Many, many thanks to Diedre for sending along these wonderful photographs. Ken Bausano dropped off the CD-ROM at NAMM last week and here are some of the highlights.

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Ken Bausano (R) and Chad Welling (L) warm up before the conference begins. Both are alumni of Big Sur.

Chuck-at-Bose, who later played some great guitar and sang, and Karen Welling, who sang beautifully and also played some guitar on the last night, get to know each other.

The great Alan Steinberger (alumni of Big Sur) played the marvelous Kawaii on the first night variety show.

Michael Nunley shocked everybody with his heavenly voice and beautiful guitar playing. It was amazing to meet some of the regulars here on the message board and find out what truly fine musicians they are.

Here's oldghm (left) and the great banjo player Rich Stillman (who fearlessy the next night joined the electric rhythm section on the loud variety show).

Here's Ken and Diedre.

Beautiful couple. Lovely human beings.

Ken Bausano came to Ashland with a fistful of sheet music and in no time whipped together a great horn and rhythm section with two rehearsals, one of which is shown here. The band unleashed its music on the second evening of the conference, leading the way in one of the most enjoyable evenings of live music ever.

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After the big band, rwj played his quiet, forceful music with Alan Steinberger (keys, Ken Brown (trash basket), and Dan Cornett (porchboard bass) backing him up. The music was simply meserizing.

Jay Davidson, musician extraordinaire (is there anything he doesn't play?) jumped into the fray like an old-fashioned circus clown, mixing things up and inspiring the musicians to dig deeper and go further. Jay plays in the Steve Winwood touring band, and the Shadows of Mowtown tour.

Dan Sayan is a great singer in addition to being a great bass player.

Then the Monster of R&B got up and took command. Cliff-at-Bose played his derrier off that night, whipping the band and audience into a frenzy.

Here is The Man at work.

Soon, a LARGE line of backup singers formed. The sound was just PANARAMIC. The place was BUMPIN'!!!

Here are two big musical protagonists for the night: Ken Bausano and Jay Davidson. Very different in their approaches -- one very organized, the other stirring things up with a big musical stick on the spur of the moment -- but both VERY effective at what they do.

The Johnson Brothers leaped to their feet and uncorked a few great tunes. It was a very touching reunion for these two talented Canadians. We were so happy they joined us.

Ken-Ken-Cliff

Happy late at night (see clock).

The next night, after the conference had officially ended, there was more music. Unamplified.

Here's oldghm. He's an immensely talented player and entertainer.

Here's Tom Munch who played and sang so beautifully.

(It WAS halloween after all.)

Final silliness. Here's Mark at Bose and Chad Welling.