We didn’t see any fireworks on the 4th, but my toes are tapping. If you didn’t attend the BaileyRae concert on July 2nd in Valentine, you missed a great time. BaileyRae hails from Oklahoma but, her family roots are in Valentine, and after her gig on The Voice last winter, I expect she’ll be seeing a lot of country. She’s just out of high school and has many years ahead of her to sing to folks who love the old-time country tunes.
The evening was a family reunion of sorts for the DeNaeyer bunch. Relatives from various corners of Nebraska were there. Kansas was represented as well, and I even said hi to another niece in California, by video.
We hadn’t partied enough, I guess, because the 3rd found us at the Carson ranch near Elsmere. You can literally miss Elsmere if you blink on that stretch of county road, but on the weekend closest to July 4th every year, there’s a line of campers and vehicles turning down Dobro Lane, which leads to the home of Dan and Shirley Carson. 2020 was the exception, for obvious reasons, but loyal followers of jam sessions were back in force this year.
We talked recently about people who do their best, and the Carson’s are solid in that category. American flags line the lane for the mile or so to headquarters. There was a large flag flying from the loader of a big tractor as we entered the parking area. Even the porta-potties are hung with red white and blue. Campers have a parking area under old cottonwoods, and more of those trees are interspersed around the yard, which is landscaped to the max with interesting antiques, Dan’s metal art, and lovely flowers. Under every tree you find folks circled up in lawn chairs. There’s playground equipment, a trampoline, and slip and slide for the kids, and picnic tables, benches, and hammocks here and there under a shade tree, for anyone who just wants a break.
If Dan sees you come in, he’ll point out choices. “They’re playing bluegrass over there, and some newer stuff on the ridge. Classics most everywhere else.” Guests wander from group to group, as musicians take turns choosing a song. “Here’s one that’s really old,” someone says, and after the first chord everyone picks it up and plays along. If you play an instrument and don’t have it in hand, someone who knows you play, tells you to go fetch it.
The huge Quonset has a sign-up sheet and sound system, so there’s always a set going there under another huge flag, and usually some folks dancing. Long tables are ready for the supper crowd; along in the early evening people bring out their coolers and add their contributions to the feast.
Shirley is in charge of organizing. She’s kind of hard to spot as she floats through the crowd, never seeming flustered or in a hurry. Dan floats from group to group, listening, joining in with his guitar, always encouraging and complimenting the other musicians, especially those who are kind of new at this.
It’s hard for me to tear myself away as the evening wears on and stars twinkle through the trees. No matter how late, I’ve never left when there weren’t still people jamming outside someone’s camper.
It makes me tired, to think of all it takes to accomplish this event. I always leave smiling though. That’s what happens when people do their best.