July 12, 2008
Founder's Folk & Bluegrass Festival
http://foundersfestival.org
Snowbird Ski & Summer Resort
near Salt Lake City, Utah

Mark made his furthest and quite possibly only visit West this year,
getting all the way to Utah with help from Lori McKenna. Along with
Russell Chudnofsky on electric guitar (the festival's first
Telecaster!), the trio opened on the main stage Friday night (7/11) to
a crowd that seemed to be excited to have Lori back in town. Their
last visit was this time last year but down the hill at the old Delta
Center, in Salt Lake City, opening for Tim McGraw and Faith Hill.

One highlight was all of them very stunned but pleased that the
festival had oxygen for them backstage, which is at 8,000 feet, and
they were playfully thinking of coming out in their masks.

Because of Lori, Mark scored his first solo gig in Utah the next day.
Mark was on the Plaza Stage, however, which was open and free to the
public. Many folks wandered through to enjoy the summer recreation
available at Snowbird (the giant gondola's were lifting off just
behind Mark), so he probably got a lot more exposure than if he had
only played the main stage. I estimated about 80 folks sitting down
and listening.

Here's the set list and some notes.

Imaginary Wars (mandolin)
[Mark joked that if the pine trees behind him got any closer to let
him know]
Troubadour Blues (guitar and harmonica from here out)
Take My Ashes To The River
[he thought the people of Utah would appreciate a bluegrass cremation
ballad]
Unraveled *
Not Alone *
Five Beer Moon *
Baltimore *
Volunteers
[after this song, a young man with his infant came to the stage and
shook Mark's hand]
The Only Way
[Mark told the story about the stolen car and a Mark Erelli CD – I
won't spoil it, so ask at the next show]
Pilgrim Highway

* from the new album, Delivered

It was a great set, and he got a lot of wonderful feedback afterward
from quite a few folks, including a woman from southern Oregon, and
another who had seen him in Colorado years ago and wore out Hillbilly
Pilgrim (hi, Allen!).

I also got a 30 minute audio interview with him that I'll post later
this week.

Greg