Pretty nice looking guitar uh? This is the Vintage Ibanez Classical Guitar that will be given away at the end of the Blind Pig & the Acorn's Spotlight on Music in Appalachia. Of course how it sounds means a whole lot more than how it looks-so Paul picked out an old tune for you to hear. East Virginia Blues-its what you call a traditional song-meaning it's so old no one really knows who wrote it. The song has many variations-which is typical with songs that have been preserved literally by word of mouth-or maybe I should say word of singing.
It's easy to imagine how the various verses and chords came about-for example: Say-Uncle Gaylord heard the song played in a tavern he visited on his way back from working down in the flatlands. Once he was home-he couldn't remember exactly what the words were-or exactly every chord-but he remembered the jist of it-and he adjusted the words as he picked out the song sitting on the front porch after a hard days work.
A few of the songs Paul and Pap sing-have been added to or changed by them. One that comes to mind is Early One Morning. It's a song Pap remembered from his childhood-even with today's technology no amount of searching found the exact lyrics-so Paul made up what Pap couldn't remember.
Everyone from the Country Gentlemen to the Carter Family has sung East Virginia Blues. The version we like-comes by way of Flatt and Scruggs. The words are slightly different-and the tune is as well-kinda like a slowed down version of Little Maggie. See what you think about this version-and see how good the giveaway guitar sounds. (don't forget to stop the player in the top right hand of this page before you start the video)
Now that you've heard the sound-and the song-here are the giveaway details-it's only open to residents of the USA:
- to be entered in the guitar giveaway-all you have to do is comment on a Spotlight On Music in Appalachia post-if you commented on the first one-you've already been entered once
- each time you post a comment on a spotlight post-you're entered in the giveaway again-the spotlight posts will run through out the coming weeks-basically if the post is about music in any way-it's a spotlight post and a comment on it will get your name entered again (there is also a link under categories in the the right sidebar of this page-just click on Spotlight on Music in Appalachia 2010-and it'll take you to all the spotlight posts)
- if you're interested in additional entries-10 to be exact-you can help me spread the word about the Spotlight on Music in Appalachia-take this button-copy the code in the scroll box-making sure you scroll down to get it all and and put the button in your blog sidebar or on your website-just email me at tipper@blindpigandtheacorn.com and let me know you posted the button on your site and I'll make sure to add in your extra entries-you can also email me if you need help adding the button
Leave a comment!
Tipper
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Good music, good name!
Posted by: Victor Crisen | February 21, 2011 at 04:28 PM
Good music, good name!
Posted by: Victor Crisen | February 21, 2011 at 04:28 PM
Tipper, just stopped by to do some reading of your fine articles and discovered that I could get one more entry in, before the drawing. Hope that this does so. I must say that I was deeply moved and enthralled with your article "Veterans Day -From the VA Hospital In Oteen. As a retired veteran (US Navy, 26 years)I must say that your words are right on. I'm always amazed at how deep the feeling of the "Brotherhood" takes over when one vet is in the presence of another, no matter what branch of the Armed Sevices he or she may have served in. Glad I stopped in tonight, took in some great reading!
Posted by: Ken | November 20, 2010 at 10:42 PM
Great Site! Love the playlist, and I've bookmarked it to visit again. It's also pretty appropriate that I stumbled in here, 'cause, you know... even a blind pig finds a good web site once in a while.
Posted by: Shawn | November 20, 2010 at 08:48 PM
Love your blog.. the mister is retired from the railroad.. heck his whole family are railroad men and woman.. we live 2 blocks from the tracks here in town.. and I love the sound of the train cars going clackity clack clack down the track our little town are all railroad people.. I also love the church bells in town... trains.. church bells and the wabash river across the road nothing beats a good ole bonfire with some catfish snackin and bluegrass playing and a train coming down the track.. I love my life...
Posted by: sharon cowles | November 17, 2010 at 07:42 PM
The East Virginia Blues & A Guitar Giveaway
Posted by: Allen Evans | November 14, 2010 at 08:35 PM
I love the music. Your whole family is so talented. I am learning to play the guitar & piano. I am in love with the guitar : )
Posted by: Dillon Anderson | November 07, 2010 at 09:49 PM
Just thought I would get one more entry in. Love the player on the site. Thanks for all your effort tipper.
Posted by: patrick tomlinson | November 06, 2010 at 11:45 PM
Don't know if I can still get in to win that fine guitar, but hope that I can. Love Blue-grass, Mountain music, when I hear it, it always reminds me of just finishing a fine Sunday supper, on a late lazy summer evening, just lean back and enjoy!!
Posted by: Ken | November 05, 2010 at 09:34 AM
I really enjoyed this weeks ghost stories, especially with the music for background. Perfect!!
Posted by: patrick | October 31, 2010 at 12:15 PM
Hey Tipper,
Love the blog and your family's music. Don't get no better than old bluegrass! Lucky you to have that talent in your family. :)
I don't hold a candle to the guitar playing of your family, but if you get a chance, you may find some stuff on my you tube channel that you like. :)
Tebo
Posted by: Tebo | October 10, 2010 at 02:05 PM
i am gonna win that guitar!
Posted by: emylee | October 03, 2010 at 06:30 PM
Entering again, Tipper.I guess you might remember about my hubby. I would like it for him, but even me, I can pick about 4 chords, so I want to learn to play before I leave this earth-haha! absolutely LOVIN' the articles, they so brighten my day, and going to the other stories you can go to is wonderful.I love the old way.Have a happy day, and keep 'em coming
Posted by: Sharon Allen | October 01, 2010 at 12:02 PM
So glad you enjoyedyour visit to the Blind Pig! Supper refers to the last meal of the day-while Dinner isused for the mid-day meal.
