EATON — The combination of rain and lighting was too much for much of anything to happen on Friday, Sept. 4, and that included six-time Grammy Award-winning Buddy Guy taking the stage in Eaton.
Guy was scheduled to headline and help kick-off the first-ever Eatonic Music Festival last weekend but was unable to do so because of fear for safety of both the crowd and the 79-year-old blues legend.
Manfred Schreyer, who orchestrated the Eatonic event said the decision was made by Guy and his people around 10 p.m.
“The festival was going to be rain or shine but this was an act of God,” said Schreyer. “Just for public safety with the lightning — it was so bad and we didn’t know when it would stop — for the safety of the stage and people who were going to be on stage, we didn’t want to risk it.”
Schreyer was sympathetic to those who missed out on the legend.
“I know there may be some people upset but that’s an act of God, that doesn’t fall under rain or shine. I mean, if it would have just rained that’s not a problem, but with the lightning, once it becomes a safety issue for the artist there’s just no way.”
Schreyer said the following days of the festival were full of good music.
“They had a ball,” he said of those in attendance Saturday. “At night The All Mighty Get Down put on a show, it was absolutely incredible. Today (Sunday) was a great lineup. I think people were really surprised by the quality of the music.”
While the crowds weren’t as large as expected, the concert was always about music. “It did not meet our expectations, what we thought we would have, but I think there were many factors involved. We are going to reevaluate it and put it on again. I think the people who are here are having a great time.”
Schreyer said they will “learn and advance” from putting on the first music festival within the county, and hopes to be able to put the concert on next year.
Schreyer saying Friday night’s storms were “an act of God not falling under rain or shine” was important for those who only bought tickets for Friday. Those tickets were originally non-refundable, but Schreyer allowed those who had tickets to come to the rest of the weekend on the Friday night tickets. He said they will also be eligible for weekend passes to next year’s concert.