The Festival was held at the Red Mill Museum in Clinton, New Jersey. Clinton is a charming town with historic buildings, which have been converted to antique stores, restaurants, coffee shops and art galleries. The town and music venue is situated on the Raritan River. The Red Mill Museum is an ideal place for a gathering. The River Stage as the name implies is by the river. Attendees enjoy a wonderful view as they listen to great music on the stage. The Quarry Stage is set against a backdrop of rocks and greenery looming over 100-feet high directly behind the performers. This setting is beautiful in daylight and entrancing at night with the stage lights reflecting off of it. There is plenty of room on the grassy knolls to set up a lawn chair and mingle with the crowd. The two stages are a short walk from each other so it was easy to check out all the artist who appeared on the alternating stages.

We were able to attend opening night of the Black Potatoe Music Festival. I must say that it was extremely well organized. The entire evening ran smoothly and a grand time was had by all! Artists were on and off the stage on time with no glaring gaps between sets. The evening's festivities started off with Gordie McLean on the river stage. Gordie is a local fingerstyle guitarist who played an animated set featuring the music of Leo Kottke and other personal influences.

Jazz guitarist Walt Bibinger was impressive.

Another highlight of the evening was finger style guitarist John Sheehan who is based out of Ringwood, New Jersey. Within minutes of his opening notes the crowd streamed to the river stage to check out this expert musician. John entranced the crowd with his fast fretwork and insightful original lyrics. The biggest complaint was that Mr. Sheehan's set was too short.

Walt Bibinger brought a jazz vibe to the river stage playing complicated riffs creating a beat and a lead at the same time. Incredible! The headliner of the evening was Jorma Kaukonen and Barry Mitterhoff, (aka) Blue Country. The two-some played an awesome acoustic set. Often Jorma played rhythm as Mitterhoff mesmerized the crowed with the mandolin and occasionally the banjo. Jorma on lead was amazing as expected and he played a varied set of Hot Tuna classics, covers and even two Airplane songs – "Good Shepherd" and "Embryonic Journey". The audience was thrilled!

Other musicians featured at the festival over the weekend included Levon Helm with David Johansen, The Holy Goats, Buckwheat Zydeco, Dyerweed and many local indie acts.

Jorma Kaukonen reacting to a musical moment with Barry Mitterhoff.

Related Links: For more information on Black Potatoe Music Festival and the other organizations mentioned please visit the following links -- Black Potatoe Fest | Jorma Kaukonen

(Originally Published on July 15, 2003)