Annie & Mac - Old Time Music: News

Wet Dog? That was the name of our pick-up band when we competed at the Sea Witch Fiddlers Festival in Rehoboth, Delaware, on October 29. We felt like wet dogs because we were soaked from the driving rain that day. Fortunately, the contest was held in the convention center. Our friend, guitarist Tom Furtado, joined us in the band and we played three songs: Redwing, Before I Met You, and 'Til the End of the World Rolls Round. We took third place in the band category. Mac also won second place in the banjo contest and Tom's children, Victor and Lulu, took prizes in youth banjo and youth band.

We were honored to be asked to participate in a live radio show in Richmond on WCVE Public Radio's 5th Annual St. Patrick's Day Concert. Richmond's own Irish-American pub band, Uisce Beatha, held center stage during the show and we performed several Irish songs ourselves. In addition, actors presented readings and poems. You can read all about it and see photos at http://www.ideastations.org/radio/classical/wcve-public-radios-5th-annual-st-patricks-day-concert-growing-tradition-2011-03-20.

Mac wrote an article titled "Harmonica In Old Time Music" which was published in the Winter 2011 issue (Issue #32, March 2011) of Americana Rhythm Music Magazine. In the article, Mac traces the history of this humble instrument back to its early days. He then talks about the harmonica's heyday and the role it plays in today's old time music genre. Issues of the magazine are available at the web site (americanarhythm.com).

Old time music converges with newfangled technology in "Message From the Hills." That's the name of our latest CD, which is actually a collection of 12 downloadable songs. You can purchase some or all of these mostly traditional tunes. Songs include Mississippi Sawyer, Red Wing, Walking Cane, and Annie & Mac's original "Go On & Git." Message From the Hills is available at cdbaby.com.

We're still glowing from our three week visit to New England, Nova Scotia, and Cape Breton Island in September and October. Fortunately good weather abounded, since we were camping. Rainbows are very plentiful in Cape Breton, especially in Baddeck, Nova Scotia, because it can't decide if it wants to rain or be sunny, so often both occur simultaneously. The 14th Annual Celtic Colours Festival was taking place October 8-14 in Cape Breton and that afforded us the opportunity to perform at an open mike session at the Baddeck Yacht Club on October 9, as well as attend a thrilling show of fiddlers and harpists in Wagmatcook that evening. While in Chetticamp the previous Thursday, we also performed at an open mike which was to air on local TV stations there the following week. Meeting friendly people from Nova Scotia as well as other travelers from all over was an enriching experience and there is a germ of a seed for a new song in there somewhere!

Thanks to our friend, Art Jaeger, who did some public relations for us, we were interviewed for a feature in the Northern Virginia Daily newspaper. Much of the article deals with our adventures on YouTube and the YouTube Strummit Portrait book, but it also provides a general overview of old time music, harmonica and banjo playing. It's another way to help the traditional music stay alive for new generations and an introduction to those who were unaware of its existence and resurgence. We're happy to do our part. To read the article, click here http://www.nvdaily.com/lifestyle/2010/08/couple-share-music-with-the-world-on-youtube.php

This is the title of a new book and exhibition by John Parsons celebrating the perpretators of ordinary music. John saw our YouTube music video postings and we are honored to be one of the twenty-four musical groups celebrated in his unique exhibition, in which he created computer generated portraits from the YouTube videos and included information about the performers and how they feel about their music in their own words. The book is available at www.lulu.com and his art from the YouTube Strummit Portraits will be shown at the Gryphon D'Or Tea Room, 5968 Monkland Ave., Montreal in August/September 2010. John's work is a loving celebration of the folk song tradition and some of the unsung heroes who practice it. Thank you, John!

We made it to the Carroll County Fiddlers Convention in Westminster, Maryland, on June 13. Our friend, John Kovac, harpist & harpmaker, came with us. We play with John in a band called "Loose Strings." We had a great day in Westminster, enjoying the weather and all the fine music. We entered the contests and are happy to report that John won first place in the "special instrument" category for his harp playing. Mac took third place in the same category for harmonica playing. Mac also came in second in the old time banjo contest and our band "Loose Strings" placed first in the old time band category. There was an article (http://carrollcountytimes.com/news/local/article_81f0bcee-7761-11df-bd1e-001cc4c002e0.html) in the Carroll County Times about the fiddlers convention and there was a photo (http://carrollcountytimes.com/image_e6a2866f-20c0-51c3-a456-6826ba3ead02.html)
of our trio practicing for the contest. Keep on picking and grinning!

