Saturday, July 24, 2010 - Swanannoa Gathering

Saturday, July, 3, 2010 - Shindig on the Green - Asheville

We sang before the show began in the entrance to the City County building behind the stage. It was fun. I hope to do it again, as the Shindig goes through the summer.

Saturday, June 26, 2010 - Shook Smathers House - Clyde, North Carolina

My battery went dead, so not many pictures. I hope to obtain some from others who were there. The market across the road was frying chicken at 9:30 in the morning.

At the singing we decided to designate it as the Quay Smathers Memorial Singing.

It was a very fine singing - a little cramped; but, that is not always a bad thing. The staff at the Shook house were very hospitable. The house itself is a wonderful place and it is clear to see that huge amounts of work that have been done.

Shook history

More later - including some sound files.

7/6/10 - Uplaoded four pictures from that June sent. Also, Jerry Tate, Museum Director, hopes we will come back. So do I.

Saturday, June 12, 2010 - Calvary Episcopal Church - Fletcher, North Carolina

Dan Huger provides a most excellent venue for the singing. We used two different locations, due to other events going on there. Singers from North and South Carolina, Georgia, Tennessee and Maine comprised four strong parts. It was an interesting setlist - a few songs brand new to me and, I believe, new to others as well. I love not locking into the same songs over and over and over.

Please check back for sound files. At least, I need to upload Happy Birthday to Ken George!

mp3 files of Calvary Episcopal singing - Morning

Saturday, June 5, 2010 - New Bethel Church - Greene County, Tennessee

Tenth Annual Old Harp singing. We had a good turnout, including some newcomers, which is always a good thing. I was surprised to see how few pictures I made. If anyone has any to share, please let me know.

I made a recording and shall possibly post some of it later.

Saturday, May 22, 2010 - Bristol Public Library - Bristol, Virginia

The library turned out to be a good venue for singing. The staff could not have been nicer or more accomodating. The building manager (Joyce) joined us for her first singing and that's always a good thing. Singing friends from the Fatherland (North Carolina) once again traversed the mountain to join us (thank you, Karen, Mary, Dan and Mary). Meredith (on her way back to Boone from Berea) gave us a very interesting presentation about gospel shape note and brought us a song to sing. And even though I did not provide coffee, iced latte was found within walking distance.

Though our number was less than I hoped for, the dinner was highly praiseworthy. (I'll be looking for more of the Gardens' bean soup in the future.)

Bottom line - we came to sing and sing we did. Some of us experimented singing a different part than we normally do. We tried a "new" song or two. And we continue to keep our tradition alive with new opportunities for growth.

I struggle against a "glass half empty" outlook. But, I know that a day spent with good friends, accompanied by good food, good music and sweet fellowship is a blessing to be appreciated.

Sunday, May 2, 2010 - Middle Creek Methodist Church - Sevier County, Tennessee

Sunday, April 25, 2010 - Old Harp singing at Greeneville

Saturday, April 24, 2010 - Etowah, North Carolina

103rd Etowah singing. Scott Swanton is always a very hospitable host. It was a nice class representing four states - North Carokins, South Carolina, Virginia and Tennessee. It was announced that there is an upcoming opportunity to bring the music to the streets this Summer; and a new singing in Clyde. Details to follow as they become available.

It was gratifying to learn that the man from upstate Virginia knew of our singings at the Shoals. Word IS getting around.

Sunday, March 18, 2010 - Sinking Creek Baptist Church - Carter County, Tennessee

Saturday, March 6, 2010 - Grapevine Community - Madison County, North Carolina

I count this as the official beginning of the singing year. And it was a fine start. Bill and Karen Reed do a fine job of hosting, and it is a very good singing space. We were blessed with abundant sunshine and moderating temperatures. A goodly number of newcomers joined us to sing; and a few of them stayed and SANG) until the end. Minutes will be posted at www.christianharmony.org and I may be posting some sound files later.

Sunday, March 7 - Natural Tunnel - Scott County, Virginia

Sunday, March 14, 2010 - Knoxville

A good class with four strong parts in a fine singing space on a rather damp coolish March day. The folks in Knoxville did good job putting things together.  This singing marked a first for me and Julianne - we actually left before the last song was sung. Minutes (thanks to Bob Richmond) show we only missed one song. We will try to see that does not happen again!