There must be something to this Beardo thing. Last year when I wrote about the house party turned music festival I had no idea if I would even be allowed to attend. I’m clean shaven. I have no beard. I don a Northside mustache on occasion, but will that enough? Upon arrival I found myself submerged in a community of artists, musicians, city folk, country folk, and beardos of all ages who welcomed me with open arms. By the time that I left, three days later, the stubble had come in and everything seemed a little bit slower. I had witnessed a community of music lovers from all ages coming together, living together and rubbing elbow with Folk music greats.

That is what separates The Whispering Beard Folk Festival from the pack. It is the attention to detail. It is the focus communal togetherness. It is the amazing coming together of great music, great people, and great ideas. Last year’s celebration brought amazing local acts (The Rumpke Mountain Boys, Buffalo Killers), regional masters (The Tillers), and living legend Peter Rowan. In such a short amount of time the festival has come such a long way. This year’s line-up and festivities will be more of the same.

You will find more brilliant local artists: The Seedy Seeds, The Tillers (who have taken a prime slot on Saturday @ 9:25), and of course late night masters The Rumpke Mountain Boys. From a more regional draw you will have Frontier Folk Nebraska (who put on an amazing show last year), Magnolia Mountain, and Tennessee’s Those Darlins. You will not see a more energetic band during the festival. Those Darlins are prone to start off with a Link Wray cover that will shake you in your boots and bring a tear to a grown man’s eye (be sure that if you do cry, wipe it away with your beard). And in Beardo fashion…another living legend to sum up the weekend. Guy Clark takes center stage this year as headliner of Whispering Beard Folk Festival. Guy’s legend started early in the 1960’s. With a Spanish guitar in tow Guy began writing lyrical masterpieces that have withstood the test of time. His songs tells stories of years past, heart ache, love and death. Guy will be teamed with Verlon Thompson to serenade the crowd at 10:40 on Saturday night.

Be sure to attend this year’s event. With the growth year after year, you will not have very many more opportunities to see such amazing bands and spend time with such amazing people without the large festival politics. Whispering Beard Folk Festival is a throw-back to the times of yesteryear. Take the week to grow out the beard, write a sad song, sip some bourbon, and polish the boots. Whispering Beard is upon us. Whispering Beard Folk Festival August 27, 28, and 29. Camping is available for the weekend!