Mountain Jam 2008
by Peter Aaron
...“Even though [WDST] had sponsored smaller concerts before, we’d passed this 25–year milestone so we really wanted to make a big splash,” Chetkof recalls. “But we had no idea that [the first event] would be so successful. We got such positive feedback from the bands and so many of the people who attended—they all started telling us, ‘You should do this again!’”
So the independent commercial broadcaster did just that, in grand style. In the relatively brief time since its inception (“on a shoestring budget,” Chetkof says), Mountain Jam has become one of the biggest outdoor music festivals on the East Coast, growing from a one–day to a two–day affair and, since 2007, to its current three sprawling days of non–stop music, artisan and food vendors, communal camping, and boundless fun. 2008’s lineup of over 30 acts promises returning favorites like Gov’t Mule, Michael Franti & Spearhead, Medeski, Martin & Wood (this year with jazz guitar god John Scofield as Medeski, Martin, Scofield & Wood), and Grace Potter & The Nocturnals, as well as first–time sets by Bob Weir & Ratdog, Levon Helm, Sharon Jones & the Dap Kings, Ivan Neville’s Dumpstaphunk, the Drive–By Truckers, and many more.
Last year, the festival scored another major coup when Gov’t Mule leader and occasional Allman Brothers guitarist Warren Haynes signed on as its co–sponsor. “Having Warren directly involved is great, because having his name on the event really gives it more credibility—not just among fans, but also among other musicians, which helps attract other bands to perform,” Chetkof explains. “He really believes in the event and loves it because he gets to jam with the other artists. Warren’s been a friend of the station for years, and we have very similar visions about a lot of things. Our whole agreement is a handshake deal.” CONTINUE...
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