The HomeSkillet Records Blog

Home Skillet Fest '08 - Thursday

There is always a moment before the festival starts, specifically on the first day, that you wonder if anyone will show up.  I remember having the same feeling the first time I ever threw a party at my parents house (which, if you are living with your parents, you should never do). We had an idea from pre-sale tickets, but the number would have put us roughly at the same amount of people that came to the Thursday show last year - not enough.

Fortunately, it filled up, and for those that came, it was a great show.

Teri Tibbett (two b’s, two t’s) started the night with her set of about seven songs.  Her energy is always right on and it was perfect to see her up there.  She was at the first Home Skillet Fest and has been one of our biggest supporters. In fact, she told me, “I’m going to be here every year from now on.”  We will hold her to it. (if anyone has pictures from her set, we would love to add them.

Next up on the night was Vern Culp and his band, Finely Fine.  I had never heard them before, but they have played around town quite a bit.  Vern has helped us develop our festival over the last few years and it was great to see him enjoy the fruits of all of that.  His set was really well done and polished. He also mentioned his Sitka Arti Gras project for anyone wanting to participate - it’s an art & music festival held in Sitka in the month of March.  We need pictures of this set as well.

Home Skillet Record’s very own Strummin’ Dog and Lee Asnin played the next set. Something about hearing a slide guitar strikes a chord in anyone that hears it - it seems, right.  These guys have been playing together for awhile and for me personally, it was great to see them. The best part is they were having fun - and it’s this kind of familiarity that makes all of the hustle up to the festival worth it.

Our first “down south” act was Sonny Smith.  He had played last year with his band, and will also be playing again on Saturday night.  However, this night was special.  When we first started talking to him about coming up, he had requested to play at the Sheet Ka Kwan ‘naa Kahidi Community House, to which we were obliged. Sonny is a storyteller and he took the crowd on a journey into his world of short stories.  On Saturday, his band, “The Sunsets,” will join him headlining at the Harrigan Centennial Hall.

Tom Brosseau followed up Sonny and headlined the Thursday show. It’s always fun to get new blood in to Home Skillet Fest.  It seems like every year we have a couple of repeat musicians and a couple of new ones. At the end of each festival we hope that both the musicians and the audience walk away happy and excited to come back. Last night, after his wonderful set, we dragged Tom (and Sonnny) out to a late night bbq and stuffed his belly full of blackcod, beer, and rice - a wonderful combo. Tom is exactly the kind of musician we want to showcase at Home Skillet Festival and he really delivered on his set.

All in all we are really happy with the way Thursday night’s show turned out.  We had a sizable crowd and a great set of musicians who kicked off, what we hope, a successful Home Skillet Fest.  Tickets are still available at Old Harbor Book and the Devilfish Gallery, or can be purchased online here.

We will do a video post here soon - look for it!