With so many performers scheduled it was not possible for each to play their own set. Instead most of the show was designed around multiple performers joining together to jam on each others music. This concept led to some out of the ordinary pairings of musicians who would not normally perform together, which made it all the more interesting and entertaining.

The twelve hour event kicked of around noon when Master of Ceremonies Bill Murray came on stage to warm up the crowd with some incredibly bad guitar playing – but entertaining shtick. EC joined him on stage shortly after his guitar torture started to introduce slide guitar virtuoso Sonny Landreth as the first act. Landreth set the bar for the day with his swamp style blues that featured Clapton trading licks with him on one number.

Robert Randolph and the Family Band were up next with their brand of blues and funk. Randolph, the top dog of the steel guitar world, was joined by Joe Bonamassa and Italian guitarist Pino Daniele for a soulful set.

The Robert Cray band joined by Jimmie Vaughan and Hubert Sumlin were on tap next.  Sumlin’s version of ‘Sitting on Top of the World’ was the highlight of the set with the ex Howlin’ Wolf guitar player carrying most of the number vocally and instrumentally.

Acoustic sets during the day featured the legendary Bert Jansch, Keb Mo, and Stefan Grossman. Jansch is probably best known for his work with John Renborne while performing with the band Pentangle in the late 60’s. Jimmy Page and Neil Young have both credited Jansch as a major influence on their playing and song writing.  Keb Mo is probably the most musically true ambassador of the traditional delta blues sound out there today.  Mo and Grossman’s duets were joyous to witness.

ZZ Top was in full force style as they pounded the crowded stadium with a good handful of their hits. The one receiving the biggest response was their classic ‘Jesus Just Left Chicago’. As with any show from this Little Ol’ Band from Texas they really delivered the goods with their antics and obvious pleasure of playing their Texas style of music.

Doyle Bramhall II was featured next with his band from Austin. This set would evolve a few times with artists like Sheryl Crow, Derek Trucks and Gary Clark Jr. sitting in with Bramhall and company. Eventually Susan Tedeschi made her way on stage to back up Crow on a few songs. Talk about some warbling, these two ladies should collaborate again and record a few numbers for the fans. Bramhall and Trucks should consider doing the same. Their double guitar team work was incredible as well.

As the rotating stage spun around once more the crowd was treated to an eclectic group of pickin’ and grinin’ guitar masters with country star Vince Gill leading the charge. This hodgepodge of guitar twangers included Gill, Keb Mo, Albert Lee, James Burton and jazz master Earl Klugh. Sounds crazy, but man did it work. The groups rendition of ‘Lay Down Sally’ was incredible with each player taking their interpretive turn and extending this number well beyond it’s original recorded length. Sheryl Crow’s back up vocals were an added bonus to this number.

John Mayer’s musical maturity was evident with the hot set performed by him and his band. Mayer showed the crowd what he can really do on six strings when he wants to. All bang with no pop was featured in this set and it sure worked.

The biggest surprise of the day was a rare appearance by Ronnie Wood. Not known for doing much lately, outside of being a member of the Rolling Stones, Wood has pretty much stayed off the stage. The combination of Wood, Buddy Guy and Jonny Lang made an absolute super trio. Each player out did the other by swapping incredible licks on each number they performed. The trio really set the hook when they started playing the Stone’s song ‘Miss You’. As one might expect, Wood took the lead on this one.

Replacing the Allman Brothers Band, which had been scheduled to perform but had to cancel, Derek Trucks and Susan Tedeschi filled in with their band. This was another show stopping set by Mr. and Mrs. Trucks that equaled if not surpassed their 2007 appearance at this event. After a few songs Warren Haynes joined in and traded off some fantastic guitar licks with Trucks. The two are well matched and it’s easy to see why the Allman Brothers Band is still in the game with players like this. Next in line were Los Lobos representatives, Ceasar Rojos and Davi Hildago each giving incredible performances with the band. Johnny Winter also graced the stage to round out the ready made super group collaboration.

Jeff Beck was on hand for his third Crossroads Festival. Touring with a new band and new album under his belt Beck never ceases to amaze fans with his ever changing style and approach to music. His guitar playing was better than ever and his new material, especially the song ‘Hammerhead’ was another amazing example of Beck’s guitar prowess.

The main event featuring Eric Clapton was up next. The opening song ‘Crossroads’ has become one of Clapton’s signature numbers. It was a fitting opening to another fantastic Eric Clapton performance considering the name of the event.  Citizen Cope was invited out for one number, then Jeff Beck came on stage. Clapton and Beck reprised ‘Shake your Money Maker’, a number performed from their short 2009 tour. Beck’s slide work on his Fender Telecaster was impeccable.

Steve Winwood appeared next with Clapton for the balance of the set.  The stage was now set for a mini Blind Faith reunion as the two covered the super group’s songs ‘Had to Cry Today’ and ‘Well Alright’.  Winwood was featured on piano for the Traffic song ‘Glad’ and ‘Dear Mister Fantasy’.  Other numbers by the duo included ‘Low Down Dirty Shame’, ‘Cocaine’ and their version of the Hendrix classic ‘Voodoo Chile’, which Winwood originally played on. The entire set lasted well over an hour and was of course one of the major highlights of the day.

B.B.King was next, joined by Robert Cray, Jimmie Vaughan and Clapton. The quartet  teamed up on Kings ‘The Thrill is Gone’ before the rest of the musicians featured throughout the day made their way onto the stage for the jam session finale number ‘Sweet Home Chicago’.

This was supposed to be the final Crossroads Guitar Festival, but EC changed his mind on stage and announced that he didn’t think that it would be the last. Great news for fans that haven’t attended one of these parties. This was my second one and I’ll do my best to attend as many as Clapton wants to host.

If you missed the show don’t fret. You’ll be able to purchase the DVD of the concert scheduled for release this fall.