Monday, December 22, 2014

A Bunch of Great Friends Pickin' Jes' 'fore Christmas!

     Here we have just a bunch of great friends gathered to pick a little jes' 'fore Christmas. Every one of these folks are trying to be as good as they can be, 'cause Santa Claus is comin' to town.

     The date is December 19, 2014. Last jam of the old year! Our first 2015 pickin' will be on January 9. Whole new year and everything! We're so grateful for each other and for our friends at Collierville United Methodist Church. They invite us to come in from the cold every year! Thanks, Rev. Henson, Len Lawhon, Jerry and Judy Wallace, Cleve, and all the rest of the crew at the church and the Common Cup Coffee Shop! Join us and help us to bring in the new year!














 

Monday, December 8, 2014

Caroling in the (Blanchard Springs) Caverns
Just north of Mountain View, Arkansas
December 6, 2014
 
Alert: The photos are from 2013 due to the fact that there was no snow this year (2013 was prettier anyway with snow), and that there was a camera malfunction inside the caverns this year. The carolers are all the same and the music was wonderful as usual!
 
 
 
     This is the Visitors Center at Blanchard Springs in Northeast Arkansas. Our trip to the region around Mountain View, AR, took us for the umpteenth time to Caroling in the Caverns, which takes place 216 feet below the Visitors Center. The Mountain View Area Chamber of Commerce sponsors the event which happens from Thanksgiving weekend through about the third weekend of December. It is done by reservations and tickets. Just call the Chamber and talk to Dee about availability of reservations.
 
     A brief elevator ride takes the visitor down to an entirely different world where special lighting among the geological formations casts a magic spell and wonderful local singers complete the magic with lovely Christmas songs and carols. It's a 70-million-year-old fairyland down there. The caverns are some of Mother Nature's finest efforts!
 
    We are issued cushions to sit on in the bleachers down in the cave. It's rather damp when you are inside a cave. It's also quite dark, but carefully-placed lighting in and around the formations provides the perfect setting for what is to come. Enter the carolers to set the mood for the approximately 100 fans who have gathered for the first of two shows on this Saturday afternoon.
 
    Carolers dressed in seasonal splendor stroll in from somewhere behind the bleachers and the scene is set. The lighted formations of stalactites and stalagmites make a splendid backdrop for the carolers and their music. The singing merry-makers are: Robert Gillihan (mandolin, vocals), Mary Gillihan (choral director, vocals), Marion Spear (vocals), group leader Pam Setser (guitar, dulcimer, spoons, vocals), Pati Long (vocals), Ron Haynes (guitar, vocals), and Abby Spinks (vocals). Not only is their music wonderful, they do a masterful job of walking around in semi-darkness in a damp cave. They move to the center in front of us, then to the left, then to somewhere directly below us, then to the right--and all of that movement without flashlights. It's amazing!
 

L to R: Ron Haynes, Pati Long, Pam Setser, Marion Spear, Mary Gillihan, Robert Gillihan, Abby Spinks 

  
     The carolers selected the following songs and seasonal tunes: Carol of the Bells, Christmas Time's A'comin', Walkin' in a Winter Wonderland, Beautiful Star of Bethlehem, Children Go Where I Send Thee, Jesus Our Brother Kind and Good, Unto You a Son is Born (Hosannah Emmanuel), Do You Hear What I Hear, O Holy Night, Silent Night, Away in a Manger, God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen, The Gentle Healer Came Into Our Town Today, Joy to the World, Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas, The Ozark 12 Days of Christmas, I'm Dreaming of a White Christmas, Jingle Bells, I Saw Mama Kissing Santa Claus, New Kid in Town, Angels We Have Heard on High, Silent Night (audience participation), and the hallway encore with enthusiastic audience participation was We Wish You a Merry Christmas!
 
     The newest feature of Caroling in the Caverns is a shallow squishy cushion shoe bath which cleanses the soles of our shoes. As we depart the Visitors Center, every person walks on the squishy cushion of water, Woolite, and some other ingredient. The procedure is brief, painless, and not damaging to your shoes or feet. The reason is the increasing problem of white-nose syndrome among bat populations throughout the United States. Caves and caverns are affected, bats die from the syndrome, and Blanchard Caverns rangers and personnel are doing their very best to keep the syndrome from spreading.
 
