The big man with the big banjo, Steve Dilling, played his last show with IIIrd Tyme Out tonight at the 44th Annual South Carolina Bluegrass Festival in Myrtle Beach, SC. Steve joined IIIrd Tyme Out in July 1993 and has played with the band for just over 20 years. (see backstory at Ted Lehman's blog post)
+Edgar Loudermilk is also leaving after tonight's show and starting his own band. Edgar has been with the band for the past seven years.
During the set, Jamie Johnson of the +Grascals joined the band to sing "Little Girl of Mine in Tennessee."
As the showing started winding down, Steve said his goodbyes and expressed his gratitude to the band and the fans. It was an emotional time. He will certainly be missed on the stage with IIIrd Tyme Out. The band closed the show with "John and Mary," and then Steve had his own request for the encore. The first song he played in July 1993 with IIIrd Tyme Out was "I'm Leaving Detroit, I'm Headed South." Steve and the band closed the set with that same song.
Pictures located at:
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.1418997408333692
