Jean Ritchie - KY Music Hall of Fame

Subject: Jean Ritchie - KY Music Hall of Fame
From: GUEST,Jon Pickow
Date: 10 Jan 02 - 04:01 PM

Hi, I'm Jean's son Jon. She's too modest to post this herself, but I thought you'd want to know about this honor. She's one of 12 selected to be the first inductees to the Kentucky Music Hall of Fame. Here's the URL to the new page I set up on her web site with the press release from the museum:

www.jeanritchie.com/news.htm

Happy New Year to all, Jon

Subject: RE: Jean Ritchie - KY Music Hall of Fame
From: Sorcha
Date: 10 Jan 02 - 04:03 PM

WHOOO HAAAWWWWW!!! Good for Kentucky, they recognize quality!! Congratualtions, Jean. You earned it.

Subject: RE: Jean Ritchie - KY Music Hall of Fame
From: Ron Olesko
Date: 10 Jan 02 - 04:04 PM

Wonderful news!!! Congratulations, and thanks. Jean Ritchie's contributions to folk music and culture run deep. She is a national treasure.

Ron

Subject: RE: Jean Ritchie - KY Music Hall of Fame
From: Pinetop Slim
Date: 10 Jan 02 - 04:16 PM

Great news!

Subject: RE: Jean Ritchie - KY Music Hall of Fame
From: Haruo
Date: 10 Jan 02 - 04:22 PM

Congratulations! Here's a blue clickie.

Liland

link fixed by
- joeclone -

Subject: RE: Jean Ritchie - KY Music Hall of Fame
From: katlaughing
Date: 10 Jan 02 - 04:32 PM

Thank you, Jon, for letting us know. We are always happy and proud to hear more about "our" Jean. Wow! That is just wonderful. Congratulations, Jean!!

kat

Subject: RE: Jean Ritchie - KY Music Hall of Fame
From: catspaw49
Date: 10 Jan 02 - 04:45 PM

My personal congratulations to you Jean. That is a great group of folks there to be with, but you stand out as extra special if for no other reason than the way you got there. You brought the living music of the mountains to so many and of course you are truly the Mother of the Appalachian Dulcimer. You and Bill Monroe brought about signal changes to two forms of music and your impact on folk has been beyond words. We thank you of course, but we here at the Mudcat have no Hall of Fame....But you know how happy we are to have you among us.....a true star in the mountain sky. Congratulations again on an honor you richly deserve.

Will you be at any ceremony they might be having?

Spaw

Subject: RE: Jean Ritchie - KY Music Hall of Fame
From: kytrad (Jean Ritchie)
Date: 10 Jan 02 - 05:16 PM

Yes, Spaw- It's a fundraising evening...anyone can attend, but it's expensive. $125-a-plate, but I understand there's to be stellar entertainment! Not the awardees, though. I'm hoping we'll have lots of friends at the "folk table!" to hold me up so I won't fall on my face... Thanks, everyone, for your congratulations. Jean

Subject: RE: Jean Ritchie - KY Music Hall of Fame
From: GUEST,BigDaddy
Date: 10 Jan 02 - 06:00 PM

Is there a similar national honor we could nominate Jean for? As Ron says, she is indeed a "national treasure." It's nice to hear some good news for a change.

Subject: RE: Jean Ritchie - KY Music Hall of Fame
From: Hollowfox
Date: 10 Jan 02 - 06:15 PM

And she's a good mom, too. (Jon and his brother Peter are real sweeties.)

Subject: RE: Jean Ritchie - KY Music Hall of Fame
From: GUEST,Mark Clark (via public proxy)
Date: 10 Jan 02 - 06:33 PM

Congratulation Jean, Forty years ago, you were one of the first traditional singers whose music I heard. I've been a fan ever since. Thanks for all you've given us.

      - Mark

Subject: RE: Jean Ritchie - KY Music Hall of Fame
From: artbrooks
Date: 10 Jan 02 - 06:55 PM

My first thought was "it's about time." Then I went back and read the initial post more closely and saw that it said FIRST inductees! Who could be better suited to inaugerate a Music Hall of Fame. CONGRATULATIONS!!!!

Subject: RE: Jean Ritchie - KY Music Hall of Fame
From: GUEST
Date: 10 Jan 02 - 07:43 PM

Congratulations! Kudos are so well deserved!

In answer to the question above--yes, there is the National Endowment for the Arts award. And Jean certainly ought to have that one too!

