Jerusalem’s First Country Music Fest

Moving to Florida as a teenager, I was exposed to Country Music for the first time. This was back in the 70’s when Willie Nelson and Waylon Jennings were all the rage. I actually got to go see the “Outlaws” concert featuring Willie, Waylon, and Dollie Parton, and it was amazing! I bought the record and learned every song, but my absolute favorite was the country spoof on what a country man really expects of a wife: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BWpYQjuJ0u “Put Another Log On The Fire”.  It was a riot!! During that time, my high school boyfriend was a real country boy. We would get together with his friends to sing and play country music at its best with him on the “Harp” the harmonica. Those were the days!

Now, since moving to Israel many years later, I learned that Country Music has morphed into something I am not familiar with, featuring new stars I couldn’t so much relate to. I guess my love of music was the memories, and for those of you who have been to my festivals, you have seen that I am truly stuck in the late 60s and early 70s.

I missed hearing Country Music of old on the radio, not something really played in Israel besides Jonny Cash (who, of course, I love as well!) I learned a long time ago from my mom that if you love something and it doesn’t exist where you are, you can create it!  Such has been my experience in Israel, being the only producer of monthly old-time Rock Festivals in Jerusalem. So I am at it again with Jerusalem’s first Country Music Festival.

Looking for the best (in my opinion, of course) Country bands in Israel was not a chore. They seemed to pop up all over the place from both North and South of Jerusalem, all excited about the idea of participating in this special and exciting event.

For those of you who have not been following my events over the last year, a well-known puppeteer and theater producer, Adam Yakin, founder and director of the Dancing Ram Theater, approached me about a collaboration of a special type, unheard of in this country. “Tracey, I went to visit a friend in the theater world of Jerusalem at Kfar Shaul mental facility in Har Nof, who was struggling with a breakdown. Everyone who had visited her focused on her struggles, whereas I, on the other hand, asked her advice on my projects. All of a sudden, she perked up and started shooting off ideas left and right. Shortly thereafter after she recovered and was released. I, on the other hand, could not stop thinking about the effect our conversation had on her.  Right then and there, I decided that creative projects and culture are what these patients need to help pull them out of their state of mind.  Believe it or not, after decades of locked gates to the public, Kfar Shaul agreed to allow cultural events to take place on their grounds, much to the excitement of the patients there, some of whom had been hospitalized for decades.  Tracey, my forte is theater. How about you take over the music side of things? We all know how nothing speaks to the soul more than music!” Well, as a festival producer and addiction counselor using creative arts to help my clients express themselves I of course agreed. And what happened next?

We began our journey at Kfar Shaul, which Adam now refers to as Jerusalem’s newest Cultural Hub with Jerusalem’s First (have you noticed how I love saying that? Lol!) Beatles Fest! Nervous that the audiences that frequent my outdoor events might not be willing to come to a Mental Health Facility to see a concert alongside the patients, I waited to see what would happen, and I was amazed!! Over 250 onlookers from all over the country joined us for a fantastic evening of Beatles music featuring bands from all over Israel and Yes! Even some of the talented patients joined the stage as well. The audience reveled in the experience, singing along and enjoying not only the joy it brought them and their families and friends, but also the patients, many of whom knew the songs and sang along as well.  As my mom used to say, “What can I tell you?” an experience no one would ever forget. (For the full article about the event, see my blog: https://blogs.timesofisrael.com/jerusalems-first-beatles-festival-an-exciting-event-at-an-unexpected-location/

Ok, now back to our upcoming Country Music Fest. Three of my favorite Country bands in Israel were available for our festival. The Mottis I had seen perform years ago and simply loved their music!! Here’s a taste: https://www.facebook.com/MottisBand/videos/2107635756147520

How three young Israeli musicians knew the music of old-time country singers such as Merle Haggard, Buck Owens, Willie Nelson, and more was such an exciting surprise, and their execution? Well, you will have to come and see for yourself!

Next was the Double D Strings Duo, whom I had the pleasure of bringing to one of my shows at the Break Bar. Talk about a creative duo, David Gellman, an American, excited us with his singing and guitar licks, but most interesting for me was that his partner, Dima Rojavski, who was from- wait for it! Siberia!!! I didn’t know that Siberians even knew what Country Music was!!!! Here is a taste of them as well: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=prvC0hhgq1c

Last but certainly not least is the Folk Trio and the Gang led by Bar Hodis.  Their harmonies, instrumentals, I can go on and on.  One member is more memorable than the other.  Here you go: A taste of this incredible band: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TAhUkgFc8D8

Well, by now I hope you are as excited as we are. And who knows, maybe we can encourage some line dancing!!!

Join us on Thursday, June 19^th, at the Kfar Shaul Cultural Hub in Har Nof for an unforgettable outdoor event on the grass, of course, with chairs also provided.  Bring your picnic dinners- without alcohol or glass bottles, please, for the safety of the patients who will be joining us as well!! With a family-friendly atmosphere, we will begin at 6:30pm and end at 9:30pm. For information on advanced tickets contact Tracey Shipley at 0548108918. Tickets are only 60 sh in advance and 65 sh at the door. Bring your dancing shoes and your cowboy hats and join the fun!! See you there!