My First Rally

[plyonsMC9]

It looks like finally our family will be attending our first rally.      I'm planning on taking my wife, daughters (high school, college age, and some of their friends, in our Moose bus to the Choo Choo bus Rally.     For us the location is fairly convenient (we live southwest of Chicago) and we like Tennessee.  My high school daughter likes Country Music, and so that has got her interested. 

Never having been to a rally I'm not quite sure what to expect.  Hoping maybe someone will bring a few bluegrass instruments & maybe some jam time?  Or maybe I can listen to others play as well?  Does that happen at all rallys?   Just some?   Or not?  Do folk bring more country-type instruments since this is a country music type rally?  At least, that is my take reading the announcements. 

Please let me know - I realize we are putting this on, but I'm trying to figure out what happens behind the scenes! 

Looking forward to finally meeting some bus folks.       

Kind Regards, Phil

[HighTechRedneck]

Everyone is welcome to bring their instruments and have jam sessions.  There is a large maintained grassy area adjacent to the campground parking that we are welcome to use.  So you can set up chairs out there, or even bring a canopy pavilion and set up on it (in fact that would be great if some people that have them brought them along.

Then inside the building, there will be a 20' stage for the evening entertainment.  Folks are welcome to use that during the day if they would like to jam with a full stage and whatever audience that happens to gather.

Bluegrass is very welcome, and in fact some of the evening entertainment will be performing bluegrass.  In fact if a group of y'all want to practice a bit together during the day and then put on a 15-30 minute show in the evening up on the stage, I'll bet we can work you in.

Likewise any musical bus nuts that would like to perform in the Gospel concert at the other end of the park on Sunday, just contact me.

[plyonsMC9]

OK- I'm planning on bringing my doghouse (standup) bass.    Hope someone else will bring some bluegrass instruments. 

Kind Regards, Phil

[bobofthenorth]

Phil my experience has been that rallies have personalities just like people.  Some are very structured, "well organized" with agendas and programs and everybody doing things according to a schedule.  Others are random with things happening spontaneously and unpredictably.  Some have little cliques that get together and have a grand old time with themselves while others are very open and welcoming to newcomers. 

Since this is the first Choo Choo rally you will have the opportunity to put your own stamp on the rally's personality so my guess is you will be able to do the things you want to do if you just go ahead and do them.

[plyonsMC9]

Thanks Bob. 

I'm obviously a total noob at this but am looking forward to it.  Thanks for giving a bit of guidance.  OK then, my stamp is - break out a few instruments!       It will be fun if I even just get listen a bit. 

Kind Regards, Phil