     This writer recommends a weekend in the Ozarks any time you can get away, especially for Caroling in the Caverns. In addition, the Mountain View Area Chamber of Commerce hosts Cupid in the Caverns in February. Shows are generally at 2:30 and 4:30 pm (Central). There are good hotels, motels, and B-n-B's in Mountain View, AR. Splendid restaurants in the area will suit just about every taste.
 
For more information:
 E-mail: mvchamber@mvtel.net
Mountain View Area Chamber of Commerce: Phone (Tickets/Info): 870.269.8068
Toll Free: 888.679.2859

Pick (or sing) a Christmas song right now!
Betty


Tuesday, November 18, 2014

Franklin to Nashville to Oxford to Collierville
Long Round Trip
 
 
       The long round trip began in Franklin, TN, with a grand benefit show at the historic Franklin Theatre for "Seeds for the Garden - A Benefit for the Carter Hill Garden Park". This is the 150th anniversary of the Battle of Franklin in the Civil War, also called the "five bloodiest hours of Tennessee history". Seven thousand Confederate soldiers out of 20,000 paid the ultimate price. The Union lost 2,000 men. Just prior to the incredible show, there was dinner with my friends Gloria and Marvin at Puckett's in Franklin. Bloggers must eat sometime!
 
          The show kicked off with the ensemble consisting of John Cowan, Alison Brown, Garry West, Claire Lynch, Bryan McDowell, Mark Schatz, Jarrod Walker, the group Wisewater (Kate Lee, Jimmy Shirey, Forrest O'Connor), and other first-quality musicians. The tune was a lively rendition of "The Girl I Left Behind Me".
 
          Following the opening song, the show moved smoothly and rapidly, with each artist doing
          a song. We will try to give you an idea here of how it went:
         
          First Set
          Claire Lynch Band: Kennesaw Line
          Wisewater: Soldier's Joy
          John Cowan: My Father's Gun
          Alison Brown Band: Medley of Stephen Foster Songs - Oh Susannah, My Old Kentucky 
             Home, and Angelina Baker
          Claire Lynch Band: Dear Sister, IBMA's 2014 "Song of the Year"
          Alison Brown Band: Tune with Civil War photo video onscreen
          Wisewater: Civil War Tune about a mother and her newborn baby
          Claire Lynch Band: Missionary Ridge
          Alison Brown Band with John Cowan and Claire Lynch: American Trilogy - Dixie,
             Battle Hymn of the Republic, and All My Trials Lord
          Ensemble: The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down (powerful!)
         
          Second Set (Music other than bluegrass)
          Alison Brown Band: Under the 5-Wire
          Wisewater: Call It a Night
          Claire Lynch Band: Snow Day and I'll Be All Right Tomorrow
          Alison Brown, Mark Schatz, fiddler: Shake and Howdy
          Wisewater: Coming Home
          John Cowan: Miss the Mississippi and You (popularized 1937 by Jimmie Rodgers)
          Alison Brown Band: The Wonderful Sea Voyage of Holy St. Brendan (voyage made
             1,500 years ago by Irish monk called Brendan; photo video of travels in rough seas)
          Children Hannah and Brendan: Described by Alison Brown as their 'road managers,'
             danced to Are You from Dixie?
          Claire Lynch Band with Alison Brown and John Cowan: From Lynch's
             "Moonlighter" album: Thibodeaux
          John Cowan with the ensemble: Callin' Baton Rouge (really fine!)
 
 
          Our next two stops were in Nashville, TN, at Parnassus Books on Saturday, November 15, 2014, about a mile from this writer's home place in Nashville, and on to Oxford, MS, at Off Square Books on Monday, November 17, where Southern author Rick Bragg regaled his loyal fans with stories about his experience in preparing his latest book, Jerry Lee Lewis: His Own Story. The book is available at bookstores everywhere and the usual online outlets. Bragg himself is entertaining enough, because he has traveled many of the same trails as has Jerry Lee Lewis. One story that Rick shared was about interviewing Lewis in his Nesbit, MS, home. Rick was greeted by a pack of dogs, then by a pack of Chihuahuas. (pause for you to visualize that scene) One Chihuahua, named Topaz, Jr., bit Rick Bragg! The author knew that this wasn't your average interview. He observed bullet holes in the walls and in the chifferobe in "the Killer's" bedroom. The .357 magnum was under Jerry Lee's pillow. Bragg interviewed Jerry Lee while the singer was in bed and in rather poor health. Bragg mentioned to the Parnassus audience that Jerry Lee was in pajama bottoms with little pianos in the design. Rick Bragg would have you to know that "Jerry Lee Lewis ain't like normal people." Jerry Lee Lewis would have you to know that "other people just wish they coulda done what I done!"
 
