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Help needed: old but good musicians
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Help needed: old but good musicians |
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Subject: Help needed: old but good musicians From: Bonnie Date: 14 Sep 99 - 02:41 PM I've been given the task of finding examples of music suitable for an event to celebrate the positive side of getting old (yes!) I would be really grateful for any suggestions of musicians from any genre, preferably living, who are still playing/creating at an advanced age, as well as any sources of biographies, illustrations etc. |
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Subject: RE: Help needed: old but good musicians From: katlaughing Date: 14 Sep 99 - 04:00 PM Hi, Bonnie. Welcome to the Mudcat. We've had several threads which tell of such phoaks (my spelling). click here for one on John Lee Hooker, who just turned 82, was featured on NPR and still plays at his own club in San Francisco. NPR's website would be a good palce to do a search, too. I am sure more Mudcatters will have some good tales to tell you. My dad is 82, lives at home with his wife. Travels 30 miles to the next town to "entertain the old folks", as he puts it, (in the nursing home)about 2-3 times per week. He sings, plays banjo, mandolin, fiddle, keyboard, and guitar. He also plays with other musicians, for weddings, at fairs, etc. I am very proud of him and, the fact that he is doing what he loves, he and I are both sure, contributes to his longevity and good health. This should turn out to be a really good and interesting thread. Thanks for starting it. katlaughing |
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Subject: RE: Help needed: old but good musicians From: KathWestra Date: 14 Sep 99 - 04:01 PM Helen Schneyer is a great example -- 78 years young (or is it 79?) and still performing, singing as passionately as ever. You can hear her singing on her CD (produced when she was a mere child of 73). It's called "Somber, Sacred, and Silly," and is distributed by both Folk Legacy and Camsco. She lives in Plainfield, VT. Plainfield, Vermont also is home to Barbara Carns, who's in her 70s and a wonderful blues singer/guitar player. She peforms here and there, and until recently hosted a folk music radio show out of Goddard College. Marlboro, Vermont, is where you'll find Margaret MacArthur, also in her 70s, still recording, performing all over the country, and singing at festivals. She, like Helen and Barbara, is a true treasure. She has many CDs, and my understanding is that she's about to release another. You'll find here occasionally here on the Mudcat. New England must be good for graceful aging. Bob McQuillen, composer of more than 1,000 wonderful contradance tunes and waltzes, lives and plays in New Hampshire, and has just released two new CDs: "Hand It Down," and "Old New England." Bob's well into his 70s. Also from New Hampshire is fiddler Allan Block (in his 70s and recently honored for his continuing contributions to folk music at the Champlain Valley Festival). I believe that Dudley Laufman, one of the founding fathers of New England contradancing in its popular form, also is from N.H. And then, of course, there are Sandy and Caroline Paton. Sandy recently turned over the big Seven-Oh on the odometer and wears an "Old Fart" baseball cap to festivals where he and Caroline perform. Caroline isn't quite there yet, but if anyone embodies the "aging gracefully" concept, it's these two. You'll find Sandy hanging around the 'Cat when he's not performing. They live in Sharon, Connecticut, where they also run Folk-Legacy records. That ought to get you started... Kathy |
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Subject: RE: Help needed: old but good musicians From: Sandy Paton Date: 14 Sep 99 - 04:13 PM I've got a new cap, Kathy. It reads "Sandy Paton - Folk Fogey." Too many of the blue-haired ladies in Sharon were shocked by the "Old Fart" model. Sandy |
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Subject: RE: Help needed: old but good musicians From: Susanne (skw) Date: 14 Sep 99 - 06:55 PM How about Pete Seeger? His voice is, admittedly showing its age, but otherwise he seems quite undaunted by age. |
