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he 2022 Ol’ Front Porch Music Festival was nearly washed out – the remnants of Hurricane Ian traveled inland, west of Oriental and brought lots of rain with it.

The outdoor festival never been threatened with heavy rains and wind before. There were two options: cancel it, or move it all inside.

Organizers chose plan B and reached out to the community to make sure the festival would go on – inside, and out of the storm.

Moa Meinich of the Hayde Bluegrass Orchestra on fiddle.

Instead of porches, bands were rescheduled to play at four venues: The Old Theater, the Oriental United Methodist Church, St. Thomas Episcopal Church, and the Oriental Woman’s Club.

Storm water from the passing of Hurricane Ian flooded the streets. While attendees were inside keeping dry, Public Works cleared drains to keep the water moving away from the road between the churches and the theater.

There were several returning bands such Salty Paws, Big Jim Kohler Band, Hooverville, Harbor Sounds and more. New faces were also in the crowd, including two big imports: The Revelers of Louisiana and Hayde Bluegrass Orchestra from Norway.

The Hayde Bluegrass Orchestra flew in from Norway to attend the International Bluegrass Music Association Awards in Raleigh (and pick up the Vocalist of the Year award) and to play in Oriental twice: once on The Old Theater stage during the festival and again the day after, for a tribute concert to Festival co-founder Dottie Osmun.

The Revelers were originally scheduled to appear in 2020. The event was canceled due to COVID. In 2021, the festival stuck to North Carolina musicians because of continuing travel restrictions. They finally made it to Oriental in 2022. But just barely…

Half The Revelers were held up by a cancelled flight. They made it minutes before they were supposed to take the stage.

The band took two different flights to get here. Half arrived on time. The other half were subject to flight cancellations that put them in Raleigh with only two hours to get to the stage.

Organizers moved their time slot from 6p to “6:30p to 7p.” They drove into Oriental around 6:45 and were on the stage by 7p.

By the end of their set, they’d received a standing ovation, had been called back for an encore, and had the audience on their feet dancing.

Doug Sligh watches Blue Cactus, Friday morning at The Old Theater. Doug said there were more people out and about on the rainy morning than was expected.

The John Brown Quartet – with sax, upright bass, drums, keyboard and trumpet – at The Old Theater.

Patrick Bliss performed in the Oriental United Methodist Church.

Matt McCotter introduces Pure Fiyah Reggae at The Old Theater.

The Down East Dulcimers featured several other instruments, including violins and ukuleles.

Festival veterans Salty Paws played in a boat house last year to escape the rain. This year, it was the OUMC.

Wyldwood Stringband play ‘Davie White’ on the Old Theater stage.

John Bemis, lead singer and guitarist for Hooverville, also performed solo.

Hoff n’ Finch got the audience involved at the Oriental Woman’s Club with a cover of ‘You Can’t Always Get What You Want.’ A standing ovation brought them back for more.

Off the porch and into the church, The Gospel Ensemble packed the church.

Hooverville cockwise: Nathan Logan, John Bemis, and Zack Mondry.

Hooverville, another Festival veteran, perform at the Oriental Woman’s Club.

Not just bluegrass and blues, but reggae too. Pure Fiyah Reggae brought a different sound to the crowd in the Old Theater.

Dixie Gatlin lights up Harbor Sounds with her glowing blue bow.

Half of the band The Revelers: Dan Coolik, Chas Justus, and Glenn Fields. The rest were delayed by a canceled flight.

The Revelers performed early – discussing music and Louisiana culture.

The Revelers’ Glenn Fields caught up in the music.

The Southern Hellcats perform with their new lineup.

Local favorites The Big Jim Kohler Band opened the festival on Saturday.

The Pamlico County High School Jazz Band.

Per Erichsen, long-time Oriental resident, is originally from Norway. He introduced the Hayde Bluegrass Orchestra at their Old Theater performance.

The first appearance of the Hayde Bluegrass Orchestra in Oriental on the Old Theater stage. Their second appearance would be a day later, on the River Front stage.

Three-piece ensemble Honey Magpie with cello, guitar and keyboard. The women asked got the crowd’s input on what songs to play next.

Anya Hinkle played to a large crowd at the Oriental Woman’s Club. It was just her and her guitar in front of a full house.

Flight-delayed band members unpacking instruments outside The Old Theater.

The Revelers in action on The Old Theater stage.

Blake Miller and his accordions.

The Revelers invited the crowd to get on their feet and dance.

One couple obliged them – taking a turn around the empty floor in front of the stage.

The packed theater gave a standing ovation, and leapt to their feet during the encore.

The next Ol’ Front Porch Music Festival is scheduled for October 6 & 7, 2023. TownDock is forecasting both days to be sunny, dry, and mid-70s.

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Story by Allison DeWeese.
Photos & video by Allison DeWeese and Keith Smith.

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Posted Tuesday October 11, 2022 by Allison DeWeese