This week’s column  is  coming to you  from upstairs at the Seewee Outpost.
The nice folks here provided the space for Roctoberfest. Family owned and run it is truly an outpost of convenience in this rural part of Charleston County.
The reason I’m writing from Seewee is because I’m still at Roctoberfest.
I’ve been here since Friday morning setting up and running sound for the bands on Moultrie News stage.
It’s the smallest of the three stages that the production staff set up so that they could present to over 100 bands during this four day multi-genre music festival.
The bigger stages had the better known acts but the gossip around the festival site is that the Moultrie News stage has a special vibe if its own.  Aside from my buddy Aaron Levy and his band White Rhino, Owen Beverly, and Doug Jones (from Cravin’ Melon), most of the acts have been relatively unknown to the Charleston area. I will be doing features on some of them over the next few weeks when Jasmine (intern) and I compare notes and compile reviews and interviews that we’ve done over the weekend.
Jones’ set  on Sunday night was nothing short of amazing. Just when you thought you’d seen him at his best, he delivers the next show with that extra burst of charm, energy, and soulfulness that is the trademark of this great  singer songwriter. For this particular set, he enlisted the lead guitar of Brian Ashley Jones (no relation).
An amazing talent in his own right Brian added beautiful telecaster lead licks to Doug’s already  rich voice and acoustic guitar playing. An amazing version of the Cravin’ Melon hit “Sweet Tea” was definitely a highlight  of the set.
On Saturday night, Owen Beverly performed solo. His dynamic vocal range and guitar playing were the platform from which he projects some of the best crafted songs I’ve heard in a long time. That dude sure knows how to turn a phrase.  
Also on Saturday, Ryan Bailey and Cumberland Belle turned in a great performance of their blend of folk, pop, alt-country rock.
Well, it’s time for me to get back to the stage and get ready for today’s line-up. This is day number four and after it’s over, I have to head back to the real world.  I’m looking forward to a great day of music and fun.
Dr. Eddie White and the staff at Awendaw  Green along with the vendors, volunteers and artists really hit a home run with this festival,  and the immense contribution of space to do it from the Seewee Outpost  was a contributing factor.
Until next week, support live music and be nice to each other.

Contact Stu Johnson at his new e-mail address: allnightjohnson@gmail.com.