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Subject: RE: Help needed: old but good musicians From: DougR Date: 14 Sep 99 - 07:50 PM Hmmm. I'm old, I guess. And I'm still searching for the positive aspects of getting old. There must be some, otherwise I'm sure, Bonnie, you would never have started this thread. Some of my friends have mentioned people who are still coping well though they are old, but finding a positive side of getting old ... Hmmm. Well, I guess I just haven't discovered it yet. DougR |
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Subject: RE: Help needed: old but good musicians From: DougR Date: 14 Sep 99 - 07:53 PM Wait! Wait! Wait! Hold it! Hold it! I just thought of one! You can get in a movie for $3.75, which is about half the adult price of admission! Sure can't think of any others though, but I'll keep tryin', Bonnie. DougR |
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Subject: RE: Help needed: old but good musicians From: DougR Date: 14 Sep 99 - 07:54 PM By golly! I just thought of another one! You can buy a six pack of beer without being carded! DougR P.S. Don't give up on me Bonnie. You can see I'm trying. |
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Subject: RE: Help needed: old but good musicians From: bobby's girl Date: 14 Sep 99 - 08:10 PM How about Cyril Tawney, who was certainly a strong voice in the folk idiom in the sixties, and is still performing and keeping audiences well entertained now - he was performing at Whitby Festival this year to great acclaim. |
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Subject: RE: Help needed: old but good musicians From: jets Date: 14 Sep 99 - 08:21 PM I turned 75 last month.Started playing the button accordion at 65 .Have my own group called Raaticoon,and also play in another group called The Sea slugs.Quite enough for some but I also do busking in the Old Port section of Portland.Can you believe some one droped a 20 dollar bill in the box today.Being able to play gives purpose to my life while my old frinds drop dead on the golf course. |
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Subject: RE: Help needed: old but good musicians From: DougR Date: 14 Sep 99 - 08:27 PM Jets: That's a great message. You are a positive thinker and I admire those kind of folks. DougR |
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Subject: RE: Help needed: old but good musicians From: Barbara Shaw Date: 14 Sep 99 - 09:15 PM I had the pleasure of hearing jets at Thomas Point. Besides accordion, I also saw him take a turn at bass. And quite a bit younger (you're welcome) but still performing is Kendall Morse, who sings beautifully, tells the occasional (hah!) story and writes his share of parodies. But my real reason for posting is to say that BLUEGRASS is wonderful music you can grow old with. Many old-timers are still performing, and still sounding great. Ralph Stanley has to be in his 70's, and he keeps touring and recording. Bill Monroe performed almost right up to the end, and he lived to be 84. The Lewis Family performs with kids, parents and grandparents all on stage. Bluegrass festivals have people of all ages jamming all night long at their campsites and all ages on stage. And then there's my own oldish self, who took up the guitar in middle age and the fiddle two years later. I'm loving making music, and apparently wasn't ready for it until I was "old enough."
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Subject: RE: Help needed: old but good musicians From: katlaughing Date: 14 Sep 99 - 10:27 PM Yea! Barbara! And, jets, that is WONDERFUL! DougR, you're maybe going through a bad patch, right now? Keep yer chin up and keep 'Catting. It will have a positive effect! luvyaKat |
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Subject: RE: Help needed: old but good musicians From: Sandy Paton Date: 14 Sep 99 - 11:32 PM Hey, DougR! You're forgetting discounts at Burger King and Ames Department Stores. But the best thing about growing old? Grandchildren! |
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Subject: Lyr Add: NINETY YEARS OLD (McCutcheon)^^ From: Barry Finn Date: 14 Sep 99 - 11:54 PM "I'm 90 yrs old & I'm courting today 90 yrs old & I'm on my way I can't play the fiddle like I used to could But I can roll in the hay like anyone should
The fella's at the hollar all giggle at me
I'm 90 yrs old & I'm courting today
Come along an go with my friend
.........................?
