OLD TIME NEWS - Old-Time in Lockdown - FOAOTMAD
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No. 102 Summer 2020
OLD TIME NEWS
The only UK publication dedicated to American Old Time Music and Dance
Old-Time in Lockdown
In this issue
Editorial 3
FOAOTMAD matters 3
Old-Time in Lockdown:
Old-time music in the time of coronavirus, Maria Wallace 4
House concert sites, Alan Pridgeon 8
Quarantine Happy Hour, Gabrielle Macrae & Barry Southern 8
Su Mo’s Old-Time Sessions, Su Mo 9
In these strange times... Maureen Pridgeon 9
Lockdown diversions, Jan Howard 9
The Richmond Online Music Gathering, Julian Marshall 10
Support from Old Time News, Judy Spindler 10
Playing through the pandemic, William Duddy 11
Spring Camp under Lockdown, Andrew Cocks 14
Dancing through the pandemic, Clare Sheridan 16
Chairman’s Report Getting started in dance, Paul Sheridan 17
Step dance, body percussion..., Sara Marshall-Rose 18
As I sit and write this it is hard to believe how much has
My first FOAOTMAD festival, Jo Moore 19
changed in the last three months. We have seen our once
reasonably measured and ordered world turned upside down Kate Lissauer at Penzance Folk Club, Bob Chase 20
leaving no one untouched. Undoubtedly in the time gap Griffin Banjos, James Bowen 21
between writing this and it appearing in print we will have Obituaries:
seen even more changes, but hopefully we will have a clearer
Bill Skelson, Stu Weetman & Hannah Skelson 22
picture of how life in the future will look.
Some people have suffered far worse than others and Carole Chant, David & Shirley Dry 22
not always as a direct consequence of the coronavirus Annie Warner, Colm Daly 23
pandemic as ordinary life takes its toll as well, often unseen The Woodshed, “Trouble, Trouble”, Mike Bostock 24
but not forgotten. Over the last few months we have sadly
Spotlight on... Ernie Carpenter, Alan Pridgeon 26
lost at least three well known and respected members of
FOAOTMAD. We will no longer be greeted by smiles and Reviews – CDs and films 27
hugs from Annie Warner and Carole Chant as we arrive at Dates for your Diary 30
camp or the festival, nor will see the dapper Bill Skelson on Latest news on Summer Camp, Andrew Cocks 31
stage at Gainsborough. There will always be a place for them
around the campfire as we sit and enjoy the music they so Latest news on Gainsborough, Tim Rooke 32
clearly loved.
Many members are suffering hardship and despair as they
see their way of life and sometimes their livelihood taken website with free access to anyone who wants to read it. It is
from them, but hopefully the end of the nightmare is in sight. downloadable should readers prefer, and it seems the least we
On the flip side of all that we should recognise the efforts can do to help the old-time community get through these
some people have made to make our lives more bearable dreadful times.
through the medium of old-time music and dance. Their Alan Pridgeon
contribution has been both generous and selfless, and we have
picked out just a few examples to highlight in this magazine,
but it is by no means all of them. It’s a huge thanks to all of Publicity Officer Wanted
those who have offered free lessons, run sessions, organised or
We are looking for an extra person to join the
given house concerts etc. during this crisis, and in many ways
FOAOTMAD committee to take on the role of Publicity
we have had the opportunity to enjoy more old-time music of
Officer. We feel that we need to do more to both advertise
late than before the lockdown.
what FOAOTMAD has to offer and to reach out and
While we all reflect on the past months we are also still
encourage suitable advertising in the magazine. Therefore
working hard to try and prepare for coming out of lockdown.
we are looking for someone who preferably has some
The summer camp, autumn workshops and next year’s
experience in advertising or marketing and is willing to
Gainsborough Festival continue to be planned in the hope
work with the other committee members to formulate
that they can take place, and some information on those
and manage our publicity.
plans is included in the magazine which gives us hope and
something to look forward to. If you are interested drop a note to
Finally, as well as going to press as usual, we have chairman@foaotmad.org.uk.
also decided to post this issue of Old Time News on our
Cover photos show how some members have been spending their time in lockdown
2 OLD TIME NEWS No. 102 Summer 2020
Editorial
I thought that this issue of the Old Time News might be focusing on current old-time musicians. The new ‘Spotlight’
a bit thin because so many of our usual activities have been series will shine a light on key individuals in the history of the
curtailed during the Covid-19 crisis. But not a bit of it. music and we begin with fiddler Ernie Carpenter. As with
If anything the issue is testament to the power of music the ‘Classic Cuts’ series the idea is to build a resource which
and friendship to help people in times of crisis. Robbed of members will find useful – in this case of artists who have
the chance to play together in person people have found been influential and important in the old-time scene in the
numerous ways to share music and dance via the internet. hope that people will seek out their music. I would very much
We report on a good number of these although no doubt we encourage others to write pieces on other musicians – and
are only scratching the surface – if you have been involved dancers or dance groups - who deserve to be widely known.
in something which we haven’t reported please get in touch One theme which shines out clear and strong from this
for the next issue as all the signs are that things may not be issue of the Old Time News is friendship. Actually more than
back to the way they were before for a long time (although friendship. The strong bonds of companionship, warmth and
there is some hope that some form of Summer Camp may love created by our shared love of old-time music and dance
be possible). It’s clear from the reports in this issue that many mean that we are all privileged to be members of an extended
people have been finding old-time a useful way of maintaining family. So it is with great sadness that we mourn the passing
their sanity – although reading Foxy’s account of his solitary of three valued members of this family – Carole Chant, Bill
Spring Camp, this grip on sanity may be stronger is some Skelson and Annie Warner. The warmth of the comments in
cases than others. I am particularly delighted to see so much the obituaries is ample testament to how much all three were
dance content in the issue – no less than three articles. I am loved and how much they will be missed. I was honoured to
also pleased to announce the start of a new feature for the call all three friends and will miss them very much indeed.
magazine, the brainchild of our chairman who has also penned Steve Wise
the first contribution. Recent issues have run a series of articles
FOAOTMAD matters Slim Jim Banjos
Over the last few months we have become aware that some
members’ details we hold are out of date. It would be helpful
therefore if you could help us in the following ways. Bespoke old
• If you think you may have changed your email address since
joining FOAOTMAD and not told us it would help us if
you could do so. To let us know just go onto the website’s
Contact Us page and simply put your name on the contact
Time Banjos
form and press send, we will do the rest.
