all black outfit, band tee, leopard shoes, fashion over 40, Shelbee on the Edge

More Music That Moves Me: The Jakobs Ferry Stragglers & #SpreadTheKindness Link Up #147

November 5, 2019 / 64 Comments
all black outfit, band tee, leopard shoes, fashion over 40, Shelbee on the Edge

Remember back in July, I introduced you to this amazingly talented and beautiful fiddling gal, Libby, whom I met at the Busy Bird Bluegrass Festival?

Libby Eddy, The Jakobs Ferry Stragglers (Fiddle/Vocals)

Well, that post was about My Bluegrass Summer in general and it is high time that I dedicate an entire post to Libby and her captivating band, The Jakobs Ferry Stragglers.

The Jakobs Ferry Stragglers
Left to Right: Ray Bruckman (Mandolin/Fiddle/Vocals), Libby Eddy (Fiddle/Vocals), Gary Antol (Vocals/Guitar), Jody Moser (Dobro/Vocals), Niko Kreider (Upright Bass)

Upon our first meeting which was quite magical, I had no idea that we would become fast friends. Libby, myself, and the rest of her band. This festival world really is something else. I have made so many wonderful friends just this past summer making my way around the Bluegrass circuit. I feel so fulfilled and blessed to count these lovely people among my friends. It keeps showing me how very connected we all are in this world. And that restores my faith in humanity and fills my heart with gratitude and joy.

all black outfit, band tee, leopard shoes, fashion over 40, Shelbee on the Edge
all black outfit, band tee, leopard shoes, fashion over 40, Shelbee on the Edge

Before I get to their music, I want to share yet another example of these crazy connections. The first time I saw JFS perform at Busy Bird Bluegrass Festival, Patricia Imbrogno was filling in for their bass player. She is amazing, by the way, so do go check out her music as well. It was the first time we had met and we quickly realized that we were already following one another on Instagram! Trish is not only an amazing musician, but she is a fantastic human as well!

all black outfit, band tee, leopard shoes, fashion over 40, Shelbee on the Edge
all black outfit, band tee, leopard shoes, fashion over 40, Shelbee on the Edge

Anyway, I was an immediate fan of JFS from the moment they stepped on stage. Fast forward to August when I saw them for the second time at Hickory Fest and I had the opportunity to meet their regular bass player, Niko. Niko and I were just sitting around, drinking beer together and having conversation when we somehow made our way around to the topic of competitive swimming. Long story short…we discovered that we had this little athletic history in common. And Niko, who is more than 20 years my junior, was coached by the same man who coached me when I was very young. We quickly realized a multitude of mutual friends and the rest is history!

all black outfit, band tee, leopard shoes, fashion over 40, Shelbee on the Edge
all black outfit, band tee, leopard shoes, fashion over 40, Shelbee on the Edge
all black outfit, band tee, leopard shoes, fashion over 40, Shelbee on the Edge

Now back to the music…keep in mind that you need to hear the music to appreciate it. But here is what I wrote about JFS the first time I saw them perform…“Based out of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, this group delivers a super high energy and wickedly entertaining progressive bluegrass sound that pulls you in and doesn’t allow you to stray. The dynamic among the band members is enthralling to watch and Libby’s voice is so rich and profuse as it goes from sexy to sweet, delicate and soft to briny and deep with the utmost of ease. Her vocals sort of get picked up on the wind as the sound is carried out over the crowd and sprinkled down in sublime doses of ethereal alchemy of sorts.”

all black outfit, band tee, leopard shoes, fashion over 40, Shelbee on the Edge
all black outfit, band tee, leopard shoes, fashion over 40, Shelbee on the Edge
all black outfit, band tee, leopard shoes, fashion over 40, Shelbee on the Edge

Now I am listening to them on Spotify as I write this post. Both Libby and Gary deliver vocal performances that can literally send shivers down your spine and move you to tears. They each possess a cry in their voices and they meld together in a haunting lullaby that is heartbreaking yet soothing at the same time. It is this strange opposition of emotions evoked that makes you yearn for more. In one moment, you feel as if you have lost a piece of your soul but then it is given right back to you, repaired and replenished.

all black outfit, band tee, leopard shoes, fashion over 40, Shelbee on the Edge
all black outfit, band tee, leopard shoes, fashion over 40, Shelbee on the Edge
all black outfit, band tee, leopard shoes, fashion over 40, Shelbee on the Edge

