...but jes' 'fore Christmas...

we're good as we can be!

Bluegrass Jam in 'Sherry's Room' Collierville UMC

December 13, 2019

       Sure! We really try! Honest we do! The recent Friday night jam at the Collierville United Methodist Church, 454 W. Poplar Avenue, caught some great pickers and friends smiling and enjoying each other and this special time of year. We acknowledged our wonderful friend, SHERRY KNIGHT, who passed away recently. This room just inside the side entrance is officially the Missions Room, yet our Sherry made it her own by inviting anyone and everyone to come in and play, regardless of skills! So, we dubbed it 'Sherry's Room'. Even better, on this night, Sherry's husband Sam Knight and granddaughter Ragan Knight came and played in Sherry's Room, along with a lot of other jammers and friends of this wonderful music!

       We'll keep it short, since we know you're busy wrapping presents and baking for the big event, now only 10 short days away. We should mention that the jam will continue on December 20 and 27 of 2019, and January 3, 2020. Here are some photos from that very special evening.

       OK! I took the jam photos with my phone. Apologies! I have no clue about setting the photos upright. I believe that Orion Osborne can 'Air-Drop' these pictures to your phone if you have your phone with you when we are together again. I wish I could 'blink' them straight. Just tilt your head sharply to the right until your neck is killing you. Then stop or explain to me in simple terms how to set these photos upright! I will happily send you (from my phone) a photo of you. With any luck the photo will be upright or you can turn it correctly. Thanks! At least the Christmas scene is sitting upright! Click each photo to enlarge it for a better view.

Jackie Osborne, Bob Corken, Glenda Markle

Jen Arnold, Pete Richter, Sam Knight, Monroe Jones, Ragan Knight

Winter cap: Bob Turner's Brother, Bob Turner, Baxter Qualls

Monroe Jones, Ragan Knight, Joe Cupp, Bob Davis

Claire Turner and daughter Donna, Don Markle



RANGER BLUEGRASS FESTIVAL

NORTHWEST FARM - SENATOBIA, MS

OCTOBER 4-5, 2019

Photography by Mark and Sharrye Holder of MCH Music Group

(click each photo to enlarge for a better view)

 

L to R: Emma McDowell, Jim Hurst,

Michael Gaisbacher, the Jim Hurst Trio

 

        THE FARM AT NORTHWEST MISSISSIPPI COMMUNITY COLLEGE has quickly turned into the place for bluegrass musicians and fans to be in early October. Gateway Tire and Service Centers 'go the distance for you,' and the company eagerly supports the Ranger Bluegrass Festival. The 2019 version saw two delicious (if hot!) days of bluegrass and traditional music from the likes of Jim Hurst and his Trio, Alice Hasen, Delta Celtica, Circus No. 9, The Barefoot Movement, the NWCC Choir, and Andy Ratliff and Friends. Something for everyone there!

       The Barefoot Movement was helpful in providing their set list for their performance: My Little Darlin', Bowling Green, Touch the Sky, Sheepherder, Do What You Please, Lighten Up Honey, It Won't Matter Anymore, Every Little Thing, Fire, Pressing Onward, Wade in the Water, and  Shuckin' the Brush.

The Barefoot Movement

 

       In addition to the musical artists, there were activities galore for kids (grownups, too) of all ages: A vendor marketplace, photo booth, welding art, pumpkin science, leather tooling craft, cowboy hat craft, story time, corn hole, horseshoes, football toss, finger knitting, duct tape crafts, and the Northwest Alumni and Recruiting Tent. First aid and lost and found were covered, concessions, too, along with T-shirts and souvenir posters. It was a wingding down there, and you need to plan now to go to this fine festival in 2020 and beyond.

 

The Northwest Choir and one very familiar face--Craig Yarbrough

 

 

Circus No. 9

 

The Barefoot Movement

 

L to R: Emma McDowell, Jim Hurst,

and Michael Gaisbacher

The Jim Hurst Trio performed Nothin' Like a Hundred Miles, Funky Flatfoot (in honor of the legendary bassist, Mark Schatz), A-minor Infraction, Widow's Weeds, Mando Bounce, This Waltz Is for You (dedicated to Jim Hurst's mother), Keep Me Awake, and It's a Beautiful Day. The Jim Hurst Trio often performs as part of the Claire Lynch Band.

 

 

The Northwest Choir assisted by Craig Yarbrough and John Gay of Memphis

 

       The Ranger Bluegrass Barn, sponsored by AERC Architects, is a 70-year-old gambrel barn where the bluegrass music stage and picking post were located. There were jam bands, parking lot pickers, and singer/songwriters hanging out at the classic old barn. Open mic? Sure! You just had to sign up for a spot. Boatloads of other great sponsors jumped in with money and support for our friend Len Lawhon, who has coordinated the Ranger Bluegrass Festival for the last few years. It's working, Len, and everyone reading this who loves bluegrass appreciates the effort put forth by you and your hard-working crew.

       We appreciate Mark and Sharrye Holder, who have offered us some wonderful photos from the event. Check out the photos from the 2019 Ranger Bluegrass Festival at Northwest Farm in Senatobia, MS, just a short drive south from Memphis, Tennessee.

 

The Barefoot Movement

 

 

For more information:  www.northwestms.edu or www.facebook.com/northwestmscc or

                                      (662) 562-3222