• Some members are rejoining using the old prices; please
ensure you are paying the correct amount as detailed in the
blue box at the back of the magazine or on your renewal
notice.
• Some members still pay their membership fees by an old
bank standing order and have not changed the payment
amount since the prices were increased several years ago.
If you think you may be one of those we would be grateful
if you could change your standing order amount to that Also Repairs And Restoration
shown in the blue box at the back of the magazine or
change to GoCardless, our preferred method of payment.
• Some members are accidently paying twice, normally as T:07578124042
they have a standing order in place then electing to pay
their renewal by a different method, forgetting to cancel
their Standing Order. WWW.slimjimbanjos.co.uk
We have decided to send out The Old Time News in
paper envelopes from now in an effort to ensure we are not
contributing to the planet’s waste plastic problem. There is a
E: slimjimbanjo@outlook.com
small on-cost per unit which we feel is worthwhile and will
be absorbed in our running costs.
Alan Pridgeon
F: Slim Jim Banjos
OLD TIME NEWS No. 102 Summer 2020 3
old-time in lockdown
Old-time music in the time of coronavirus
by Maria Wallace
As everyone reading this knows all too well, the Covid-19 virus crisis started to make a serious
impact in the UK and USA in early March 2020 and in the following weeks the pandemic really
took hold across the world. It quickly became apparent that in addition to the serious danger to
health and life, live music events – concerts, tours, festivals and sessions – would (quite rightly)
have to be cancelled for the foreseeable future. As well as the social toll this has taken on the old-time
community, it’s had a devastating financial effect on independent musicians. With music streaming
(which pays fractions of pennies to most artists) in the ascendant and sales of recorded music at an
all-time low, live performance has become the main way that most grassroots musicians can earn
a living. I contacted a handful of old-time musicians on both sides of the Atlantic to find out how
they’ve been affected, and to ask how fans and friends might be able to help them to survive and keep
making music during this crisis. Their responses were received in late April and early May 2020.
JANE ROTHFIELD the world to create a “new normal” and so I have started to
Based in Staunton, Virginia, Jane has been celebrated for reinvent my business model of performing, teaching and
several decades as an exceptional old-time fiddler, banjoist creating community in a virtual world.
and tune writer. She taught banjo on the FOAOTMAD
Have you been able to move some of your work online?
residential weekend back in 2017 and has toured the UK
First of all, it took a few weeks for me to get used to being
with her duo Hen’s Teeth, one of her many projects.
home all the time! My first step was to get input from friends,
family and students about my ideas, marketing and outreach
processes and most importantly what they wanted from me.
I also did some test performing and teaching, to see what
worked and what didn’t. I decided to add weekly group lessons
for fiddle, clawhammer banjo and back up guitar, as well as
hosting jams online on the Zoom platform. My students
and those who contact me about my weekly jams will get the
added value of a Dropbox link to my recordings of a Tune of
the Week – played by me on fiddle, banjo and guitar (basic,
medium and advanced versions). The next phase will be to add
classes for tune writing, tune and song arranging and band
coaching. As soon as my technology is updated for better
sound and video, I will start more performing streams and
videos. Ultimately I plan to invite and host other musicians
for performance fun as well as group workshops and jams.
Eventually I will figure out how to reinvent my Janie’s
Jumpstart music camps. Lots to do! Finally, if anyone wants
to participate in the Zoom group or jams and has financial
hardship, they are more than welcome to join in.
How can our readers help support you during this time?
I love to see people from around the world join my classes
and sign up for lessons. Contact me directly by email at
janerothfield@gmail.com to sign up for lessons (private,
How has the Covid-19 crisis impacted you and your livelihood? group or hosted jams). You can stay connected via Facebook,
I was literally on my way for a two week Contra Dance tour Instagram and Twitter, with me and my bands The Idumea
in the southern US with my band Coracree, when everything Quartet, Coracree, Little Missy, as well as Janie’s Jumpstart.
started cancelling. After that tour, I was scheduled to head to You can purchase and/or download my recordings from my
Europe for a three week CD release tour with my fabulous own website, or on Bandcamp and CD Baby. Watch out for
European based band The Idumea Quartet, to be followed by my various performances and other events. And do stay in
solo shows and workshops in Italy, France and Germany. All touch! I’d love to hear from everyone and stay connected. Let
cancelled. My “normal” was a busy life of being on the road us know that you are listening and watching! Love you all.
internationally with my various bands and collaborations,
and as a solo artist, teaching at workshops and camps. Also Links:
running my own home based Janie’s Jumpstart music camps, www.janerothfield.com
recording and hanging out at festivals like Mount Airy and www.janiesjumpstart.com
Clifftop (just to name a few projects). Covid-19 has forced www.idumeaquartet.com
4 OLD TIME NEWS No. 102 Summer 2020
JAKE BLOUNT friends and mentors Megan Jean & the KFB have repeatedly
Jake is a hugely talented young African-American fiddler, told me and others during these trying times: “being an artist
banjoist and singer based in Providence, Rhode Island. He is all about being backed into a corner and finding a way out
performed at Gainsborough with the Moose Whisperers of it.” We may not be feeling our best in this moment, but I
in 2019. As we go to press, Jake’s newly released debut suspect that it may yield some of our most compelling work.
album Spider Tales has been garnering outstanding reviews,
including from The Guardian and Rolling Stone. Links:
https://jakeblount.com/
https://jakeblountmusic.bandcamp.com/
https://www.facebook.com/notjacobnotblunt/
SIMON ROBINSON
Based in Yorkshire, talented banjoist and guitarist Simon
performs solo as well as with his trio the Redwood River
Band. He also teaches clawhammer banjo and runs the
Leeds Old-Time session.
How has the Covid-19 crisis impacted you and your livelihood?
To date, all of my scheduled performances from now through
August have been cancelled (one camp is still hanging on
and planning to make a call in the next few days, but the
writing’s on the wall). As a touring musician, the total loss
of income would be devastating under any circumstances. It
hits especially hard right now because I have a new album
coming out on May 29th. Touring is a critical part not only
of publicizing a new release, but also starting to recoup the
money I’ve invested into it. My savings were already depleted
from that project before the pandemic got started, and I had
planned to rebuild them over the next few months. Now, with
no work and no real job opportunities, I’ve just got to burn
through what’s left.
