A hot time at the Smithsonian Folklife Fest

Many thanks to Mark Puryear and all our people at the Smithsonian Institution who helped make the Rhythm & Blues program happen at this year's Folklife Festival! Thanks, too, to the fans, friends, family and fellow music makers who helped ensure that it was a funky good time for all involved. The event featured a total of eight performances by Fred and the band, along with several discussion on the Session Stage. Click  here for video. Also, click here for more still photos from the entire festival, which included programs on the Peace Corps and Columbia. Click here to see Mark and his team of staff and interns who worked so hard to keep us all comfortable.

Enjoy these family photos, as well as additional shots provided along with many thanks to attending photographers Andre Alexander and Greg Lawler.

The New JBs, with guest member Freddie Hendrix on trumpet

The Smithsonian's Timothy Anne Burnside interviewing Fred on the Session Stage.

Stories from the Road 

Fred on the Session Stage with Sam Lathan of the Monitors

Dwayne and Freddie

Linda Shider, Fred and Vesper Osborne

The Swallows

Sam and the Weavers (African basket-weavers participating in the Peace Corps program)

Sam, Cherise and Fred

A highlight of the week for Fred was getting to spend time with his grandchildren, including his grandsons, 4-year-old Coleman Britt and 7-month-old Parker Gary.

Cole and Fred

Fred and Parker

Thanks to Andre Alexander for these shots of Cole onstage with his "Poppie" and the New JBs.

Finally, thanks to Greg Lawler for these shots.