Mountain View Ark. - Ctr of Universe?

Subject: Mountain View Ark. - Ctr of Universe?
From: Memphis Mud
Date: 09 Sep 02 - 04:58 PM

I just got back from a weekend in Mountain View, Arkansas. Ozark mountains, musicians all over the Square, Folk Center...

I've known about it all my life. I'm interested, do you folks consider MV Ark the center of the [folk] universe? Its got to be close.

Subject: RE: Mountain View Ark. - Ctr of Universe?
From: Amos
Date: 09 Sep 02 - 05:41 PM

Well, I dunno about anone else, amigo, but I have to confess to a clanginbg ignorance about Mountain Vew , Arkansas. Center of the universe, for me, is somewhere off past the center of the Milky Way. The center of the folk music universe? I dunno -- maybe the Mudcat? Elderly Instruments? The soundhole on my Martin? I'm stumped! :>)

A

Subject: RE: Mountain View Ark. - Ctr of Universe?
From: Art Thieme
Date: 09 Sep 02 - 07:10 PM

Carol and I went to a few of those good festivals back in the '60s and we always had a fine time. I suspect many of the ones we really enjoyed are long gone---of course Jimmy Morris Driftwood, Bookmiller Shannon, Floyd Holland and so many others. I will never forget sleeping on the floor of what Glenn Ohrlin called "his bunkhouse"---------and getting home to Chicago with at least half the ticks in Stone County adhering to our bods. But we were young then---what the hell, right? I'd do it again in a minute.

Art Thieme

Subject: RE: Mountain View Ark. - Ctr of Universe?
From: GUEST,sorefingers
Date: 09 Sep 02 - 07:31 PM

Amos stumped hummm sounds like that might be a sore thing!

Mtn View Ark, a place where time stood still at 1940, or is it now another empty highway full of ripoff tourist trap stores - hoedowns ?

Subject: RE: Mountain View Ark. - Ctr of Universe?
From: harpgirl
Date: 09 Sep 02 - 07:56 PM

...Definitely the Center of the Universe...I remember Bookmiller Shannon and Ollie Gilbert..Jimmy and Cleda too. We always camped on the top of Dodd Mountain. Arkie lives at it's foot, I think. When I was pregnant with Nathan there was a tornado on the next mountain. We watched it and boy did the winds scramble our little camp! That was 1982...

Subject: RE: Mountain View Ark. - Ctr of Universe?
From: Sorcha
Date: 09 Sep 02 - 08:06 PM

I'm pretty sure the McSpaddens think so.........and Stu always said it was a great festival, but I've never been there to say. I would guess that Winfield, KS on the 3rd weekend in September is the Center of some Universe.....

Subject: RE: Mountain View Ark. - Ctr of Universe?
From: Mudlark
Date: 09 Sep 02 - 09:20 PM

It seemed pretty centered to me, when I lived near Berryville, Ark. back in the 70's. When we first moved there, in 1970, TV hadn't really entered the rural scene, much let alone indoor bathrooms. People "radiod" in them days, carried a wealth of old-timey stories and songs they were very shy about trotting out in front of strangers (i.e. anybody that hadn't lived there their whole lives). I still remember with great fondness the fantastic child prodigies on fiddle and guitar, the broom dancing and clogging, and just great authentic music, sung by families that knew without even thinking about it, the meaning of tradition. I think it's the closest to "center" I'll ever get.

Subject: RE: Mountain View Ark. - Ctr of Universe?
From: Amos
Date: 10 Sep 02 - 12:55 AM

Gee -- I guess I have led a sheltered and deprived life. I hate missing the really good stuff!! :>) Thanks for the new view!

A

Subject: RE: Mountain View Ark. - Ctr of Universe?
From: Doug Chadwick
Date: 10 Sep 02 - 01:46 AM

If recent postings to the Mudcat are anything to go by, then the centre of the universe is Hull.

Doug C

Subject: RE: Mountain View Ark. - Ctr of Universe?
From: Kaleea
Date: 10 Sep 02 - 04:36 AM

As of Thursday the 12th-22nd, Winfield, Kansas will be the entire universe!

