Tag Archive for: Down From the Hills Bluegrass Festival

2016 Mississippi Bluegrass Championships at the Down From the Hills Heritage Music festival

New Albany, Mississippi- Music from all corners and shade trees of the Union County Fairgrounds rang out on a beautiful May day Saturday as the Mississippi Bluegrass Championships got underway at the Down Form the Hills Heritage Music Festival.

DFTH 63cc09b3-a3ed-451c-917e-6c128450b3bcYouth won out on many of the competitions as young musicians converged to win many of the senior divisions.  One such contestant Miss Ivy Phillips, a 14 year old talent from Chapmansboro, Tennessee, who won most of the awards. Ivy, 14, started playing the fiddle when she was 4, and has kept it up for the past 10 years and “practices everyday”, she said.  Her goals are to play professionally and she credits five teachers through the years who have taught her .

DFTH 2Maddie McKenney, 11,  from Cullman, Alabama; an energetic blonde who sings and plays the fiddle and other instruments, started playing the fiddle at age seven, and she, too, is a budding winner of all events.

DFTH-Blue-Grass-21MAY2016-033-edMatthew Davis from Murfreesboro, Tennessee,  started playing the piano at age 6.  He started playing the banjo  at age 13, and now at 17, he is the winner of the Mississippi Bluegrass Banjo  competition, winning over older and much more experiences musicians, and he placed in several other competitions.  “Grandpa gave me a banjo, and I just started picking,” Matthew said.  He was self taught for a period on the banjo, and later taught by Tony Trisca.  Living in the Murfreesboro area, he is fortunate in that is where Middle Tennessee State University School of Music is located.  Many opportunities abound for youth who are interested in music.  When his mother was asked about how much prodding and telling him to practice that she has had to do through the years, she laughed and said.  “Not really any.  “It’s more like I have to say, stop and do your home work.”

DFTH Blue Grass 21MAY2016 036Jake Patty, 15,  from Mayfield, Kentucky; was the another youth who was a big winner.  He placed first in apprentice mandolin, 4th in Senior Guitar,  and  he  was the guitarist and vocalist of the bluegrass band which won first place, Jake Patty and the Pattycakes.

Tyler White of Rienzi, MS; was back to compete after an two year absence from the competition.  He won the Youth Fiddling competition here when he was 12, and came back and won as an adult.  He and others who were winners at earlier festivals here formed the band Breaking Grass which won the top Bluegrass band in the state at this event and have gone on to produce CDs of their music and  to play on the Nashville scene.  and he said “We are booked through the summer every weekend but one.”  He took second place in the senior fiddling event this year.

DFTH Blue Grass 21MAY2016 039The consistent trait among these young players who excel is that they are in large part self motivated.  And have a supportive family.
DFTH 2bc63f45-ef9c-40ef-af4a-f11a194b56afThe mission of these competitions and the heritage music festival has been to keep the folk and bluegrass tradition alive.  “And when you see these young people from other areas come here and win you know that  the music is in good hands, “ said jill Smith , director of the Union County Heritage Museum, who produces the event.  The festival is also supported by Visit Mississippi, the Mississippi Arts Commission, BNA Bank, Toyota, City of New Albany.

Winners of the event are  listed below in the order of the competitions.

Apprentice Mandolin

1st place – Jake Patty, Mayfield, KY

2nd place Maddie McKenney, Cullman, AL

Senior Mandolin –

1st place Ivy Phillips, Chapmansboro, TN

2nd place – Matthew Davis, Murfreesboro, TN

3rd place – Rob Pearcy, Smyrna, TN

4th place – Christopher Gray, Nashville, TN

5th Place Doug Anderson, Oxford, MS

Senior Dobro

1st place Rob Pearcy, Smyrna, TN

2nd place – Ivy Phillips, Chapmansboro, TN

3rd place – Jeffery Wilson, Tupelo, MS

Apprentice Guitar

1st place Ivy Phillips

Senior Guitar

1st place – Rob Pearcy, Smyrna, TN

2nd place – Matthew Davis, Murfreesboro, TN

3rd place – David Robinson, Nettleton, MS

4th place – Jake Patty, Mayfield, KY

5th place – Christopher Gray, Nashville, TN

Apprentice Banjo

First place – Ivy Phillips, Chapmansboro, TN

2nd place Nick Foster Florence, AL

3rd place – Jake Patty, Mayfield, KY

Senior Banjo

1st place – Matthew Davis

2nd place – Christopher Gray

Beginning Fiddle

1st Garrett Weeks, Pontotoc, MS

2nd Morgan Ashe,

Apprentice Fiddle

1st Place Zeke Morgan, Jackson, MS

2nd place – Maddie McKenney, Cullman, AL

3rd Alaina Weeks, Pontotoc, MS

Senior Fiddle

1st Mark Ralph, Huntsville, AL

2nd – Tyler White, Rienzi , MS

3rd Ivy Philips , Chapmansboro, TN

4th Christopher Gray, Nashville, TN

5th Jacob Johnson, Lincoln, AL

Old Time Fiddler

Wayne Jerrolds, Savannah, TN

Bluegrass Band Competition

1st Jake Patty and the Patty Cakes, AL, TN KY

2nd – Slim Chance,  North Mississippi and Tennessee Area

3rd  – The McKenneys, Cullman, AL

For a little about the origins of Down From the Hills: Heritage Music Festival

 

