Influences and reasons for being

Subject: Influences and reasons for being
From: SeanM
Date: 25 Mar 99 - 10:31 PM

This is my first thread, and it's inspired by something from the 'Best Folk singer' thread.

Who inspired you to play and/or listen? Was there one person (or group) that made you want to get out there and play?

Personally, it was my grandfather. He wasn't the best in the world, and only started playing well after he retired. But every meeting of the Old Time Fiddler's, he'd be there, talking and playing along to the best of his ability. Even after he lost the use of two of his fingers, he still played... anyone who ever has played fiddle can probably appreciate the difficulty of playing fiddle with only two fingers and thumb on the fingerboard.

Well, he'd done his best to educate me in the better aspects of music when I was young, taking me to bluegrass festivals all over Arizona, and taking time out to try and teach me to play. It wasn't until he died that I reevaluated what he'd been saying, and picked up tinwhistle. Not his instrument, but he's been my guiding inspiration. Every time that I feel like quitting, I remember him in the circle, taking his turn with the other fiddlers despite everything that he'd had to overcome.

Anyone else care to share? I'd be interested to hear...

M

Subject: RE: Influences and reasons for being
From: Art Thieme
Date: 25 Mar 99 - 10:45 PM

See my recent post at the "finest folksinger" thread about PAUL DURST!!

Art Thieme

Subject: RE: Influences and reasons for being
From: Susan A-R
Date: 25 Mar 99 - 11:01 PM

I remember going to hear Margaret McArthur when I was in highschool. She was traveling with all of her kids at the time, and sang somgs from HOME (She's sung a lot of Vermont based material) She was good, I loved the songs and stories, and I talked to her, and on her recommendation got a mountain dulcimer. Haven't looked back since. Working with Larry Gordon and Bayley Hazen (alas, this nifty singing group is now defunct) I got a real jolt of what singing in a skilled, AND high energy group can be likke, and I also got my first intro to Balkan music as a singer. I WAANT more of that!!! The music had always been there, as we were as likely to be sung to as read to. Thanks Mom and Dad. Susan

Subject: RE: Influences and reasons for being
From: katlaughing
Date: 26 Mar 99 - 12:05 AM

Me, too Susan....my mom and dad.

Subject: RE: Influences and reasons for being
From: AndyG
Date: 26 Mar 99 - 05:38 AM

Hi Sean,
You might want to peruse the What got you started? thread.

AndyG

Subject: RE: Influences and reasons for being
From: AlistairUK
Date: 26 Mar 99 - 02:12 PM

Mine was my neighbour. She and her brothers used to sing Irish songs at parties at her house (she was teaching me, unsuccessfully, to play guitar so I got invited along, and I just loved the whole thing, I was about 15 at the time. Then she started playing me Steeleye and Pentangle, and it sort of went on from there. When I was 18 I sort out my local folk club and never looked back. I love all kinds of music, but the camaraderie and good laughs that folk singing has brought me is something that I treasure the most. Thank you Maureen McConnachie.

Subject: RE: Influences and reasons for being
From: SeanM
Date: 27 Mar 99 - 11:28 PM

My apologies if I stepped on somebody else's thread... I was just interested in starting discussion on this topic... it means quite a bit...(No offense taken)

M

Subject: RE: Influences and reasons for being
From: katlaughing
Date: 28 Mar 99 - 12:19 AM

Ah, hell, SeanM, from what I've seen we all step on each other's threads now and then, that's what keeps this motley crew together and don'cha know...it's the "ravellies" what gives us character!

Somebody pulls a thread here or there, pretty soon somebody else tugs on another, and before ya' know it, the thread has gone off in a whole new direction, like a ball of yarn rolling 'cross the floor. Then somebody else will pick up that ball of yarn and weave it back into the pattern of the original thread and whaddya know, we're all come out aright in the end!

katlaughing

Subject: RE: Influences and reasons for being
From: Mikal
Date: 28 Mar 99 - 12:43 AM

Group. Nice word. Imagine a family of Scots, living in Missouri, all within a half mile of one another, all trying to teach their children the history of the family. Then mix in a kid growing up with his uncles, aunts, cousins, everybody singing the old songs and telling the old tales. That's how I grew up. My grandfather took me in one night a week to teach me to tell stories, my uncle Joe worked with me trying to find an instrument I could play, and the family dosed me regularly with folk songs from the Old Country.

After all that, I was 20 before I heard Rock. Never made any sense to me then.

Of course, there was Jethro Tull...(You may throw rocks now.)

Mikal, (grinning, still playing Bodrhan!)

Subject: RE: Influences and reasons for being
From: catspaw49
Date: 28 Mar 99 - 12:48 AM

Just read down the whole thread...some great stuff.

katlaughing...REALLY WELL STATED, just superb!!!

And Sean...if you haven't read Art's post on Paul Durst...DO SO NOW!!! Also read Shula's on the same day (25th). If they don't speak to you of influences and the essence of folk..........I'm still in awe and I keep going back and reading them both...poignance and passion, some of my favorite subjects. GO READ...You WILL enjoy!

catspaw