SONGWRITER

LOUISA BRANSCOMB

TO THE RESCUE!

September 20, 2018

 

 

 

     THE AMAZING, TALENTED LOUISA BRANSCOMB has scored another hit! You know Louisa from hits like "Steel Rails" (sung by Alison Krauss) and "Dear Sister" (IBMA 2014 Song of the Year, sung by Claire Lynch), and countless more songs.

     In true songwriter spirit, Louisa has come forward to help aspiring songwriters and volunteers from her popular songwriter retreat and festival in Southport, NC, which was devastated by the recent Hurricane Florence.

     Branscomb's non-profit organization, ScreenDoor Songwriter Alliance (https://www.screendooralliance.com) has hosted a songwriter festival and music-in-the-schools programs in Southport. NOTE: ScreenDoor Songwriter Alliance is sponsoring the fund drive--not Louisa personally. Louisa is coordinating the fund drive as its executive director.

     She has opened the donation page on her website louisabranscomb.com (http://louisabranscomb.com) to collect funds via ScreenDoor Songwriter Alliance for storm victims in the area. We know that musicians are known for stepping up where help is needed. Help is needed!

     According to Louisa, all the collected funds will be given to musicians and/or festival volunteers who submit letters of need and proof of damage or loss.

     It takes a long time for insurance or federal funds to kick in, and often the funds do not cover everything. Because another of Louisa's songwriter locations in Georgia was heavily damaged by a tornado in 2011, she knows how long it can take to rebuild and recover. She thought, ". . . why don't I do something concrete?"

     Here is your chance to 'do something concrete' too, by donating through the PayPal link on her website (https://www.screendooralliance.com) by typing Southport Fund in the optional message box. Donors should include a mailing address to receive a tax-deductible gift receipt. To donate with a personal check, email branscombmusic@gmail.com (mailto:branscombmusic.com) for further instructions to complete the donation. Make out your check to ScreenDoor Songwriter Alliance.

     Consider giving generously through PayPal or by personal check!

     Thanks to Louisa Branscomb, David Morris, contributor to Bluegrass Today, and Bluegrass Today, for bringing this story to our attention.

 

     Pick away!



 



Wood-N-Strings

Dulcimers and More

Beckon in the Fall

September 9, 2018

 

 

 

     About this time of year, folks get itchy feet and a stirrin' in their blood! Time to ramble to parts far from home. For Tennesseans, it's often the mountains of East Tennessee and the Great Smoky Mountains National Park...and for good reason! The air is cooler, cleaner, and the wood smoke rises throughout the hills.

     A favorite stop for us is Townsend, TN, along the Lamar Alexander Parkway. We naturally gravitate toward Wood-N-Strings Dulcimer Shop, where Mike and Connie Clemmer sell, play, teach, repair, and just enjoy all things dulcimer. If you've never been, you need to stop by to pick a few real mountain songs and tunes with the locals. From May through September (like right now), there is a pickin' on the Pickin' Porch on the first, third, and fifth Saturday evenings. A quick look at your calendar tells you that time is running out for those pickin's in this season. The shop is located at 7645 East Lamar Alexander Parkway, Townsend, TN 37882. Their phone number is (865) 448-6647. The website is www.clemmerdulcimer.com.

     Another delightful spot for a comfortable night's lodging is Dock's Motel, just a little way further east on the Parkway and on the same side as Wood-N-Strings. There are good restaurants in the area, and of course there is UT football. Be sure to include a slow trip through Cade's Cove. Bee-keeper Kermit Caughron, from our own family tree, was the last person to live in Cade's Cove. We waited too late to meet him or his wife, for they have both passed on. We wish we had just known earlier. There are some great stories about them on YouTube. These photos will show you some of what is to love about the Smokies in the fall of the year...any year!

     

 

 

  





 

COUNTY  SALES

IS BACK!

September 4, 2018  

 

     COUNTY SALES has returned! Yep! Bluegrass, old-time, and country music fans know about the legendary store along Virginia's Crooked Road in Floyd, VA. Visit the store in person or online at www.countysales.com. We will hush up now so you can scoot on over to their website, register, and enjoy current and hard-to-find music that we know and love! Order a bunch of things! Stuff you've been looking for but couldn't find. Tell your friends! Thanks to Dylan Locke and his wife Heather for making it happen and even adding more nice features!

 

WELCOME BACK

COUNTY SALES!