How has the Covid-19 crisis impacted you and your livelihood?
Have you been able to move some of your work online? The virus has obviously had a massive impact across the
My sole sources of income right now are streamed world. As well as finding the isolation difficult mentally, the
concerts, Skype lessons and revenue from online sales and current situation has also meant that I’ve lost most of my
streaming. These are proving more lucrative than I had work through cancellations. As well as working as a gigging
initially expected, but they don’t generate the money or the musician and music teacher, I work as a music practitioner
fulfilment that my ordinary touring and teaching schedule in care homes and Special Needs schools, and unfortunately
would, and are significantly more draining. The Cabin Fever these were some of the first jobs to go, due to obvious safety
Festival did a great job of replicating an in-person concert precautions and social distancing. The loss of gigs and
experience on the Zoom platform by encouraging attendees festivals this year will cause a huge impact on many artists
to turn on their cameras as they watch. Being able to see and production staff – it’s a tough time for everyone! I’m
people’s faces and reactions makes a big difference, and I really missing the social aspect of making music with people
hope this is able to set a trend. and going to jam sessions. That connection you get making
music in the same room can’t really be replicated in isolation.
How can our readers help support you during this time? It’s not all been so negative though – I’ve had more time to
Tune into all the streaming events you can, book Skype lessons, practise and play, and I’ve been working on lots of new tunes
and buy music online! My streaming, contact and pre-order and songs. Even my fiddle playing is improving slowly too!
information is available on my website. I must say, I’ve been Music has and always will be an amazing coping mechanism
overwhelmed by the community’s support. It’s telling that in for the stresses of life for me.
these trying times, we’ve all collectively turned to art (whether
in the form of literature, film or music) to make ourselves feel Have you been able to move some of your work online?
better. I hope people realize that, while live performances and I’ve managed to move my teaching for banjo, guitar and
recording projects are mostly on pause, streamed concerts are ukulele online. I also run a weekly ukulele group on Monday u
the only way to hear the new art that’s being created. As my evenings, on Zoom and Skype. There have been a few
OLD TIME NEWS No. 102 Summer 2020 5
technical issues to overcome, but I think it works well, and How has the Covid-19 crisis impacted you and your livelihood?
serves as a decent substitute. It’s been fun getting creative The current crisis has put a complete halt on how I normally
with the technology, and nice to be able to share my videos make my living. It’s actually really brought into focus how
and creative ideas with others in new ways. Social media has month to month my existence until now has been, with an
become an even more important way of engaging people, almost complete reliance on gig work and very little long
so I’ve been posting new songs I’ve been working on. To fill term infrastructure for earning outside of performing. So
the void left by the lack of sessions I’ve started an online it’s been an eye opener, and I’ve really had to look at ways I
singaround session, which anyone is welcome to join! One can create income while locked in my house, which has been
definite advantage of working online is that you have a daunting at times.
much wider reach for your audience and the world feels
like a smaller place in many ways. I’ve had people attending Have you been able to move some of your work online?
my groups from as far afield as Canada, America and New Yes and no. For me personally it’s been less about moving
Zealand so far, and have collaborated with other musicians existing work online and more about creating new online
who I wouldn’t normally have had the chance to. The main opportunities. I had tons of gigs cancelled in March, April,
issue with working online is that you can’t really play live May and June and starting to look further out at this point.
together because of internet latency issues, and I think Those gigs are gone, but some new online festivals and
everyone who is doing online groups is trying to find their performance opportunities have popped up and I got the
own creative ways of getting around this. chance to perform for some of them. But there’s definitely a
limit to how often you can access your online audience, it’s
How can our readers help support you during this time? not exactly equivalent to performing in new places to new
As well as joining one of my online groups, or taking lessons, people each day. Luckily I started creating the infrastructure
you can support me by purchasing merchandise directly for an online teaching platform back in January, before this
from me or through Bandcamp. You can also follow me on pandemic hit. It had been on my mind to start building an
Facebook for more up to date information on the projects I’m audience on Patreon so that I could generate some earning
working on. potential that wasn’t reliant on being on the road. I’m
really glad I had a little head start on putting that together,
Links: because I’ve been able to put a lot of energy into creating
https://simonrobinsonsounds.bandcamp.com content for followers on that platform and I’m proud of the
https://redwoodriverband.bandcamp.com community that’s building there, learning fiddle tunes and
www.facebook.com/simonrobinsonsounds fiddle techniques.
How can our readers help support you during this time?
Buy an album! Don’t just stream music if you like an artist
GEORGE JACKSON – buy their music directly from them, or from Bandcamp.
Based in Nashville, Tennessee, fiddle ace George hails My album “Time and Place” is available on Bandcamp. Sign
from New Zealand. His 2019 debut album Time and Place up to a Patreon page to help your favorite artists make it
featured a raft of memorable original old-time tunes. through this tough time. Many are offering some pretty great
The George Jackson Band was due to tour the UK this access to lessons or exclusive content. On my Patreon page
September (including Sweet Sunny South) before plans I post lessons weekly or monthly, I break down old-time or
had to be cancelled. bluegrass tunes and techniques, and there are tons of videos
up for immediate access right now if you sign up. I also have a
$5 tier for people who just want exclusive access to new music
before I release it publicly. Lastly I’d just say be an advocate
for governments to support the arts! Help us be heard and
valued by governments who want to ignore how important
music and art is to human endurance and joy. Help the arts
gain and keep access to funding, and to be valued by our
societies not just as a luxury, but as an essential service.
Links:
https://www.georgejacksonmusic.com/
https://georgejacksonmusic.bandcamp.com/
https://www.patreon.com/georgejackson
6 OLD TIME NEWS No. 102 Summer 2020
CHARLOTTE BREESE Skyracer. We recently signed a major record deal [with Island
Also known by her maiden name Charlotte Carrivick, gifted Records] and after more than a year of preparation and hard
multi-instrumentalist Charlotte is a fixture on the UK old- work, our album is coming out in June. We had a great tour
time and bluegrass scenes with her bands Midnight Skyracer booked in to promote it, but of course that’s gone. As well as
and Cardboard Fox, and her duos with twin sister Laura and the immediate financial loss from the gigs, that will hugely
with fiddler Kieran Towers. impact the overall scope for album sales and promotion. That
said, I much prefer to think of the positives: I have a routine
for the first time in a very long time and that has made
things a lot easier with our 10 month old son, than it was
while touring. I’m finding time to actually practise, and our
allotment is going to be great this year!
