Well, my last day here also. One last report. MAB and Jimbeau are always just GREAT!! Real entertainers. They have a pretty big following down here and I'm sure they could come down anytime and be a big hit. Again, I cannot explain the magic. You just HAD TO BE HERE!!!
What a GREAT surprise getting to see OD again!! It was really funny how it happened. MAB and OD were coming up the stairs looking for me, just as I was walking out the door to go do something. Of course I saw and recognized MAB right away. Didn't even see OD, because he was the LAST person I was expecting to see. He was sort of beside and a little behind MAB, and after I shook MAB's hand, OD put's his hand out and says, " Hi. I'm OD" Of course, before the words got out of his mouth I recognized him. But it was really funny, and I wish I could have seen the look on my face. I'm sure it was priceless! THANKS OD FOR MAKING MY TRIP!!!! It was GREAT catching up again. If you ever feel like getting out of the house and taking a trip, come on down to Ocala. I even have your own house (well, RV) you can live in while you're here! LOL And you'll even have your own coffee maker! LOL Actually, that invitation goes out to all of you Rampers!
The last great thing I had happen was I got to catch up with Chris and Camille Wallin again. Caught their set, and afterwards went up to talk to them. Now, I met Chris many years ago, and then met him and Camille about 2-3 years ago in Nashville. I told them they probably didn't remember me and introduced myself. They said I looked familiar. Then I reminded them of the time in Nashville and the first time I heard Camille's song, "Breath". A song about a mother talking to her premature baby. It happened right at a time when there had been a premature birth of one of my grand children, so the song really hit home. They both remembered that night and it was some kind of magical connection between us.
One other thing about Chris. Every song he played tonight was a top 5 or #1 country hit. AND, every one of those songs, the first time I heard it on the radio, I thought, "You know, I bet Chris Wallin wrote that song. I could see in his eyes he was really excited when I told him that. BUT, it IS true. These top writers all have their own "signature" if you will, and once you hear their first big hit, you can recognize that signature in every new song they write when you hear it. Even MAB's songs have a signature and I can recognize it. There are a few songs he has that are recorded by other artists, and when I hear those artists sing that song, I just somehow know MAB was a writer on it.
it's amazing, if you just GET OUT, the wonderful, and very talented people you can meet. Will I ever get a chance to write with these folks? I HIGHLY doubt it! BUT, that is not my goal anyway. I just want to be able to say I know the guy who wrote that song.
So, that is the FBISF report. If anyone has any specific questions about the festival, I'll try to answer them.
phil g.