          You will have to read Jerry Lee Lewis: His Own Story to fill in the missing pieces of "the Killer's" life and troubled times, and there are a lot of missing pieces. The reading/signing at Off Square Books in Oxford, MS, went much the same way as it did at Parnassus in Nashville: Rick Bragg read a couple of short passages from the book, took questions and comments from audience members, and then signed books for a long time at each location. He stood for pictures and listened to others' stories about encounters with Jerry Lee Lewis. Despite his admission that he is not a patient man, Bragg showed mountains of patience for everyone who wanted a book signed or a photo.
 
          We shall close by saying that our beautiful town of Collierville, TN, with Parade Magazine's 2014 Best Main Street in America, will have to go some distance yet to compete with events at the Franklin Theatre, Parnassus Books and Off Square Books. It was a thrilling three days!
 
For more information:
 
Next read/sign event for Rick Bragg: December 6, 2014, at Booksellers at Laurelwood, Memphis, TN
Parnassus Books www.parnassusbooks.net
Square Books and Off Square Books www.squarebooks.com/square-books
 
Rick Bragg speaking to fans at Parnassus Books, Nashville, TN, Nov. 15, 2014


"Bear," the Parnassus Books official dog, Nov. 15, 2014

Betty with Rick Bragg at Parnassus Books, Nashville, TN, Nov. 15, 2014

Rick Bragg at Off Square Books, Oxford, MS, Nov. 17, 2014

                                                                       
Rick Bragg at Off Square Books, Oxford, MS, Nov. 17, 2014
 


Saturday, November 8, 2014

Rest in Peace
 
Loyce Crain Williams
 
September 7, 1938 - November 4, 2014
 
The Memphis area bluegrass music community is sad to learn of the passing of our friend Loyce Crain Williams (known to us as Loyce Smith). Loyce was a tireless worker for the Lucy Opry and bluegrass music in this region. She was the smiling lady at the ticket table at BPACC when there were Lucy Opry events held there. She was also dedicated to the Humane Society and its Spay/Neuter program.
 
She is survived by her two daughters, seven grandchildren, and 14 great-grandchildren. A talented pianist, Loyce enjoyed playing for her church.
 
Funeral services are / were Saturday, November 8, 2014, at 1:00 PM, at Memphis Funeral Home and Memorial Gardens at 3700 N. Germantown Road. In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to your local animal shelter. Online condolences may be made to www.memphisfuneralhome.net.
 
 
May Loyce rest in peace and may her family be comforted by their faith and their love for her and for each other.
 
Pick a tune in memory of Loyce!
 
Betty Westmoreland
Co-Founder, Collierville Historic Town Square Bluegrass & Old-Time Music Jam

Saturday, November 1, 2014

 
 
October 27, 2014
Apple, Kirby & Rounds with Friends
Tim Crouch, Tommy Burroughs, Irl Hees, and Kenny Loggains
The Collins Theatre ~ Paragould, AR
 
L to R: Tim Crouch, Brad Apple, Irl Hees, Pam Setser, Gary Rounds, Tommy Burroughs
and behind Gary is Kenny Loggains


       It is always a treat to attend Bluegrass Monday (4th Monday) at the beautiful Collins Theatre in Paragould, AR. The event is sponsored by KASU-FM 91.9 on the campus of Arkansas State University in Jonesboro, along with other local sponsors. KASU Program Director Marty Scarbrough serves as Master of Ceremonies for the outstanding bluegrass music events, and the house is usually packed full of enthusiastic fans.
 
          Local and regional favorites, Apple, Setser, and Rounds recently gathered some special friends to join them for a rare and outstanding performance at Bluegrass Monday on October 27, 2014. Brad Apple headed the project of gathering the band members and their friends. Brad is an Arkansas native who handles mandolin, guitar and bass with ease. He is a third-generation musician who began performing at an early age, and he has appeared on WoodSongs Old Time Radio Hour in addition to many performances in Arkansas and Memphis, TN. He is also a recording engineer with his own studio and with Raney Recording Studio in Drasco, AR.
 