Have you been able to move some of your work online?
I have a few students and I’ve managed to move them to
Skype. I’ve even picked up a couple of extras. By the time this
article comes out I’ll have been involved in an online festival
style workshop with a bunch of other mandolin players, all
of whom I really admire too. [Ed: check out the Isolationist’s
Guide to Mandolin page on Facebook]. I’ve also started
doing a series of fiddle tune arrangements for flatpicking
guitar. Every Thursday I upload a video to my instagram page
@charlotteguitar and put the tab up on my website for £1 a
go. It’s small change, but I’m enjoying having a focus for my
How has the Covid-19 crisis impacted you and your livelihood? own practice!
We first got hit by cancellations back in the middle of
March. Laura and I had a couple of shows in Sussex. The first How can our readers help support you during this time?
one went ahead, then the next morning everything started If anyone wants to help musicians, then buying their music
getting cancelled. I think we’ve had gigs cancel right into or booking an online lesson is always a good way to do that.
the autumn now – in fact I’m supposed to have just come Also, engaging with any social media stuff is really important
back from a tour with Cardboard Fox. We met up on Skype – it helps with the algorithms... or something like that!
instead and joked about which bits we’d have messed up by
that point in the evening, and what time we needed to be up Links:
the next morning to get to the next gig. It was equally funny www.guitarmandolinbanjo.co.uk
and sad. The biggest blow for me has to be for Midnight https://linktr.ee/carrivicks
These really are unprecedented times. Many of the stalwarts in our old-time community are in a high-risk
group by virtue of age, underlying health issues or a combination of factors. People are missing contact with
friends and family members as well as missing the communal aspect of music making. In order to protect
ourselves and others, we have had to forego our usual pleasures of gathering together in music and friendship,
and that loss hits hard. The silver lining in all this is that thanks to the power of modern technology, we ARE
still able to see and hear live music online, and to participate in workshops, lessons and jam sessions (to some
extent). I know it’s not the same as the real thing, but it’s something.
You might also like to consider donating to one of the main appeals which are making emergency grants
available to individual musicians (across all genres) who are facing significant financial hardship:
Help Musicians UK – https://www.helpmusicians.org.uk/support-our-work/make-a-donation
Musicians’ Union (UK) – https://www.musiciansunion.org.uk/Donate
Musicares (USA) – https://www.grammy.com/musicares/get-help/musicares-coronavirus-relief-fund
For those that do have the means, your regular support of musicians will help them to survive this time. Book
a lesson with a musician hero (who might usually be too busy touring) and throw a few pounds in the tip jar
for a live streamed performance you enjoy. Buy a couple of albums each month instead of just streaming on
Spotify. If you can’t afford to contribute financially, you can still help by liking and sharing musicians’ social
media pages and spreading the word about online performances and workshops. That helps keep the community
spirit going too. As well as the handful interviewed above, thousands of other grassroots musicians are going
through the same thing – your favourite OT musicians among them. Seek out their websites, social media
pages, Patreon accounts and Bandcamp pages. Most importantly, I hope that everyone reading this can stay
safe and well, so that we can gather together again in the future to play tunes, sing, dance and make merry.
OLD TIME NEWS No. 102 Summer 2020 7
Old-Time in Lockdown
In this section we try and present an overview of the many ways in which
the old-time community has tried to keep in touch with the music and
with each other during this unprecedented crisis.
House concert sites
We’ll start with Quarantine Happy Hour organized by two (one slow jam and one normal) are proving popular. She
Gabrielle Macrae and Barry Southern of the Horsenecks reflects on what it has been like to run these sessions and
(who reflect on their experience of running the concerts William Duddy provides a consumer’s view.
below). The concerts are free but most performers have A whole weekend of tuition and sessions was provided by
an online tips jar. There have been some really top class the online version of the Old-Time Rollick, normally held in
performances from the likes of Bruce Molskey, Nadine the Ashokan Center in New York State. The center has a series
Landry and Sammy (Foghorn String Band), Aaron Jonah of events planned for the near future, all listed in the special
Lewis and Alice Gerrard to name just a few. Occasionally https://ashokancenter.org/online-rollick-2020/ website. The
technical problems occur, normally a reversed image which center also hosted the dulcimer weekend described by William
is just a shame, but other than looking odd it doesn’t affect Duddy in his article which starts on page 11.
the show. The shows are live then archived on facebook page You may find other concert streaming sites on facebook,
Quarantine Happy Hour. like the one run by recording label Free Dirt Records which
Another source of old-time music has been via the Fire has hosted concerts by their artists including Allison de
in the Mountain facebook page, organised by Joe Buirski Groot and Jake Blount.
– it has hosted house shows as a virtual festival. It works There are also various sites with free lessons on various
in a similar way to the Quarantine Happy Hour but has a instruments. One of note is Peghead Nation with some
greater mix of genre, by no means not all old-time but it archived free workshops on their facebook page by Evie
does include some dance workshops. Again the shows appear Laden (banjo) and Bruce Molskey (fiddle). The website
to be archived and have included performances by Evie cabinfevertunes.com has started to list both future and
Laden, Bruce Molskey, Nadine Landry and Sammy and The archived events.
Horsenecks. The shows can be found live and archived on Either go direct to the relevant facebook pages or to the
facebook page fireinthemountain_ONLINE. Covid-19 page on our website home page where you will find
For those who want to try an online old-time jam there links to those mentioned above as well as others.
are several that come up on our facebook page but Su Mo’s Alan Pridgeon
Quarantine Happy Hour
Gabrielle Macrae and Barry Southern started a regular series
of online concerts which has been running pretty constantly
through the lockdown period. Gabrielle says:
We started this originally as a way to try and help raise
a little money for working musicians whose gigs have all
been cancelled and as a way to stay connected to our music
buddies while we’re all quarantined. It has definitely been
that, but quickly turned into something else: a catalogue
of great shows from some amazing musicians. Running it
feels like a taste of what it’s like to book a venue, though
there’s no loss associated with any of it for anyone, so it’s
been a great way to showcase lesser known musicians to
a wider audience, right next to people who are considered
giants of the genre. At first we weren’t thinking that it
would be old-time specific. We’ve had some early jazz,
country, calypso, cajun, bluegrass, klezmer and americana.