Jill N. Smith

Director

Union County Heritage Museum

114 Cleveland Street

New Albany, Mississippi 38652

662-538-0014

www.ucheritagemuseum.com

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Down From the Hills Heritage Music Festival, 2016

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New Albany, Mississippi– On Saturday, May 21st, the 15th annual Down From the Hills Heritage Music Festival was held at the Union County Fairgrounds, where the air was full of the sounds of musicians of all ages as well as the aromas of kettle corn and smoking meat. Bluegrass fans from around the New Albany area had a bright and breezy Mississippi day that was perfect for enjoying lots of their favorite music, performed by both the old-timers and the newcomers to the Bluegrass genre.

There were plenty of fiddles, guitars, and banjos in the festival’s competition, along with performances by National Banjo winner Weston Stewart and National Dobro winner Johnny Bellar. Bellar also served as a judge, along with musicians Ken Goodrich, Jake Landers and long-time local favorite, Kay Bain.

The Heritage Music Festival began here 15 years ago as a way of celebrating and preserving the musical culture of the Appalachians. In 2010, the festival was designated the Mississippi Bluegrass Championships by the MS Legislature.  This event is supported by Visit Mississippi Development Authority, Mississippi Arts Commission and the City of New Albany and the Union County Historical Society and its Community Partners.

NAnewsweb.com will publish the names of the winners of the various divisions of  the competition once they are made available.

Faces of Down from the Hills 2016

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Down from the Hills Heritage Music Festival is May 21st/UPDATED

New Albany, MS– The annual Down from the Hills Heritage Museum and Mississippi Bluegrass Competition is set May 21, 2016, at the Union County Fairgrounds.   Competition will begin at 10 a.m. in this the 15th year for the festival that selects the top old time music makers for the state..

The festival moves back to the fairgrounds this year, said Jill Smith, coordinator and Director of the Union County Heritage Museum. “We are grateful that we have the great space at the Fairgrounds available to us this year.  The covered arena makes it possible to have the event rain or shine and the big trees make for great shade tree jamming.

Cost of admission is $5 per person and 12 and under get free admission. Bleachers are available at the event and lawn chairs are welcome there.

National Banjo winner, Weston Stewart,will perform at the Heritage Music Festival

National Banjo winner, Weston Stewart, will perform at the Heritage Music Festival

Festival Origins

Down From the Hills Festival and Mississippi Bluegrass Championships started as a small bluegrass gathering about 15 years ago. It’s been hard to keep up when it was exactly, but it really grew out of Mr. Roy Miller’s Music Store get-togethers on Saturday mornings, said coordinator, Jill Smith.
Mr. Miller always had a “drop in and play a spell” meeting every Saturday morning. His music store was on Bankhead Street, and when you went in, you never knew who might be there playing. You could either grab a spot and join in, or grab a chair and listen. He was a great guy and loved bluegrass music. He kept the coffee pot hot, and at 12 noon, the session ended. Mr. Miller died in 2007, a year or so after he closed his music store. He was a supporter of the festival in the early days.

The Mississippi Bluegrass Championships were added in 2010 with the passage of a bill through the Mississippi Legislature. “Stanley Wise, Bethany Dalton and I lobbied to get this passed. Rep. Margaret Ellis helped with this, so we achieved that goal, and that was when we saw a much greater
variety of people coming to the event,” Smith said.

Judges and special guests and “just plain good old music”

Special performances by National Dobro winner Johnny Bellar and National Banjo Winner Weston Stewart will be highlights of the event, Smith said. Other performers who are top in their fields will be vying for the top awards in the state.

This year’s event will be judged by the winner of the National Dobro Competition Johnny Bellar. “Johnny has helped us for several years after he won the competition. He will judge and perform this year as well as Weston Stewart, winner of the National Banjo Competition. Both will perform during the competition. Other judges who are also musicians include Jake Landers, Ken Goodrich and Kay Bain.

“As people get ready for their part in the competition, visitors can hear some pretty fabulous shade tree picking,” Smith said.

“It’s amazing how people who have scarcely met can play so beautifully together, as they do at this festival.  The shade tree jamming is a good as you will hear anywhere, on stage or off. “

Known affectionately as “old time music, it was  played at homes, in churches and at public events during a time when the culture was more rural.  The melodic roots of the music come from many cultures such as the Scots Irish tradition and shaped also  from the African American banjo tradition. As it evolved, old time music picked up material from other music styles such as blues, ragtime, and gospel.

“We started this event with the thought that it will encourage the continuation of this type of music that is the heritage of the Appalachian area.  This is part of the museum’s  mission. The old time fiddlers, mandolin players, banjo, guitar and dobro make up the core of those individuals who were many times self taught and shared their talents on the front porches prior to the era of a radio and  television in every home.”

Who may compete in the Bluegrass Competition?

Typically contestants from Mississippi, Tennessee, Alabama, Arkansas and Louisiana come to this event, which pays cash awards to both youth and adults.

