Tuesday, November 26, 2019

THE HISTORIC COLLINS THEATRE
HOSTS NO TIME FLATT
PARAGOULD, AR   NOVEMBER 25, 2019
(photos from November 27, 2017, click each to enlarge) 
 
     Bluegrass bands love to perform at the Historic Collins Theatre in Paragould, AR. And "Bluegrass Monday" (4th Monday of each month except December) provides a perfect opportunity. KASU 91.9 FM and Program Director Marty Scarbrough, who heads up Bluegrass Monday, have their offices on the campus of Arkansas State University in Jonesboro, AR. Marty selects top-quality bands and performers to play throughout 11 months of the year. The theatre prepares the usual theatre snacks and sodas, the price of admission is at least five dollars (put in more if you can), the sound man provides great sound, and you just know you're going to be royally entertained. There's a first set, a refreshments pause where you can buy snacks at the stand, and CDs which are at the band's table, then a final set for the evening. It's just downright delightful!
      
NOTE: The concert will be broadcast on radio on Sunday, December 1, 2019, at about 12:30 pm CT on 91.9 FM and www.kasu.org on the program called "Down Home Harmonies" hosted by Mr. Scarbrough.
      
L to R: Kevin Keen, Steve Moore,
Kevin Wright, Patrick Cupples,
Becky Weaver
       Many readers of this blog already know about NO TIME FLATT, but let us review quickly: Together now for almost five years, several friends from the Jackson, TN, area decided to see what might work for them as a band. It was one of those ideas that just clicked! Several people had already played bluegrass together before, but this time it was really serious. The band members are as follows: Kevin Wright (Humboldt, TN, guitar, vocals), Patrick Cupples (Dyersburg, TN, upright bass, vocals), Becky Weaver (Montezuma, TN, fiddle, vocals), Steve Moore (Jackson, TN, banjo, vocals), and Kevin Keen (Corinth, MS, mandolin). No Time Flatt has played many shows, had two very successful overflowing CD release parties at Clark Shaw & Son's Old Country Store in Jackson, TN, played the Plaza at the Ryman Auditorium (the "mother church" of country and bluegrass music) three times, scored top honors three times at the Tennessee Music Awards at the University of Memphis Lambuth Campus in Jackson, TN, and now have played the Collins Theatre twice. They've kept all five members since day one, and the sound is tight! They've only just begun!
 
L to R: Kevin Keen, Steve Moore,
Kevin Wright, Patrick Cupples,
Becky Weaver
 The music for the evening of November 25, 2019, was as follows:  Set 1 Fox on the Run, Lonely Moon, Look Down the Lonesome Road, I Have Found the Way, Before the Cold Winds Blow, I've Lived a Lot in My Time, Dim Lights Thick Smoke, Humble Yourselves, Methodist Preacher, Could I Have This Dance, Ten Plagues, Foolin' Around, and Long Gone.  Set 2 Dixieland Delight, How Deep Is the Lonesome, Crying Holy, The Golden Rule, It Must Be Love, Calling After Me, Little Lou, Keen Mountain Prison, Wayfaring Stranger, Whiskey & Tears, Tammy Marie, and I'll Have to Say I Love You. The Encore was Beulah Land.
For further information:
Website:  No Time Flatt www.notimeflatt.com or Facebook www.facebook.com/notimeflatt Google Play, Spotify, Apple Music, and Airplay Direct
Contact: Kevin Wright notimeflatt@yahoo.com or (731) 616-1208
 
Meet the members of No Time Flatt
Becky, Patrick, Kevin Wright, Kevin Keen, and Steve
 
 
 


Monday, November 25, 2019

BANJO BONANZA
House Concert at the Finders' Memphis Home
October 19, 2019
 
L to R:  Jon Finder, Tom Gray, Eddie Adcock, Martha Adcock
       WORD LEAKED OUT a few weeks back that there was going to be the first annual Memphis Music Camp at the home of Dr. Jonathan and Jana Finder in Memphis. It's hard to keep this kind of thing secret when the likes of Eddie and Martha Adcock, Alan Munde, our own Randal Morton and Henrietta Smith, Terry Ferguson, and Tom Gray would be teaching all-day workshops and then performing on the evening of October 19, 2019. After all, there would be two (imagine it!) of the original Country Gentlemen there in the living room in the persons of Eddie Adcock and Tom Gray. The others of the Classic Country Gentlemen from around 1960 were Charlie Waller, John Duffey, and Bill Emerson. How good is that!
       While we don't play a note of anything, we knew enough to be there for the wonderful house concert by all the incredible bluegrass artists in the house. Apologies in advance for any errors in song titles or songs left out. We were writing as fast as we could! The artists performed with their pals and occasionally by themselves. It was truly an amazing event.
 
