Acoustic Festival rocks Kempt Shore

Tents and trailers lined the grounds of the fourth annual Kempt Shore Acoustic Music Festival, July 18-20, as folks from near and far gathered for a guitar-strumming good time.

Headlining performers setting the stage for this year’s festival included Ron Hynes, Matt Andersen, Charlie A’Court, Dave Gunning, Irish Mythen, Amelia Curran, Terry Kelly, Ian Sherwood, John Simms, The Spinney Brothers, and Heckman & Downes.

“These are 11 world class acts,” said Marc Peterson, hosting the event through MTM Peterson Productions. “They’re world class, but not well known…We’re very rich in talent.”

The event increases tourism along the Hants Shore and supports local musicians, Peterson said. “And when you look around, you can tell everyone is here for the music.”

The bar is set high, but each year the hope is to keep the event going bigger and better, Peterson said. “Every year, we’ve increased our numbers…but we keep the price low.”

Costs to attend the festival this year varied to suit individual schedules, but standard admissions for the entire weekend sold in advance for $45 and at the gate for $50.

The cost is kept low in recognition of local economic realities, Peterson added. “If we didn’t keep the price low, (many) local folks wouldn’t be able to come.”

Musician Charlie A’Court says playing for folks at this festival is nice because it’s a good listening crowd with whom to relax and enjoy music. “It’s more like playing at a kitchen party.”

Local performers are usually off doing individual tours all over the place, but coming here to play is like coming home to a little family reunion, A’Court said. “When you grow up playing on the East Coast you become part of a circuit that is really connected.”

Shelburne resident Robbie Smith released a CD, recorded by Roger Whittaker, entitled Retro Debut two years ago. He got a first sense of the Kempt Shore Acoustic Music Festival scene this year as he played during an open microphone session July 19.

This place is a great way for upcoming musicians to put a toe in the water, Smith said. “It’s just such a nice warm feeling here… It’s felt very comfortable to play.”

Originally from Ireland, musician Irish Mythen says what strikes her most about the music scene in the Maritimes is that people care about what happens to their musicians.

“I’ve just fallen in love with the place,” Mythen said. “You can tell the people have fun.”

MTM Peterson Productions has really done something special by starting up this festival, Mythen said. “I’ll come back to play here for sure and be involved as long as they ask.”