          Pam Setser is another Arkansas native who started performing when she was quite young with her family's band, the Simmons Family Band. Pam served as lead female singer of "The Country Music Story" stage show in Hot Springs, AR. She was second runner-up in the national finals of the Wrangler Country Showdown talent competition. In addition to her performances with Apple, Setser, and Rounds, Pam performs with the Leatherwoods at the Ozark Folk Center in Mountain View, AR. Pam's credentials also include Louisiana Hayride on radio, and television shows such as You Can Be A Star, Nashville Now, Hee Haw, and the Tonight Show.
 
          Arkansas native Gary Rounds is known for his incredibly smooth and soulful vocal styling. Gary has performed on the syndicated radio program "At Home in the Country". With at least one CD to his credit, Gary Rounds' vocal and guitar styles range from folk to bluegrass to pop hits. He can sing songs the way they were meant to be sung. His voice sends chills down the spines of his many fans.
 
          Guest performer Tim Crouch from Strawberry, AR, brought his amazing fiddle style to the stage at Bluegrass Monday. The five-time winner of the Arkansas state fiddle championship has also won the national fiddle championship twice! The list of artists on whose recordings he has appeared reads like a Who's Who in country and bluegrass music: Vince Gill, George Jones, Bill Monroe, Glen Campbell, Dailey and Vincent, Chet Atkins, Jerry Reed, Charlie Daniels, Dierks Bentley and the Oak Ridge Boys. Tim also serves as the staff fiddler for the Grand Ole Opry in Nashville, TN. Perhaps you have seen Tim Crouch on Late Night with David Letterman, Hee Haw, Austin City Limits, and Conan O'Brien.
 
         Tommy Burroughs is another talented guest whom Brad Apple brought along. Tommy is from Memphis, TN, and his bluegrass roots go deep. He is the son of one of the original Tennessee Gentlemen, guitarist/vocalist Willie Burroughs. Tommy is extremely proficient on mandolin, guitar, and fiddle. Restless Heart and Martina McBride have recorded some of Tommy's songs. He is a seven-time winner of the Premier String Player award presented by the Memphis chapter of the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences (NARAS).
 
          Irl Hees is the bassist of all bass players. The Missouri native has performed with Rhonda Vincent & the Rage, the Lonesome River Band, and Cedar Hill. Irl currently appears with the amazing comedy bluegrass group known as The Cleverlys. Hard-driving slap bass has fans running to YouTube to hear "Darcy Farrow," "Amazing Grace," or "Working on a Building" like they've never heard those songs before. Irl Hees will knock your socks off!
 
          Kenny Loggains resides in Arkansas, and he is the supreme guest percussionist, because he doesn't dominate the subtle nuances of bluegrass music. He often performs with Bucksnort Hill from Bono, AR.
 
          Here is the music chosen by these talented artists for Bluegrass Monday -- SET ONE: Dear Old Pal, Ozark Hills, Julianne, Wheel Hoss, Green Light on the Southern, Across the Great Divide, Uncle Pen, Darcy Farrow, Old Dangerfield, Tennessee Waltz, Black Mountain Rag (with local clogger Alex Prince), I'd Rather Died Young Than Live Without You (Magnolia Wind), Gone at Last. SET TWO: Sally Goodin, Eight More Miles to Louisville, Walkaway Joe, On and On, Milk Cow Blues, Fire on the Mountain, I Know Love Is All I Need, Crooked Ridge, Rose in a Spanish Garden (Last Letter Home), Sweet Georgia Brown, More Pretty Girls Than One, Midnight Moonlight, From a Distance, Take a Load Off Fanny/Annie (The Weight), Mandolin Fiesta, Amazing Grace, Orange Blossom Special, and two encores: Sweet Dreams and Lady Be Good.
 
Thanks to Marty Scarbrough and KASU-FM for the biographical information on the artists.
 
For additional information:
 
KASU-FM 91.9 with Marty Scarbrough in Jonesboro, AR, replayed the Apple, Kirby, and Rounds with Friends show from the Collins Theatre on radio Sunday, November 2, 2014, at 12:30 PM CST. (www.kasu.org) Catch any of the Bluegrass Monday shows on radio or online on the Sunday following a performance!
 
