The weekend is here...the heat of summer has broke...much needed rain has arrived! Only the rain has messed up one aspect of my weekend plans! For some of you out there;
1-you'll either know what I'm talking about;
2-consider me some kind of redneck or
3-learn about something new!
I love all kinds of music--except for HipHop, the kids at work have tried to help me with that but I just don't like it. Mountain music is a fairly new yet old one for me...
In recent years we've made it a yearly tradition to attend the Galax Fiddler's Convention. People come from all over the US and abroad to this Festival! I've seen license plates from California before! At the age of 15 I didn't appreciate this kind of music...what a shame! My Dad's side of the family aree very musical and played various instruments, every time we had any sort of get together...which sometimes consisted of just the "pickers" they would play. My Grandfather recorded a record in 1927 along with his father, brother and future brother-in-law. I was fortunate enough to find a copy of the recording a few years ago...it's very scratchy, pops and cracks but I can hear my grandfathers guitar, he was a teenager at the time...I would give anything to have him back here to play...
The instruments are all lost now...
So...this event happens every year...for the past 71 years! When I sit and listen to the Old Time Competition (which is one of my favorites) I can hear my Scotch/Irish roots...the fiddle especially. Then the flatfooters or cloggers get up and start dancing and you can see the Scottish and Irish dance roots...
I'm deep rooted in these mountains, I can feel it when I hear the music...the music I didn't think was "cool" when I was younger!
I wish I could play an instrument, but I wasn't given the craft of music. And I have 2 left feet for dancing...watch your toes! Now...flatfooting or clogging just looks like you are stomping out an ant hill, but to watch it you can see where it originates and it creates a rhythm all it's own. While listening to the music you can't help but tap your toes...which, I guess, is why flatfooting is so spontaneous, people just get up and start dancing!
I had my knitting ready to take with me...the camera was ready to take pictures and my ears were ready to hear some of the best Old Time Music around...but the rain came! Oh...we could still go but it would be like a "Bluegrass Woodstock" aka Mudstock!
I am anxious to find out if my friend 'KD' won the Dulcimer competition this year...last year she placed 3rd!
I was surprised earlier in the month when USAToday featured an article on "The Crooked Road."
So...I think I'll go out and knit by the pond...
Keep on Knittin' & Spinnin'
4 comments:
Of course, I'm one of the ones who knows what you're talking about! Love that bluegrass...but you know, I've yet to make it to Galax!
:(
Maybe NEXT year?
(((hugs)))
I enjoy going to Bluegrass concerts and went when I was visiting my sister in CO. Her hubby has a bluegrass band! Also every Wed. night at our own downtown Mill Mtn coffee is Ole Time music. Free. My neighbor plays the dulcimer there.
Diana
What a shame the rain had to come this weekend. That looks like it would be right up my street!!!!! Well how did your frined get on?
I worked with a girl who was from Galax, and she ended up moving back there and she and her husband bought the bowling alley there. Put her Master's degree to good use there! ;-) I think she may have done some clogging in her day, as well....
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