Stompin 76 music festival
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Stompin 76 Music Festival was known as "the greatest Bluegrass festival in history". It took place on August 6, 7 and 8 in 1976, seven miles north of Galax, VA.
Over 150,000 attended Stompin' 76; many more were clogged at the interstate. This one great event would come to be known as "The Woodstock Of Bluegrass".
For three days in the summer of the American bicentennial, 90 miles west of Roanoke, Virginia, just a stone's throw from the North Carolina border, bluegrass and blues abounded. Outdoor music festival lovers from all parts gathered for that historic event.
Appearing on one stage: Bonnie Raitt, Earl Scruggs, Lester Flatt, Vassar Clements Ry Cooder, John Hartford, Osborne Brothers, The Rowans, John Prine, Nitty Grittty Dirt Band, Doc & Merle Watson, Hickory Wind, New Grass Revival, Red, White and Bluegrass, Nashville Bluegrass Band, Papa John Creach and more.
Roads were backed up 11 miles to the interstate. Three days of fun and music, all for only $12.00! As a result of the disturbance the event created in this rural community, the county instituted laws to control outdoor music festivals. To this day the Galax Fiddler's Convention does not publicly recognize the impact Stompin 76 had on its success since 1977.
Promoter Hal Abramson was a mere 21 years old at the time. He is now a marketing consultant and resides on the US east coast. 2006 is the 30th anniversary of this great event.