Subject: RE: Mountain View Ark. - Ctr of Universe?
From: Memphis Mud
Date: 10 Sep 02 - 08:15 AM

Lots of folks go to Mountain View. So there's a buck to be made. This is America. Some of the "traditional" crafts are made in China. But most are homegrown. You can still listen to musicians who aren't book learnt. They'll sing/play to you the way their grandaddy did to them. My daughters were presented hand carved flowers by a nice old dude who just loved doing it. (He wouldn't take a nickle so they bought him a coke.) The carousel at the Ozark Folk Center (Ark State Park) is powered by a mule.

You can fill a stringer with trout in nearby rivers, but all the restaurants serve catfish...(probably Mississippi grain fed). Go figger. I reckon it goes back to the "bottom line". Thing is, I like catfish, so no worries mate.

Branson, Mo. is the tourist trap. (Dang it if its not fun tho.)

Subject: RE: Mountain View Ark. - Ctr of Universe?
From: GUEST,Arkie
Date: 10 Sep 02 - 10:19 AM

So glad to see nice things said about Mountain View here on Mudcat. Time no longer stands still here, however. It began to move a bit with the first paved roads in 1952 and by 1978 all the roads into town were finally paved. But we are still a small town, 2500 people if you enter town from the east; 2800 if you enter from the west; according to the signs. I have my car serviced at Ernie's Sawmill and Garage and have yet to visit the newest business, Computers and Small Engine Repair. For those who do not know, The Ozark Folk Center State Park which is located here is focused on preserving the music and craft traditions of the early pioneer settlers and presents concerts of traditional music performed by local folks with occasional guests. Another thing is the music on the courthouse square. One can find someone on the square playing music at almost any hour of the day or night when the weather permits and in the evenings there are usually pickers scattered as far as you can see. In the fall and early spring, the pickers gather around big bon fires. The emphasis here is on acoustic music although there is one show in town that has gone electric.

Of the folks Art mentioned only Glenn Ohrlin and the fleas and ticks are still with us. Glenn is still doing cowboy gatherings and is as sharp as ever. In some places he is a celebrity. Here, he is just Glenn. Although folks stll talk about the time he streaked Ramsey's Hardware store. It seems he was spotted without his hat.

The catfish from the restaurants, we have 36 at last count, probably is imported, however, locals have pulled catfish over five feet long from local streams..

I could go on but won't. Thanks for taking the tour. A.

Subject: RE: Mountain View Ark. - Ctr of Universe?
From: GUEST,leeneia
Date: 10 Sep 02 - 10:32 AM

Gosh, it sounds nice. Hats off to all of you and best wishes for success to Computers and Small Engine repair.

Subject: RE: Mountain View Ark. - Ctr of Universe?
From: wysiwyg
Date: 10 Sep 02 - 10:47 AM

Anyone know or know of Reba Dearmore who I believe was from there? Wonderful singer.

~S~

Subject: RE: Mountain View Ark. - Ctr of Universe?
From: Art Thieme
Date: 10 Sep 02 - 09:05 PM

Arkie,

You make it so I can see it. Thanks!! Dale Rose ought to come back to Mudcat once in a while. I do miss his good input about things happening around the White River Valley. And Harpgirl, I'm constantly amazed that we were doing the same scenes from Michigan to Arkansas and wherever. Passing like sheeps in the night---so to speak. --------- Glenn Ohrlin is the best at singing those older cowboy songs that there ever was. I even recorded the song called "The Big Combine" that I learned from Mr. O. There was no more perfect picture of life on a wheat harvesting crew. I do seem to recall that was on an LP of a concert he did for the Folksong Club at the University of Illinois in Champaign----and a very unique version of "Waiting For A Train" that Glenn got from a neighbor in Mt. View named Sam Hess.. Be sure to tell Glenn that I says hello when you see him.

Art Thieme

Subject: RE: Mountain View Ark. - Ctr of Universe?
From: GUEST,Nancy Singleterry
Date: 10 Sep 02 - 09:27 PM

I accidently found this page and saw the discussion about Mt. View, Ark. My husband and I love it there. In fact we are going next week for a few day just to relax. We play old folk and old gospel music. We are not professional, just having fun in our retirement.

Subject: RE: Mountain View Ark. - Ctr of Universe?
From: harpgirl
Date: 10 Sep 02 - 09:46 PM

...well Art, I think we're in the same "karass".

I want a husband like Nancy Singleterry's...that will drive me to Mountain View and play old folk and gospel with me on the square.

I had such fun with The Mountain Valley String Band when I lived in Arkansas. I'm going to retire in Mountain View, even if I have to go alone!

