Woodstock `99

After a killer set we relaxed and took a few pics against “The Wall”.  As you can see by the smiles on our faces, the Woodstock Experience was alive and well.

The closer we got to the day of the gig (Thursday before the official opening of the festival) the more obscure the details became.  Woodstock `99 management made a last minute change by selecting local promoters “Copper City Productions” to oversee the local talent on the welcome stage.  Copper City added a second “Welcome Stage” and doubled the number of acts performing.  It wasn’t too alarming to find out that the majority of locals added were fellow Romans, including the promoters band, “Spanky’s Dilemma”.  I hate to bitch but as it was, splitting the sound system in half made no sense – we had a five piece act trying to get by with six mixer inputs.  And then they tried to confiscate some of our festival passes.  Anyways, as you can see by the pic us guys on the “Welcome Stage” were certainly a far cry from the “West Stage” where local acts Gridley Paige and Tom Townsley performed.

Getting selected to play Woodstock `99 certainly made for an exciting summer in Upstate New York.  Thanks to my partner and soulmate, Deb Jones, (the future Debbie Savage – she said yes in April 2001!)  I took the initiative to send a rough mix of my self-titled CD to the Woodstock `99 management.   We were one of 17 local and regional acts selected to perform.

there was a lot to see at Woodstock `99, from the mosh pit – to the East Stage – to the garbage.  Here is an interesting shot of a young mom and her child at Woodstock.  Mom had to spank the child for picking up food off the ground.  Obviously the kid was a little hungry – not to mention sun burned – unbelievable.  

Despite all the ups and downs and bumps and bruises, we had a blast at Woodstock `99.   Deb and I watched the fires and riots Sunday from the comfort of our couch on South Street in Clinton, NY.

Even as early on as Saturday, folks were getting rowdy as evidenced by this shot taken of people partying on the power trailers (security gave up on trying to keep em off it!)

NYS Hall of Fame Blues Artist George Deveny

John Savage

Frank Talerico