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Dave-A-Palooza is back in Wartrace!

Event to be July 8 & 9

Posted 6/4/22

The community of Wartrace in Bedford County has been holding music festivals for many, many years. A younger generation now continues the legacy this summer with a Dave-A-Palooza music festival …

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Dave-A-Palooza is back in Wartrace!

Event to be July 8 & 9

Posted

The community of Wartrace in Bedford County has been holding music festivals for many, many years. A younger generation now continues the legacy this summer with a Dave-A-Palooza music festival planned for July 8 and 9 at 1295 Knob Creek Road.  

According to organizers and brothers, Ezra and David (Dave) Cataldo, it’s only fitting that such an Americana festival of music be held right in the heartland.  

They believe the Town of Wartrace is a warm and welcoming area and provides the perfect backdrop for such an event.  

It’s a weekend of live Americana, folk and country music—one which is sure to spotlight new talent, songwriters, locals and award winners.  

Asher Cataldo, another brother, will be a featured artist. The event begins at 6:00 p.m., on Friday.  

And how long you stay, well, the brothers say that’s up to the choosing.  

There are primitive camping opportunities and those interested should go to www.Dave-apalooza.info. Vendor booths and food trucks will be available.  

“It’s great music, great fun, until it’s done,” says Ezra. (More festival information available on Facebook.) 

Family men themselves, the organizers note that Dave-APalooza is a family-friendly event that started in 2019 with about 125 in attendance. Each year since, (COVID did interrupt for while) the event has organically increased in size, attendance and budget. Wearing his billed farm cap, Dave notes the festival is situated on about 20-acres just outside the city limits of Wartrace.  

He believes that in 2022, there could be thousands attend. Ezra added, “Our goal is not only to have all of our family and friends and their friends attend Dave-A-Palooza but to invite guests from all over to experience our community and get to know us, the locals, the businesses, and the arts that make it great.”  

The brothers note while there’s a lot of fun in store, their focus is on acoustic roots music and a relaxed listening environment with free camping and bonfires on the outskirts of the stage—that which is still well within listening range.  

“As you draw closer to the front porch aesthetic of the stage, limited relaxed seating on outdoor furniture and living room furniture will be available that you can unwind on as if you were in your own home,” notes Dave.  

The Cataldo brothers were born and reared, educated and have remained right in their beloved Wartrace.  

Though, their business ventures and love of music has given them the opportunity to travel many places outside the railroad town. (See more about the Cataldo family later this summer.) Dave-A-Palooza began at Dave’s farm as a birthday party for a friend.  

The friend said, “This looks like a Dave-Apalooza. The name stuck, the brothers explain. Ezra writes and performs, as do other members of his family. This event, however, highlights many aspects of what is special about folk music.  

“People come to Bedford County . . . enjoy the organic,” says Ezra.  

That encompasses everything from agricultural products to songs, the brothers note. Dave-A-palooza is a free festival featuring Americana and roots music from headliner artists like Mary Gauthier, Logan Halstead, and many more. One thing that connects Gauthier to her fans is the truthfulness in her music, reviewers note.  

“On Dark Enough To See The Stars,” she mourns the loss of dear friends that include John Prine, Nancy Griffith and David Olney. There will also be local talent, including Andy Walker, who is described as being “fiercely rooted in blues.”  

Many of the performers have also played the Iron Horse in Wartrace, so their faces and tunes may seem familiar.  

While sitting outside the Iron Horse restaurant. where David is a partner, the brothers note how they want people to feel comfortable at this event, a.k.a., come to the festival “just as they are.”  

Ezra assures that it will be an experience of the heart and soul.