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Winfield (aka Walnut Valley Bluegrass Festival), how it became a reality...
Brent, along with his friend and employer the late Stuart Mossman and Sam Ontjes conceived the idea of a folk music festival to be held at the Southwestern's College campus in Winfield, Kansas. After many talks, proposals, and scheming sessions held on long trips... the event was to become a reality. Stuart was the promoter and group enthusiast that held the passion and drive for success. Sam, the festival director, Brent, his best friend, even today, Bob Prewitt, Alan Menne, and a whole host of others began to work on this undertaking already having convinced the college administration etc. "We were convinced we would make it work and fly"... Brent. "Most of us probably didn't even realize we were working on the event of our lives but it was sure fun. The nites at the local coffee house "The Black Eye" lead us to areas unknown" said Bob Prewitt. The first year was a hugh success with marquee entertainers like Doc and Merle Watson, blues man Mance Lipscome, Pat and Victoria Garvey, Jimmy Driftwood and Art Eskridge, "Vern and Ray" with Herb Pedersen on Banjo...WOW...! what an experience that first festival.
The second festival was immediately granted by the college administration and was now "better funded" a key ingredient. So, Winfield was on the map and thanks now to Bob Redford, the flame has continued. The festival was honored in 1999 by the International Bluegrass Music Association. Being selected to receive the first ever "IBMA Bluegrass Event Of The Year" award was a proud moment for everyone who has worked to make the Walnut Valley Festival a success. Though the festival is called "bluegrass", it has never been JUST bluegrass. It now is a blend of all kinds of acoustic music: bluegrass, folk, old-time country, a little bit cowboy, some Irish, blues, Cajun, and more. And the bluegrass is both traditional and progressive. Still the third week-end in September, in Winfield, Kansas, at the Cowley County Fairgrounds, the Walnut Valley Festival has long prided itself on being educational as well as enjoyable, but most of all, the Festival is a homecoming. And a homecoming not just because of the music and how folks act, but a coming home to a place in the soul and the heart with a spirit of celebration.