We’re still not ruling other genres out, but just by virtue
of it being a couple of old-time musicians booking it, it’s
turned out to be very old-time heavy, and it seems like
it’s the wider old-time music community that has been
consistently tuning in, tipping, and keeping up a constant
stream of banter in the comments section. It’s been a lot
of fun and a great way to connect with friends who we
probably won’t get to see in person for quite a while.
Thanks to Milo Krims of the Misty Mountain Pony
Club for the picture which shows a selection of the
featured acts.
Gabrielle Macrae and Barry Southern
8 OLD TIME NEWS No. 102 Summer 2020
Su Mo’s Old-Time Sessions
During this Covid-19 crisis, it was the well-being of others about it and it
that I had a concern for with difficult news and losing loved meant more stuff
ones all around us. I even had to deal with my brother in for me to organise
hospital for a few weeks in ICU. Music and creativity is a in my control freak
saviour at times like these so I decided to help others keep way, but we did it
music going virtually. When lockdown was in the horizon, without strangling
I prepared quite early to deal with it, so much so that the each other too
first online session was ready to roll on the second day of much! I started
lockdown. I teach music lessons online so I have a structure to run Zoom tutorials to help people get set up and also
in place for dealing with the latency delay issues and focusing introduce how to adjust our human behaviour in using online
the music and sound for the listener. I started with just communications. Many people find that hard to get used to
Facebook live video which was quite successful with the chat at first which is very normal, but once you get the hang of
for interaction. Each session meant more improvements on it, it works! We have a strong group of 30+ on Tuesday and
tech and gear. Jules on guitar has a lot of great audio gear. He Sunday Slow jams. The session is also viewable on YouTube to
is also a bit of a social animal and suggested using Zoom for keep things easy to access.
more interactivity. I quite like hiding so I wasn’t too enthused Su Mo
In these strange times...
In these strange times we This resulted in me buying a tenor guitar as it only has
are all living in I thought four strings and I find that is my limit at the moment. I
I would update you with thought as I knew a lot of the tunes, having listened to them
what strange things I have for the last 10 years, playing them would be relatively easy. I
been doing over the past got that wrong! I struggled with learning the notes/chords
year. It all started when I by ear and found it helpful to have them written down. I did
finally had a moment of manage to join in some sessions at Dunfield House, our local
madness and decided to pub sessions and even a workshop at Gainsborough. I was
start playing the banjolele. looking forward to going to Spring Camp for the first time
This was partly driven by my but this was not be. I am living in the hope that we may get
need to learn something new to do Summer Camp but if not will have even more time to
and the encouragement I got practice.
from my music friends saying, “Isn’t Little by little some of the tunes are beginning to become
it about time you joined us and played an instrument?” I easier to play and because of lockdown I can practice every
therefore embarked on daily practice sessions and trying to day! Needless to say I will still have plenty of time to chat
understand chords, tuning, strumming etc – all totally alien with friends over a glass of wine while I give my guitar a rest
to me. I don’t consider myself musical and only ever got as far – I haven’t completely gone over to the dark side! So until we
as playing a recorder at school until age 10. I persevered with meet again please stay safe and well in these strange times.
the banjolele for a few months and then decided I would like Maureen Pridgeon
to try a different instrument.
Lockdown diversions
With a bit more time for music, I’ve been learning some
new tunes including Maple Sugar from Ward Allen and
Tennessee Mountain Fox Chase, mostly from Nate Leath. At
the beginning of lockdown I experimented with a couple
of on-line jamming facilities (jammr and JamKazam) but
neither of them was ideal, particularly for old-time. Su Mo’s
Open Old Time Jams on Facebook use Zoom which is better
and it helps me learn other new tunes as they are being played
in a session setting. In particular though, Steve Blake played
a tune Hell Among the Yearlings from Wilson Douglas. His
recordings have revived my interest in tunes I used to know,
such as Flop-Eared Mule, Folding Down the Sheets, Leather
Britches and Cold Frosty Morning… thanks Steve. tune called Locked Up Lock Down Blues,
Another diversion has been to learn recording techniques, https://youtu.be/AYYUnM12Qfc
inspired by Josh Clark’s video tutorials from Get Real Audio Another free opportunity worth investigating is the on-
on Facebook. I use free software (Reaper and YouTube Movie line Song Writing course run by Sheffield University through
Maker) to make split screen videos of my multi-tracked tunes. Futurelearn.com. Nevertheless, I am looking forward to being
It has certainly helped me to keep much better time in my able to go to a pub and play some tunes with people.
playing, having to play to a click track metronome. I’ve got a Jan Howard
OLD TIME NEWS No. 102 Summer 2020 9
old-time in lockdown
The Richmond Online
Music Gathering
The 4th Richmond Old Time Music
Gathering was all set to happen at Easter, but
once that was no longer possible, ROTMAD
took things online, via our Facebook page.
The community rallied round to turn our
initial disappointment into a very special day.
We were thrilled to gather more than 50
musical contributions on Saturday 11th April.
They came in from all corners of England,
Ireland Scotland and Wales, as well as from
Oslo and Berlin. There was Cajun music from
Paris, and some old time and swing from
Mississippi.
While some people performed live, others
uploaded pre-recorded films and the page was
busy with new posts throughout the day, from
12 noon until almost midnight. There were
lots of supportive and encouraging comments
from everyone and the whole occasion was
very uplifting – in the face of the difficult but the internet has offered a great way for our community
times we have been living through. to stay connected in the meantime.