Subject: RE: Mountain View Ark. - Ctr of Universe?
From: GUEST,Guest: Smitty
Date: 10 Sep 02 - 11:33 PM

Oh yes, it is the center. I spent my first 68 years in Dear 'Ole Texas. Been visiting M.V. for 20 years. So, retired up here, built a home, and have not regretted one minute of it. Wonderful folks. Half are locals, rest of us are from "OFF" ,but, we get along well and love the music and the hills. This place is for real. Prices are same as anywhere else ( except maybe gasoline ) There are no "tourist traps" here per se. Anybody who loves old time, accoustical music will soon realize Mountain View is a unique, wonderful place. Come see us!!

Subject: RE: Mountain View Ark. - Ctr of Universe?
From: Venthony
Date: 11 Sep 02 - 01:52 AM

Mountain view is -- well just Mountain View. You can't really describe it. I don't think most city folks can even see it.

Sometimes I think of my time there a dozen or so years ago and belive it must be some sort of American Brigadoon, and that I'll go back sometime, and find it gone.

All I recall is drinking forbidden beer all night and watching the sun come up on the White River then eating fresh trout for breakfast, and the old stone steps leading down to the spring back of the town, and a beautiful woman singing old songs on a cheap 12-string and selling box dinners.

And the long, lonely journey back to a flatland home, which was never quite the same again.

Tony

Subject: RE: Mountain View Ark. - Ctr of Universe?
From: GUEST,Arkie
Date: 11 Sep 02 - 03:58 PM

Nice to know so many Mudcats and visitors have affection for this little out of the way spot. Art, will convey your greetings to Glenn. Harpgirl, you will be a welcome addition to the community. At present it is the folks from "off" like Smitty who are keeping the old traditions alive. Dale takes a peek at Mudcat every now and then. He is the one who alerted me to this thread. He has made some valuable contributions here. Venthony mentined forbidden beer. This being a 'dry county', some folks say the Baptists and bootleggers keep it that way, is a problem for some, but most folks have their ways of dealing with it. The roads to the county line are well traveled, and well littered, for that matter. The need for liquid refreshment probably was a prime consideration in the decision to pave the trail to the north. I do not recall a Reba Dearmore but am checking around.

Subject: RE: Mountain View Ark. - Ctr of Universe?
From: Stewart
Date: 11 Sep 02 - 04:57 PM

Here in Seattle we have our own "Center of the Universe". It's known as Fremont

Cheers, S. in Seattle

Subject: RE: Mountain View Ark. - Ctr of Universe?
From: Stewart
Date: 11 Sep 02 - 05:00 PM

I'll try that link again - Click Here for Fremont

S. in Seattle

Subject: RE: Mountain View Ark. - Ctr of Universe?
From: Mark Ross
Date: 11 Sep 02 - 07:33 PM

Arkie, Please pass my greetings & felicitations to Glenn Ohrlin. A true gentleman, and the finest singer of cowboy songs anywere under the sun. I haven't seen him in years. Tell him I'm in Oregon these days, recently saw Duff Severe's saddle at a cowboy craft exhibit here at the museum.

Mark Ross

Subject: RE: Mountain View Ark. - Ctr of Universe?
From: GUEST,sorefingers
Date: 11 Sep 02 - 09:02 PM

Oh well and I thought Elvis was telling me Gospel.

Subject: RE: Mountain View Ark. - Ctr of Universe?
From: GUEST, Dale
Date: 09 Feb 03 - 07:42 PM

WYSIWYG asked about Reba Dearmore. You can check out some of her singing at the Max Hunter site.
Reba Dearmore Sings   Just scroll down a bit for a whole raft of her stuff, 47 songs if I counted right.

I recently heard some of her 70s live performances at the Ozark Folk Center as a part of my job there, and was reminded of this thread.

And yes, Mountain View is STILL the Center of it all. Ozark Folk Center   Check out the link to next month's Ozark Folk School ~~ March 23rd - 28th, featuring Tom Sauber, Alice Gerrard and Brad Leftwich, plus a host of expert craft instructors.

Subject: RE: Mountain View Ark. - Ctr of Universe?
From: johnross
Date: 09 Feb 03 - 11:45 PM

At the festival in Mountain View in about 1971, a young woman sang a couple of unaccompanied ballads with a voice that made the hairs on the back of my neck stand on end. It was the purest mountain singing I've ever heard.

I believe her name was "Naneen" or something close to that.

