Bourbon & Beyond Day 2

 Great second day at Bourbon & Beyond!!  Immediately after getting through security, I went directly to the VIP area and secured a table for us.  Then we watched the first several bands including Darren Kiely from Cork, 10,000 Maniacs and The Robert Cray Band.  10,000 Maniacs definitely got the memo, playing their hits from the 1990's as well as a wonderful cover of Roxy Music's "More Than This".  The lead singer is now Mary Ramsey, since Natalie Merchant departed the group in 1995.  She did an amazing job on songs that she didn't originally sing as a lead vocalist. Robert Cray was also very good. Such a good guitarist.  As close to Jimi Hendrix as I'll ever see live. 

Lunch was some chicken from Gus' Fried Chicken. So well seasoned and freshly fried. 

After lunch we saw a Fork & Flask presentation from Elizabeth Banks (Hunger Games, Pitch Perfect, The Better Sister).  She has a new line of canned wines she was promoting called Archer Roose. We tried the rose and it was decent.   She also talked about her career in Hollywood, indicating it is much easier to act than direct.  No one brings you coffee as a director.  Her most challenging role was definitely in the Hunger Games.  We also saw a presentation with Chef Edward Lee, Chef Amanda Freitag and Gavin DeGraw. Chef Freitag made a pulled pork shoulder with cole slaw. 

Access to Kentucky Kingdom theme park was included this year so we took a stroll through the park.  This used to be Six Flags branded park.  Now it seems to be mostly the type of rides you'd see at a 72 hour town carnival. Now rides for us but we did find a really good Caribbean food truck.  Angie had a jerk smoked chicken wrap and I had some spicy chicken curry.  

We then headed back towards the main stage and awaited Phish. I know they have a lot of followers.  It seems to me similar to the following that The Grateful Dead had or Jimmy Buffett.  I had never seen them or heard any of their music so didn't know what to expect.  We stayed for one song and that was enough. I'd define them as a jam band. A lot of talented musicians on keyboards guitar and drums, playing a long jam session.  It just isn't for me. But others were enjoying it. We headed back to the hotel after our short walk and are reviewing the artists for tomorrow which includes Ringo Starr, The Ocean Blue and The Pixies.  We'll likely have a similar plan as today, trying to get a table in the VIP section.