The competition is open to all, Smith said.  Each competitor pays $5 per competition and there will be a bluegrass band competition as the final portion of the event.  The band winners will take home $1500, for fist and $500 and $250 for second and third.   Approximately $8,000 in all will be earned by the winners, young and old.  This event is supported by Visit Mississippi Development Authority, Mississippi Arts Commission and the City of New Albany and the Union County Historical Society and its Community Partners.

There will be food vendors for hamburgers, hotdogs, tomato sandwiches, kettle corn and baked goods. and vendors with handmade goods. If any crafts people would like to set up their wares, please plan to do so by 9 a.m. and bring your own tables.  No flea market or imported merchandise, please.

UPDATED

To see winners list: MS Bluegrass Championships 2016

For more information call 662-538-0014 or email jill@ucheritagemuseum.com or go towww.mississippibluegrass.com for rules and entry information.

Wonder what it takes to be a National Banjo winner? See: Weston Stewart, My Banjo Story

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MS Bluegrass Championship 2015 competition winners

Competitors in the 2015 Down From the Hills  Mississippi Bluegrass Championships came from Kentucky, Illinois, Alabama, Tennessee and Mississippi this year.

Great Spring weather and a good crowd made for a good day for the event, which was held at the Park Along the River in New Albany, Mississippi.

 

Old Time Fiddling Champion was won this year by a former winner Wayne Jerrolds from Savannah , Tennessee.

 

Adult Senior Fiddler 

First Place – Tyler Andal, Nashville, TN;

Second Place – Jacob Johnson-Lincoln, AL

Third Place – Grace Bridges

Fourth Place – Danny Lindsey – Silas , Alabama

Fifth Place – Makala Langley, Camden, Tennessee

Sixth Place – Laura Poole, Finger, TN

Apprentice Fiddler

Winner was 10 year old Gary Peters from Nashville, TN  who played up into this age division.

Second Place – Annabelle Watts, Philpott , KY

Third Place – Zeke Morgan, Jackson, MS

Fourth Place – Anna Aires, Hoover, AL

Beginning Fiddler Division Winners 10 and Under

First Place, Beth Davis, Carbondale, IL

Second Place, Erma Peters, Nashville, TN

Third Place , Mattie McKinney, Cullman, AL

Fourth Place, Annabelle Morgan, Jackson, MS

Fifth Place, Molly Aires, Hoover, AL

 

 

Adult Banjo Winners 2015

First Place, Joey Gibson,  Manchester, TH

Second Place, James Holland, Clarksville, TN

Third Place, Greg Blaylock, Charlotte, TN

Fourth Place, Tyler Andal, Nashville, TN

Fifth Place, Jim Ellege, Cumberton, MS

Sixth Place – Makala Langley, Camden TN

Apprentice Banjo

First Place, Anthony Howell, Kosciusko, MS

Second Place, Nick Foster, Florence, AL

Beginner  Banjo

First Place, Erma Peters, Nashville, TN

 

Guitar Winners 2015

Adult Guitar

First Place, Tyler Andal,  Nashville, TN

Second Place, Clint Morgan, Gallatin, TN

Third Place, Alton Thomas, New Albany, MS

Fourth Place Andrew Davis, Murphreesboro, TN

Fifth Place , Glen Talbert,  Birmingham, AL

Sixth Place, Jeff Wilson, Tupelo, MS

Guitar Apprentice

First Place, Anthony Howell, Kosciusko, MS

Second Place, Annabelle Watts, Philpot, KY

Third Place, William Ayers, Hoover, AL

Guitar Beginner

Firs Place Gary Peters, Nashville, TN

 

Dobro Winners 2015

Adult

First Place, Greg Blaylock, Charlotte, TN

Second Place, Joey Gibson, Manchester, TN

Third Place, Tyler Andal, Nashville, TN

Fourth Place, Jeffrey Wilson, Tupelo, MS

Fifth Place, Glenn Tolbert, Birmingham, AL

 

Mandolin Winners 2015

Adult Mandolin

First Place, Tyler Andal, Nashville, TN

Second Place, Mason Nolen, Erin, TN

Third Place, Jacob Johnson, Lincoln, AL

Fourth Place, Doug Anderson, Oxford, MS

Fifth Place, Glenn Tolbert, Birmingham, AL

Sixth Place, Laura Poole, Finger, TN

Apprentice Mandolin

First Place, Gary Peters, Nashville, TN

Second Place, Anthony Howell, Kosciusko, MS

 

Bluegrass Band Category 20105 there were seven bands who entered

First Place-  Bluegrass One of Manchester, TN

Third Place – The Crop Dusters and

Third Place the all female:  The Grass Skirts From Tupelo, MS

 

 

Jill Smith, Director

Union County Heritage Museum

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Down From the Hills Weekend 2015 in pictures

 The Down From the Hills festivities ended with a free concert from The Cakewalkers and the Eisenhauer band.

Amelia Hope Eisenhauer, vocalist and fiddle player.

Amelia Hope Eisenhauer, vocalist and fiddle player.

The versatile Eisenhauer Band from Nashville played some traditional bluegrass music but also played an eclectic variety of crowd pleasers ranging from the music of Led Zeppelin, the Rolling Stones, Meridian's own Jimmie Rogers, Cole Porter, Emmylou Harris, Dolly Parton and many others.