Lockdown has given people the opportunity to learn The Richmond Old Time Music Gathering has a public
new video recording and editing skills, and also to gain the Facebook page, and all the performances from the online
confidence to play into cameras on their computers and gathering are available to view there.
phones and all this was on heartening display. The URL of the Facebook page is
Hopefully, this online version of the Gathering was a https://www.facebook.com/richmondoldtime
one-off and we’ll be able to meet again in person next time, Julian Marshall
Support from Old Time News
Until a few weeks ago it was touch and go whether we would
have enough material to fill this issue, however thanks to a
big effort from the committee and our regular contributors,
we have been able to give the good news to our printers
and mailing house that we will be requiring their services as
normal. If we had not gone to print, we had planned to put a
simplified version on the website and we will still be uploading
a full PDF of this issue only which will be available to anyone
who visits our website. The website is also where you will find
a list of the online sessions mentioned on these pages. Finally,
in order to help our advertisers, we will not be charging them
to place their adverts for the duration of the pandemic and we
would urge you to support them if you possibly can.
Judy Spindler
Welcome to these new members
1445 Peter Coggins Swindon
1446 Giles Conway Warwickshire
Members’ Small Ads
Clawhammer Banjo, Mandolin & Guitar Tuition
Lessons in Hemel Hempstead, Herts. Chris Lawrance is a
music teacher with 40 years experience, specialising in old-time,
bluegrass and blues. Beginners of any age welcome.
E: chrisbanjolawrance@gmail.com W: www.chrislawrance.co.uk
10 OLD TIME NEWS No. 102 Summer 2020Playing through the Pandemic
by William Duddy
When I boarded the train at Gainsborough Central on The well-known limitations on sound quality, and disparities
Monday 17th February after another great FOAOTMAD in broadband speed around the nations does little to dilute
Festival, I had no real premonition of what was on the the joy when Su hands the lead to visitors from all over the
horizon. The small pack of antiseptic wipes, forced into UK and, more recently, USA. Even on Zoom, two hours
my coat pocket as I was leaving home, were (in retrospect) passes too quickly when great tunes are being played with
scant safeguard for a homeward trek navigating three old friends and new. Of late, Colm Daly and Cathy have
crowded trains, packed stations, Manchester Airport and brought their own Reading flavour to the set-lists – with the
a claustrophobic Easyjet flight when – as it now seems – inevitable mirth, jollity (and sometimes, chaos) that brings.
trouble was already in the air. Nor did I realise that I’d sat in Impressively, shortly after the session finishes, Jules helpfully
an old-time workshop with dear, departed, Carole Chant for publishes the tune list by key. I understand Su is writing
the last time. elsewhere [see page 9] on her organisation of the sessions so,
On 23rd March, lockdown was announced and, for most for now, I just say a big thank you to Su and Jules for stepping
of us (except those involved in essential services) our world out and providing this opportunity for increasing numbers
shrank into homes and – if we were lucky – gardens. No more every week.
sessions, gatherings, or camps for an indeterminate lapse of
time. But then, in previous years, I had been quite limited in
the FOAOTMAD events that I could attend anyway – Nonsuch Dulcimer Club
other than those within a gentle night-time stroll of a feather Having bought my first mountain
bed in a quiet, self-contained room. Strangely, as things have dulcimer (on a whim, as one does)
turned out, I’m playing more music now, in the “virtual” from the Birdrock McSpadden
company of many more people (across the globe) than would marquee at the much-missed
have been possible previously. North Wales Bluegrass Festival
some 10 years ago, I soon realised
that I didn’t know anyone else in
Su Mo’s Old-Time Sessions Ireland who played one. Nevertheless,
From where I sat, Su Mo was the first to take the initiative being the fascinating diatonic thing
and set up (eventually twice) weekly online old-time sessions that it is, many a rainy evening was
– initially on Facebook, then adding Zoom and more recently spent accidentally discovering its joys in
also livestreamed on YouTube. Welcoming the unexpected isolation. Then, having booked an “Albion to Appalachia”
opportunity to play regularly with FOAOTMAD friends, I Weekend – organised by Brian Peters, featuring Jeff Warner,
set aside concerns about Zoom security and, after installing and in the unbeatable company of Jed Todd, at the lovely
the application on PC, settled into what is now a highlight Halsway Manor (Somerset) in May 2018 – I noticed that
of the virtual week. Su (with Jules Bushell on driving guitar) the following week featured the evocatively named Nonsuch
leads well planned, properly organised sessions, slower on Dulcimer Club’s “Dulcimers at Halsway” gathering. Staying
Sunday evenings and faster when Tuesday comes around. over the intervening Sunday night, I was thereby introduced
Their sound system overcomes almost all of Zoom’s acoustic to a great new “tribe” (with mountain and hammer sub-
limitations – providing a clear, rhythmic lead to the “grids” genres) marking the beginning of invaluable friendships with
u
of swinging bows and frailing banjos on “Gallery View”. more kindred spirits.
OLD TIME NEWS No. 102 Summer 2020 11PLAYING THROUGH THE PANDEMIC
The Nonsuch Dulcimer The Ashokan Center
Club https://www.dulcimer. It was actually on the Nonsuch Facebook page that I saw
org.uk/ was conceived in notification of the Ashokan Center’s Autoharp/Dulcimer
1989 by a small handful of Weekend (15-17 May). Following the links, another whole
hammer dulcimer players in new world opened up – on Beaverkill Road, Olivebridge in
the south-west of England. upstate New York!
They settled on the name of the The Ashokan Center https://ashokancenter.org/ (formerly
little red Nonesuch “Flower of the Ashokan Field Campus) is an outdoor education,
Bristol” (yes, we know about conference, and retreat centre located in the Catskill
the spelling!) – considering Mountains – Ashokan meaning “where waters converge”. The
also that one of their regular first homesteaders on the land were Dutchman Jacobus Bush
tunes was titled Nonesuch and and his wife, Eycke Vandermerke (from Ulster(!) County,
echoing Henry VIII’s boast New York) in the late 17th century. Later, this was the
that his new palace, Nonsuch frontier during the American Revolutionary War and General
at Cheam, was “without equal”. Washington authorised the building of a fort at Shokan, now
The Club soon expanded under the waters of the Ashokan Reservoir.
to incorporate mountain The property operated as the Ashokan Field Campus
dulcimer players and now has 240 members, including some from 1967 until 2008 when it was divided and part sold to
in Europe and USA. Nonsuch has (or rather had, until “you the non-profit Ashokan Foundation which continues to
know what”) an active programme of workshops throughout support and develop environmental education programmes
the year alongside their annual Autumn Gathering and for schools in partnership with non-profit partner the
a “satellite” Spring Fling in Allendale. In fact, I had been Ashokan Center. Ashokan’s Music & Dance Camps for
looking forward to my second Spring Fling (in March) adults and families have been held – in this landscape of
until it became one of the first musical “casualties” of the forests, waterfalls, stream-fed ponds, and open meadows –
Lockdown. for over 50 years and accommodation facilities have been
Following postponement of the scheduled Nonsuch developed to host conferences, retreat groups, weddings etc
Annual Weekend until 2021 (and typical of the enthusiastic, when schools are not in residence.
