One of my favorite people in our area is Scott Ainslie, a remarkable man, whose intelligence, grace and passion for what for he believes in make him a forceful voice and a cherished friend.
And then there's his music. Known primarily for his work in the blues, Ainslie's music reflects a scholarly curiousity and a poet's heart. He is compelling in performance, able to move you both to tears and to action.
If you haven't seen him, you have a chance soon. Ainslie is one of the performers on the opening night of the Roots on the River Festival in Bellows Falls on June 7. The four-day festival continues with a great many acts including Fred Eaglesmith, the man who has attracted a cult following for his from-the-gut honesty and unusually close rapport with his fans. I'd recommend you catch Ainslie and then return to the festival for performers such as Iris Dement, the Sandra Wright Band, Gandalf Murphy and the Slambovian Circus of Dreams, Eileen Jewell, the Dan Whitley Band, Red Molly, and many others, including, of course, Fred Eaglesmith.
I've never been the festival, but you can bet I'm correcting that oversight this year. For information, visit www.rootsontheriver.com.