The versatile Eisenhauer Band from Nashville played some traditional bluegrass music but also played an eclectic variety of crowd pleasers ranging from the music of Led Zeppelin, the Rolling Stones, Meridian’s own Jimmie Rogers, Cole Porter, Emmylou Harris, Dolly Parton and many others.

Sophie Taylor, student at New Albany Middle School, sang Dolly Parton's "Jolene" with the Eisenhauer band.

Sophie Taylor, student at New Albany Middle School, sang Dolly Parton’s “Jolene” with the Eisenhauer band.

 

Down From the Hills Saturday night concert

Down From the Hills Saturday night concert

 

 

 

 

 

 

Down From the Hills concert, Saturday night

Jeffrey Willis and Jean Ashcraft

Jeffrey Willis and Jean Ashcraft

Jonathan Smith

Jonathan Smith

Listening to the Down from the Hills concert, Saturday night

Listening to the Down from the Hills concert, Saturday night

 

 

 

 

 

Saturday mid-morning began the 2015 MS Bluegrass Championship competition.

Enjoying Bluegrass on a beautiful Saturday in New Albany.

Jill Smith, the director of the Union County Heritage Museum, is interviewed by a Columbus television reporter. City marketing and tourism director, Sean Johnson, is in the right background holding balloons. He and Smith worked together planning and managing the Down From The Hills Bluegrass Festival. The museum is the sponsor of the annual event, which showcases performing artists, crafters, and visual artists from around the South.

Jill Smith, the director of the Union County Heritage Museum, is interviewed by a Columbus television reporter. City marketing and tourism director, Sean Johnson, is in the right background holding balloons. He and Smith worked together planning and managing the Down From The Hills Bluegrass Festival. The museum is the sponsor of the annual event, which showcases performing artists, crafters, and visual artists from around the South.

 

Glen Tolbert

Glen Tolbert

Glenn Tolbert of Birmingham, AL is well known in well known by bluegrass fans as guitar player but competed in two other events Saturday at the Down From The Hills festival. Dressed in his Liberty bib overalls and black John B. Stetson hat, Tolbert first played the mandolin then the dobro Saturday morning.

Glenn Tolbert of Birmingham, AL is well known in well known by bluegrass fans as guitar player but competed in two other events Saturday at the Down From The Hills festival. Dressed in his Liberty bib overalls and black John B. Stetson hat, Tolbert first played the mandolin then the dobro Saturday morning.

 

Glen Tolbert

Glen Tolbert

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Hudson Hickman was heavily involved with planning and management of the 2015 Down From The Hills.

Hudson Hickman was heavily involved with planning and management of the 2015 Down From The Hills.

 

Gary Peters of Nashville was the first competitor in the first contest event: the Youth Mandolin Division. No pressure.

Gary Peters of Nashville was the first competitor in the first contest event: the Youth Mandolin Division. No pressure.

 

 

 

 

Listening to Bluegrass in New Albany

Down From the Hills Bluegrass competitor

 

Bluegrass competitors, Down from the Hills

 

Bluegrass festival visitors

Bluegrass fans and competitors

 

 

 

 

Comin’ down from the hills for a little Bluegrass fun.

Down from the Hills Bluegrass Championship festival, 2015

Bluegrass Championship judges

 

 

 

Fans and competitors at the Bluegrass Festival

Practicing up for the bluegrass championships

 

Fun for the kids at the Down from the Hills festival

A good day for a little Bluegrass

Just listnin’ and enjoyin’

 

Bluegrass Championship competition, New Albany

Festivities began early Saturday morning with the season’s opening of New Albany’s Biscuits and Jam Farmer’s Market.

 

A nice day to open the New Albany Farmer’s Market

Mary Jennifer Russell (center) and Susan Hickman (right): Russell is owner of Sugarees Bakery of New Albany and the founder, with the Union County Master Gardeners, of the Biscuits & Jam Farmers Market, held Saturday mornings through the summer at the Tallahatchie Bridge.

Mary Jennifer Russell (center) and Susan Hickman (right): Russell is owner of Sugarees Bakery of New Albany and the founder, with the Union County Master Gardeners, of the Biscuits & Jam Farmers Market, held Saturday mornings through the summer at the Tallahatchie Bridge.

Biscuits and Jam Farmer's market

Biscuits and Jam Farmer’s market

 

 

 

Buying and selling at the farmer's market

Buying and selling at the farmer’s market

 

 

 

Biscuits and Jam Farmer's Market drew a lot of early birds.

Biscuits and Jam Farmer’s Market drew a lot of early birds.

 

Looking over the Biscuits and Jam market in New Albany

Looking over the Biscuits and Jam market in New Albany

Ready to open the new season at the New Albany farmer's market

Ready to open the new season at the New Albany farmer’s market

 

 

The Down From the Hills Weekend festivities began Friday May 22nd with a Farm-to-Table dinner, served on the Tallahatchie River bridge at Park Along the River. The dinner was followed by a free concert by Sean Watkins.

Farm-to table diners on the Tallahatchie Bridge at Park Along the River.

Farm-to table diners on the Tallahatchie Bridge at Park Along the River.

Local volunteers were servers for the Farm to Market Dinner.

Local volunteers were servers for the Farm to Market Dinner.

Diners at the farm to table dinner, on the Park Along the River Bridge.

