Last year, I was at Newport for one day. This year, as soon as tickets went on sale, I bought a three-day pass. I wasn’t sure how the summer would shake out and if I would be back at the fort, but I’m so glad I am. The sense of community, the support of new artists from the audience, and the sense of and respect for history at this festival is unparalleled.

Here are five highlights from day one:

Kris Kristofferson. Brian Minto calls the Museum Stage “the little stage with a big heart,” and who better to display what that heart is all about than someone who delivered line after perfect line with humility, grace, and passion. There were a lot of misty eyes in the room, and it was so wonderful to see the balcony lined with some of our best young songwriters, taking it in and singing along. This was just beautiful.
Joe Ely and Terry Allen. It’s a damn tough thing to follow Kris Kristofferson, so Chris Funk just got two of the best songwriters to step up. Terry Allen was masterful and playful, telling great stories behind his songs. I heard JP Harris about jump out of his boots when Terry started “Amarillo Highway.” Again, seeing that connection between generations of songwriters is a special thing. Joe paid a wonderful tribute to the late, great Guy Clark and later got the whole crowd singing along to “If I Could Teach My Chihuahua To Sing.”

St. Paul and The Broken Bones. These dudes can play. They got everybody dancing at the Fort Stage. They crushed “Half the City,” and “Broken Bones and Pocket Change” and shared some new material which was fantastic. Lead singer Paul Janeway owned the stage. He said, “We’re gonna make your shake your ass, Newport,” and he was right.

Matthew Logan Vasquez. Vasquez played a last song, then checked on his set time. Seven minutes left and he squeezed in two more tunes at breakneck speed. For some reason Matt’s work, even with Delta Spirit, has remained in my peripheral vision. Not no more and I’m so excited to see him again with Middle Brother on Sunday.

Dan Blakeslee. While standing in a very long water taxi line, I heard a familiar voice hitting a high and haunting “oooooo”. Such a good way to end the night listening to Dan busking for everyone heading home.