Across the Blue Ridge #104 - Holiday Music, Thornton Spencer and Women In Old-Time Music

This week's action-packed and music-packed program brings you the outstanding fiddling of Billy Hurt, Thornton Spencer, and Kilby Spencer; some holiday-themed traditional music; and the latest installment in our Blue Ridge Music Trails series.

Fiddler Thornton Spencer recently passed away at age 82.  A stalwart of the square dance fiddle music scene in northwest North Carolina and neighboring southwest Virginia, he was also a carrier of tradition, and deeply committed to its continuance. His wife, Emily Spencer; his daughter, Martha Spencer; and his son, Kilby Spencer, are all outstanding musicians, and we hear their playing as we review Thornton's musical life.  It is moving simply to hear such a musical family recorded in a variety of ensembles, and to consider how the Spencers have energized the old time music culture in the mountain south. 

Finally, we have a look-ahead at a fascinating upcoming event in Surry County, North Carolina.  In early March of 2018, the arts council there will sponsor Women! Mount Airy Old-Time – a series of presentations, performances, and instrumental workshops simultaneous with the annual Tommy Jarrell birthday celebration in Mount Airy, NC.  Hear our interview with Marsha Todd, who's coordinating this new event along with Laura Shearing – and hear some great music as well from Alice Gerrard and Becky Buller. 

The Mount Airy events receive support from the North Carolina Department of Cultural Resources and the North Carolina Arts Council.  ATBR's ongoing Blue Ridge Music Trail series does too, and receives support as well from the Blue Ridge National Heritage Area.

Playlist

1. Richard's Rag
   Billy Hurt
   Fiddlin' Billy Hurt
    
2. Lonesome Scene of Winter
   Morgan Sexton
   Shady Grove
    
3. Darkest Days, Brightest Nights
   Jay Ungar & Molly Mason
   The Pleasures of Winter
    
4. Lights of Chanukah
   Jay Ungar & Molly Mason
   The Pleasures of Winter
    
5. I'm Going Home, It's Christmas
   Balsam Range
   It's Christmas Time
    
6. Christmas Time At Home
   Rhonda Vincent
   A Very Special Acoustic Christmas
    
7. Break 1 - Cherokee Shuffle
   Crooked Road Ramblers
   It Ain't City Music
    
8. Where The Mountain Laurel Blooms
   Whitetop Mountain Band
   Loafer's Dream
    
9. Arkansas Traveler
   Whitetop Mountain Band
   Albert Hash & The Whitetop Mountain Band
    
10. I'll Fly Away
    Whitetop Mountain Band
    Albert Hash & The Whitetop Mountain Band
     
11. Did You Ever See The Devil Uncle Joe
    Whitetop Mountain Band
    Albert Hash & The Whitetop Mountain Band
     
12. Sweet Fern
    Whitetop Mountain Band
    Cacklin' Hen
     
13. Liza Jane
    Crooked Road Ramblers
    It Ain't City Music
     
14. Break 2 - Sally Anne
    Whitetop Mountain Band
    Loafer's Dream
     
15. If That's The Way You Feel
    Whitetop Mountain Band
    Loafer's Dream
     
16. Interview Segment
    Marsha Todd
    ATBR field recording
     
17. Memories of Mother and Dad
    Alice Gerrard
    Calling Me Home
     
18. Speakin' To That Mountain
    Becky Buller
    single