Diners at the farm to table dinner, on the Park Along the River Bridge.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Down from the Hills 2015

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Over 100 diners enjoy New Albany’s farm to table dinner

One-hundred-and-twenty diners enjoyed a unique al fresco meal Friday night on the Tallahatchie Bridge in New Albany. Not the one in Bobbie Gentry’s iconic song, but the bridge over the Tallahatchie River in the Park-Along-the-River.

This was the view up river from the Tallahatchie Bridge during the Farm to Table dinner.

This was the view up river from the Tallahatchie Bridge during the Farm to Table dinner.

It was the first ever Farm to Table dinner, and was the kick-off event for the annual Down From the Hills Bluegrass Festival sponsored by the Union County Heritage Museum.  Chef John Stokes of Oxford, with help from local businesses and many local volunteers, planned and served the meal, which featured foods harvested from nearby sources. The menu featured an onion and garlic rubbed bruschetta, a salad made of locally grown tomatoes and salt cured red onions, grilled quail served over delta grits, crispy hog jowl potato salad and succotash made of boiled peanuts and butter beans.

Diners at the farm to table dinner, on the Park Along the River Bridge.

Diners at the farm to table dinner, on the Park Along the River Bridge.

Farm-to table diners on the Tallahatchie Bridge.

Farm-to table diners on the Tallahatchie Bridge at Park Along the River.

New Albany Master Gardeners helped procure ingredients for the meal. Popular New Albany caterer Tallahatchie Gourmet assisted with the event, and dessert provided by Sugarees Bakery of New Albany put a delicious final touch to the meal.

 

Down From the Hills is the bluegrass championship event for the state of Mississippi, and more than $8,000 in prizes will be awarded to competing musicians on Saturday.

 

Breakfast at the Biscuits & Jam Farmers Market will start the festival events Saturday morning. The bluegrass music competition will begin at the stage in the Park-Along-the-River starting at 10 a.m.  The festival will have local arts, a petting zoo and other fun for the kids, as well as a variety of foods, including Bar-B-Q and shrimp/crawfish boil. and  local arts.

The weekend festival will close out with a free concert by The Cakewalkers and the Eisehhauer Band on the stage at Park Along the River.

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My Banjo Story: Weston Stewart, 2011 National Champion

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Weston Stewart, 2011 National Banjo Champion

My banjo story:

My mom has worked at Athens State University for the past 26 years and, as most of you know, Athens State is host to The Tennessee Valley Old Time Fiddlers Conventions. I have attended this great convention, with my parents, every year that I can remember.

It was at this convention that I found my love for music and became interested in playing an instrument.  At 10 years old, while attending this convention I heard the song Foggy Mountain Breakdown being played on the banjo and decided that it was the banjo that I really liked.  So, I approached my mom about playing the banjo.   She thought that I wasn’t serious but she told me that she would see what she could find out about them.  So, I waited patiently, asking every month or so if she had found me one yet.

Finally, I took matters into my own hands and found a classified ad in the local newspaper for a $200.00 banjo.  I waited for my mom to get home from work that day to show her the ad and told her that I had saved enough buy it.  Finally, she took me serious.  It had only taken me three years to convey my seriousness, but I had finally won, and my mom started checking into what would become my future.  She called several local music stores searching for information about banjos.   She said that she didn’t know what I needed to start with or where I needed to start, so she was looking for advice from the local music stores.

She was on what she said was her 6th and final call when the music store employee told her the usual, “I really don’t know that much about the banjo,” but then she added “but, there is a banjo player standing right here, would you like to talk with him?”  My mom says it was divine intervention since she had not been able to get any information about banjos until then.  Anyway, that banjo player turned out to be Robert “Scooter” Muse a local musician who became my mentor and friend.  Scooter ended up selling me a beginner quality banjo for $250.00 and offered to teach me to play.  So, three years later, at 13 years old, I finally had a banjo in my hands and a very qualified instructor.

My parents were great about my decision to play the banjo after they finally realized that it wasn’t just a passing thought of mine.  However, my mom told me from the beginning that she was not going to waste her time or mine on something that I didn’t put any effort into, and that if I didn’t practice my banjo she would not take me to lessons.  It didn’t take her long to realize that she didn’t need to worry about that, and she then began to use my banjo practice as a punishment telling me that if I didn’t have my homework finished first then I wouldn’t be allowed to go to banjo practice.  She never made me miss a practice…but the threat did change my bad homework habits.  Anyway, all in all, my parents were extremely supportive from the beginning.  They took me to every bluegrass festival, competition or jam that they could find, usually with my grandparents in tow.   I had my own entourage at an early age.

When I first started playing the banjo, I would practice a few hours a day until things started to fall into place and I could actually hear the melody in the songs, then my practice would sometimes last as long as 8 hours a days, especially during my summer break when I was out of school.  I can remember my mom leaving for work at around 7:30 in the morning and at 5:00 in the evening when she came home I would still be on the couch with my banjo.  I guess you could say that the banjo had consumed me by that point.

Scooter encouraged me to go to festivals and competitions.  He also encouraged me to enter those competitions.  He said that a taste of the stage would be good for me and that I would not win, so I shouldn’t expect to.  He said that he just wanted me to get on stage and do the best that I could.  Well, I did and I didn’t think that my legs would ever quit shaking.  However, I did enjoy the applause that I got and I decided to do it again later.  From there things moved pretty fast for me and by the time I was 15 I had won my first competition with my legs still shaking.

