Beyond that dark river…

One of American music’s most earnest and important voices has gone home leaving us with a catalog of powerful songs but taking with her the cutting instrument she used to sing them.  West Virginia’s Hazel Dickens died of complications from pneumonia last week summoning up the lyrics of one of her tunes I first heard Hot Rize do years ago…it would become one of their most requested:  “I feel the shadows now upon me, and the angels beckon me, before I go dear sisters and brothers, won’t you come and sing for me.  Sing those hymns we sang together, that plain little church with its benches all worn.  How dear to my heart, how precious the moments, we stood shaking hands and singing a song.”  My friend and JAMinc partner Wally Thulin remembered Hazel eloquently: 

I’m sure most of you acoustic music lovers have heard the sad news that we lost Hazel Dickens last week at the age of 75. Back when I used to drive to the IBMA gathering in Owensboro, KY, I‘d put on a Hazel Dickens CD (actually I think it was a cassette) the exact moment we crossed into West Virginia. It just seemed the right thing to do. Her raw, emotion filled voice seemed to belong to the dark hollows and intriguing hills of that state that she broke from as a young girl. In addition to her pro miner songs for which she was known, one of her most powerful, Mama’s Hands (IBMA song of the year by Lynn Morris in 1996) tells her story of leaving WV so vividly:

“One old paper bag filled with hand-me-downs

Plain old country girl raised on gospel sounds,

With only the love she gave me and pride in what I am,

It was hard to let go of Mama’s hands, my mama’s hands.”

She lived it and she sang it like she lived it, and it connected with her fans who really didn’t give a flip if she was always exactly on key. It was authentic; it resonated with listening hearts and moved them. Hazel’s voice, like black coffee, was an acquired taste, but once acquired, was treasured.

So much of today’s culture is slick, contrived, and fake. Lady Gaga comes to mind. Hazel was the real thing. Pitch correction? Who needs it? Sing with sincerity from the heart and it’s always on pitch to those who are tuned in emotionally.

I venture to say that at this week’s MerleFest, more than one artist will sing one for Hazel.

 

It was only a year ago when another lesser known but full of promise musician was taken in a tragic motorcycle accident.  Houston Caldwell was just 18 but had already become a Galax fireman, completed Army basic training and was a head-turning banjo player.  By all accounts, Houston was an impressive young man, mature beyond his years, and friends of mine who knew him were devastated this time last year when they learned of the fatal accident.  Caldwell will be remembered at Felts Park in Galax the weekend of May 6th and 7th with an event called Houstonfest, presenting a strong lineup of performers that includes Blue Highway, Mountain Heart, Sierra Hull, Larry Cordle, Wayne Henderson, Ron Block and the farewell performance of Cherryholmes.  There are lots more.  Tickets are available here and all proceeds will benefit the Galax Volunteer Fire Department.

Don’t forget JAMinc’s season-ending double header at In Your Ear…on Friday, May 13th it’s Piedmont blues night with Phil Wiggins and Rick Franklin.  And the very next night, it’s the fine folkgrass band East of Monroe.  Reservations for both are available now on the website. 

At the risk of too much gushing, I do want to mention again the new Alison Krauss & Union Station project as it debuted at #3 in Billboard Album Chart covering all genres and #1 in both the Billboard Country and Bluegrass Charts.  Here’s a link to a beautifully done video on the making of Paper Airplane.  Highly recommended.

Congrats to Scott Adams who won tickets here to enjoy Iron & Wine and The Low Anthem at the National Wednesday night.  Promises to be a great show…tickets still here.

The 24th MerleFest commences Thursday…we’ll keep you posted.

TT

(Hazel Dickens and Houston Caldwell photos from artist websites)

On a roll…

Native and Fine Records is Bill Evans’ label where you can order his Banjo for Dummies book and any of his many great recordings.  He is a native Virginian, although now a west coaster, and he is a fine practitioner of all the five-string and its predecessors can deliver.  Bill brought his one-man Banjo In America symposium to In Your Ear for our latest JAMinc studio concert last Thursday.  With seven different instruments and a head full of stories and illustrative tunes, this genial and well-versed musician offered rare insight into why the banjo has so indelibly worked its way into our consciousness.  Some remember him from his UVA days and Cloud Valley, or his stint with Ron Thomason and the Dry Branch Fire Squad.  Those of us who go way back were reminded of what a genuinely nice guy he is, to supplement his tasteful musicianship and his scholarly appreciation of an instrument both beloved and derided.  And he finished up by bringing up old pal Jack Cowardin to offer a little mando backup.  Bill Evans is as much as anyone out there, giving the banjo a good name.