The Collins Theatre: 120 West Emerson St., Paragould, AR
 
Terry's Café: 201 South Pruett, Paragould, AR. Delicious Catfish Buffet served on "Bluegrass  Mondays" -- Opens 4:30 PM and serves 'til close at 6:45 PM
 
Bluegrass Monday on Facebookhttps://www.facebook.com/BluegrassMonday
 
Pick away!
 
 
         
 



Wednesday, September 24, 2014

 
 
 
September 22, 2014
 Nothin' Fancy
The Collins Theatre
Paragould, AR
 
Jesse Smathers, Tony Shorter at rear, Mike Andes, Chris Sexton at rear, and Mitchell Davis
 
Nothin' Fancy rolled into Paragould, AR, on September 22, 2014, in a big, bright-yellow bus. They parked beside the Collins Theatre. People naturally noticed. A bus like that is a pretty big deal in Paragould. Actually, that bus is about as far as the 'fancy' label goes. They're not a fancy band, but their music is pure magic! The band has a yellow busload of honors from the Society for the Preservation of Bluegrass Music of America (SPBGMA) and the International Bluegrass Music Association (IBMA). Frankly, it was difficult to hold this band down in their native spot in the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia. As leader Mike Andes said, "Somebody should write a song with those four words." [Shenandoah Valley of Virginia]  Too late, Mike. Somebody did! Nothin' Fancy is
out there entertaining everywhere they go--from coast to coast and across the pond. You are going to want to hear Nothin' Fancy--for the first time or again many times!
 
Mike Andes, the self-taught professional singer and mandolinist, is a founding member of Nothin' Fancy, the band which began to take shape in 1994. Prior to that, Mike formed the East Coast Bluegrass Band. He describes his appearance as sort of leftover-hippy. Don't let that fool you for one minute! There is a big voice on this guy, along with his expert mandolin artistry. His inspiration for the band's music is Charlie Waller and the Country Gentlemen, with a lot of the Seldom Scene thrown in for good measure. This affable instrument builder (mandolins and fiddles, even a 5-string fiddle) and performer is also a proud grandfather  of three.
 
Mitchell Davis plays banjo in the group. He also can handle vocals, the guitar and fiddle. He was smitten with Earl Scruggs and Don Reno at a young age. Mitch also comes out of the East Coast Bluegrass Band. His early mentors were also the Country Gentlemen and the Seldom Scene. Nothin' Fancy has three self-released albums to their credit, and Mitch was the main producer of those albums.
 
Chris Sexton. . .the very mention of the name of this talented fiddle player should have other fiddlers practicing a lot harder. Chris was, and still is, known as a successful violinist. He has performed with the Maryland Symphony Orchestra, the Roanoke Symphony, and the Loudoun Symphony. He even has a master's degree in violin pedagogy [teaching violin in private lessons]. Chris also performed with the East Coast Bluegrass Band. Wait! There's more! There is Chris' violin work that could be heard in recent years on the Discovery Channel, the Learning Channel, PBS, and the National Geographic Channel. He is a sought-after session musician and a natural performer who is fun to watch and who fits in perfectly with Nothin' Fancy. Chris handles vocal assignments as well.
 
Tony Shorter is one of several Nothin' Fancy band members who was influenced heavily in the early years by family members. He grew up listening to his father and uncle's bluegrass band. While in college, Tony helped to start the Virginia Tech Bluegrass Association. While he started out on mandolin, he began playing bass and guitar in college. He managed to play bass with five bands at one point. Regardless of the many styles of music Tony enjoys, he found his way back to bluegrass in 1994 to help with the startup of Nothin' Fancy, including his vocal work in the band's tight harmony. Even though his last name says 'Shorter,' for the record, this fine bass player is actually the tallest member of the band.
 
Jesse Smathers is the guitar player and tenor singer in Nothin' Fancy. Jesse also has a deep background of family musicians. His grandfather and great uncle received honors for their contributions to North Carolina Folk Music. Jesse started touring, playing mandolin and singing tenor and high baritone with the James King Band. Another band that Jesse played with, High Voltage, won top honors for bluegrass band at the Galax Old Time Fiddler's Convention. He is right at home holding down the guitar and tenor vocals with Nothin' Fancy.
 
