The day after a big rain there was a promise of good weather for an outdoor concert way out there on the prairie. So I headed east on a two lane blacktop, curved northeast, and after fifty-nine miles made a hard left onto an unpaved country road. Dodged few puddles and soft spots on the way to my first stop, which was my friends' house located miles from nowhere. Enjoyed good conversation, some delicious homemade stuffed mushrooms and a few excellent songs...which I may talk about another time. I would have liked to stay longer but I didn't want to be late for the show. So I got back in the car, turned left back on to that country road and drove due north for twenty-something miles, turned east at Honeywagon Corner until I came to Seymour Corner. Made a left and continued up to Highway 20. A right turn this time took me east for a few miles until I saw the sign -
I made it. One hundred and twelve miles, half of it on unpaved roads, but it would turn out to be worth it. I knew it would. Eliza Blue was hosting a free concert at her family ranch. Actually, it was more like a picnic -
...with live music -
(The JailByrds)
Opening acts featured some local talent, including singers aged 8, 13 and 14. They were all very good. I'm always encouraged when I see young people overcoming their fears and putting themselves out there to advance their art. I didn't take any photos of them. They were nervous enough without someone they don't know pointing a camera at them.
Headlining the show was Charlie Parr -
If you haven't seen him perform...you're missing an incredible talent. Seek him out. If he's ever in your area (or even out of your area), go see him. You won't regret it. I feel like I'm better off for hearing him talk about the "long view" and listening to him sing "I Ain't Dead Yet." And the man plays a pretty mean guitar.
It was a great afternoon and a wonderful evening. There is one thing I don't understand, however. On my way to the concert, somewhere on the Prairie City Road, I stopped to marvel at a vast field of sunflowers.
It was quite a sight. But I don't know why they all turned their backs on me.
Maybe they were just camera shy.
Roger O'Dea 8/7/2023
