Whitetop Mountain Band

Subject: RE: Whitetop Mountain Band
From: Leadfingers
Date: 25 Aug 09 - 12:57 PM

Not just VERY good music , but damn nice people too !!

Subject: RE: Whitetop Mountain Band
From: Tattie Bogle
Date: 25 Aug 09 - 11:45 AM

Rave reviews from those that saw them at Linlithgow last year: unfortunately I didn't!

Subject: RE: Whitetop Mountain Band
From: rich-joy
Date: 25 Aug 09 - 04:32 AM

We saw the Whitetop Mountaineers (Martha and Jackson) at the last Woodford Folk Festival (Queensland, Australia) - they were great and certainly went down a treat with the audiences! My partner has not stopped playing their CD since he came home (some 7-8 months ago) ....   :~)

Cheers, R-J
Down Under

Subject: RE: Whitetop Mountain Band
From: GUEST,Hootenanny
Date: 17 Sep 08 - 05:12 AM

I heartily endorse Fred's comments above having seen them on their opening date of the tour. I understand that they are on in London again on the 27th September at the Cellar Upstairs club. Thornton is currently the senior representative of the Whitetop area fiddling tradition.If you enjoy Appalachian String Bands and want to witness the real thing which is not a carbon copy attempt of all things "RoundPeak" then this tour is a real opportunity. These folks know how to pay AND entertain. Don't miss the opportunity.

Hootenanny

Subject: RE: Whitetop Mountain Band
From: GUEST,BanjoRay
Date: 17 Sep 08 - 04:57 AM

Well Fred - at least once a year if you count the annual Gainsborough Old Time Festival.
Ray

Subject: RE: Whitetop Mountain Band
From: Fred McCormick
Date: 17 Sep 08 - 04:48 AM

I caught them at Helsby. Excellent band and a really nice crowd. If you can make any of their remaining tour dates, you would be well advised to do so. Let's face it, how often do we in Britain get the opportunity to see a genuine old time string band like that?

Subject: RE: Whitetop Mountain Band
From: BB
Date: 16 Sep 08 - 07:23 PM

Just been to see them at South Molton, N. Devon. A most enjoyable evening, although Spencer wasn't with them, and Thornton was obviously quite unwell. Emily's got a great voice, and Jackson's mandolin work is excellent. Worth making the effort if you enjoy American country (as opposed to C&W) music.

Barbara

Subject: RE: Whitetop Mountain Band
From: Charlie Baum
Date: 12 Sep 08 - 07:45 AM

The Whitetop Mountain Band will be playing for FSGW in Washington, DC on Saturday, October 18, 2008. That's two weeks after the Getaway, if you're still on our side of the pond, Terry. Click for details.

--Charlie Baum

Subject: RE: Whitetop Mountain Band
From: Leadfingers
Date: 12 Sep 08 - 06:59 AM

I met these lovely people in Williamsburg last year ! Great shame I wont get to see them over here , as thy areNOT in my patch at any time I am free !

Subject: RE: Whitetop Mountain Band
From: nickp
Date: 12 Sep 08 - 06:55 AM

Thanks for the update Terry

Subject: RE: Whitetop Mountain Band
From: Terry McDonald
Date: 12 Sep 08 - 05:58 AM

The reference to Milford is actually Milford-on Sea, Hants, (between Christchurch and Lymington) and takes place at the Community Centre. Tickets are £15 and include a two course supper.

Subject: RE: Whitetop Mountain Band
From: nickp
Date: 12 Sep 08 - 05:52 AM

The Whitetop Mountain Band is a family-based band from the highest mountains of Virginia. Whitetop, Virginia is an area rich in the old time music tradition; this band has deep roots in mountain music. The members have done much to preserve the Whitetop region's style of old time fiddling and banjo picking. The band originated with Albert Hash in the 1940s and in the 1970s he was joined by his brother-in-law, Thornton Spencer and his wife, Emily Spencer. The current line-up is Thornton, Emily, daughter Martha, Jackson Cunningham, Spencer Pennington and Debbie Bramer. Between them they play fiddle, banjo, mandolin, guitar and bass and most of them are involved in clogging and dance.

Whitetop Mountain Band

Sept 12 Bluegrass Plus Club, Coulsdon
Sept 13 Linlithgow Folk Festival, nr Edinburgh
Sept 14 Laurie's Bar, Glasgow
Sept 15 Ex-Servicemans Club, Helsby, nr Chester
Sept 16 Wildwood Mountain Music Club, South Molton, Devon
Sept 17 Melting Pot, Redruth, Cornwall
Sept 18 Acousticart, St. Ives, Cornwall
Sept 19-21 Cornish Bluegrass Festival, Newquay, Cornwall
Sept 23 Burnetts Hill Chapel, Martletwy, Pembrokeshire, Wales
Sept 24 Square and Compass, Worth Matravers, Swanage
Sept 25 Bournemouth Folk Club, Bournemouth
Sept 26 Special event Milford, (Surrey?)
Sept 27 Cellar Upstairs, London

Subject: Whitetop Mountain Band
From: GUEST,Hootenanny
Date: 12 Sep 08 - 05:16 AM

I paid a rare visit to a London folk club last night persuaded by a friend to see The Whitetop Mountain Band from Virginia. It was the first date of their tour in the UK and their first trip to Europe. I have to say that I was very much impressed. They have that hard driving style on the tunes and some nice harmonies and a good variety in material. Two of the girls in the band also do some wild dancing. If you are into "old time" string bands and appreciate te real thing then you should try not to miss them.If you want to check out their dates they are on their website.
I haven't enjoyed a folk club gig like this for ages.
Islington Folk Club deserve much praise for putting them on. I understand that they are in London again on 27th September, Coulsdon TONIGHT and then various dates many of which are in the south west.

Hoot