 
The Collins Theatre in Paragould, AR is a renovated beauty of an old-fashioned theatre which seats about 500 fans. The first floor and the balcony were nearly full for the concert by Nothin' Fancy. Fans gave the band an enthusiastic welcome. The crowd loved the band from start to finish.
 
Terry's Café, at 201 South Pruett, Paragould, serves a wonderful catfish buffet on "Bluegrass Mondays," starting at 4:30p. The restaurant is a short walk from the Collins Theatre. 
 
In case you weren't there for Nothin' Fancy, here is what you missed: SET ONE: Angels Are Hard to Forget, Circuit Rider, Rose in a Spanish Garden (Last Letter Home), Two Different Worlds, Salt Creek (instrumental by Jesse Smathers), Together Again, We'll Meet Again Sweetheart, Keep Your Hands to Yourself, Another Night, House of Gold, and Uncle Pen. SET TWO: Soldier's Letter, Love and Wealth, I Remember the Touch of Your Hand, The Girl from the North Country, My Granddad Chases Women at the Local Retirement Home, Darkness and Dirt, You Don't Know My Mind, Darby's Castle, I Met My Baby in the Port-A-John Line, Wait a Minute, Orange Blossom Special, In the Garden, and the encore was More to be Pitied than Scolded.
 
 
Jesse Smathers, Tony Shorter, Mike Andes, Chris Sexton, Mitchell Davis


The one...the only...Chris Sexton
 
For additional information:
 
KASU with Marty Scarbrough in Jonesboro, AR, will replay the Nothin' Fancy show from the Collins Theatre on radio Sunday, September 28, 2014, at 12:30 PM CDT. (www.kasu.org) Catch the show on radio or online!
 
The Collins Theatre: 120 W. Emerson St., Paragould, AR
 
Terry's Café: 201 South Pruett, Paragould, AR. Delicious Catfish Buffet served on "Bluegrass Mondays" - opens 4:30p and serving 'til close at 6:45p
 
Bluegrass Monday on Facebookhttps://www.facebook.com/BluegrassMonday
 
Nothin' Fancy website: www.nothinfancybluegrass.com  The band returns to Bluegrass Monday on February 23, 2015!
 
Pick away!
Betty
.


Sunday, September 21, 2014



September 19, 2014
Memphis Dulcimer Gathering
and Folk Festival
Instructors Concert
 
 
 
       The Memphis Dulcimer Gathering and Folk Festival has become a tradition focused on...well...traditional music. Larkin Bryant began the festival with Dennis Batson in about 1988 at Idlewild Presbyterian Church in Midtown Memphis. It featured experienced professionals who came in from around the country to perform and teach. Lee Cagle is now carrying the festival forward in fine style. Together, they have more than 20 years of experience presenting the festival in Memphis. There are two days of instruction and jamming with some of the best in the mountain dulcimer and hammered dulcimer world. Vendors come in to sell dulcimers and the various supplies which go along with this traditional music.
 
         A highlight of the festival is the concert by the artists who come in to teach. If I can be permitted to drop a few names, I will share some who performed at the September 19 concert at Second Baptist Church, 4680 Walnut Grove Road in Memphis. They are: Lee Cagle, Larkin Bryant, Thomasina Levy, Rick Thum, Jess Dickinson, Agene Parsons, and Mike Anderson. Songcatchers Daniel Fleck and Hilary Scheel also participated in the concert. We spotted artist Ilace Mears in the crowd but we did not hear her perform.
 
       Below are a few photos from the instructor concert. That's Lee Cagle in the background enjoying the guest artists. We hope you enjoy seeing them. If you missed the event, check with Lee Cagle at her e-mail address or website. She can fill you in on upcoming events and the festival for next year. Lee@LeeCagleDulcimers.com and www.LeeCagleDulcimers.com
 
 
Larkin Bryant, mountain dulcimer

Larkin Bryant, autoharp

Thomasina Levy, mountain dulcimer and vocals

Thomasina Levy, mountain dulcimer and vocals, with Rick Thum, hammered dulcimer and vocals

Thomasina Levy, mountain dulcimer and vocals, with Rick Thum, hammered dulcimer and vocals

