Cornerstone 2003:
Melissa's Recollections & Reflections

Thursday & Friday I didn't keep a journal. Things got too busy I guess. We'll see what I can remember…

During Thursday afternoon Kevin, Bubba, Anji, Nick, Slim & I checked out miss Kat Jones at the Rock For Life Stage. I was impressed with her voice &, more importantly, the excerpts she read from Shel Silverstein's ABZ's book (deliciously dangerous! - find it & read it for yourself). We headed straight from her set to the "Indoor Stage" to catch the elusive Starflyer 59 performance (we had been told earlier it was not happening, but our pulses returned to their normal rate after this rumor was dispelled). Playing a lot of material from the new record, Old, they pleased the crowd and, of course, kept their cool. Frank Lenz is a scary, scary man, by the way. I wish that keyboards would have been included in the set, but what can ya do?

After Starflyer I caught a lyric writing seminar given by Karin Bergquist and Linford Detweiler of Over the Rhine. I wrote down three things in my journal during the seminar…

A tree can't bear fruit unless it's healthy, well fed and nourished. [creativity is seasonal…]

"There's a lot of solitude tangled up with the process of songwriting."

Bird By Bird - Anne Lamott Letters to a Young Poet - Rainer Maria Rilke [books recommended by Karin]

After the seminar I ran into Charisse, and we rehashed some of last night's conversation, learning a little more about one another as we did so. We found the Over the Rhine acoustic set, which was quite lovely. They opened with "Bothered", one of my favorite songs of theirs ["Don't be bothered by the fears…I'll try to bottle them like my mother's perfume…She wore it only on Sunday, kept it safe in her room in a chest with a key…we found it anyway…"]. Their stage presence evokes a sense of understanding, a quiet connection. I fumble in my mind to grasp exactly what is happening, and then I realise all I need to do is just sit back & rest in the music. So I did.

I think we ran into most of our fellow campers at this point…and wandered over to the Cstone Mag Stage again, getting some eats I'm sure (fried twinkie, anyone? Ick…). We saw some of Duvall, which is Josh Caterer's new band. His old band, as you may know, was the Smoking Popes. I really love his voice, and regret not looking to see if he had any merchandise for sale. The song that still sticks out in my head has a chorus of "Jesus will never leave me…" Next time (if there is a next time?) I will have to talk to him.

Kevin & I wandered to the dangerous turf of the Underground Stage to see my old housemates play in their grindcore band, Lights for Nero (Columbia, SC, represent!!). I am not exactly schooled in that style of music, but their musicianship & energy comes through enough so even a weak grind poser like me can appreciate what they are doing.

Back at the Cornerstone Magazine Stage, Danielson was there to delight & surprise. Yes, the infamous giant tree was in full effect. As were overhead projections of the lyrics - it was a giant singalong! There was a lot of joy going on in that tent. & I mean that. I was grinning through most of the set.

Denison Witmer then took the stage, alone. It was almost as if he was playing in someone's living room. His sets are usually among the gems of the Cornerstone experience, for their quiet, lovely simplicity. He played some new songs along with the older favorites, and I think the set would have gone on longer were it not for the need to compete with the rocking out at the Gallery stage. Kirk fell in love with Denison at that point, which, of course, made all the girls at the festival regret that they hadn't made their move on Kirk earlier. Now, with Denison as competition, there's no hope. Sigh.

I think this was the one night I went to bed early (early being 2 a.m.), so I don't have much else to say. Oh yeah. This was the infamous massage night, wasn't it? Ah yes. Liz, Kevin, Anji & I took an innocent venture out for a nighttime snack. Sitting down at a picnic table, we soon became painfully aware of a woman giving full body massages on the ground near the volleyball courts. It was awfully…distracting. There was definitely a disturbing undercurrent throughout the whole "service" (for a donation). Heh. Kevin's squirming with discomfort only upped the amusement factor.

Friday was certainly the most intense day of the festival for me. Independence Day made its presence known immediately, bestowing upon us (& the poor visiting Newfies!) unmistakable heat. Ow. It brought to mind the torture of last year's festival temperatures. I think I languished at the campsite for most of the afternoon, until most of us ventured out to see Cool Hand Luke play. This was the defining moment of my Cornerstone experience. I don't know how to really explain what happened…but I cried the entire set…mostly because I just felt the presence of God descending…I felt the possibility of the futures of all of the people under the tent…I heard God's voice very clearly. Let me make it plain: I am so grateful that this band allowed themselves to be a vehicle for the Lord's words. They are unusual, a breath of fresh air in a 'scene' that is often revolving around clothes, tattoos, & whatever is fun or hip. The focus was purposefully shifted to God. I felt awkward just standing there & weeping. But I didn't know what else to do. I don't think I really could have done anything else. As the set ended, I felt overwhelmed. I kind of wanted to run & hide somewhere for a bit, to collect myself. I felt dizzy. Probably from the heat. Which is why I decided to go along with the original plan (which I had suggested) to go into town for some ice cream.

Liz, Anji, Bubba, Slim, Kevin & I piled into the van (also my bedroom for the week, by the way) & headed to Mickey D's. Ah. The beauty that we have dubbed "air conditioning." We sat & lounged for quite some time, recognising the value in that cool building. On our way back, I got some of that homemade ice cream from the church in Bushnell. Strawberry. And let me tell you - wow. Ice cream is a grace.

The early evening was filled with conversation, joking, the usual. At some point Kevin, Nick, Bubba, Liz & I perused the merch tents, where I ran into my friend Bryce. He & I sold the Ester Drang merch for a little while. Then we wandered a bit, talking. I can generally express some pretty loose / vague thoughts to him, & I think he catches hold of what I mean rather well. We made it for the very end of Reels of White Softly Flow (who I hear is quite good, though I haven't yet seen the proof - I missed them last year as well) and, after some more conversation, wound up at the Prayer Chain show. There was so much energy and excitement surrounding this set that it immediately became contagious & picked up momentum. I got to see them play '58', which had been one of my favorite songs for quite some time. I was happy for Shane, who I knew was absolutely enthralled.

We ran into Liz, & it just seemed like Liz & I should go somewhere & talk. So we did. We sat near the Gallery Stage, where Over the Rhine was playing. It's still a very vivid memory to me, even though I did not write about it until now. The words came & went & fit so well with the music in the background. I was tearing apart some ideals inside of me. I still am. But that's for another time. The night was taking on some sort of importance, an almost teacher-like persona, even. I felt an especially keen sense of it sitting there in the grass, listening to "Latter Days", a song that has brought me to tears time & again. Something was opening up.

As we walked back to the campsite, my heart alternated between heavy & light. It was already quite late. Soon everyone went to bed except Kevin & I. The conversation got serious again & progress was made. At around 5 a.m., a tremendous wind came, literally blowing tents down & waking up many campers. It was becoming light outside & strangely peaceful, even with the powerful gusts blowing all around. The transition to morning pushed us to sleep.

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