The music created by JFS provides a soaring energy whether it be a song of pain and loss or one of high spirited happiness. They are intent on delivering a sound that is their own unique amalgam of Old Time Appalachia, Bluegrass, Rockabilly, and Swing with the goal of making their audience just feel good. Entertainers and artists at their very core, the Jakobs Ferry Stragglers bring a passion to the stage that draws you in but it is a passion that also comes through loud and clear in their recorded music.

leopard booties
leopard booties

To more adequately illustrate their passion for their art, I snagged this quote from Gary’s personal Facebook page in the aftermath of Grass in The Glades Bluegrass Festival,

“It occurred to me while talking to some friends yesterday that over the last couple of years, I’ve seen a sort of society pull itself together. Tons of people who didn’t know each other suddenly became friends because they just happened to find themselves in the same place…at JFS shows. It’s truly beautiful. It’s an honor to have helped introduce some wonderful people to some other wonderful people and nothing could have made me happier than seeing them all gather in one place and be themselves for a weekend. On my many laps of walking the property, I had so much laughter and so many positive things being said about what we are trying to do. I pushed back tears for almost the whole ride home.

 
Thank you all for coming and for being a part of all of our lives. The most often asked question I get when I talk to everyone is “man, it must be hard to do what you do, huh?”

Yes. It’s really hard. It can be both the most wonderful thing and the most demoralizing thing, sometimes within seconds of each other. Sometimes people ask me why I do it.

That’s simple. To see what I saw this weekend.”

Gary Antol of The Jakobs Ferry Stragglers
all black outfit, band tee, leopard shoes, fashion over 40, Shelbee on the Edge
all black outfit, band tee, leopard shoes, fashion over 40, Shelbee on the Edge
all black outfit, band tee, leopard shoes, fashion over 40, Shelbee on the Edge

Folks, the Straggle is real! And when it is that real, that is when the true magic happens! If you get the chance to see the Jakobs Ferry Stragglers perform live, please do it! I swear you will leave feeling the best you have felt in a really long time. In the upcoming months, they will be performing around Western Pennsylvania, West Virginia, Maryland, and Ohio and then heading South to North Carolina and Florida in January. Check their tour dates here.

all black outfit, band tee, leopard shoes, fashion over 40, Shelbee on the Edge
all black outfit, band tee, leopard shoes, fashion over 40, Shelbee on the Edge
all black outfit, band tee, leopard shoes, fashion over 40, Shelbee on the Edge

You can purchase JFS merchandise online or grab something fun if you get out to a show. For size reference, I am wearing a men’s tee shirt size large. I also have the cutest handmade knit hat with the JFS logo made by Libby herself.

knit hat, handmade hat, The Jakobs Ferry Stragglers

Have you discovered any new music lately? Please do let me know!

The Jakobs Ferry Stragglers

And now the featured favorites from last week.

Reader Favorite (Most Clicked)

Jill of Doused in Pink shared the cutest green sueded dress in her post, How to Layer a Fall Dress. I absolutely adore this style of dress especially paired with a cozy turtleneck, tights, and tall boots. It is the epitome of cozy Fall fashion!

Jill of Doused in Pink

My Favorite Style Post

Katie of Hello Katie Girl made me smile such a huge happy smile with her Best Day Ever graphic tee. Always one to inject color and happiness into the blogging world with her bright outfits and equally bright backdrops, how could you not have the best day ever?!

Katie of Hello Katie Girl

My Favorite Non-Fashion Post

Amber of The Hungry Mountaineer shared her post, Pumpkin Spice White Russian Coffee. But don’t let the title fool you. There is so much more than a yummy alcoholic coffee recipe in this post. I seriously was laughing all the way through. You should go read it, including the captions!

The Hungry Mountaineer by Amber

You are invited to the Inlinkz link party!

Click here to enter

Keeping it on the edge,

Shelbee

Linking up with these Fabulous Link Parties.

Shop my look…

Outfit Details: Tee Shirt-The Jakobs Ferry Stragglers Official Merchandise / Jacket-Old Navy (Old) / Skirt (Banana Republic) and Shoes-Thrifted / Gloves and Clutch-Target (Old) / Necklace-c/o Happiness Boutique (Old) / Tights-Torrid / Earrings-Old

I am a midlife woman, wife, and stay-at-home mother of 2 boys and 2 cats. I have a passion for helping other women feel fabulous in the midst of this crazy, beautiful life.

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