Sunday
It's time to drop in on the self styled 'Phenomenal' Ruthie Foster just starting to play on the Radio Two Stage.
She gave her herself the name and has more than lived up to it.
She's supported by a blues guitarist that has played the festival a couple of times and on each occasion I've managed to miss his name, last time I saw him was with Marcia Ball. So here's to Mr X.
Ruthie and the audience are in an enjoyment loop, feeding each other and raising the atmosphere.
I'm aware I'm missing Solas, but what is, is. I have absolutely no compunction about missing them when blues is this good.
Ruthie Foster is the sort of artist that can play on absolutely any stage and make it her own. I’m glad that I’ve captured her in my mind on the more intimate Radio Two Stage.
Smiles sweep continuously across her face as she extends her material from the more spiritual gospel blues, right across the range to pure rockers. Her sound is uplifting, particularly for a site that is now, once again bathed in sun.
She's playing all three stages and sizes her self for each one, always big enough for the venue.
I take another glance across the site to see if the queue at the iced coffee stall is in any reduced, the answer, unfortunately is no. He’s been doing a cracking trade all weekend. I’ll have to get a caffeine infusion somewhere else.
It's time for the most difficult choice of the festival; there are acts I want to see on all three of the stages. Mainstage has Ricky Skaggs & Kentucky Thunder, Newton Faulkner has got the Radio Two Stage and Jackie Oates has got a session in the Club Tent.
I have a quick conflab with the rest of the Fatea Crew, I pick Jackie Oates, others are dispatched to the other two stages we are nothing if not dedicated.
A number of other photographers make the trip up to the Club Tent. Jackie is there with her brother, Jim Moray waiting for the previous band to finish. After a short chat, a photo call is suggested and a barrage of cameras line up.
Jackie and Jim take the whole thing in good heart; there are some knowing glances between the two of them. They swap instruments and play up for the cameras.
As well as having a critically acclaimed solo album, Jackie is a highly valued member of Van Eyken and is in the midst of putting another recording project together, her career is definite on the up.
The stage is ready for set up so Jackie and Jim scoot off to plug in. Jackie's carrying a weird box with her, I think it's an instrument but I'm not sure.
It has to be said that there was a little nervousness in Jackie's first number, but as soon as she realised that the audience were a friendly bunch, she grew in both confidence and stature, particularly when she was joined on stage by Jim Moray.
I’ve seen Jackie, play with a number of acts, but I’ve never before seen her play like she has today.
With her name on the tin, she’s turning in a performance that has the Club Tent buzzing, this is something special and I’m glad I took the chance to see it. Jackie Oates has a definite future, she has the word star written all over her.
Forty minutes seem to vanish into thin air, somehow the time has burnt away. No time for the called for encore, Jackie has laid herself down a marker. If she’s playing near you, please go along and see her, your efforts will be rewarded.