Meet the new flyer…. Same as the old flyer

Updated – at least a little.

Hey folks, I finally got around to doing some updates on here.

The lineup is pretty much final and looks something like this

• The Davisson Brothers
• The Recipe
• Tom Batchelor Band
• Buckstone
• Staggering Cardoons
• Mike Mitchell
• Big Jer & his Rockin’ Mandolin
• Smilin’ Joe
• New American

I will have the exact schedule worked out soon and will post it here when I get it finalized.

I am also VERY happy to announce that Raven Rock Jam 2010 is sponsored in part by Morgantown Brewing Company. A huge thank you to Art, Brian, and all the folks at MBC for helping make this happen.

I have spent the last few weeks getting things ready around the house. Trying to make thinks look pretty and clearing out some new camping spots out in the woods. Hopefully there will be some of you taking advantage of these new spots and spending the night with us.

This year we will have a professional video crew on site recording all the action. Some of this footage may end up being used for a promo video for the Tom Batchelor Band and possibly for a documentary for The Davisson Brothers Band. So to make things a little more visually interesting this year, we have decided to go with a theme – “Mardi Gras on the Mountain”. Soooooo, if the spirit moves you, feel free to come dressed in your Mardi Gras best. I have also invited some artist to come out ahead of time to do some art installations around the property. If you are an artist and would be interested in participating, just let me know and I will fill you in on the details.

We are just a little over 2 weeks away, and I have lots of stuff to get done,  so, until next time…….

See ya on the Rock!

Travis

WOW, It’s Next Year Already!!!

Sorry I haven’t updated this site for 2010, just haven’t had time.

BUT…..Raven Rock JAm ’10 is happening on August 14th. I will eventually get the website updated, but in the mean time check us out on Facebook for all the details.

See ya next year

WOW! I think that sums it up best. This weekend was damn near perfect. Everyone came together and had a great time. Unfortunately, we did not even come close to covering our costs, let alone raising money for FODC, but other than the financial aspect the weekend was a complete success.

We had a few power issues that had to be dealt with but we got that situated eventually. There were also a hand full of people who, for what ever reason, did not feel compelled to donate to the cause and decided that they should get free food and beer anyway. And the worst thing that happened is someone decided to steal the leftover buns, plates, and forks and spoons. If you needed the stuff that bad I would have given it to you. If  the people who did this happen to read this, please don’t come back next year. You are not welcome.

With all the negative stuff out of the way lets move on to the fantastic things that went on this weekend….

It all got started early in the week when my neighbors, Dave Shaffer, Mike Smyth, Jamie Hamlin, Chris Baker, and Joe Watring came out to help get things prepared. We built the stage, ran lights, and set up tents, tables, and chairs. Of course we had a few beers at the end of the evening. While we were doing this, Erin and her friend Kristen made signs, cleaned the garage, hung more lights, and lots more.

On Thursday my good friends Ian Bode and Brian Buckner showed up and we continued to all bust our butts to get things ready for the big day.

Once Saturday rolled around, almost everything was in place. Steve and Tex got here and started setting up the PA and lights, and people started rolling in. The music started around four and the party continued until the early hours of Sunday morning. The food was fabulous thanks to Buddha and Tony. Jamie, Josh, Chrissy and Jessi made sure everyone parked in the proper spots. My dad and his wife maned the donation booth the entire day. Tents were popping up around the yard and off in the woods. A lot of old friends came out and I met a lot of new folks that I am sure will eventually become old friends. The Raven Rock and Mountain Village neighbors were out in force, including a few that I had not met prior to Saturday.

Professor Bubblemaker was a huge hit with the kids and adults alike. The kids also expended a lot of energy on the bounce house, then regained that energy in the form of a sugar rush from the Create Your Own Cookie station.

The music was amazing and eclectic, and I heard great compliments about each and every performer. Jim Stallings did an awesome job as MC and provided a bit of comic relief while introducing the bands. After the main stage shut down sometime around midnight, the campfire was blazing and the Stagering Carddons, Tom Batchelor, Gregg Lowly and many other pickers headed over there for a late nigh jam that was a great night cap. And how could I forget to mention Big Moe, who may be what this party is eventually remembered for.