While we’re at it, here’s the deal on JAMinc’s “Farewell ‘til Fall” weekend at In Your Ear next month, a first-time double header the nights of the 13th and 14th.  As mentioned in our previous post, Phil Wiggins’ long-time partner John Cephas played his final solo set at In Your Ear on May 1st, 2009.  So it’s full circle that we welcome Phil and one of his new collaborators Rick Franklin to Studio A on a very lucky Friday the 13th.  Rick is a Virginia-born exponent of the Piedmont Blues and will bring a solid guitar and vocal complement to Phil’s signature harmonica style.  Reservations going fast here. 

We’ll leave the chairs and food tables set for the following night as we segue from blues to bluegrass with the acoustic string band East of Monroe (see full disclosure from previous post).  If you missed their sold-out show at AC&T in March, here’s a second chance, or if you did catch EOM trackside, maybe you’re hankerin’ for more of that sweet three-part harmony and Gary Ferguson’s tasty licks.  Catch JAMinc’s last concert until September by making your reservations here.  If you’re in the Fredericksburg area, the band’s playing upstairs at Picker’s Supply this coming Saturday.  And some of us will be headed back to my old hometown of Staunton on May 21st as EOM plays the Valley’s very nicest venue, the Mockingbird Roots Music Hall.  It’ll be the band’s final gig before Eminor packs it up to Portland…this would be a great chance to see and hear what all the Mockingbird buzz is about at 123 West Beverly Street in charming old downtown Staunton.

 

Some very special events coming to town the weekend of May 6-7…first, a homecoming for Ann Savoy who grew up in Richmond and ended up marrying and making a life of music with Cajun accordionist Mark Savoy.  The Savoy Family Band will play a benefit “Louisiana Friday Night” concert and Cajun fest at Trinity Methodist Church that will enable Goochland kids to attend Camp Westview on the James.  Read all about it here and get your tickets here.

And the next night, May 7th on the growing campus of St. Joseph’s Villa on the northside, the 17th annual Hoedown In The Garden marks the 17th consecutive appearance of the incomparable Lonesome River Band for this bigtime night of food and fun benefitting the Villa’s Flagler Home.  Tickets are $75 each and include an open bar, great barbecue and all the fixins from David Napier’s White House Catering, and a couple of choice sets from one of the top bluegrass bands in the land.  I’ve missed the last few, but trust me it’s an amazing evening for a great cause, not to mention a great deal.  Order tickets here, or…stop the presses…win them!  Thanks to the Villa’s generous CEO Kathleen Barrett, I have a pair of Hoedown tickets to give away to the 17th (get it) one of you to email me (mail@timtimberlake.com) with SAMMY! in the subject line.  Go for it.  I’ll miss Mr. Shelor and the boys this time around but will enjoy sharing judging duties with Stephen Lecky at AC&T’s Songwriter’s Showdown Shootout finals on that Saturday night.  Hope to see some of you there…I hear the finalists bring a lot to the table.  And on Sunday the 8th, a very special tribute show for our too-soon departed pal Page Wilson at Canal Club.  Details in our next post.

MerleFest moments starting in this space next week, like the journal’s title shot above featuring Emily and her fantasy band from a MerleFest long ago…fellas named Thile, Fleck, Witcher and Watkins.  Magic always happens in Wilkesboro every April.