We have been putting videos on YouTube for a couple of years now and are always amazed at the comments from people all around the world. Music is truly the universal language. We even received beautiful paintings of Annie & Mac from an Italian viewer. Our hearts were really touched by that. It's great to be able to share our music and know that people are getting so much pleasure from it. There is a treasure trove of music on YouTube that we get to enjoy as well. Check it out at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hvnTuIh2jNU

We are happy to announce the release of our second CD, "Like a Winding Stream," which is now available at www.cdbaby.com (search for Annie and Mac) or by ordering it directly from us for $15.00 (includes shipping and handling). Sound clips of the songs are available at www.cdbaby.com. Several fine musicians joined us on this project: George Hodgkiss on bass, John Kaparakis on guitar, Leon Morris on guitar and mandolin, Veronica Randolph on fiddle, and Speedy Tolliver on fiddle. Our thanks to everyone who helped make this new production a reality.

On Saturday, May 9 at 7:30 pm, joined by Keith Dill on mandolin and fiddle, we will present an evening of "Old Time Music Duet Singing" to demonstrate and discuss duet styles of many pioneers integral to American music history. The program follows a chronology and gives details about the songs and the performers. The artists presented include The Blue Sky Boys, The Delmore Brothers, James & Martha Carson, The Louvin Brothers, Red Foley & Kitty Wells, and Grandpa & Ramona Jones. We hope you can join us at the Grace Episcopal Chapel in Berryville, VA. For reservations or information call (540) 955-4001. Admission is $10, children free. [There will be a candle light dinner before the program at 6:30 PM in the Fellowship Hall, $10 suggested donation, for reservations please call (540) 955-1610.]
http://www.clarkerootsmusic.org/

We travelled to Morgantown, West Virginia, in February to attend the Gardner Winter Music Festival. If you like old time music and dance, this festival is for you. They have jamming, stage shows (sign up in advance to perform), and square dancing. We met our friends there from Ohio, John & Gwenn Noftsger (a.k.a. "The Ohio River Minstrels", www.ohioriverminstrels.com) and joined them on stage since John had lost his voice due to laryngitis. Then we did our own Annie & Mac show later. We had a great time. Photos will be posted on the website www.gwmf.org.

On August 13, we performed at the Lucky Star Lounge on Main Street in Front Royal, Virginia. We played with our friends John & Judi. Together, we call ourselves the Loose Strings Band. John plays the Paraguayan harp and Judi plays the washtub bass (see the photos page).

This July, we were fortunate to be invited to perform at a private party in Ohio. This was a very special gathering of a close knit community of families and friends. Other musicians there included Ray Bolden, the Ohio River Minstrels, the Rum River Band, and Berachah Valley bluegrass gospel band. Our hosts put up two large tents and constructed a wooden stage, then Rum River Band provided and ran the sound system. Attendees brought delicious food for a pot luck supper including presenting several varieties of home made ice cream in the "red wagon." On Sunday morning, we enjoyed a worship service and inspiring sermon. Everyone there shared what they had to give and we all received in kind. It was wonderful to be a part of this celebration of community, music, and fellowship. We thank our gracious hosts and everyone there for a meaningful and unforgettable event.

The Appalachian Mountain Music Festival in Waynesville, Ohio, June 20-22 was a fine event. Entertainment, jamming, vendors, food, kids' activities, and more, all of the highest quality. The weather cooperated, except Saturday evening, when a storm shut down the festivities at 6 pm. Mac won 3rd place in the banjo contest and we performed four times on stage from Friday to Sunday. Put this on your calendar for next year (www.appalachianmusic.org).

This is the first year they allowed camping at this event and we availed ourselves of the opportunity (along with one other camper). If you like to camp and love good music, keep this in mind for next year. Mac won 2nd place in the "special performer" category for his harmonica playing and 3rd place in the vocal category.

We played at the Washington Folk Festival in Glen Echo, MD, on June 1st. Mac performed with Speedy Tolliver and Andrew Acosta and the New Old Time String Band. Then Annie & Mac performed also. Mac was the "poster boy" for the event. His picture was on the promotional posters, performer buttons, and T-shirts being sold at the event.

We enjoyed playing at the Bell Buckle Cafe (www.bellbucklecafe.com) in Bell Buckle, Tennessee, on April 11. The following day, we were in Lynchburg, Tennessee, and happened by the BBQ Caboose (www.bbqcaboose.com) where we met the owners Ken & Samantha Fly. Ken asked us to join him in playing a few songs for the customers. If you are anywhere nearby either of these two fine establishments, stop in for some delicious food and wonderful music. On April 12, we were privileged to play at the Rocky River CIC (www.rockyriverbluegrass.org) in Rock Island, Tennessee. They have bluegrass shows all year round and two outdoor festivals a year. We were delighted to be accompanied by John Mayberry, a fine mandolin player who plays with Ronnie Reno & The Reno Tradition band (www.ronniereno.com). On April 13, we were scheduled to play at Alewine Pottery (www.alewinepottery.net) in Gatlinburg but the weather was too cold. We plan to play at Alewine on July 13 (weather permitting!) If you are in Gatlinburg, stop by Alewine for some excellent pottery and listen to fun old-time music while you shop.