Mary McCaslin's Roundup
October 19, 2007
MUSIC FROM THE CROOKED ROAD In 2000 the movie "Oh Brother, Where Art Thou?" awakened a new
interest in bluegrass and mountain music. Its soundtrack won a Grammy for
Album of the Year, and other bluegrass and mountain music recordings, new
and old, saw an increase of sales. Soon following was a tour and recording
called "Down from the Mountain," which largely featured many of
the same musicians and singers from "Oh Brother." Bluegrass and
old-time performers found themselves in demand like never before. Ralph Stanley's
frightening rendition of the traditional ballad, "Oh Death," in
"Oh Brother," made him an overnight sensation. Never mind that he
and his late brother Carter Stanley had toured and recorded for decades and
have long been regarded as bluegrass royalty.
A new ensemble of bluegrass, old-time and gospel musicians and singers is
touring the country, this time in celebration of the living musical culture
of southwest Virginia. This tour is called "Music from the Crooked Road."
Highway 58 (the Crooked Road) winds over 200 miles through the mountain ridges
and valleys of southwestern Virginia, passing through some of the most musical
places on earth. An abundance of extraordinary traditional musicians have
come from the tiny Appalachian communities scattered along its length, including
the Carter Family and the Stanley Brothers. The outstanding artists appearing
on this tour link the past, present and future of deeply rooted American traditions.
The "Crooked Road" tour features National Heritage Award Fellow
and Appalachian guitar master Wayne Henderson, bluegrass banjo virtuoso Sammy
Shelor, old-time string band The White Top Mountain Band, clawhammer banjo
master Kirk Sutphin with fiddler Eddie Bond, up-and-coming bluegrass band
No Speed Limit and 19 year old ballad singer Elizabeth LaPrelle.
With the exception of Ralph Stanley, none of the artists featured in "Oh
Brother" and "Down from the Mountain" were from rural backgrounds,
though singers Emmylou Harris, Gillian Welch and Alison Krauss have long been
proponents of authentic country music and bluegrass. All of the artists on
the "Crooked Road" tour are from the back country of southwestern
Virginia.
Wayne Henderson was born, raised and still lives in tiny Rugby, Virginia,
population seven, near the North Carolina border. Aside from being an outstanding
player he is also renowned for his guitar building. He is considered one of
the most extraordinary instrument makers in the world, even building a guitar
for Eric Clapton. Henderson recently retired from his job as a U.S. Postal
carrier and now has more time to devote to playing and building guitars.
Wayne Henderson's story is just one example of the typical background of each
of the "Crooked Road" performers. Every one is the "real deal,"
coming from the part of the world where the music is handed down through families,
and is now being passed on to the next generation.
"Music from the Crooked Road," presented by UC Arts & Lectures,
takes place at the Rio Theatre in Santa Cruz Thursday, October 25th at 8 pm.
For details call 459-2159.
Email Mary McCaslin at roundup@marymccaslin.com.