A year or so later, Granny Riddle told me that Naneen was singing "the way I did before my voice went". Which was high praise indeed.

Does this sound familiar to anybody? Arkie?

Subject: RE: Mountain View Ark. - Ctr of Universe?
From: GUEST, Dale
Date: 10 Feb 03 - 01:23 AM

The name rings no bells with me, but I was not in the area back then. Of all the recordings I have heard, I can't think of any that match up with a name similar to that.

I should see Arkie either tomorrow or Tuesday. I will alert him to your query.

Subject: RE: Mountain View Ark. - Ctr of Universe?
From: Louie Roy
Date: 10 Feb 03 - 10:58 AM

Great Place to enjoy people and play oldtime music

Subject: RE: Mountain View Ark. - Ctr of Universe?
From: harpgirl
Date: 10 Feb 03 - 11:20 AM

I need to make a pilgrimmage to the center of the universe, Dale! I'm long overdue. Maybe this year's Spring festival...hg

Subject: RE: Mountain View Ark. - Ctr of Universe?
From: GUEST,Mudjack
Date: 10 Feb 03 - 03:24 PM

Center of the Universe is any good song circle at any given time. Meaning you have to be there for the experience.
My family and I stoppoed over for a week end at MtV Ark and did enjoy the simplicity of the Folk Center in all the arts they present, not just the musical presentation.I hope it hasn't fallen to the touristy thing like Branson Mo or Pigeon Forge TN.

Subject: RE: Mountain View Ark. - Ctr of Universe?
From: GUEST,Arkie
Date: 11 Feb 03 - 01:50 PM

Just got back from the Folk Alliance and Dale emailed me about this thread's return. I came to Arkansas in '71 and was at the Festival that year but do not remember the ballad singer. John, I will have to ask around to see if anyone else recalls who she might be. If she impressed Almeda she had to be quite a singer. Did you hear her at the school house concerts or on the court square?

Subject: RE: Mountain View Ark. - Ctr of Universe?
From: GUEST,Arkie
Date: 12 Feb 03 - 09:44 AM

Dale and I did a little search for information on Reba Dearmore some time back and among the folk I polled was Glenn Ohrlin who remembered her. She was the wife of a newspaper publisher in Mountain Home, a town about 50 miles north of here. They were friends of the Driftwoods and came to Mountain View with some frequency. They have long since left the area. Nothing was recalled about where she may have learned her music or where they came from before Mtn. Home, or where they went from there.

Subject: RE: Mountain View Ark. - Ctr of Universe?
From: Art Thieme
Date: 12 Feb 03 - 10:21 AM

Glenn Ohrlin is scheduled to be at this year's University Of Chicago Folk Festival---February, 2003. It's great to see he is still out there singing his grand old songs of the cowboys. He is just the best. Droll humor and all. It drives me nuts that neither Carol nor I can drive these days 'cause I sure would love to be there in his audience to yell out a request for "Billy Vanero". One of these days the venerable old University Of Chicago will figure out a way to make Mandel Hall handicapped accessible. Geez, I just realized that it was FORTY years ago that I first heard Glenn Ohrlin--at a concert for the University of Illinois Folksong Club --- back when labor librarian Archie Green was the faculty advisor !?! That amazes me. Lots of water through the ol' sluice gates since those heady happenings. ------ Well, if it wasn't for time, we'd have to do everything all at once !!!!!

Art Thieme

Subject: RE: Mountain View Ark. - Ctr of Universe?
From: GUEST,sorefingers
Date: 12 Feb 03 - 11:34 PM

Glad to read that MV is finally claiming it's own! I once met and visited an old timer out in the backwoods of Izard Co, I think, who played the 'Banjar'. Many a fine tune and lots of songs that I never heard of before. Course the 'new' music, Bluegrass and radio Country, pretty much wiped all of that off the face of the map, still if one persists there are a few who recall the tunes and songs.

I must say though that when I passed through the city, there was zero OT and the little they had was at the Folk Center, but not from the region; so I did not hear any tunes associated with Mr Shannon for example, nor could I access the library which was closed, or so they said when we inquired.

If one wanted to reconstruct a few of the very different OT tunes, there is, OC, Jimmy Driftwood recordings, but why should that be necessary? Did not the Folk Center record the oldtimers who did play these pieces back when it all started?