Randal and Terry
                                      Limehouse Blues, Rawhide, and a super jazz tune
 
Alan
Stymie, Munde Night (Monday Night) Waltz and Peaches and Cream ~ ~ Alan mentioned the Nashville String Band from a few years back, consisting of Chet Atkins and Homer & Jethro, and that must have been something to hear!
 
Eddie
 Hotel California
 
Eddie, Martha, and Tom
Pallet on You Floor, Many Miles I Have Gone ~ Martha mentioned that the Country Gentlemen took the music to new heights, pointing out that in the early days of bluegrass music, there were no modern conveniences--for the music or the musicians. Eddie joined the band in 1959, Tom in 1960, and it flowed from there with Charlie Waller, John Duffey, and Bill Emerson. Eddie, Martha, and Tom added Tom's novelty song "Would You Mind?"
 
Randal and Tom
Shuckin' the Corn, Opus 36 from Sonatinas by Clementi (not easy on banjo), Blue Bells (Eddie Adcock style)
Randal and Henrietta
                                                              Blue Kentucky Girl
 
Randal and Terry
Silver Bells, Red-Haired Boy, Dance with Me (from the band Orleans), Bully of the Town
 
Alan
What a Friend, Softly and Tenderly (gospel tunes), Jenny's Desire (a cat playing for a mouse in a nursery rhyme for his daughter) ~ Alan mentioned his colleague Beth Meade, who played banjo on old classics which were published by Hal Leonard; also 'brother tunes' (George and Ira Gershwin) like Embraceable You; Oklahoma Bound (Alan's from Oklahoma), and Huckleberry Hornpipe (by Beppe Gambetta and Dan Crary, done Byron Berline style)
 
Here are some photos from the event, some better than others, but we will put the great and near-great pictures here for you. Click each photo to enlarge it.
 
Special Note:There are more Finder house concerts scheduled for the coming months:  Jim Hurst (guitar/vocals) on Dec. 7, 2019Irene Kelley (guitar/vocals) on January 25, 2020, and Special Consensus with Greg Cahill on April 26, 2020.
 
L to R: Randal Morton, Terry Ferguson
 
L to R: Tom Gray, Eddie Adcock, Martha Adcock
 
L to R: Randal Morton, Tom Gray
 
L to R:  Randal Morton, Tom Gray
 
L to R:  Randal Morton, Henrietta Smith, Tom Gray
 
L to R:  Randal Morton, Henrietta Smith, Tom Gray
 
L to R:  Randal Morton, Henrietta Smith, Tom Gray
 
Alan Munde
 
Several photos of Alan Munde were turned sideways,
but we will put just one in the list until we figure out
how to set them upright
 
L to R:  Randal Morton, Henrietta Smith, Tom Gray
 
L to R after the concert: Michael McKnight and his father, Mike McKnight
This one is very special to this blogger!






