Alison Krauss & Union Station at Edgefield

A few months ago, Dianne e-mailed that tickets were going on sale for Alison Krauss and Union Station at McMenniman's Edgefield. We were ON IT! I bought the new album Paper Airplane and it has been on my playlist pretty much constantly since (I'm listening to it as I write this entry). My favorite songs from the album are Paper Airplane, Lie Awake, Miles to Go, and especially their version of Jackson Browne's My Opening Farewell.

Edgefield used to be the county poor farm. The McMennimans bought it and turned it into one of their destination spots: hotel rooms, a golf course, a winery, a brewpub, a spa and more. Last summer we went with the Frys and McDonnells to see Crosby, Stills, and Nash. Mark, Herb, and I played a round on the 3 par golf course before the concert stated.

The venue is a large grass bowl with the stage at one end; then a gradual rise to a rim that flattens out. I think it seats about 4,500. You can bring blankets or low beach chairs to sit on. There's plenty of food and drink. A lot of staff are around to keep things moving. You can get a look at it here on Google maps. 
The stage is on the upper right hand corner of the map.

Dianne and Carla went out early to get a spot in line. The best place is just on top of the rim; plenty close to get a good look down at the band and get a good sound. They snagged a great place. I had a meeting until 4:00; Herb came into town to pick me up and we headed out. We ended up way out in the north forty; on the complete opposite side where Carla had parked. Carla's sister Linda and our friend Marcia also headed out and found Carla and Dianne's encampment.

A little dinner of Hawaiian  pork (mine is better) and a Hammerhead beer made for a great night out.
Here are Linda (in sunglasses) and Marcia on one side of me.

Carla next to me; with Herb and Dianne on the left.

We also spent the past 3 months hoping for good weather; Edgefield is an outside venue and late June can be pretty iffy. It was cool and cloudy but not terrible. We had a couple of short showers push through during the evening, but nothing bad.

A warmup band came out and they were okay; don't know their name. Later Alison and the band

That's Jerry Douglas on the left playing Dobro; Alison, then Dan Tyminski on the mandolin. Barry Bales is on the standup bass and Ron Block is playing the banjo. The band has been together for over 20 years; though Dan may be a more recent addition.

The concert was awesome. This is the 2nd time we've seen her live. I don't go to many concerts, so it's got to be a special event to get me out there.  Alison has the voice of an angel and the band is so tight.  If you get a chance to see them, do it. Plain and simple.