A bluegrass version of the Who's rock opera Tommy, a discussion on the cultural significance of Bobbie Gentry's groundbreaking "Ode to Billie Joe," and more live music than most people might hear in an entire year is all on tap at this weekend's Philadelphia Folk Festival.
Now in its 54th year, the Folk Festival draws thousands of music lovers to a musical mix of everything from traditional folk to electric blues, gospel, and zydeco.
"Friends and fans in the area have been begging us to play there for years," said Luther Dickinson of the North Mississippi Allstars. "It's like a dream come true to have been asked."