Well Ned, all I have to say is that Pickathon did not sell out this year despite the cover stories from the Oregonian, your article and all of the other media hype. There are many reasons.

I have been to Pickathon for years, but now it has changed and I won't bother.

The fact is that many of the acts they have are mediocre at best. The head guy, Zale is not someone with an informed opinion about music. Instead he listens to the buzz. Some of the bands have been great, but some are so bad...I remember the Galaxy Barn and fireplace area being empty a couple of years ago on Sat. night because the two bands playing were so awful. Everyone left. It was a real break from the norm.

Pickathon has strayed far from it's roots. It was started by some friends in a backyard who played acoustic music together and thought it would be great to have a couple of bands and everybody playing later. This idea evolved into a larger festival but with the emphasis on players. Jams would pop up everywhere. Some were forgetable, but most were incredible. Amateur players were able to reach out and they brought their families.

Four years ago a new type of person came to the festival. I'll call them the Seattle whiners. As Zale wanted to raise prices he decided to kowtow to them. Soon jams were banned except in 3 "designated playing areas" where one would find 12 drunken dreadnaughts playing "Rock me baby" for 45 minutes. The amplification volume was turned up to the point that you couldn't even play back in the woods all day until midnight.

The beauty was over. Greed won out.

They have lost most of their dedicated musician audience and with them their families.

Don't get me wrong, many things are right especially the recycling and excellent food...better than ever. I love the cups and plates recycling...everyone should do it. The setting at Pendarvis farm is amazing and the proprietors Scott and Sherry are wonderful folks.

Actually, if you want to know, the real Pickathon is behind the scenes where Zale and his friends have bands play in the pumphouse while they tape them to make money selling videos.

Pickathon was really beautiful at one time but it has changed and many people feel the loss.