Four years ago Kirk and Kelly Davis came up with an idea and vision that any fans of their favorite band could ever hope for, and brought it to fruition. The idea of setting up a music fest, in which that band would be the sole focus, and in our case bring together not only the fans and the band, but a place where the interaction and getting together of fans and most definitely friends alike, could drop everything in their world and get together for three days in the most intimate of settings. For us, the Jackmormons have been around for a while and the majority of those attending all know each other well enough to form a kind of unique family that in my opinion only music could somehow play a major part in. We have seen this in large versions like that of the Grateful Dead. However, Dixie Mattress and Jerry and the Jackmormons came together to create something much more personal.
Jerry Joseph and the Jackmormons have had a very tight group of fans for a long time and there are usually several opportunities that a majority of the fan base will plan ahead and see a few shows together. Aka…NYE run, Colorado runs NW runs, etc. Dixie is much different in the sense that it has been hand crafted to happen at the same time every year and hopefully at what now looks to be the same venue which is where it was this past June at the Pendarvis’ Farm in Happy Valley, OR. There could not be a more fitting and conducive place than this to put this get together on. As Dixie has been THE gathering place for JMOS fans around the country, this year seemed to be extra special. I attended the first DMF but did not go to the last two. This is simply because I am usually home in Colorado entertaining a great number of old friends at a certain annual concert out here. It is hard for me to pick between the two, but what it has come down to, especially as we grow a bit older is the family that is brought together and which band is clearly playing on a higher caliber. These days that family or groups of friends are my JMOS friends, and that is why I will always attend this Festival.
This year the Jackmormons had just come off a run of shows supporting their new album Happy Book, in which I was able to catch two shows in CO before heading out to Oregon for the Dixie Mattress Festival. I had been looking forward to this for so long, talking to my friends from Oregon, Seattle, Idaho, CO, Montana, California, the Midwest, and those from the East coast. Since the band had been playing to back the new album, most of the shows where very similar, in that they played a great majority of the new album at each show, which the exception of Steamboat Springs, where the they played an all old school set list show. This is one thing I knew would be so great about DMF. The band wasn’t going to their festival to push the new album on us each night, we all already knew every song by heart, yet they had 3 days and 7 sets to play a hugely mixed bag of songs spanning material from Jerry’s days in Little Women to his newest song to date. This obviously grants great diversity.
When I first arrived I set up camp at my Camper and began to explore. The Pendarvis’ Farm is definitely a cool place consisting of acres of camping surrounding two main barns where the music took place. There were already paths set up with lights and random trinkets (Giant sculpted horses, and a not quite sure if its real, piano outside in the middle of nowhere, yet a great landmark to let you know you were near the show. All Jackmormons’ sets except the Sunday acoustic show took place at the main Galaxy Barn, which literally had a single horse stall and grazing area attached to it, with an old zook horse that added just that much more ambiance to the place. The other side had a huge bonfire pit and a place to grab some food. We even had a Chili cook off on Saturday afternoon and me and my Teammate Emika took second, Thank You. This barn couldn’t have been a more perfect size for the crowd, the band, and the sound and lighting to all fit together. The infamous Jim Bull took over sound duty as he had for many, many years before for the Jackmormon’s. It has often been said that a JMOS show isn’t a JMOS show without Jim Bull at the helm Friday night got started with a couple opening acts; Adam Sorensen, Quasi Horse, and the infamous Stunt Poets. Then it was time for Jerry and CO. to take the stage.
The first night was an incredible start to the weekend. There are too many Highlights for me to post them all. My focus in this article is not to point out what sounded great and what didn’t. With were the band is now, every moment was one to remember, with the band giving all they had to give every moment. I would rather, as I have already begun to above, tell you about the uniqueness of the festival itself and those involved and document it with the many photos seen throughout and the mental spurts as they arise. Below are the set lists from each night. If you’re a true Jackmormon’s fan the set lists will speak for themselves.