I'm 90 yrs old & I'm courting today Sorry about the blanks it's one of the benifits of getting older. I think I got this from the singing of John Maclutchon (the spelling is the second thing to go). Excuse me but my wife just said let's go upstairs & let's make love. I just replyed that I'm only able to do one of those. Barry
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Subject: RE: Help needed: old but good musicians From: BK Date: 14 Sep 99 - 11:56 PM Way to go! Every time I fuss about not being able to make some chords certain ways any more, my wife (who currently works in a cemetary) reminds me that it's a privlege to "grow old." Old is NOT useless nor talent-less. It IS great to hear both about, and from, folks who are "keepin' on keepin' on." Cheers, BK |
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Subject: RE: Help needed: old but good musicians From: DougR Date: 15 Sep 99 - 12:28 AM Sandy Patton, I hope someday I can meet you! How in the world did I ever place movie admissions or anything else ahead of grandchildren? Dummy me! I'm glad there is someone out there than can hit me up beside the head and make me realize what is really important in life. Thanks, Sandy! DougR |
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Subject: RE: Help needed: old but good musicians From: alison Date: 15 Sep 99 - 01:45 AM Faith Petric |
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Subject: RE: Help needed: old but good musicians From: Bonnie Date: 15 Sep 99 - 08:15 AM Thanks to everyone who replied. Any other examples of actual people? Not that all this banter isn't enjoyable - what agreat meeting it sould be if allthese mudcatters could meet up one day ... |
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Subject: RE: Help needed: old but good musicians From: Bill in Alabama Date: 15 Sep 99 - 08:35 AM Bonnie-- In a few weeks I'll be working with Charlie Acuff (Roy's cousin) at the Museum of Appalachia. I don't know Charlie's age exactly, but he ain't a young'un. He's a top-notch Appalachian fiddler. Mac Wiseman will be there also: I don't know Mac's age, but I remember listening to his fine tenor voice on the radio while I was doing K.P. in a mess hall at Fort Benning more than forty years ago. I believe that the Tennessee Folklore Soceity just produced a record of Charlie's fiddling, and I feel certain that you can find a wealth of Mac's recorded music. Give me some additional details (deadline, etc.), and I'll see what I can find in the area of Appalachian music. |
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Subject: RE: Help needed: old but good musicians From: Peter T. Date: 15 Sep 99 - 08:44 AM Different musicians, but I recall reading a study of classical music conductors some years ago, who have a very high longevity rate, and the conclusion was that they had terrific cardiovascular muscles from waving their upper arms around all day. Of course, birds die at all ages, so this study may be flawed. yours, Peter T. |
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Subject: RE: Help needed: old but good musicians From: Easy Rider Date: 15 Sep 99 - 10:15 AM Have you seen the movie, "Buena vista Social Club"? Simon & Garfunkle had an album with songs about getting old. Stefan Grossman's web site, www.guitarvideos.com (go to the Vestapol Videos page and look around.) has a video of old people making music for and about old people. EZR |
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Subject: RE: Help needed: old but good musicians From: Mike Billo Date: 15 Sep 99 - 11:25 AM There is a video titled "Dreams and Songs of the Noble Old" featuring people like Sam Chatmon and Nimrod Workman that I highly recommend. On the weekend of the 24th and 25th this month is the Old-Time Fiddlers festival in the mall at Woodland CA, and I am usually one of the yougest pickers there (I'm 50). I found the title of this thread "Old But Good", a little offensive, as if, being older precludes being good. I am SO sick and tired of the worship of the youth culture in this country. I'll get off the soapbox now and quote Homer Simpson on the advantages of aging. "You get to wear your pants up under your armpits and ride the bus for half price. Sounds like a sweet deal to me". |
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Subject: RE: Help needed: old but good musicians From: lloyd61 Date: 15 Sep 99 - 12:11 PM I am 61 years young and still singing, playing and story telling. My wife is 67 and still singing. My close friend Ethel Allen is 79 and still out making people happy with her music. Maybe we play a little slower but we are still playing. I also have jsut started taking Mandolin lessions, yes I plan on playing for a long time. |
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Subject: RE: Help needed: old but good musicians From: KathWestra Date: 15 Sep 99 - 03:42 PM Here I gave you all those New England names and neglected one of our great folk treasures right here in my home area. Piedmont blues singer/guitarist John Jackson is in his 70s, playing better than ever, and a radiantly serene and happy man, to boot. Mentioning him, Bonnie, reminds me that he was the recipient of a National Endowment for the Arts "National Heritage Fellowship," an annual award given to folks who are the keepers and carriers of folk traditions, be they music, crafts, storytelling, dance. Many are elderly. A list of past recipients (available, I suspect, from the National Endowment or from the National Council for the Traditional Arts) would yield you some good names for this project. |
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Subject: RE: Help needed: old but good musicians From: Sandy Paton Date: 15 Sep 99 - 03:44 PM Golly, I've been thinking, for a couple of decades now, how lucky we are (my wife and I) that folk music is NOT a youth cult. Sandy |
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