TT

 

(Wiggins, Savoy and LRB photos from artist websites)

MerleFest Momentum

Believe me I’m gladder than glad to be around for another one, but these trips around the sun we take each year just have to be taking much less time than they used to.  No way it’s time for another roadtrip to Wilkesboro for the remarkable reunion of kindred souls that is MerleFest.  It’s time to meet my fellow geezer Sam Sanger for the 20th time as Cabin Stage managers and spend April’s last weekend soaking up as much music as possible and picking up where we left off.  MerleFest is a marvel of loving logistics headlined this year by the likes of Lyle Lovett, Randy Travis, the Doobie Brothers (with John Cowan on bass) and Robert Plant’s Band of Joy.  And literally a hundred more Americana musicians filling thirteen stages for four full days.  If you’ve ever considered making the pilgrimage, this might be the right year.  Click here for a very cool tool that lets you click on a clock to see when and where your must-see artist is performing.  It’s an overwhelming undertaking that requires some energy and commitment but you’ll not find more quality music in one place in one long weekend anywhere.  April 28-May 1.

 

As mentioned previously, Alison Krauss, who won’t be making MerleFest this year, will be making up for lost Union Station time with her much anticipated Paper Airplane album.  AKUS disciples should find the wait worthwhile as it’s pure, sweet vintage Alison.  See if you agree…you can preview the whole thing here until it drops on April 12th.

 

Friday night the Camel on Broad welcomes alt-country phenomenon Justin Townes Earle.  His career has soared since an under-attended gig at Stretchin’ At The Barksdale a few years back…BJ and I were there…were you?  Opening will be Josh Small.  $20 tickets almost gone.

The next day…a great afternoon of alfresco jazz is coming up Saturday at Trinity Episcopal School off Cherokee on Pittaway Road south of the river.  This is a great chance to hear some of of the area’s top high school and college jazz players along with seasoned vets Bop Nation who are also doing a JAMinc-sponsored Trinity assembly performance bright and early this morning.  Bop Nation’s Saturday set kicks off at 2:20pm.  It’s outdoors under a big tent with burgers and dogs for sale but the music is free as the spring breeze.  A real good deal.

Later that night, worth checking out is the Kalob Griffin Band out of Philly and playing the Triple on West Broad with their own Avett-leaning rootsy rock.

Next week, we’re looking forward to welcoming Bill Evans back to town for one of his entertaining and illuminating Banjo in America sessions at In Your Ear.  Bill will bring vintage instruments including African precursors and trace the evolution of this beloved but oft-misunderstood instrument.  Reservations going fast at JAMinc.org.

Our last JAMinc/IYE show of the season is set for Friday, May 13th with the one and only blues harp king Phil Wiggins alongside guitarist Rick Franklin.  Phil will play Studio A almost exactly three years after his long-time partner, the late John Cephas graced our stage in what would be his last solo performance.  Don’t miss this one.  Tickets on sale soon.

 

Just got our tickets for what should be a knock-your-socks-off night at the Southern in Charlottesville on May 19th with Punch Brother Chris Thile in a duo gig with the amazing Michael Daves.  These two forces of nature have a new album out called Sleep With One Eye Open, and having heard what these young Turks can do as a twosome, it should be an ear opener.  Tix here.

 

Don’t forget to save some serious Fridays starting next month on Brown’s Island for acts like Carbon Leaf, Yonder Mountain String Band, Trombone Shorty, Drive By Truckers, the David Grisman Sextet and Sharon Jones & The Dap Kings.  Sync your calendars here.

 
And if that’s not enough to make you proud to live and love music in River City, how about the 2011 Groovin’ In The Garden lineup Thursdays in May and June including Cracker, Donna The Buffalo with New Riders of the Purple Sage, Nanci Griffith, Toots &

 The Maytals and a thrilling twin-bill offering the Del McCoury Band with the Preservation Hall Jazz Band from New Orleans.  So now it’s up to us to show our appreciation for this musical bounty by getting out and taking it in. 

Congrats to Scott Adams who won the pair of tickets to the Iron and Wine/Low Anthem show at the National on April 27th.  MerleFest eve will set a proper mood…oh yeah.

Signing off to catch a few winks before Bop Nation for breakfast at Trinity in a few hours.  And mad props to Coach Smart and his Rams and Coach Mooney and his Spiders for making March Madness the best this town’s ever seen…how sweet it was.

TT

(MerleFest photos are mine…the rest are from artist sites)