During this time anything “banjo” got and kept my attention.   I continued to go to festivals and competitions and I would look for anyone that was open to jam with me.  I met many friends along the way who added to my abilities by showing me little things on the banjo or teaching me the chords to a new song.  Some of the people have been professionals while others were just individuals who simply grew up playing and loving music.  Many thanks for my music abilities are given to the friends I have made along the way.  It would have been great if I had been born into a family that played music together, but I wasn’t; so all this bluegrass stuff was new to my whole family.

I don’t, by any means, consider myself a “GREAT” banjo player, but I do strive to do my best and have pushed myself to be a “GOOD” banjo player.  I love all types of banjo playing styles, but really enjoy the melodic style most of all.  Melodic playing is what I believe Scooter loves and he passed that on to me.  Scooter also pushed me to be the best that I could to the point of telling me that he wanted me to learn more than he could write down for me.  He told me that he couldn’t teach me anymore and that I needed to work on learning things from others by listening to CDs or just hearing them play.  Talk about driving a kid crazy.  I was bound and determined that I would succeed at this.  So, I spent many hours in front of a CD player with my finger on the rewind button, listening to players like Earl Scruggs, Larry McNeely, JD Crowe, Mike Snider, Randal Morton, Bela Fleck, James McKinney, Scott Vestal, Alan Munde, Eddie Arnold, and so many more that I can’t mention them all.  Each of these players had their own unique style or sound that made them stand out some way to me and made me realize that I wanted to be unique also.  Anyway, I soon developed an ear for music and an ability to pick up stuff pretty quickly on my own.

In 2009, I was noticed by banjo maker Tom Nechville.  Tom seemed real interested in my playing and I picked up an endorsement from him in the form of a custom Phantom Galaxy Banjo.  I also picked up an endorsement from BlueChip picks and a string endorsement from Ernie Ball Music Man.  I don’t know what I would do without them.  Thank you Nechville, Ernie Ball and BlueChip.

Also, in 2009 I began a new endeavor.  I became a member of The Soul Pickers.  This is a bluegrass group on Tom T and Dixie Hall’s Blue Circle Label.  I now perform with Ricky Reece and Fast Forward.

Currently, I have placed or won in more than 75 competitions to include 10 state titles, the 2011 Merlefest Bluegrass Banjo Championship title, and the 2011 National Bluegrass Banjo Championship title.    I am extremely honored to have won these titles.

Finally, I don’t know that I will always compete but I do know that I will always love the banjo and I will always play the music that I love as long as God grants me the time and ability to do so.  I would also like to thank you for taking your time to read about a small town banjo player from Alabama.

God Bless you and I hope to meet you out pickin sometime.

Weston Stewart, an Alabama native from Anderson, Alabama, holds 14 state titles on banjo, as well as the 2011 National Bluegrass Banjo Title. In 2013, he was the Tennessee state champion on both banjo and dobro. Stewart is a master artist with the State Arts Council’s Folk Arts Apprenticeship Program and is passing on his musical knowledge to students in North Alabama. –  see more athttp://www.noodls.com/view/B4E3BB67B173C976F0B574409A6CBF9CD1935E47?7563xxx1393360464#sthash.SHlmHWuw.dpuf

For more on the Bluegrass Festival

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MS Bluegrass Championship in New Albany this weekend

For more than a decade, bluegrass musicians and fans from around the southeast have been coming to New Albany to play traditional music and to compete for more than $8,000 in prizes at the Mississippi Bluegrass Championships. Also known as “Down from the Hills,” the event was sanctioned by the Mississippi   Legislature in 2010 as the official Bluegrass Championship for the state.

The event will be held in downtown New Albany at the Park Along the River on West Main Street.  This is a change of venue from past years when the even was held at the Union County Fairgrounds.  Construction at the fairgrounds and the addition of a Farm to Table Dinner over the Tallahatchie River brought about this change.  Competition on Saturday will begin at 10 a.m.

2014 winners of youth fiddle competition

2014 winners of youth fiddle competition

National banjo champion Weston Stewart with MS trophies.

National banjo champion Weston Stewart with MS trophies.

Competitions in mandolin, dobro, guitar, banjo , fiddle and bluegrass band will be held in youth, apprentice and adult.  Admission is $5, adults and children under 12 free,  and attendee’s admission will get the competitor into one competition.

Johnny Bellar, dobro

Johnny Bellar, dobro

2014 Guitar winners

2014 Guitar winners

 

Friday night’s schedule will include Oxford’s Chef John Stokes’ cuisine of Grilled Quail stuffed with Delta Grind Grits, Baby Vidalia, and Marjoram, a salad of Union County Tomatoes and much more as a part of the locally grown food that is part of the nation wide Farm to Table movement to bring people closer to the local sources of food.  Sean Watkins of Nickle Creek will offer a free concert after the dinner.

Sean Watkins of Nickel Creek

Sean Watkins of Nickle Creek

Oxford chef John Stokes, an advocate of locally sourced foods.

Oxford chef John Stokes, an advocate of locally sourced foods.

