Singing On the Mountain (NC Gospel Fest)

Subject: RE: Singing On the Mountain (NC Gospel Fest)
From: cnd
Date: 27 Jun 22 - 10:32 AM

Other known recordings from or about the event which I don't own:

- Melody Masters Quartet, Singing On The Mountain (1957) -         Colonial CR-111
- Arthur Smith, Singing On The Mountain / Grandfather Mountain (Is A Mighty Good Place To Be (1972) - Grandfather Mountain Records
- George Hamilton IV, Singin' On the Mountain (1973) - RCA Camden ACL1-0242
- Sego Brothers And Naomi, At Grandfather Mountain (1977) - Songs Of Faith Records SOF 168

There very well could be more.

Subject: RE: Singing On the Mountain (NC Gospel Fest)
From: cnd
Date: 27 Jun 22 - 09:32 AM

This year's festival ran from about 9 AM until 2 PM. Because of conflicting reports about when it started (the official website said 10 AM, but news reports stated variously either 8, 9, or 10 AM) I didn't get there until the first performance was partway through. Performers this year included:

Erica Renee McKinney
The Cockman Family
Michael Combs
Patricia Smith
Dave Calvert Collective ("The Collective")
And New Covenant (linked elsewhere)

The performers this year battled through a persistent drizzle to perform. During Michael Combs' performance, the rain really started coming down. One of the more touching moments of the festival was when someone from the crowd came up and held their umbrella over him so he could continue singing.

I'm hoping to gather a more complete and coherent history together, but it may not be for a while. Until then, hopefully some other people can come across this thread and share some of their favorite memories of the event.

Subject: RE: Singing On the Mountain (NC Gospel Fest)
From: cnd
Date: 27 Jun 22 - 09:14 AM

The album mentioned that several famous musicians have participated. While I haven't done a deep dive on the festival yet, I plan to eventually. Some of the names mentioned at the festival include George Hamilton IV, Arthur Smith, and even Johnny Cash. According to the Cockman Family (one of this year's performers), Cash reportedly sang his song Ragged Old Flag the year he was at the festival. When he sang it, the festival was seeing some of its most prosperous years, and from the thousands of attendees he was able to find a tattered American flag out in the crowd; the flag was passed up to him before the song, and he sang it with that 'ragged old flag' draped around his shoulders.

Here's a few other links which give good summaries of the event. Both links have been archived:
- 2022 Singing on the Mountain Ends Long-Time Tradition With Farewell Reunion Sunday, June 26
- Whosoever Will May Come — One Last Time; Singing on the Mountain’s 96 Year Tradition Ends Sunday, June 26

The above-mentioned Winston-Salem, NC born Hamilton IV enjoyed performing his song "Acres of Diamonds" for many years at the festival. In fact, here's a video of him performing it at the festival in 2014 I just came across. (link)

ACRES OF DIAMONDS

Acres of diamonds, mountains of gold
Rivers of silver, jewels untold
All these together wouldn't buy you or me
Peace when we're sleeping or a conscience that's free

A heart that's contented, a satisfied mind
These are the treasures money can't buy
If you have Jesus, there's more wealth in your soul
Than acres of diamonds, mountains of gold

Subject: RE: Singing On the Mountain (NC Gospel Fest)
From: cnd
Date: 27 Jun 22 - 08:55 AM

Thanks for the blurb, Joe, that's a good summary. I hope your friends enjoy Johnson City.

Until Covid, the event had been held annually on the 4th Sunday in June since 1924. Here's a good summary by Arthur (Guitar Boogie) Smith, a Charlotte and Carolina music legend, from his album made in its honor, Singing On The Mountain (Dot Records DLP 3642), 1965:

“Singing on the Mountain,” held for more than forty consecutive years on the fourth Sunday in June at the base of 6,000-foot Grandfather Mountain, is likely the largest and oldest mountain religious singing convention in America. Many famed personalities from the musical world, religion, and public life have contributed their talents through the years in order to make the Grandfather “sing” so consistently successful, and not the least of these gifted participants has been Arthur Smith. In recognition of his having been a part of the program for more than fifteen years, Arthur Smith was named Music Master of “Singing on the Mountain” by its founder and Chairman, Joe L. Hartley.