inclusive Nonsuch people) several different online sessions, The location was the inspiration for Jay Ungar’s iconic
workshops and events were quickly planned into what is tune “Ashokan Farewell”, famously used as the theme music
now an active club Zoom calendar. My first participation for PBS’s “The Civil War” series by Ken Burns – and Jay is
in this new phase was with the South West group (under the Principal Officer for the Foundation.
the aegis of Geoffrey Reeve-Black, he of Revels Dulcimers
https://revelsmusic.co.uk/) who abandoned their monthly
pub sessions in the Nova Scotia, Bristol to move online and
extended invitations to the outer fringes to join.
The Nonsuch Events Organiser, Hilary Davis, convened
an experimental Southern meet-up at the end of March
and is now co-ordinating weekly Nonsuch online (Zoom)
sessions. With tune lists circulated in advance, good
preparations can be made by referring to the excellent
resources generously and freely available on both Pete
Bromwich’s hammer dulcimer site
https://www.dulcimerheaven.co.uk/ and the
aforementioned Revels Dulcimers page.
Thanks to Sally Whitehead (Chair/President and
Website Manager), the club has an excellent website for
online events and resources, including listings of online club
dulcimer events in the UK and also in the USA. The move
last November to a “wordpress” based membership website
now better enables Nonsuch to respond flexibly to the
evolving situation.
With planned club conventions now cancelled, Nonsuch
is actively supporting the intended tutors (many American)
– who have suffered drastic disruptions to their schedules
and livelihoods by scheduling Zoom workshops with such as
Stephen Seifert and Jessica Comeau – rapidly establishing
what is now a busy “alternative” programme for as long as it
takes.
And so, through Nonsuch, he who had been isolated
with his mountain dulcimer for almost a decade is being
introduced to a growing global community.
12 OLD TIME NEWS No. 102 Summer 2020most notably, Ashokan managed to create (within “virtual”
limitations) the “down home” vibe of an actual camp – helped
along by a live tour of the park with Jay and Molly. This being
one of their first such online ventures, and the first I became
aware of, The Ashokan Center nailed it and have set the
benchmark for others.
And fittingly – the Weekend memorably finished with an
emotional rendition of “Ashokan Farewell” by Jay and Molly
from the porch of the Ashokan Conference Centre. Simply
exquisite!
Learning in Lockdown
And so, to conclude…the world as we knew it stopped
suddenly not long after the Gainsborough Festival, ruining
Anyway, back to the Center’s Autoharp/Dulcimer the musical calendar (probably for the remainder of 2020).
Weekend - my first purchased Zoom event and the best $50 Many of us may have lost relatives and friends to Covid-19.
I’ve ever spent. Having received advance links to the detailed Camps and festivals, as we knew them, which are the beating
schedule and the comprehensive “Resource Dropbox”, some heart of old-time music (with their friendship, vibrant
90 participants gathered in the “Garden Room” at 2pm BST sessions and packed workshops) won’t be happening for
(5 hours ahead) on the Saturday afternoon for welcomes some time. However, the disruption to the social side is a
and introductions, along with the Center’s hospitable hosts minor consideration compared with the hardship thrust upon
and under the watchful eyes of Jay Ungar and Molly Mason hundreds of musicians worldwide whose livelihoods are in
themselves. This set the stage for an enthralling weekend of doubt. Strangely, I have played more music with more people
top-flight tuition, jams and the Saturday night concert. in more places this year than ever. There are upsides to online
Sitting in on Neal Walter’s Autoharp Waltzes Workshop workshops where the tutor is clearly visible and audible, one
(not having an autoharp) was a revelation on what this can try out new tricks in “a safe space” and the noodlers can
instrument can do. The great Don Pedi, with his true old- be muted at the flick of a mouse. If we can sign up for the
time mountain dulcimer style, perfectly complemented increasing number and variety of online music offerings, and
Norm Williams’ focus on fingerpicking styles and tunings. If divert some of the savings from camp registrations, travel
you’re wondering how to play “Whiskey (before breakfast)” expenses, camping fees and accommodation rental into the
on mountain dulcimer in 5 keys and 5 tunings – including hands of hard-pressed “professional” musicians then some
“Whiskey Sour” in the minor – Norm is your man! Then, if small comfort can be collected from Covid. q
ever there was a reason to stay up until 2am in Belfast, the
Saturday evening concert was it, with Don, Norm and the
Photos
two halves of Doofus https://doofusmusic.com/ stepping in Previous page:
from their respective abodes across the US for a wondrous The author
night’s music (of excellent trans-Atlantic sonic quality The Nonsuch Dulcimer Club logo
considering the vagaries of Zoom). Opposite:
Re-convening in the “Garden Room” on the Sunday Lychnis chalcedonica - the Nonesuch flower (Flower of Bristol)
afternoon, Don shared some great Appalachian ballads The Ashokan landscape
leading into the farewell jam. Each workshop was “facilitated” The Ashokan Centre logo
by one of Ashokan’s excellent team, monitoring the “chat” This page:
questions, sharing “split screen” tab where necessary and Ashokan Autoharp/Dulcimer poster
generally keeping good order. The links worked perfectly and, Don Pedi in action
OLD TIME NEWS No. 102 Summer 2020 13old-time in lockdown
Spring Camp under lockdown
by Andrew Cocks, Events Organiser
Friday 15th May 2020 was supposed to be the first day of Spring Camp. It was so sad that
the Coronavirus Lockdown meant it couldn’t happen. When the day arrived I felt the occasion
needed to be celebrated even if in splendid isolation. Actually, I wasn’t entirely on my own!
Here’s a review of my Lockdown Spring Camp. Just me and my pet pheasant Phil.
Many thanks to Mrs Frances Cocks who took the photographs.
Friday 15th. Setting up Camp. Tent up and I’ve
found something to start the camp fire. Phil
monitored the site to ensure social distancing.