“Preservation of the culture and music of our region is part of the mission of the museum.  We want to showcase the talent and dedication of the youth and adults who make this music and keep the traditions alive,” said Jill Smith, director of the Union County Heritage Museum.

The event has had strong and steady attendance throughout the years, and organizers believe that the event can be larger. For the 2015 event, the Union County Heritage museum has teamed up with the city’s tourism department, the Master Gardeners Biscuits and Jam Farmers Market, and  the Folk Art Market to expand the festival into a two day event to be held at Park Along the River in downtown.

Saturday, the festival will begin early with the opening of the award-winning Biscuits & Jam Farmers market. Throughout the day bluegrass musicians from around the South will be competing for more than $8,000 in prizes on the main stage, while impromptu jam sessions occur throughout the shaded park. In the evening, attendees will be treated to concerts by the Cakewalkers and Eisenhauer Band.

The Cake Walkers

The Cake Walkers

The populaar Eisenhaur Band will return to New Albany for the Bluegrass Festival.

The populaar Eisenhaur Band will return to New Albany for the Bluegrass Festival.

 

 

As well as music, there will be an arts and crafts market, a variety of great food (including BBQ and shrimp boil), and things for the kids including pony rides and a petting zoo.

Organizers hope that the event’s proximity to downtown and its unique shops and restaurants will add another element to the festival.

“The festival, shopping and restaurants, and the Tanglefoot Trail are all within walking distance of one another, and we’re hoping that people will come and enjoy a full day in New Albany,” says New Albany tourism director, Sean Johnson.

For more information about the festival, visit www.mississippibluegrass.com or call 662-534-1047. The event is $5.00 to attend or compete in the bluegrass competition. Free parking is available.

Scenes from the 2014 bluegrass competition.     For more about Banjo Champion Weston Stewart:

band competition

band competition

A youth fiddler

A youth fiddler

festival in a shed

 

man and girl w award

 

Jill N. Smith, Director

Union County Heritage Museum

114 Cleveland Street

New Albany, Mississippi 38652

662-538-0014

www.ucheritagemuseum.com

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Farm to Table Dinner to premier in New Albany

Tickets are going fast for the Farm to Table Dinner to be served Friday, May 22. The dinner is a new feature of the annual Down from the Hills Festival sponsored by the Union County Heritage, and also coincides with this season’s opening of Biscuits and Jam Farmers Market.

The last decade has seen a growing awareness around the country of the nutritional and environmental benefits of consuming food grown locally. Its advocates cite the improved freshness of locally grown produce and its role in assuring a sustainable food supply for the county.

New Albany dinner to feature locally grown foods

Mary Jennifer Russell, the owner/operator of Sugaree’s in downtown New Albany, has been in the vanguard of efforts to make more locally grown food available in New Albany. She has been the prime mover in organizing and operating the weekly Biscuits and Jam Farmers Market held every Saturday morning, starting this year on May 23rd. This year’s Farm to Table Dinner is an outgrowth of her support for this aspect of community life.

“The farm to table dinner planned in conjunction with the Down from the Hills Bluegrass Festival and this season’s first Biscuits & Jam Farmers Market is a great way to showcase our region’s abundant produce,” said Russell. “I expect this event to draw a lot of local interest and become a staple event for our town.”

The meal will be prepared by Chef John Stokes of Water Valley, who was the head chef at Oxford’s L&M Kitchen and Salumeria. L&M’s was a pioneering farm to table restaurant specializing in house-cured meats and Mississippi sourced ingredients. It was there that Stokes began earning his now considerable reputation for creating gourmet meals from locally grown food.

Chef Stokes has announced the menu for the Farm to Table Dinner which features grilled quail stuffed with Delta Grind grits, baby Vidalia onions, and marjoram. Salads will include one made with Union County grown tomatoes, salt cured red onion, basil and sorrel. Crispy hog jowl potato salad will also be served, as will succotash made of butter beans and boiled peanuts.

Dessert will be provided by Sugaree’s. Local restaurant and area caterer Tallahatchie Gourmet is assisting with the production of the event.

Wine will be served with the meal. The New Albany Board of Aldermen approved a special authorization for wine to be served on city property at its regular May meeting earlier this week.

Weather permitting, the dinner will be served on the foot bridge that spans the Tallahatchie River in the Park Along the River. The space will be decorated by Emily Foreman of MODA designs and the lighting will be provided by local artist, Micha Foster.

Weather permitting, the Farm-to-Table dinner will be served on the footbridge in New Albany's Park Along the RIver.

Weather permitting, the Farm to Table dinner will be served on the footbridge in New Albany’s Park Along the River.

Down From the Hills Bluegrass Festival showcases local talent

Proceeds from the sale of tickets for the Farm to Table Dinner will be applied to the cost of producing the Down from the Hills Festival, presented this year on May 22nd and May 23rd. The festival will spotlight music, food and art of the north Mississippi hill country.

The Down from the Hills Festival has been held here for over ten years, and was sanctioned five years ago by the Mississippi Legislature as the official bluegrass music championship for the state. More than $8,000 in prize money will be awarded to musicians who travel from Mississippi and other states to perform.

“Preservation of the culture and music of our region is part of the mission of the Union County Heritage Museum. We want to showcase the talent and dedication of the youth and adults who make this music and keep the traditions alive,” said Jill Smith, the museum’s director.