Jess Dickinson, hammered dulcimer, with Rick Thum, guitar

Jess Dickinson, hammered dulcimer

Lee Cagle, mountain dulcimer and vocals

Hilary Scheel, mandolin and vocals, Lee Cagle, mountain dulcimer and vocals, Daniel Fleck, guitar and vocals

Hilary Scheel, mandolin and vocals, Lee Cagle, mountain dulcimer and vocals, Daniel Fleck, guitar and vocals

Hilary Scheel, mandolin and vocals, Lee Cagle, mountain dulcimer and vocals, Daniel Fleck, guitar and vocals

Agene Parsons, hammered dulcimer and vocals, with Rick Thum, guitar and vocals

Rick Thum, hammered dulcimer and vocals

Mike Anderson, mountain dulcimer and vocals

Mike Anderson, mountain dulcimer and vocals

Mike Anderson, mountain dulcimer and vocals


Rick Thum, Lee Cagle, Agene Parsons, Mike Anderson, Thomasina Levy, Jess Dickinson, Larkin Bryant

 
 


Saturday, August 23, 2014



 December 30, 2014  
The Claire Lynch Band 
Touring Schedule Update
 
 
Below are listed upcoming opportunities to see The Claire Lynch Band LIVE!
For further information click on the website below the event. We hope to see you soon!
 
 
Claire Lynch, Bryan McDowell, Mark Schatz, Matthew Wingate
Station Inn, Nashville - 2013
 
    2015
 
02/20-21   Denver, CO (Northglenn)   Mid-Winter Bluegrass Festival -- Ramada Plaza
                  http://www.seamanevents.com
 
02/25   Crested Butte, CO   Crested Butte Center for the Arts
             http://theroosterswife.org  
 
03/05   Del Mar, CA   Del Mar Powerhouse - First Thursday Subscription Series Performance
 
03/06   Del Mar, CA   Del Mar Powerhouse
 
03/09   Chico, CA   Sierra Nevada Brewery
             http://www.sierranevada.com
 
03/14   Mountain View, CA   First Presbyterian Church of Mountain View--Redwood
             Bluegrass Associates
              http://www.rba.org

New     04/18   Venice, FL   Suncoast BBQ & Bluegrass Bash - Venice Airport Festival
                         Grounds
                         http://suncoastbbqbash.com
 
05/23   Church Point, NS (Canada)   Marc-Lescarbot Theater
            http://www.lemoulin.ca/en/index.cfm
 
10/15   Dauphin, MB (Canada)   Watson Art Centre
            http://watsonartcentre.com
 
10/20   Rocky Mountain House, AB (Canada)   Grandview Stage Resort
            http://www.grandviewstage.com
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 





Friday, August 15, 2014

 
 
Parade Magazine's Best Main Street in America
and
One Dandy Collierville
Bluegrass & Old-Time Music Jam
 
 
       Tonight we are just speechless! We've just been declared Parade Magazine's Best Main Street in America! Not too shabby! We salute all the other towns that participated in the competition!
 
       The Historic Town Square Jam was phenomenal: A result, we guess, of the recent award, the splendid weather, and the wonderful musicians and fans who support the jam! You're ALL awesome!
 
       It's time to let the photos do the talking...since we have already said we are speechless.
 
 

Coley, Bob and Frank

Bob, Cecil, Gerald, Peter, Bobby, Joe and Coley

Marilyn's Hammered Dulcimer

Joe, Bobby, Marilyn, Coley and Chris

Log Cabin Pickers

Log Cabin Pickers

Joe, Marilyn and Orion

Bruce, Joe, Marilyn and Baxter

Coley, son Gary, Marilyn, Chris and Joe

Sue, Danny, Len and Judy

Danny, Len, Judy and Bobby

Danny, Len, Bobby and Bruce

Little Picker , Len and Donna

Len, Donna, Karl, Judy and Chris

Danny, New Picker, Len, Donna, Karl and Bruce

Danny
Judy, Bobby, Coley, Marilyn, Chris and Baxter
Danny, Len, Judy and Bobby
Marilyn, Coley, Chris and Baxter
Marilyn, Bobby, Chris and Little Picker with Her Mom
Marilyn with Little Picker
Marilyn with Little Picker
Danny, Len, Bobby and Bruce

Caroline, dad Jeremy, and Evelyn