The Ozarks have always been known as a region for Ozark Mountain music; bluegrass. For decades, folks have flocked to Missouri for picking and grinning at some of the finest modern bluegrass venues. High upon that list of stages is the one at Starvy Creek in Conway, Mo.
It all began when Don Day was 11 years old and his brothers introduced him to the live bluegrass sound.
“My brothers took me to Marshfield to see Bill Monroe, the man who started the genre of bluegrass music,” Day explained. “I was amazed at it and i've followed it ever since.”
Starvy Creek Bluegrass Festivals started in 1986 as a way for Don & Bobbie Sue Day to share their love of bluegrass music with others. What started out as a small get-together eventually grew into large bluegrass events held twice a year. The venue and events are all family ran with the help of his family, who are all passionate about bringing top bluegrass acts to Starvy Creek so that fans have a fun and memorable experience.
For 37 years, the Day family shared this tradition with the community and visitors who have traveled to Conway from as far as Europe. Last October, bluegrass fans were worried when the family announced the closure of the park so they could step back and slow down. Thankfully, just a few weeks later it was announced that Starvy Creek Bluegrass Festivals would continue under the management of McDaris Music Festivals, LLC.
Aaron and Amy McDaris live in Hartville, Mo with their two children, Ethan and Katie. Aaron has been the banjo player for Rhonda Vincent & The Rage for many years and brings immeasurable experience and expertise in the genre. This weekend, the 38th Annual Starvy Creek Bluegrass Festival saw record crowds as fans filled the venue to continue the tradition. The July Festival was expanded to include a Wednesday night show, a festival first.
“Everything is ran the way the Day family did things. I’ve played at a lot of festivals but this is my first time running one,” Aaron McDaris said. “We know what they did worked and we were proud of continuing the legacy that they created. This was my home festival growing up in Hartville and it’s so special to see people still enjoying it… I’ve been doing this for 25 years now and I always had the dream of running the festival so it kind of felt like coming full circle. It’s a humbling feeling to take over such a big event.”
The venue started filling early the week of the show with camper lots completely filling up by the Wednesday start date. Four days of music drew thousands of fans for performances by Rhonda Vincent & The Rage, Russell Moore & IIIrd Tyme Out, The Kody Norris Show, Josh Williams with The Rage, Little Roy & Lizzy, That Dalton Gang, Route 3 and many more.
This was the very first time “Queen of Bluegrass” Rhonda Vincent & The Rage were able to attend the July festival because in past years, they have played at a festival held by Vincent’s family.
“It was so overwhelming when we thought it was going to close. The Day family allowed Aaron and his family to host it and I think that’s so special,” Vincent beamed between sets. “It’s really a sign of love that Aaron has for bluegrass and for this specific festival… I love that so many people wanted to support him and wanted to be here to continue the tradition.”
Rhonda Vincent & The Rage played four sets between Friday and Saturday and took time to meet each person who wanted an autograph or photo after each performance.
“You can just look at this crowd and see how important this festival is for the area,” she added. “Thank goodness… thank goodness that the Day family allowed it to continue. We’re so thankful to be here.”
The next Starvy Creek Bluegrass Festival will take place Sept. 14-16 with another massive lineup. For more information, visit www.starvycreek.com or find them on Facebook by searching Starvy Creek Bluegrass. To view a full photo album from the July Festival, check out our album on the Marshfield Mail Facebook page.
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