Libby and I just got back from a contra dance in Weldon, NC. I'll possibly write more about that later. It was a real nice dance, in a wonderful historic brick mill that has been lovingly restored by Bill Blackwell and Fletcher Carter. Here's a link to an article on the mill:
http://www.rrdailyherald.com/articles/2010/04/19/news/doc4bca4f002b44c585704812.txt
The dance included a very nice wine-tasting featuring the first known drinkable muscadine white courtesy of Ventosa Plantation, Alex McLennann III, proprietor, of Scotland Neck, NC (vpvineyard at yahoo.com) for further info. We were hosted for the night at the Booker Daniel digs over in Murfreesboro. Booker and Tommy Britt provided the impetus for the dance, and so far it's working great. The mill is on the west bank of the Roanoke River, and rockfish season was in full swing.
Anyways, I got this in the email today, and I thought I'd share. Mac's a fine old-time musician who teams with his wife Jenny:
From: "Thomas(Mac) Traynham"
Date: April 19, 2010 8:47:06 AM EDT
Subject: Apr 24th concert
Hi everyone,
Just a reminder about our 2010 concert that is going to take place this coming Saturday. We hope you can find yourselves free to come. We guarantee a great time for a Spring evening. The following is something our co-host Tina Liza Jones has written about our special guest all the way from Berkeley California. Below this are directions and phone #'s for more information. There is no official admission price, however, we are asking a suggested donation of $10 per person for the musicians and $2 per person for the use of the church. No obligation really.
CALIFORNIA OLD-TIME MUSICIANS AT ZION SATURDAY
Eric and Suzy Thompson are on their way to a performance at MerleFest in North Carolina, and will stop for several days in Floyd to visit the town and the Jamboree, and to perform their powerful old-time music at a house concert presented by Mac and Jenny Traynham and long-time friend Tina Liza Jones. Mac and Jenny have had a successful series of small concerts held first at their house in the country, and now hosted by Zion Lutheran Church, 635 Needmore Drive, Floyd.
The concert is planned for early in the evening of April 24th, 7 until 10PM. After that, the musicians and audience alike will be cruising over to the Country Store to get on the dance floor for the last set of Mac’s band, the Mountain Boomers. Jenny and Tina and the Zion volunteers will be hosts at the concert, where refreshments will be available along with souvenir CDs at the intermission.
Laurie Lewis described Suzy’s fiddle as “a sweet and wailing voice that over the years has gotten more sassy, sultry, and flexible.” And her fiddle is not her only voice. Her singing is compelling. It is not all full bore power, but also sweet, and in control, in the service of manipulating the emotions of her listeners.
Eric is a flatpick lead guitar monster who is much admired amongst bluegrass players for his seminal Kicking Mule album. He also mixes rhythm and thrilling leads on the old-time tunes, jumping in and out of three octaves on his very old and famous Martin D28.
The couple has recently started touring again since their two daughters have grown up. Their performances Friday and Saturday, April 30th and May 1st, at MerleFest, will be their first in that exciting venue.
For samples of their music visit their website www.ericandsuzy.com
From Christiansburg
South on rt 8 toward Town of Floyd
Look for and go past "Citizens Co-op" complex on right
Less than 1/4th mile turn left on Needmore Ln (Zion Lutheran sign) which is
Just before Harvest Moon (on the left)
1.2 miles to big white church on the left
From stoplight in Floyd
Rt 8 North
Look for Harvest Moon Natural Foodstore on right
Right on Needmore just past Harvest Moon
1.2 miles to big white church on the left
I hope y'all can go. Holler out about how "California Old Time" would seem like an oxymoron. You'll sound educated, and the Thompsons will be happy to explain the great California tradition to you.
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