By Dave Parsons
The initial Old Washington Music Festival, held at the Guernsey County Fairgrounds in Old Washington, Ohio, kicked off in great style on Wednesday night, July 17, 2024. A new festival with an eclectic lineup covering all styles of country music, couldn’t have picked a better act than the legendary Confederate Railroad to kick off a weekend to remember.
The Guernsey County Fairgrounds, with its rustic charm and expansive grounds, is an ideal setting for the festival. Born out of a love for the granddaddy of all country festivals that took place about 30 miles to the east for 41 years, the Old Washington Music Festival has the potential to rival it’s predecssor. Food trucks lined the perimeter, offering a variety of food, while vendors sold everything from handmade crafts to band merchandise. There is little better on a summer evening than air filled with the mingling aromas of fried food and fresh grass, creating the perfect festival atmosphere.
The main stage had ample space for the crowd to gather, but plenty of room for the bands to spread out and the solo acts to utlize every inch. The crowd was permitted to stand just feet away bringing the excitement level up for all involved. The sound system was top notch, reaching all the way into the camping area 200 yards away.
Some of the campers had come in throughout the week, so anticipation of the first act had been building. The crowd was a mix of ages, from young children experiencing their first concert to older fans who had been down the road for decades and was grateful for a chance to enjoy the third weekend in July for the sake of music again.
Confederate Railroad, a band that has been a staple of the Southern rock and country music scenes since the early 1990s, wasted no time in launching into their well known songs with Hard Livin’. Queen of Memphis, one of their biggest hits followed, and the party was on.
The band’s setlist mixed their biggest hits with a few surprises. Lead singer Danny Shirley early on that he used to work for the legendary outlaw performer, Johnny Paycheck, and played 11 Months and 29 Days, one of Paycheck’s classics. A few songs later, the Confederate Railroad hit Jesus and Mama, a song that has become an anthem for many of their fans, had the crowd silent listening to the story unfolding in Danny Shirley’s voice.
Throughout their show, Confederate Railroad demonstrated why they have remained a beloved band for so many years. The band’s musicianship was on full display in each song, with each member contributing to the rich, layered sound. Danny Shirley, with his gruff yet warm voice, is a commanding presence on stage, effortlessly engaging with the audience between songs. He shared stories from the band’s early days, reminisced about their journey, and expressed genuine gratitude for the support of their fans. He invited everyone on hand to meet him at the merchandise table after the show to say hello, even if you didn’t want to buy anything.
The night reached its peak with the band’s performance of Trashy Women, arguably their most famous song. As soon as the opening notes played, the crowd erupted in cheers, and it was clear that this was the moment they had been waiting for. The band delivered the song with all the enthusiasm it deserved, and the audience sang along into the Ohio night.
The first night of the Old Washington Music Festival at Guernsey County Fairgrounds was a resounding success, thanks in large part to the outstanding performances, particularly by Confederate Railroad. As the night drew to a close and the crowd headed back for their campers, there was a sense of contentment from what they had just seen, and the excitement that was about to come over the next 3 days.
Confederate Railroad Setlist
1.) Hard Livin’
2.) Queen of Memphis
3.) Elvis and Andy
4.) 11 Months and 29 Days
5.) A Little Time off for Bad Behavior
6.) Jesus and Mama
7.) White Trash With Money
8.) The Man I Am Today
9.) She Never Cried
10.) When You Leave That Way You Can Never Go Back
11.) Bill’s Laundromat, Bar and Grill
12.) Notorious
13.) Cadillac Kind
14.) The Big One
15.) Simple Man
16.) The Cover of Rolling Stone
17.) Trashy Women
Photo Gallery : Confederate Railroad – Old Washington Music Festival (07.17.2024)
