark to MC this show and without hesitation Mark said, “You dang right I can!”

In between bands, there was a live auction for home made cakes and pies, raffle tickets were sold for a 50/50 drawing, and the final count on funds raised is $19,000, which was donated to AIDNET of Greene County. Donations are still being accepted online.

I am so honored to now know these fine folks, and have the opportunity to help with more charity events in the future.

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Cory Walker with East Nash Grass at the NC State Bluegrass Festival (8/17/24) – photo © Laura Ridge

Many thanks to Laura Ridge who shared all these images from the 49th annual North Carolina State Bluegrass Festival, held at the Camping World Pavilion in Marion, NC. She was there for the Saturday stage shows on August 17.

This is one of the many festivals managed by Evans Media Source, run by Ernie and Debi Evans in Florida.

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Lorraine Jordan at the 2024 Tony Rice Memorial Music Fest – photo © Laura Ridge

Laura Ridge was also in the campground over Memorial Day 2024 for the Tony Rice Memorial Music Fest, and shared these photos she captured in the park.

Many thanks to Cody Johnson and his staff for making our correspondents welcome at Camp Springs Music Park.

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David “Hambone” Hamlett, Brian Batten, Phil Wise, Clyde Mattocks, Pammy Davis Lassiter,
and Kevin Tompkins at Lorraine’s Coffee House (3/1/24) – photo © Laura Tate Ridge

Saturday night, March 1, I had the pleasure of attending the Dr. Tom Langdon Memorial Show at Lorraine’s Coffee House in Garner, NC. Tom was known not only as a fine reso-guitartist himself, he is also remembered as the late husband of Lorraine Jordan. Dobroists Clyde Mattocks, Pammy Davis Lassiter, David “Hambone” Hamlett, Brian Batten, and Kevin Tompkins all joined together to honor Dr. Tom Langdon with their beautiful dobros, being backed up by Phil Wise on guitar.

Doug Whitley of Highway 40 Bluegrass on Bluegrass Jamboree served as MC. Each musician chose a few songs and passed turns to each other to take a break in each song. The room was filled with love and peace and so much talent.

Susanna Langdon was there to embrace the camaraderie displayed in honor of her father. Lorraine’s Coffee House ran a live video feed on Facebook for those who could not attend.

Next weekend, Lorraine’s will be hosting a memorial tree garden event with the band Tom Langdon helped form, The Gentlemen of Bluegrass. If you would like to donate but cannot attend, you may do so here.

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