6/22/2012
Set I: Mary Star of the Sea, Prince of Denmark, This is the Place, Sodaman> stranger in a strange land> young blood> Sodaman, Yellow Ribbons> Powderfinger> Yellow Ribbons^
Set II: Apollo, Golden American, Fastest Horse in Town, Wild Wild West, Kerosene Dream, Election Day> Milk, What I Live For, I Know there’s a Darkness^
Encore: Electra-Glide in Blue, The Kind of Place^
^with Jenny Conlee-Drizos – Keys & Vocals; Michael Lewis – Guitar & Vocals (Entire Show)
Saturday woke us early after a cold rainy night, but things got moving quick knowing we had to have our chili made for the Chili contest at 3pm. We were also treated to some other afternoon sets from Adam Sorensen and Mexican Gunfight in the Galaxy Barn followed by the Jackmormon’s. Just a perfect time to refuel and catch up with friends from the night before.
6/23/2012
Set I: Happy Book, Campo Miguel, Wonder Wheel, Revolution> Chainsaw City> the chain> Chainsaw City> Revolution, Ship, Spit
Set II^: Radio Cab, Ramasita> Brother Michael> amazing grace (hymn)> Brother Michael, LAX, The Beautiful Dirt, Break it Down, Light is Like Water> two hands> Light is Like Water
Encore: Mile High Mile Deep, Pink Light
Entire Show w/ Michael Lewis – Guitar & Vocal; Jenny Conlee-Drizos – Keys
^Dan Eccells – Guitar (second set)
After the Jackmormons set on Saturday we were treated to a late night DJ set by with DJ’s Dex & John Robert who really were Junior and Steve in full décor. They kept us dancing until the wee hours of the morning.
Sunday was a standout day for several reasons, but the first being the unique acoustic set that they played in the smaller Woods Stage, which is actually where Kirk and Kelly had earlier in the day renewed their wedding vows after 25 magnificent years of marriage. This truly brought on what I thought to be a perfect impression of what this festival is all about.
As we all sat around in this tiny room with our best friends and families, we anticipated what was to come in this super special acoustic set, which was taking place in such a surreal unique venue. Jerry’s son Judah was present up front to give Dad that extra push. It was a special moment indeed. My favorite moment, however, had to be the Anaconda that I had been pushing for in every way possible (I was told they spent 45 minutes rehearsing it and heard a rumor as so far to say for me), as it was my favorite off the new album and had not been played
6/24/2012 Acoustic Set at the Woods Stage
Radio Cab, Two Balloons> roll with the changes> Two Balloons, Cloud Eyes, Belmont Radiator, Ship, Unprotected, Anaconda, King of Love, The Road Home
Though we had just gotten a very special acoustic afternoon set, we still had 2 more electric sets later that night and a couple more bands to fill in, in between. One of which was led by Jeff Crosby a 25 year old singer songwriter from Idaho. Jerry made sure to tell the crowd not to miss his set. It was impressive and his guitar playing was great!
6/24/2012
Set I: Dixie Mattress, Staplegun> showbiz kidz> Staplegun, Whatever’s in the Basket> while my guitar gently weeps> dear prudence> Whatever’s in the Basket, Altar in Your Box> Spin Cycle> North> monster> dogs> Spin Cycle^
Set II: Evasive, Temple of Love, Without a Rope, Kicking Hong Kong, Life’s Just Bitchin’, Savage Garden^^> heart and soul> I Wanna Dance with Somebody> Ramasita> love is all you need> Savage Garden, Eat my Soul, Amazing Grace (hymn)^
Encore: I wanna dance with somebody> We Will go Down> Good Sunday> my sweet lord> saint is just a sinner> Good Sunday
^with Jenny Conlee-Drizos – Keys; Michael Lewis – Guitar & Vocals (entire show)
^^with Jeff Crosby – Guitar (Savage Garden thru Encore)
What more can I say about this show other than Life’s Just Bitchin’! This song had not been played since 12/31/03. And I couldn’t believe we were hearing it. It just goes to show how great this band is and how strong it’s community is. There couldn’t have been a better place to be with better people to experience it with. I want to thank Kirk and Kelly for starting this festival up and creating the “Vision”. I want to thank Jerry, Junior, Steve and Jenny for making some of the best music a person could see with props to Michael Lewis for sitting in all weekend. I would also like to Thank the Pedarvis’ for providing the most perfect place to let us just do our thing. If you have any interest in this band or have any good friends that do, I can’t stress enough the importance of you being here next year. You won’t regret it!
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As always, I dedicate this piece to my Mother, Kathleen McAlaine. You are soo loved. RIP
All Photos courtesy of William McAlaine, Jr