Grandfather Mountain is the highest mountain in the Blue Ridge, and as Jonathan Daniels wrote in Holiday Magazine, it “is probably North Carolina’s most loved and respected mountain.” Certainly this supposition is a true report of the feeling of the mountain people themselves, who flock by the thousands to the sing each year. No admission is charged, the event is non-denominational, and Chairman Joe L. Hartley has set policy since the beginning more than forty years ago with his statement: “Whosoever Will May Come.”

As a tribute to the beloved and magnificent Grandfather Mountain, and in appreciation to those who assemble there annually for the wholesome purpose of singing, preaching, and renewing old friendships, Arthur Smith’s excellent musical group has recorded an outstanding collection of “Singing on the Mountain” favorites. It is a must for those who enjoy gospel songs--the way they should be sung.

Smith also wrote a song to honor the festival; the song was performed this year by the closing act, New Covenant, a band from Wendell, NC. They added the final stanza below, which was written by Angela Millenbaugh, a member of the band. Otherwise, the lyrics below are my transcription of Smith's song from the album mentioned above; New Covenant's performance mirrored these lyrics very closely.

SINGING ON THE MOUNTAIN
(Arthur Smith - BMI)

Singing on the mountain, come sing with me
Singing on the mountain, come sing with me
I’ve been down in the valley, and I’m so glad to be
Singing on the mountain

When I was in the valley, I cried bitter tears
When I was in the valley, I cried bitter tears
Then I prayed to Jesus, and Jesus always hears
Now I’m singing on the mountain

Singing on the mountain, come sing with me
Singing on the mountain, come sing with me
Satan’s chains once bound me, I’m so glad to be free
Singing on the mountain

The chains of Satan bound me, I was in misery
The chains of Satan bound me, I was in misery
The love of Jesus found me, and He set me free
(Now I’m) Singing on the mountain

Singing on the mountain, come sing with me
Singing on the mountain, come sing with me
I’ve been down in the valley, and I’m so glad to be
Singing on the mountain

Singing on the mountain, come sing with me
Singing on the mountain, come sing with me
I’ve been down in the valley, and I’m so glad to be
Singing on the mountain

Joe was a man of vision who loved to praise the Lord
We thank the Hartley family since 1924
An Appalachian blessing inviting all to come
Now we're singing on the mountain

Subject: RE: Singing On the Mountain (NC Gospel Fest)
From: Joe Offer
Date: 26 Jun 22 - 12:28 PM

The final Singing on the Mountain takes place today, June 26, on Grandfather Mountain in Linnville, North Carolina. It's one of the most dramatic and beautiful places on the Blue Ridge Parkway. Great waterfalls there, too. It's not far from Bonne NC. Our neighbors here in California are moving this week to nearby Johnson City, Tennessee. It's a spectacular area.

Here's the blurb from a local hotel:

96th year of Singing on the Mountain is a all day gospel and fellowship in McRae Meadows. Admission Free. This will be the last Singing in the Mountain event. Thousands gather annually for this all-day outdoor gospel sing and fellowship opportunity. Music from top gospel groups begins at 8:30 a.m., and many families bring lawn chairs and picnics to enjoy the event. For more information see Http://singingonthemountain.org and www.grandfather.com

Subject: Singing On the Mountain (NC Gospel Fest)
From: GUEST,cnd
Date: 26 Jun 22 - 11:17 AM

I'm currently at the festival now, so I'll post more later, but I've recently found out that this is currently the last year they intend to hold Singing On the Mountain, a gospel festival which first started in 1924. Has anyone else on Mudcat ever been?