Mountain View a Pickers paradise?

Subject: Mountain View Ark / Pickers Paradise :)
From: jo77
Date: 26 Feb 99 - 02:12 PM

Mountain View is in Arkansas south of Harrison and Branson Miss(Home of many famous theaters etc Silver Dollar City ) The City of Mt V has year round picking and jamming on the town square. It is free - there are several festivals there including Arkansas Folk Festival -spring- and Bean Fest -autumn/fall- Also there, the Ozark Folk Centre :)

The pickin is all acoustic and no amplifiers are allowed nor any alchohol- you can I think buy a beer and drink it at home but not in public.

There tends to be a bluegrass bias - probably because there are more folk playing that than anything else these days. For me spoiled by English folk clubs it gets a bity samey after a couple of hours but when in Mtn View there may sometimes be an Old Timey picker there which makes the trip worthwhile. (I love O/T banjo)

Instruments popular there include Autoharp, Banjo, Bass, Dulcimer/ Lap and Hammer, Fiddle, Guitar, Harmonica, Slide Guitar, Pickin Bow, Whistle. I have also seen Accordians and even Bagpipes there. So anything is possible.

When at full capacity the City is hopping and a great place to be.

There used be a couple of coffee houses there but they are now closed - replaced by a big Restaurant . ...Other facilities are excellent - Camping - Motels etc.

I can't imagine why any one would bother with Branson at 20 bucks a pop when this is all free.

There is always a fiddler around in Moutain View and they all are superb :) You never know who will turn up next. The season begins late February / March and ends Sept / October. :) Enjoy

Subject: RE: Mountain View a Pickers paradise?
From: harpgirl
Date: 26 Feb 99 - 05:02 PM

Mountain View is indeed a great place to share music. Since I left the Ozarks in the early 80's, I try to get back once a year to see my friends and to play. Just park on the square and haul out your instruments. There are permanent chairs around the square and usually a campfire when it's cold. The MV festival the third weekend in April is packed with excellent players from all around. It is not to be missed! And it's all free! harpgirl

Subject: RE: Mountain View a Pickers paradise?
From: GUEST,M>L> in Texas
Date: 16 Aug 04 - 08:16 PM

I look forward to Oct. when I can come to the ausome ozarks and pick. I play mandolin traditional and bluegrass and some blues. This is my favorite place to come to pick!!

Subject: RE: Mountain View a Pickers paradise?
From: PoppaGator
Date: 17 Aug 04 - 01:27 PM

I've only been there once, for the Arkansas Folk Festival in the spring of (I think) 1971, or maybe '72.

Rain drove the proceedings off the courthouse square and into the courtroom, where I had a front-row squat on the floor. Somehow I managed to get invited to sit in on washtub bass with the great Jimmie Driftwood and friends.

It was one of the peak musical experiences of my life -- I was absolutely at the top of my game. Jimmie actually gave me a couple of bass solos and called out "now, that's some real PICKIN'!"

It's been all downhill ever since...

Subject: RE: Mountain View a Pickers paradise?
From: Mark Clark
Date: 17 Aug 04 - 06:32 PM

Yes, Mountain View is a great spot for music. I was down there this past spring for the Thumbpicking Contest and had a great time.

      - Mark