We’re bombarded with negative messages everyday. Bailouts to bad weather. Hogzilla to swine flu. It’s good every now and then to take a respite from all of that. A couple of weeks ago, while visiting my in-laws in NC, we had the pleasure of attending a community pickin’. Not a pig pickin’. Or a nose pickin’. (We don’t do that around here.) But a pickin’ of the musical variety. Bluegrass and country music to be more specific.
These community pickin’s have been popping up around the area for some time. Gifted musicians and music fans come from all around to visit these different pickin’ parlours or “Pickin’ Parties” for lack of a better term. To listen. To play. And to forget about the Lizard Man for one evening. What could be better than a night of music and fellowship?
This particular pickin’ was in Staley, NC. The musicians circle around, break out in Little Cabin Home on the Hill and the fun begins. They take turns leading the music and everyone jumps in, even if they’ve never played that particular tune before. It’s fun to watch.
Here’s Julie, a fiddle player and the only lady in the bunch. She’s a member of the all girl band, The Sweet Potato Pie.
This young fella began on the upright bass. The upright bass is cool.
Yep, I’m looking at you. I’m talkin’ about your bass. That’s one cool bass.
I wanna to learn to play the stand up bass.
The stand up bass and the banjo. The banjo rocks.
And the dobro. Beautiful instrument, the dobro.
The singing and pickin’ continue. Around the circle it goes. Where it stops nobody knows.
Here’s a familiar face. It’s my husband and our daughter.
I’m surprised these pictures are any thing close to being clear as I was slightly nervous for my daughter. This was her first time singing in a group of strangers and all adults. Most of the musicians didn’t know the song, Come On Up to the House, but just jumped right in. See the proud daddy? Pure joy.
He’s so proud. Me too. She’s something for only being 14, if I do say so myself.
It was a fun night for all. As I said before, these pickin’ parlours have been popping up all around. Maybe there’s one near your neck of the woods? If so, why not take your family? Enjoy some real talent and maybe make some new friends in the process.
Are there any other local goings on you can share with everyone? Maybe your neighborhood has a regular block party? Or is there a square dance hall nearby? Or do you like to stand outside around a fire with your favorite buddies eating s’mores and watching for shooting starts? Whatever it is, do tell.
Keep on pickin’ you pickers out there!
Great job by all! Beautiful pictures – beautiful young lady (and dad). Wish her Mom would sing with them. Thanks, Amy.
How fun!! Hope did such a wonderful job! Randy, too! I love all the pics you took. What special memories…..
There’s just nothin’ like the sweet, sweet sound of a daddy and his daughter makin’ music together. Wish I could’ve been there!
Go Girl! Love it! Will be lookin’ for you in Nashville soon!
Wow. So sweet. Your family is so talented. Her voice is angelic.
That music brings tears to my eyes every time. My granddaddy was a steel guitarist and had a band that practiced and jammed at his house all the time. Every weekend we’d head to my mom’s home to experience it. I didn’t like it so much at the time (especially the cigarette smoke) but it sounds like home to me now.
And the Lizard Man? Is there one up there, too? I thought Bethune had the only Lizard Man around.
Watch out Nashville here she comes!!!! Hope puts her soul in the song. What a sweet sound. And the look on Proud Daddy’s face is priceless. I keep playing the video over and over again. I love it. Wish I were there. “Come On Up To the House” just may become our fireside song, Hope, I love you, and you are natural with lots of talent. Keep on singing. And Amy, Like Nanny J said it would be good to have a video of the three of you. Love to all.
WE love bluegrass in our house, or folk or western, whatever it is called , the acoustic combined with a voice….and your daughter’s voice is AMAZING!
My husband plays drums, banjo, guitar and a wicked harmonica, we need this kind of happening in our area….none that we know of, another reason to move! thanks for sharing and I will look for her to be on the public stage soon! love seeing her daddy’s love!
LOVE!! Love the music style, love that gorgeous girl and her sweet voice. Shes got some soul, that girl. She totally held her own.
I love this idea and I wish I could find something like that here.
Your pictures were insane! So good.
I think my favortie part may be the pround parents. You two have every reason to be proud.
Alli, I and the whole family loved listening and watching the video! There is nothing like a fathers’ love and your video captured that!
Wonderful! I love your pictures, they are perfect and capture the mood so well!
I’m a sucker for live music, and an even bigger fan of bluegrass. I wish I could have been there to join in the fun!
Great blog you have here… beautiful.
As I was reading this entry, I was thinking….where is the video? So thrilled you shared with us. I can’t do much picking but I can definitely do some grinning when it comes to bluegrass. Thanks for sharing.
Credits to the mom who took amazing photos! Thanks so much for sharing. Btw…what lens did you use for these???
Hey Joy! Thanks so much. Of course as her mom I’m a little biased.
I used the fabulous 50mm 1.4 lens. Aren’t you just loving it?
Gorgeous! I love the photos and I can practically hear the music.
Music night with friends is a weekly event at my house and I wouldn’t trade it for anything. I cook for them and they play music. I get the better end of the deal, for sure!
Your daughter has a great voice and the music is awesome! Great post!
Loved the pictures of Hope and Randy. The daddy/daughter duet was awesome! We love simple get-togethers with friends and family: bonfires, game nights,and gathering to watch our favorite teams play the big games on TV.
How precious!! I enjoyed the video very much. Great memories!
Thanks so much for sharing this special moment with all of us. The look on Randy’s face is absolutley priceless. It brings tears to my eyes to see it so well captured. Your mom and mother-in-law are right, you should be singing with them.
I love it! Great music and a beautiful girl with a lovely voice. You have every reason to be proud!
Just passing by, but had to comment. She sings beautifully and I loved that song!
I had to come back by and listen to this song again! It’s a great song and she does a great job.
Loved it!! She’s got some talent (and so does he). Thanks for sharing.
Awesome!! She’s got a great voice.
Loved seeing Hope and her Diddy enjoying some “Old Timey Music” as my blue grass pickin’ brother calls it…together! She sang great and Randy looked proud. My West Virginia roots were groovin’ on it! Thanks for sharing Amy.
How great–your daughter and husband playing together! My husband and I have played bluegrass together for over 40 years–he and his brothers played for several years before that. It’s the most fun, live music—and the friendliest people seem to love playing and listening. I’m so glad you shared that with us! Pick on!
We spent Jan.2, 2000 at Grandpa Jones’ home with Mac Wiseman, Earl Scruggs (and his Missus) and John Hartford (And Miss Ramona, of course), along with many others on the trip of a lifetime our friend took us on. We’ll never forget it–it was awesomely awesome!
Ah…that was delightful!!! Your daughter is lovely and a great voice!
Just linked here form tasty Kitchen…going to add you to my stalking list 😉 Your photos are stunning!
Wow, she’s good. This brought tears to my eyes, the expression on your husband’s face. What a gift for all.
Awesome job, Hope! These are wonderful pictures as well!