Tuesday, November 12, 2019

JUST FRIENDS JAMMIN' 2.0
COLLIERVILLE TN FRIDAY NIGHT
BLUEGRASS & OLD-TIME JAM
COMMON CUP COFFEE SHOP
COLLIERVILLE UNITED METHODIST CHURCH
NOVEMBER 8, 2019
       When things get in the groove at the Friday Night Bluegrass & Old-Time Music Jam in Collierville, it's tough to lay it down a few minutes before 9:00 PM. Hint: When you arrive on time, you get to play and enjoy the music longer! These days, pickers and fans are pouring into the Common Cup Coffee Shop at the Collierville United Methodist Church (454 W. Poplar Avenue) each Friday around 6:30 PM, and it takes off from there. It could be the warm accommodations, the coffee and hot chocolate, or the fellowship and an opportunity to jam with good friends. Or it could be all of that.
       We are particularly glad to have Sam Knight and his granddaughter Ragan Knight, also Jean Burton, with us again. They recently sustained losses in their families and we would ask that you keep them in your thoughts and prayers.
       The jam is in its 20th season and we have ironed out most of the kinks by now. Most folks know we are all-acoustic and that we stick to the traditional bluegrass and old-time music instruments of guitar, mandolin, banjo, fiddle, upright bass, resophonic guitar (you remember it as the Dobro[R]), and dulcimer (lap or hammered). There are no amps, microphones, or speakers. Someone starts the jam and from there things move clockwise most of the time. You can perform a tune or pass until the order of things comes back to you.
       Keeping it short, we will again show you some photos of folks having a lot of fun pickin' and grinnin' and having a 'country-dog good time' at the weekly jam. If you haven't been out, all skills are welcome and if you don't play or sing, that's fine, too. We would love to have you! Thanks to all who participate weekly or even occasionally.
       Note:  There is no jam during Thanksgiving weekend. Otherwise, the jam continues each Friday evening from 6:30 until about 8:50 PM Central, when we ask participants to re-set the room and clean up after themselves. The jam will continue as usual after Christmas Day and after New Year's Day.
L to R: Ragan Knight, Don Markle, Monroe Jones,
Gerald Goforth, Robert Higginbottom
L to R: Robert Higginbottom, Jenny Goforth, Jean Burton,
Jackie Osborne, Joe Cupp
L to R: Jenny Goforth, Jean Burton, Jackie Osborne,
Orion Osborne, Glenda Markle
L to R: Joe Cupp, Ragan Knight, Andy Williamson,
Monroe Jones, Rochelle Ponder
L to R: Joe Cupp, Ragan Knight, Clay Caver, Gerald Goforth,
Monroe Jones, Andy Williamson, Rochelle Ponder
L to R: Christine Donhardt, Ragan Knight, Jean Burton,
Jackie Osborne, Donna Nickelson, Sam Knight
L to R: Monroe Jones, Gerald Goforth, Bob Corken,
Rochelle Ponder, Donna Nickelson, Ragan Knight, Don Markle




Tuesday, November 5, 2019

JUST FRIENDS JAMMIN'
COLLIERVILLE TN FRIDAY NIGHT BLUEGRASS & OLD-TIME JAM 
COMMON CUP COFFEE SHOP
COLLIERVILLE UNITED METHODIST CHURCH
NOVEMBER 1, 2019
       It's been a while since we blogged about our Friday night bluegrass and old-time music jam. It happens each week, and we're now in the Common Cup Coffee Shop for the fall/winter season at the Collierville United Methodist Church, 454 West Poplar Avenue, where it's warm, the coffee is on and the snacks are just right. You're invited to come out and pick with us. We're all-acoustic, which means no microphones, speakers, or other electronic devices. Just voices and instruments as it was 'back in the day'. All skill levels are invited. Fans are encouraged to come in, watch, and enjoy this 20-year-old tradition which has been proclaimed as a real 'thing' by the Town of Collierville.
        We shall cut to the chase and show you some great photos of pickers, singers, and even some grinners who enjoyed the music on Friday, November 1, 2019. You will notice acoustic instruments like the guitar, mandolin, banjo, fiddle, and the upright bass. There was another bunch having a great time pickin' in the lobby that night. Thanks to all who participate weekly or even occasionally. We love having you with us!
       Note:  No jam during the Thanksgiving weekend. Otherwise, the jam continues each Friday evening from 6:30 until 9:00 PM Central Time. The jam will continue as usual after Christmas Day and after New Year's Day.

      
L to R: Don Gentry, James Patrick, Jen Arnold,
Jeff Tallant's knee, Clay Caver

L to R: Don Gentry, Clay Caver's arm, James Patrick,
Bruce White, Peter Smith, Annette Corken, Christine Donhardt,
Andy Williamson

L to R: Don Gentry's arm/knee, Pete Richter, Shawn Braddock,
Bruce White, James Patrick, Clay Caver, Andy Williamson
L to R: Peter Smith, Bob and Annette Corken,
Don Markle, Jeff Tallant

L to R: Peter Smith, Annette Corken, Jean Burton, Jen Arnold,
Christine Donhardt, Andy Williamson

L to R: Jen Arnold, Jeff Tallant, Chuck & Candy Gentry