For dozens of years, a favorite annual event in the Floodisphere has been playing each September at the Fraley Festival at Carter Caves State Park in Olive Hill, Ky.
Floodster Emeritus Doug Chaffin — who for decades played bass behind festival founders Annadeene and J.P. Fraley — was a fixture at the yearly gathering almost since its beginning in 1976.
A quarter of a century ago when Doug joined The Flood, he saw to it that his new band mates were regulars too.
Well, everyone knew the September 2024 Fraley Festival would be a challenge, because it would be the first one since Doug’s death last November.
Honestly, unable to imagine the event without the sight of Doug’s grin and the sound of his infectious laugh, The Family Flood even considered opting out of the festival this year.
But then Barb Kuhns reached out to the guys.
Barb, the beloved and tireless coordinator of all things Fraley each year, said she planned a tribute to Doug at the opening night. Donna Chaffin planned to attend, along with the kids and grandchildren.
“Will The Flood join us,” Barb said, “and maybe say a few words?”
“Well, of course!”
Barb — who’s also a founding member of the 50-year-old Corndrinkers old-time string band of Dayton, Ohio — also agreed to sit in on fiddle on The Flood’s set. Well, that cinched it!
Barb even managed to get the guys on stage last night before the rains came. In fact, The Flood was the last group at the old amphitheater before the storm chased everyone inside.
Here’s the video built around the band’s last tune of the Doug Chaffin tribute.
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