3/17/2018 Pot of Gold Music Festival, Rawhide Western Town, Chandler, AZ

 3 years ago today...

March 17, 2018 - Chandler, AZ

Rock, Bluegrass and jam with a Dead alum made for a festival St. Patrick's Day at the Pot of Gold Music Festival at Rawhide.

We were on board for Day Two of a three-day event at Rawhide, an Old Western town theme park.  Music alternated between stages in a covered pavilion and a grassy field with minimal break between sets.  The bands on this day targeted our tastes and demo.  The other two days did not.

Grateful Dead bass player Phil Lesh headlined the day with his Terrapin Family Band on the main outdoor stage.  He drew the area Deadheads and the day's largest audience.  Phil left most of the dialog and vocals to the band including his son on guitar, but did make a passionate plea for organ donation toward the end of his set.  Big Head Todd and the Monsters brought a rock element and great lead guitar work to the main stage.

Those groups were great, but we probably enjoyed the bands on the covered pavilion secondary stage just as much.  The Infamous Stringdusters opened the day showcasing their Grammy award-winning album and hot Bluegrass versions of pop songs like "Get Lucky."  The soulful sounds of Atlanta-based St. Paul & the Broken Bones followed on the same stage.  Modern country rock was represented by Cody Jinks in a raucous set.

The late cancellation of Sturgill Simpson was the only downer on the day.

We had comp tix and an unexpected last-minute upgrade to VIP.  This was a nice bonus as we were treated to a cowboy steak dinner, some festival swag and access to free non-green beer.  Luck of the Irish, indeed!