Had to miss the Ct Folk Festival main event.

Despite my best intentions, family took precedence over music, and I was unable to attend the Saturday evening concert. I did get to hear some of the free afternoon show, includingThe Nields, sisters, with their beautiful sibling harmony singing, and state troubador Chuck E. Costa, of the gorgeous voice and fine songwriting. I also got to hear CT's smartest band, The Professors of Bluegrass, who played a lot of BIll Monroe tunes in honor of his birthday 100 years ago on Sept. 13, 1911. Monroe is one of the true legends of American music, and a big influence on everyone from the Beatles to Elvis Presley. In fact Elvis recorded Bill's "Blue Moon of Kentucky' in July 1954, and it ended up the B side of That's Allright Mama, Elvis' first big hit. There will be more concerts and events celebrating the life of Bill Monroe, and I will be posting all about that. In the meantime, go out and listen to live music, the performers will really appreciate you being there supporting them. A musician's life is a tough one; away from family and kids, bad food, sleeping in every kind of cheap motel and worse, all for meager pay if they get paid at all. I don't mean to be overly dramatic, but as a concert promoter I hear the stories. They really do enjoy doing what they do, so show them the love. That's it for tonight. Check out The Outer Space 295 Treadwell St. in Hamden for some fine live music.