In stark contrast to 2019, the weather was, hot, sunny and
still. The tent went up and came down in the dry. Perfect. I’d
been at work during the day and consequently it was getting
late by time we’d both set up. We went straight to the fireside
session. It was great. In fact, the first one I’ve been to where I
knew all the tunes! Phil reminded us that the camp site rules
meant we had to stop at 11:30 and so we retired early.
Saturday. We slept well
and breakfasted heartily.
I have to say the facilities
were pretty good and
almost uniquely for a
FOAOTMAD event, there
were no complaints about
the catering. Phil asked me
not to make any corny jokes
about his eating habits.
14 OLD TIME NEWS No. 102 Summer 2020We spent most of the day
“chillin’ an’ a tuning,”as Phil likes
to say. So nice to have some time
away from work and the worries
of these times, just relaxing and
having quality time with old
instruments and old tunes. A
chance to recharge the batteries
in an environment where
everyone attending had common
interests and appreciation of the
old-time scene.
Our early evening barbeque was a bit rushed as
it would soon be time for the Saturday evening
concerts. In fact Phil got a little impatient with
me. Whilst I finished my burger, he was pacing
up and down worried we might not get a seat.
Shortly after I realised where the “tension in the tent” had come from. Phil was
performing on the Summer House Stage as a finalist from the open mic sessions
which took place in the afternoon. I thought I’d heard something! Imagine how
proud I was when he was voted best act of the show. After that we piled into the
concert on the main stage. Here’s a picture of me in the “mosh pit” watching a two
hour solo performance from that guy from the Malvern Hillbillies. Frankly, he
hasn’t got any better!
Saturday evening
ended with another
fireside session with
a difference. We all
brought marshmallows
and toasted them on the
flames. I was missing
some of the banter
which I usually enjoy
until the early hours of
the morning. To remedy
And then it was Sunday and that sad time for packing up,
that I listened to old
saying our au revoirs and getting ready for the 120 yard journey
telephone messages
home. No picture of Phil at this stage. He had an early flight!
from Eve Morris and
What a great weekend. I very sincerely wish you all could have
Tony Mears and the
been here!
time simply flew by!
Do you have any pictures of Lockdown old-time style? If so
we’d love to see them!
OLD TIME NEWS No. 102 Summer 2020 15cin
an
g
d
Dancing through the pandemic
r o n by Clare Sheridan, dance rep
a
u d
While we are having to stay away from our favourite haunts, You can put on some old-time music and dance to it on
like Croft Farm Park duringBOARD
DANCE FOAOTMAD
DANCE BOARD Spring Camp, your own, get a feel with bending your knees in time to the
we can still dance. Dancing is luckily something that you can tune, listen to the nuances in the tune, you can just do step lifts
do anywhere. While standing
The dance in
The the
board queue
dance to
weboardget into
have been the
we have using alternate
been
forusing
years feetfor
isand as
ayears
verythe is
baraends
simple
verydo a step step
construction.
simple step,A
flatpiece
flat of
construction. A 2piece
foot s
o
shop/chemist/etc5you can be
ply wood surreptitiously
5 ply
screwed practicing
wood screwed a
onto 2x1 onto toe
inch 2x1 flat,
battens. or flat toe
inch battens. flat. Just play with making sounds with your feet.
lift. It’s OK, people will just think that you’re impatient or Paul has included a simple design for a dance board,
that you need the bathroom! which has a bit of spring in it and sounds good as the raised
Toe lift = flat foot step then on the same foot lift the toe box makes the sound, but you can just use a piece of plywood
up and as it comes down it would make a sound. There you or an old cupboard door.
have a two sound step. Step = 1 toe lift and down = sound 2. Su Mo is doing a weekly slow jam and it is ideal to dance
Sara Rose is doing weekly dance movement sessions with along with on mute so that nobody can hear you but you can
a different dance/music each week which really makes you get a feel of being in a session.
think about rhythms and how you use your body. As Sara will Love to all you dancers and musicians out there. Stay safe
tell you, doing any form of dance or movement will help your and stay with the music and dance. We will play and dance
DANCE BOARD
dance technique. our way through this strange time.
The dance board we have been using for years is a very simple construction. A piece of 2 foot square
5 ply wood screwed onto 2x1 inch battens.
The dance board we have been
using for years is a very simple
construction: a piece of 2 foot
square 5 ply wood screwed on
to 2 x 1 inch battens.
The battens are just screwed
together at the ends and with
recessed screws to the top so
no joints are needed. There are
no cross battens in the middle
so it is free to move which
gives movement that is better
for your joints than dancing on
a rigid surface. We have also
The battens
Theare
battens
just screwed
are just screwed
together together
at the ends
at the
andends
with andattached
recessed a strap to to
with recessed
screws carry it. toptoso
screws
the the
notop
jo
needed. needed.
There areThere
no cross
are no
battens
crossinbattens
the middle
in thesomiddle
it is free
so to
it is
move
free which
to movegives
which
movement
gives mot
better forbetter
your joints
for your
than
joints
dancing
than on
dancing
a rigidon
surface.
a rigid We
surface.
have We
alsohave
attached
also attached
a strap toacarry
strapit.
to
The battens are just screwed together at the ends and with recessed screws to the top so no joints
needed. There are no cross battens in the middle so it is free to move which gives movement that is
better for your joints than dancing on a rigid surface. We have also attached a strap to carry it.
Because it is raised up it
acts like a drum and you get
a lovely sound when using
hard soled shoes. It is easy to
transport to sessions where you
might not have a wooden floor
to dance on. Ours has served
us well for many years as you
can see from the wear pattern.
Because it is raised up it acts like a drum and you get a lovely sound when using hard soled shoes.
It is easy to transport to sessions where you might not have a wooden floor to dance on. Ours has
Because
served us well for many Because
ityou
years as is raisedit from
can see is
upraised
it
theacts
wearup
like
it a
acts
pattern.drum
likeand
a drum
you get
andayoulovely
getsound
a lovely
when
sound
using
when
hard
using
soled
hard
sh
16 OLD TIME NEWS No. 102 Summer 2020
It is easyIttoistransport
easy to transport
to sessions
to sessions
where you
where
might
you
notmight
have not
a wooden
have a floor
wooden
to dance
floor to
on.dance
Ours oYou can also read