For the collectors here, the region has some very different themes and melodies for those of us familiar with the East Tenn and N Carolina etc lore esp in modes and variants. Very, very interesting, but sadly overwritten by the many Bluegrass Bands that came and went over the years.

However the tourists demands on the City together with retirees comming into the area has encouraged a downsized Honkytonk/Branson economy complete with huckster burger stands and the all the little niggles that go with it, ie bad facilities for visitors, mean portions at meals, high Motel prices and the rest. Does this remind me of Maggie Valley Tenn? Yup.

Interesting aside while the Valley pretty much dried up with the hide tops of the old timers who used 'claw' through tunes, the 'Mall' grew and with it the number of jammers diminished. Mt View Ar, on the other hand, seems to have escaped that end by advertising and encouraging as best it could the few Old Timey players who passed through. These good
folks tried despite incredible obstacles, the worst of which was being
'whupped' by the Bluegrass fraternity; it appears these gentlemen did not like the boozey Banjar thumping crowds that were so abundant when the brave Bands would play, and these crowds were mostly kids and young married folks. Bad customers to a fleecing economy? Perhaps, but definitely a bad sell for the retiree realtor type fringe economy. Do the realtors also play Bluegrass and Country, perhaps.

Evaluation, not a place for the hard downhomey Old Time music I hear at the fairs in the summer or the few festivals where it is still played, but a great treat of free acoustic jamming to those who are not too particular about what they play or listen to. However a severe warning for the Old Timey Banjoist, learn Bluegrass before you go, it might save your hide... lol

Subject: RE: Mountain View Ark. - Ctr of Universe?
From: open mike
Date: 13 Feb 03 - 12:05 AM

this just in on the old time music group list:
To: [e-mail]
Subject: [Old Time Music] New Member and new Fiddle Bow

Hi, everyone! I'm an old timer (63 years old) and have been
playing "old time" music since I started playing at age 8. I play 4
string banjo, some guitar, sing and yodel, but am known mostly here
at Mountain View, Arkansas ("Folk Music Capitol of the World")for
playing handsaws, stemglasses and ordinary dishes! My wife, Carolyn
and I perform at the local Jimmy Driftwood Barn as often as we can.

We just launched a website at http://www.musicblade.com where we
feature our own brand of handsaws, larger musical blades, bows, CD's
and other items.

You fiddlers may be interested in what we believe to be a brand new
concept in bows. We call them "Incredibows" and they are practically
indestructable, very lightweight, sound great, easy to use, no
tensioning needed, never break hairs or need to rehair. Check them
out! Severel fiddlers bought them at a recent festival and really
like them!

Also, other acoustic musicians may be interested in our new
microphone - "Micromike" which can be used on virtually any
instrument, from harmonicas to guitars to dulcimers, autoharps and
much more.
If you like pretty music made with unusual instruments, check out our
CD"s!
We'd love to communicate with you - don't hesitate to contact us.
Everything's there at http://www.musicblade.com   Hope to hear from
you. Ed and Carolyn Wilcox

Subject: RE: Mountain View Ark. - Ctr of Universe?
From: GUEST,Arkie
Date: 13 Feb 03 - 09:48 AM

Sorefingers mentioned the Folk Center library which is something that would probably be of interest to Mudcatters if you could get to it. I really hate that he found it closed for a couple of reasons. One is that he would have found some things of interest and the other is that it has been placed under my care. The Center does not have the funds to keep it open long hours, but it can be opened on appointment and it really needs a lot of work. The Center now has a project in the works to transfer all of the recordings generated from day one on to CDs and eventually onto some type of server to make everything readily available from several locations on the park, and possibly some select things over the internet. We figure at the present rate this will take about six years.

The library was recently closed for a couple of months due to the presence of several types of toxic mold. I mention this primarity as a warning to beware of where one might store music and recordings and beware of gifts. The best we can figure the mold came into the building on some donations and flourished because of leaks in the roof which allowed moisture to accumulate and the fact that the architect who designed the rennovation of the building chose a system too large for the area served, a common practice in government work in Arkansas, and it did not run long enough to bring the humidity down to the proper level. The end result was a mold infestation on many books and several employees and volunteers becoming ill. And several thousand precious dollars spent on cleanup, testing, carpets, drapes, and roof. The good news is that the facility has passed recent tests and is on the road to recovery. Hopefully, lesson learned. We are no longer allowing new donations in the building until they have been thoroughly inspected and carefully cleaned.