Subject: RE: Jean Ritchie - KY Music Hall of Fame
From: Banjer
Date: 10 Jan 02 - 08:03 PM

Heartfelt congratulations to you, Jean. It comes as no surprise that such an award should be bestowed on one of the great people in the field of folk music. It was Jean's words of encouragement in an e-mail some years ago that caused me to keep on trying and not give up in my as yet feeble attempts at the banjo. It was her influence that casued me to build my lap dulcimer and learn to play it! Thanks a lot Jean! Banjer

Subject: RE: Jean Ritchie - KY Music Hall of Fame
From: Nancy King
Date: 10 Jan 02 - 10:59 PM

Jon, thanks for the news!

And Jean, thanks for helping all of us understand and appreciate traditional music -- I can't think of a more deserving honoree!

Congratulations!

Nancy

Subject: RE: Jean Ritchie - KY Music Hall of Fame
From: Fortunato
Date: 11 Jan 02 - 10:58 AM

Kytrad, congratulations. How wonderful to have your family's music and tradition recognized in your home state and around the world. You are indeed a living treasure. I wish I could be there to see you honored and shake your hand. I realize this is presumptuous, but if you ever travel to the Washington DC area again, I would greatly enjoy arranging a dinner and musical evening for you. Again, Congratulations.

Regards, Chance Shiver

Subject: RE: Jean Ritchie - KY Music Hall of Fame
From: Amos
Date: 11 Jan 02 - 11:37 AM

Oh, HOORAY!!! We're cheering for you, Jean!! Congratulations!!! And what Spaw said too -- you are a jewel.

A

Subject: RE: Jean Ritchie - KY Music Hall of Fame
From: RoyH (Burl)
Date: 11 Jan 02 - 12:21 PM

UK fan sends congratulations Jean. You deserve the honour. Burl

Subject: RE: Jean Ritchie - KY Music Hall of Fame
From:
Date: 11 Jan 02 - 04:36 PM

Congratulations, Kytrad, best wishes. Mike

Subject: RE: Jean Ritchie - KY Music Hall of Fame
From: Malcolm Douglas
Date: 11 Jan 02 - 08:53 PM

Apart from being a fine musician by anybody's standards, Jean has been an inspiration to so many people over the years that she deserves to be at the head of this list.  There are very few people who have done so much and helped so many.

Subject: RE: Jean Ritchie - KY Music Hall of Fame
From: Mary in Kentucky
Date: 11 Jan 02 - 09:03 PM

Congratulations Jean. I'm one of the few on this thread that gets to hear you in person! (and talk to folks everyday that have met you and sing your praises)

Subject: RE: Jean Ritchie - KY Music Hall of Fame
From: Jeri
Date: 11 Jan 02 - 10:29 PM

Kentucky deserves credit for caring about traditional music, and it's great to see someone who really deserves the recognition, get it. I hope they don't mind the fact that many of those whom you and your music touch are outside its borders. Congratulations, Jean!

Jon, thanks for telling us about this, and a Happy New Year to you and your family!

Subject: RE: Jean Ritchie - KY Music Hall of Fame
From: Lyrical Lady
Date: 11 Jan 02 - 10:54 PM

One of the treasures I received this Christmas was a Jean Ritchie cd from my secret santa...Robin2 .. from Kentucky. Congratulations Jean. I'm thrilled to hear this news and so very happy for you!

LL

Subject: RE: Jean Ritchie - KY Music Hall of Fame
From: kytrad (Jean Ritchie)
Date: 13 Jan 02 - 06:22 PM

Many thanks, folks; I really don't know why I was chosen for this- but look, it got someone to offer to cook dinner for me (great, Fortunato!), and all of you to say such wonderful things, so I'm not complaining about it, just still looking over my shoulder...

Subject: RE: Jean Ritchie - KY Music Hall of Fame
From: Big Mick
Date: 13 Jan 02 - 08:12 PM

Ms. Jean, I can't believe I missed this one. This honor doesn't surprise a soul hereabouts 'cept you, Darlin' Lady. In fact, I am surprised someone didn't get around to this a long time ago. ole polecat Fortunato beat me to the punch, but when we finally meet, the meal is on me. And the tunes are on the both of us, and anyone else we happen to drag along..........LOL. I am so very proud and honored to "know" you.