The next morning I awoke to a relatively clean yard. I was very happy with all the people who helped by not only cleaning up after themselves, but also after those who did not clean up after themselves. Brian, Ian, Dave Thomas and his wife Trish all hung around on Sunday to help get things picked up and packed away. Later that night we tapped the one leftover keg and relaxed around the campfire and reflected on the good time we had the day before.

On Monday, the garbage went out to the street (about 30 bags), and Dave, Mike, and Jamie came to help me get the stage down. Which brings me to today. Erin and I finally got more than 5 hours of sleep for the first time in about a week. Unfortunately though, Erin had to go back at work today. I am currently waiting for MPE to pick up the stuff we rented from them then I have to continue cleaning and getting things back to normal.

I want to say thanks to each and every one of you who came out an joined us. It was a great time that I will not soon forget. I hope you all had as much fun as I did.

There are a few folks that I want to once again give a big super special thanks to, because without them, this would not have happened.

In no particular order……

My Dad Rick Carrow and his wife Lori, Ian Bode, Brian Buckner, Dave Shaffer, Mike Smyth, Jamie Hamlin, Joe Watring, Chris Baker, Cody Hamlin, Jordan Hamlin, Dave Pell, Buddah and Tony, Josh, Chrissy, Jessie, Dave Thomas, Trish Thomas, Pam Porfeli, Kelly Fletcher, Dara Aliff-Lao, Dina Sharps, Don and Joni Sharps, Miss Mindy, Jason, Joni, Kristen, Steve and Tex from H.O.S.S., Rick McCandless and his family, Jim Stallings, Lindsey Clear, Big Jer, Brian Pickens, Nick Sickles, Forest, 100 Hurricanes, Staggering Cardoons, Tom Batchelor Band, Gregg Kelly, Jim Short, Justin Byers from De Lazy Lizard, Gary Tanenbaum from the Blue Moose, Brian Knight from DocuPrint, Ben from Rythem and Brews, Tony from Ralph’s Beer Distributor, Randy from Suburban Sanitation, Mandy from Team Health, all my neighbors who did not call the cops.

Finally, I once again want to express how lucky am to have a wife like Erin. She not only allowed me to indulge myself in this fantasy of producing a festival, but she also put up the money to make it happen. She and her friends and family busted their buts to help out, and I can only pray that she enjoyed the day as much as I did.

I will soon be posting lots of pictures and I ask if any of you have any pictures that you send them to me so that I can share them here.

Hope you all had a great time, and we will see you soon.

Travis

It’s the final countdown!!!

Da da da daaaa, da da da da daaaaa…….

Here we go! Tomorrow is the big show. The stage is up, the port o pottie is here, the lights are (mostly) up, and now we just need some people, music and beer!

Its a little rainy right now here on The Rock, but tomorrows forcast is looking pretty good. Highs in the mid 70’s and only a slight chance of an early shower.

When you get here, look for signs to direct you to the proper parking area. Campers, bands, and vendors will be parking in my front yard. Anyone who does not plan to stay all (or at least most) of the night will be parking in the lot just past our house. Please use common sense when parking.

• Lock your cars.
• Don’t block other cars.
• Make maximum use of the space we have.
• Park only in designated areas.
• You are responsible for your vehicle.  RRJ and the owners of the parking lot are not responsible for any loss or damages to your vehicle

We have a few camping areas set up. One will be more of a quiet area for families with kids and those who want some peace (relatively speaking). There is another set up in the woods where we will have a bon fire pit. Please bring all your camping gear.

• Tent
• Blankets
• Pillows
• Flashlight
• Tarps
• Anything else you think you will need for a night of camping

Big thanks go to all the people who have been out here helping out getting everything set up. Chris Baker, Joe Watring, Cody Hamlin, Jordan Hamlin, Jamie Hamlin, Dave Shaffer, Brian Buckner, Ian Bode, and anyone else I may have missed. I also want to say thanks to Scott and The Porfelis for loaning me the generators to provide the juice for this shindig.

So……

“Come on you hippies,

you doctors and lawyers,

Come on you bikers

and all of your friends.

It’s the one time of year

We can all get together,

Way up on the mountain,

at the Raven Rock Jam”

Well, my brain is fried. It has been a long, long day, but a lot was accomplished. Thanks to a lot of help from my neighbors Dave, Mike, Jamie, Cody, and Jordan we got the stage up today. Also the big tent and the jump house were put up today. Erin and her friend Kristen also got a lot of stuff done. Flowers were planted, signs were painted, beer was consumed, chicken was eaten. All in all a very productive day.