Blind Pig The Acorn
Music, Giveaways, Mountain Folk
All at www.blindpigandtheacorn.com
Posted by: Tipper | September 22, 2010 at 01:32 PM
found this site while researching for a novel i'm writing, and i stayed here way longer than i needed for my research cuz i like the site so much. thank you! (i needed to verify that supper meant dinner, in WNC speak. my granny used to say that, but i'd forgotten whether supper meant lunch or dinner meant lunch. i knew that had different terms for it but forgot which. ok, gotta go to supper now (dinner.) (not lunch.)
Posted by: Tball | September 21, 2010 at 02:59 PM
just found your blog and love it -- i would love to win the guitar
Posted by: janet c | September 14, 2010 at 01:36 PM
I love your site. I feel right at home!
Posted by: Gerry | August 29, 2010 at 07:06 PM
I know of one man whose soul belongs to this music and the heart and soul of Merle Haggard. I dedicate this to him - Tony Pressley - Papaw Tony. Love - Nana
Posted by: Janet Pressley | August 26, 2010 at 02:43 AM
Would love to win the guitar for my son! He had a Gibson that belonged to his father but the neck was stepped on by his ex wife!
Just found your blog and really enjoy it. We recently moveds to the mountains of Asheville from snowy Michigan!
Posted by: Gerry | August 24, 2010 at 03:29 PM
Don't know if you still have the guitar or have closed the give away, but if you haven't then throw my name in the bag. I used to play a bit years ago and have been wanting to get back to it but haven't yet gotten a guitar. Of course I can't make it walk and talk like Paul but I do entertain myself.
Helen
Posted by: Helen G. | July 29, 2010 at 12:56 PM
I happened upon this site by pure accident, and I instantly fell in love! The music transports me back in time to my grandparents' house when my uncles would bring out their guitars and start "picking and grinning".
I lived in the Appalachians for a short time, and my heart still longs to go back. :) Thanks for this wonderful site!
Please enter me in the contest for the guitar. I know someone very special who would love to have it.
Posted by: Tracy Henderson | July 29, 2010 at 09:38 AM
I added your badge to my site too.
Posted by: Diana | July 28, 2010 at 04:00 PM
I really love to visit your site and listen to the music. All threee of my boys have guitars and play sometimes more than other and sometimes better than others. This would be a wonderful guitar to win.
Posted by: Diana | July 28, 2010 at 03:55 PM
Recently found your site looking up information on Appalachian music and traditional life. My singing group (Cantus, a full-time is working on Pretty Saro right now (a really pretty and sad tune) for our touring program for next season. A couple years back we also sang Bright Mornin' Star, another famous mountain tune.
Even though I'm a trained classical singer, being a Kentucky native I knew and heard mountain music growing up. I'm excited to bring Appalachian music to audiences mixed in our programs.
Please enter me in the contest! Would love to have a guitar to bring on the road :)
Posted by: Gary | July 27, 2010 at 03:25 PM
Tipper, I posted the button on my blog at Life on a Southern Farm but I am confused about what other site I need to comment on.
When I clicked the Spotlight music link it came back here.
Please let me know if I need to comment somewhere else.
Thanks,
Pam
Posted by: gafarmwomanPam | July 27, 2010 at 12:22 PM
I would love to win the guitar. I think I could sound just like Loretta Lynn belting out "you ain't woman enough to take my man"!! LOL...
I will put your button on my sidebar in a little while.
And what else?? comment on the other post.
Also feel free to come on over to my site for a chance to win a HenPals Chicken Nest Box this week.
Have a great day.
Pam
Posted by: gafarmwomanPam | July 27, 2010 at 12:13 PM
I would secretly like to win this guitar for my husband because he was taught by Bill Gaither as a young man and I'd like to see him play music again, as he loves it so much.His mom is from Tennessee around the appalachians and his history of music would just bring him such joy, he appreciates good music
Posted by: Sharon | July 24, 2010 at 04:04 PM
I love this style of music!
Posted by: Staib18 | July 14, 2010 at 10:23 PM
Nice sounds!
Great looking guitar.
I love the Blues, the Bluegrass, and the fun of playing for four year-olds who attend our church's Day Care.
Posted by: Eric | July 09, 2010 at 05:43 PM
I would love to have that guitar. I don't have a classical and I could use one. I plat some weddings and I play at Church. Christmas carols sound real good on the classical. Let me know if you haven't given it away already.
Posted by: Doug Davis (Buck Hendrix) | July 07, 2010 at 12:02 PM
You guys are great, added you to our blog...
http://frugalfarmblog.blogspot.com/
Posted by: Margie Mc | July 04, 2010 at 06:20 PM
I do love some good music,just reminds me of my childhood!
Posted by: rachel crisman | June 27, 2010 at 06:06 PM
Love Mountain music, any kind, grew up with family members that picked and sang,All my kids play or sing,not the same music but the gift of music is the same. Barbara
Posted by: barbara gantt | June 15, 2010 at 12:43 PM
Thanks for including me on your You Tube email list. You guys have subscribed to my channel there and I appreciate it. I will be posting more BluegraSS vids from a few fesivals down here in Carolina in the upcoming weeks, so be sure and check those out. Thanks for the chance to win that fine sounding "geetar" as well. Grasshopperslim (You Tube Channel)
Posted by: Keith Bumgarner | June 11, 2010 at 07:15 AM
Tipper: That is one super song on the guitar, someone is going to be mighty lucky.
Posted by: Fishing Guy | June 08, 2010 at 07:19 PM