All the very best,

Mick

Subject: RE: Jean Ritchie - KY Music Hall of Fame
From: KathWestra
Date: 14 Jan 02 - 03:54 PM

Dear Jean,
Congratulations on your well-deserved honor. As so many others have said, no one deserves it more. I just wish I could be at that folk table to see you receive it. ($125 a plate, egads! Sounds more like Washington DC than Kentucky!) You have been such an inspiration to me and to so many others. And not just musically. I still remember my first Fox Hollow Festival, in 1972, when my musical heroine Jean Ritchie popped out of the door of her camper van and offered me, a complete stranger, some homemade tabbouleh and conversation. Jean, you are a great lady as well as a great musician. Much love to you and George -- and thanks, Jon, for sharing the great news. Kathy

Subject: RE: Jean Ritchie - KY Music Hall of Fame
From: Bonnie Shaljean
Date: 14 Jan 02 - 04:09 PM

Congratulations, Jean! It's a well-deserved honour.

Subject: RE: Jean Ritchie - KY Music Hall of Fame
From: Bert
Date: 15 Jan 02 - 12:24 AM

Congratulations Kytradmeluv.

Well half of me want's to say "congratulations" but the other half is thinking. "SO WHAT She's been in OUR hall of fame all along."

And if you ever need someone to cook dinner for you there's loads of good cooks on Mudcat. Just send me (or Big Mick) a PM.

Subject: RE: Jean Ritchie - KY Music Hall of Fame
From: Rick Fielding
Date: 15 Jan 02 - 04:50 AM

And if Bert or Mick isn't available, why I could whip ya up some of my famous (in this house anyway) French-Canadian Pea and Ham soup. Followed by deep dish steak and kidney pie. You might want to give Heather's haggis a pass though!.

Cheers

Rick

Subject: RE: Jean Ritchie - KY Music Hall of Fame
From: Fortunato
Date: 15 Jan 02 - 09:57 AM

Kytrad,

Well, 'C'mon Down!'.

We'll prepare some good Maryland seafood and Silver Queen corn for you and your family, or perhaps my Salmon du Provence. We'll bring together some of the Traditional and Old Time players in our town, (lots of them you know, I think) and some Mudcatters (like KWestra above). It would be great to share a tune with you and add autoharp and guitar to your dulcimer.

Just PM me any old time.

Best Regards, Fortunato (Chance)

PS, I guarantee there will be NO HAGGIS! (sorry Heather)

Subject: RE: Jean Ritchie - KY Music Hall of Fame
From: catspaw49
Date: 15 Jan 02 - 11:43 AM

Why is it that so many of our better threads often turn to food at some point? Anyways........Jea, you can eat from one end of the country to the other and back again with 'catters who'd dearly love to cook up a meal for you. Stopping by here could net you a "Black Walnut Pork Roast" with sweet potatoes and an apple compote. Top it off with some Buttermilk Pie and you'll be all set.

Now when I read your comment above, I figured perhaps I might need to refresh your memory some. You said: "Many thanks, folks; I really don't know why I was chosen for this...." Let me help you out on that.

Your story and history of coming north and how you and your dulcimer began to be recognized is well known. Your message from the mountains was carried to many by a lovely voice and a virtually unknown instrument. The generation of folkies you met then saw that what you had and what you gave was the real thing. But then it went much further.

It's the sixties, and an entire generation, now in their fifties, was hearing the sounds of folk music. At first we heard it through the "filters" that were many times removed from the source, but it caught our attention. It made us look for more. Soon we began to find artists who were the real thing, the wellspring of American traditional music. At the top of that list was Jean Ritchie and for most of us, the truth and beauty of your songs touched something deep inside and sparked a lifelong interest. The "Mother of the Appalachian Dulcimer" is also the "Mother of the Southern Mountains".......Very few people can say they have touched as many lives as you have touched, influenced as many as you have, and brought to the forefront the traditional music that is our birthright.

Hope that helps to refresh your memory as to why you're getting this richly deserved award.

Spaw

Subject: RE: Jean Ritchie - KY Music Hall of Fame
From: Fortunato
Date: 15 Jan 02 - 12:17 PM

Here, here. Well said, Brother 'Spaw

Subject: RE: Jean Ritchie - KY Music Hall of Fame
From: Alice
Date: 15 Jan 02 - 02:57 PM

Jean, if you are ever in Montana, there is definitely a meal here for you! You are indeed modest about what we have benefited from - your great talent and generosity! This award is great news!

Alice Flynn