Tomorrow should be another busy day too. We have tons of lights to hang, and a bunch of other crap to do. But it is a labor of love and will all pay off in the end when you all get here and we are partying down on the mountian.

Im going to try to make another post in the morning when my mind is functioning a little better, because there is a lot to tell you about.

Until then, Party On Garth!

Update – 8/7/09

We are only about 2 weeks away now. Things are starting to fall into place. I’m still working my butt off to get things ready here on site. If anybody out there wants to come lend a helping hand, it sure would be appreciated. Just shoot me an email.

Bring the Kids

I want to make sure everyone is aware that this will be an extremely family friendly event. We have lots of activities for the kids including Professor Bubblemaker, swimming, a bounce house, decorate your own cookies, a large play ground, and I even have a separate family camping area which will be a little quieter so the little ones can go to bed early if they need to. So please bring the whole family. One of the main reasons Erin and I decided to host this event was because of the great time the kids had last year.

Free Food and Drinks

As you should be aware by now, your $10 donation will get you free food and drinks, but I want to make it clear that you should get here early if you want the free food. Since this is the first year that we have expanded from a backyard party to what is now a full fledged festival, it is hard to judge how many people will show up. So we have planed to have food for 250 people. So, to get in on the free grub, I recomend getting here early. I am working on getting a food vendor to come in for the evening and late night to sell food to the hungry masses after the free food runs out, so that way nobody has to go hungry.

Sponsors

We are happy to announce our latest sponsor, Blue Moose Cafe’. In addition to the other great partnerships we have formed, the Blue Moose is now on board too. It is so great to know that our area has so many wonderful local businesses that are willing to chip in to help out a great cause. If anyone out there would like to become an official sponsor of Raven Rock Jam, contact me via email at RavenRockJam@gmail.com.

Arts Village

Another recent addition for RRJ, is the Arts Village. We currently have a couple of artists lined up to come and sell there artwork. We have space for a few more, so if you would like the chance to come out and vend your artwork, send me an email.

Hiking and GeoCaching

In case you are not familer with the area, we are located about 200 yards from the Snake Hill Wildlife Management Area. The WMA is home to lots of great hiking trails and overlooks of the Cheat Canyon. So if hiking is your thing, maybe you sould come early so you can explore the wilderness of the Snake Hill WMA.

We are also just a few short miles from the West Virginia Botanic Garden where you will find a few miles of easy trails. It is the perfect place to take the kids for a hike.

If Geocaching is your thing, there are several Cashes located with in a 3 mile radius of RRJ, so bring out the GPS and get in the woods

Please Respect Our Land and Our Neighbors

Once again I want to remind you that we are in a neighborhood, although it is very spread out, and we have lots of woods and so forth. However, we do have neighbors, and without their cooperation, this event would not be possible. Please keep this in mind. We may have to park some cars along our road, so if you end up parking there, please be considerate of traffic that may have to get in and out. Also, please respect our home. The inside of our house and garage will be off limits. We will have Port ‘o Potties and a changing area for you to change into your swim clothes available outside.

As always, I am still working on a few more additions to make Raven Rock Jam a spectacular event, so please check back soon for more updates.

See ya on The Rock

Travis

Mountaineer Food Bank – 100,000 punds in 2009

Raven Rock Jam is very proud to announce our participation in Mountaineer Food Bank’s “100,000 Pounds in 2009” Food Drive.

Their goal is simple, collect 100,000 pounds of food in 2009, and we want to help them out.

The Mountaineer Food Bank feeds the elderly, children, the unemployed, the “working poor”, victims of disaster, the sick, and those in crisis through our network of member agencies. Please help us help them by bringing non-perishable food items to Raven Rock Jam for donation to the Mountianeer Food Bank.

Update 8/2/09

Short update for today.

The lineup has been finalized. Go HERE to see the final schedule. Big thanks to all the artists who will be entertaining us through out the day.

We are also happy to announce a couple more sponsors, Black Bear Burritos and Rhythm and Brews. You guys are helping make this all possible.

I also wanted to remind everyone that we are going to be holding a food drive at Raven Rock Jam. So please bring any caned goods or non perishable items you may have and donate it to a good cause.

Travis