Three action-packed days of traditional acoustic music instruction, performance, and jamming begin with registration for the third annual Lee County Gathering at 1 p.m. Thursday at Pioneer Park in Loachapoka. The Festival concludes with hymns, a devotional and closing ceremony at 9 a.m. Sunday morning.
Springtime all across the South means that musicians come down from the mountains to gather and make music; the Gathering is a growing part of that tradition. The Festival, held under the auspices of the Lee County Historical Society and the Alabama State Council on the Arts, offers old-time music, storytelling, dance, concerts, period re-enactors, and frontier food characteristic of Pioneer Park’s 1850s village reconstructed at the park.
Nationally acclaimed performers and instructors from Florida, Ohio, Tennessee, and Virginia are joined by area instructors Ashley and Joni Carr of Tallassee; Dr. Bill King of Tuskegee; Bill Hogan of Phil Campbell; Bob and Rose Taunton of Tallassee; and Marty Hoerr and Ernestine Robinson of Auburn.
Festivities begin Thursday with an ice cream social at 6 p.m., instructor introductions, a concert and a jam—all in a big tent on the park grounds. Breakfast, lunch and dinner are available throughout the festival.
The Lee County Gathering is designed for all ages and all levels of expertise, from those who simply want to observe to those who wish to take lessons on such instruments as the mountain dulcimer, the hammered dulcimer, auto harp, penny whistle, mandolin, guitar, Native American flute, fiddle, steel drums and ukulele. Once again, there will be sacred harp singing—the sacred harp being the vocal chords—and Negro spiritual singing and lessons by local legend Earnestine Robinson of the Plantation Heirs, who will also perform.
Visitors can sign up for the entire weekend, or just for the day. Free children’s classes are offered on Saturday for those who pre-register, although their parents will be asked to pay the daily gate fee of $5. The registration fee for the entire weekend–which includes two days of classes, four concerts, an ice cream social and a dance–is just $40. Registration information is available at www.leecountygathering.com.
Pioneer Park is the site of the Lee County Historical Society, a non-profit organization established in 1968. Membership is open to all interested parties. For more information, see www.leecountyhistoricalsociety.org or call Deborah McCord at 334-703-3646 or Bob Taunton at 334-283-3045.
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Three action-packed days of traditional acoustic music instruction, performance, and jamming begin with registration for the third annual Lee County Gathering at 1 p.m. Thursday at Pioneer Park in Loachapoka. The Festival concludes with hymns, a devotional and closing ceremony at 9 a.m. Sunday morning.
Springtime all across the South means that musicians come down from the mountains to gather and make music; the Gathering is a growing part of that tradition. The Festival, held under the auspices of the Lee County Historical Society and the Alabama State Council on the Arts, offers old-time music, storytelling, dance, concerts, period re-enactors, and frontier food characteristic of Pioneer Park’s 1850s village reconstructed at the park.
Nationally acclaimed performers and instructors from Florida, Ohio, Tennessee, and Virginia are joined by area instructors Ashley and Joni Carr of Tallassee; Dr. Bill King of Tuskegee; Bill Hogan of Phil Campbell; Bob and Rose Taunton of Tallassee; and Marty Hoerr and Ernestine Robinson of Auburn.
Festivities begin Thursday with an ice cream social at 6 p.m., instructor introductions, a concert and a jam—all in a big tent on the park grounds. Breakfast, lunch and dinner are available throughout the festival.
The Lee County Gathering is designed for all ages and all levels of expertise, from those who simply want to observe to those who wish to take lessons on such instruments as the mountain dulcimer, the hammered dulcimer, auto harp, penny whistle, mandolin, guitar, Native American flute, fiddle, steel drums and ukulele. Once again, there will be sacred harp singing—the sacred harp being the vocal chords—and Negro spiritual singing and lessons by local legend Earnestine Robinson of the Plantation Heirs, who will also perform.
Visitors can sign up for the entire weekend, or just for the day. Free children’s classes are offered on Saturday for those who pre-register, although their parents will be asked to pay the daily gate fee of $5. The registration fee for the entire weekend–which includes two days of classes, four concerts, an ice cream social and a dance–is just $40. Registration information is available at www.leecountygathering.com.
Pioneer Park is the site of the Lee County Historical Society, a non-profit organization established in 1968. Membership is open to all interested parties. For more information, see www.leecountyhistoricalsociety.org or call Deborah McCord at 334-703-3646 or Bob Taunton at 334-283-3045.
tured above Bob and Rose Taunton of Tallassee join nationally recognized performers and instructors at this weekend’s old time music festival, the Lee County Gathering at Pioneer Park in Loachapoka. The Tauntons teach and play mountain dulcimer and banjo. Their effectiveness as teachers stems from their desire that those who attend their classes learn not just to play, but to understand the roots of the music and love it for what it is.
It was goodbye to an old friend, if you can call a Tavern an old friend, last night. Eighth and Rail is now a pleasant memory for those that called this one of their favorite watering holes. The building is officially under new ownership and that owner is looking for a tenant. Those that attended the final night, some in Black Tie, got something to take home at the end of the night. You’ll probably see a few of us sporting our Eighth and Rail Goodnight Opelika Shirt. On the back, forming a big number eight, names of bands and individuals that have played that stage over the years and the front with an old bi-wing airplane, looking a bit like a train. Some final words from owner Richard Patton brought a tear to many eyes and the countdown to a new year with a final toast for all brought the evening to a close. Well, actually, many stayed to talk and dance a bit longer. Thanks Richard for a great night, good friends, having Miller Lite for a guy on a diet and for years of good times at The Rail! Goodnight Opelika!
Anne Lough Featured at Lee County Gathering – Anne Lough, one of the featured artists at Pioneer Park’s upcoming music festival in Loachapoka, brings the finest of traditional music and culture. Her beautiful clear voice thrills listeners as she brings to life the ballads and folk songs of the Appalachians, American frontier and British Isles. Folk dance, storytelling and shaped-note traditions come alive through her skillful presentations and artistry.