The Farm to Table dinner is open to the first 100 ticket holders. About 75 tickets have already been sold, and tickets are still available for $50 each at the New Albany Tourism Office located in the UCDA/Old Post Office across from the courthouse. For more information, call 662-534-1047 or visit the event’s website at www.mississippibluegrass.com.

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“Farm-to-table” dinner to feature locally sourced foods

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NEW ALBANY, MISS. – New Albany’s first “farm-to-table” dinner will take place on Friday, May 22 to open both the New Albany Farmer’s Market and the Down from the Hills Bluegrass Festival, which has moved from the fairgrounds to downtown this year.

The meal will be prepared by Chef John Stokes, an Oxford native who was the head chef at Oxford’s L&M Kitchen and Salumeria. L&M’s was a pioneering farm to table restaurant specializing in house cured meats and Mississippi sourced ingredients and it was there that Stokes’ style gained voice and flourished.

While the full menu has not yet been created, and cannot be created until the chef knows specifically what can be sourced, all the items on the multi-course menu will have been grown and raised on local farms. The New Albany Master Gardeners are helping to procure the ingredients. Currently, quail is being considered as it will be in season and can be sourced locally. Wine will be served with dinner.

“We are thrilled to be a part of the renaissance of small town southern culture and are very much looking forward to this unique event in New Albany,” says Stokes.

Dessert will be prepared and provided by New Albany’s own Sugarees Bakery.  Mary Jennifer Russell is the owner of the bakery and one of the planners of this year’s event.

“The farm to table dinner planned in conjunction with this season’s first Biscuits & Jam Farmers Market and Down from the Hills Bluegrass Festival is a great way to showcase our region’s abundant produce. Sugaree’s is excited to be involved with the planning and to be providing dessert for the dinner. I expect this event to draw a lot of local interest and become a staple event for our town,” says Russell.

Weather permitting, the dinner will be served on the Park Along the River footbridge. The space will be decorated by Emily Foreman of MODA designs and the lighting will be provided by local artist, Micha Foster.

After the dinner there will be a free concert by Sean Watkins, a founding member of the nationally-known bluegrass act, Nickel Creek. The group has a new album, The Watkins Family Hour, which features special guests Fiona Apple keyboardist Belmont Tench of Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers, coming out in June.

Tickets to the event are on sale at the New Albany Tourism Office located in the UCDA/Old Post Office across from the courthouse for $50. For more information, call 662-534-1047 or visit the event’s website at www.mississippibluegrass.com.

 

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People in the Spotlight

Paulette Cossitt, Susan Feather and Gloria Cooper were photographed Thursday, March 19, at the Union County Heritage Museum on Cleveland St. They were there for a meeting of the New Albany Garden Club. Besides its own busy schedule of programs, The Union County Heritage Museum is the venue for many other local civic meetings

Paulette Cossitt, Susan Feather and Gloria Cooper were photographed Thursday, March 19, at the Union County Heritage Museum on Cleveland St. They were there for a meeting of the New Albany Garden Club. Besides its own busy schedule of programs, The Union County Heritage Museum is the venue for many other local civic meetings

Brad Clayton was recently elected to serve as President of the New Albany School Board for the next year. Mr. Clayton has served on the School Board since 2013. Pictured (right) is Jerry Tate, Past President, passing the gavel to Mr. Clayton.

Brad Clayton was recently elected to serve as President of the New Albany School Board for the next year. Mr. Clayton has served on the School Board since 2013. Pictured (right) is Jerry Tate, Past President, passing the gavel to Mr. Clayton.

The New Albany School Board honored Bobby Gault (pictured left) at the March 2nd School Board Meeting.

The New Albany School Board honored Bobby Gault (pictured left) at the March 2nd School Board Meeting.

Posted 4-2015

Not so long ago senior pictures amounted to parading through a line in the school gymnasium, at the end of which a photographer took a few shots, all posed with the same background, lighting and costume. In effect, the photographer, chosen by the school, took the same picture over and over again with only the subject changing. Parents got a little menu from which they picked from a narrow variety of packages: "22 wallet size, 2 8x10s, 4 5x7s, $104" etc. "Pick your photo from the five proofs provided, check the order form box, put your check in the envelope and return it all to home room by Friday." All that has changed. Tuesday afternoon, April 7, Holly Springs senior Maura Jane Autry, her mother and a friend met Kate Roberts, a professional photographer from Baldwyn, on the banks of the Tallahatchie River in New Albany. Roberts shot dozens of pictures of Maura Jane with a high-end digital camera, with natural back lighting from the late afternoon sun shining through the trees lining the river bank. And that was just one set shot in New Albany. Other sets are shot other places. Not so much senior pictures as a senior portfolio.

Not so long ago senior pictures amounted to parading through a line in the school gymnasium, at the end of which a photographer took a few shots, all posed with the same background, lighting and costume. In effect, the photographer, chosen by the school, took the same picture over and over again with only the subject changing. Parents got a little menu from which they picked from a narrow variety of packages: “22 wallet size, 2 8x10s, 4 5x7s, $104” etc. “Pick your photo from the five proofs provided, check the order form box, put your check in the envelope and return it all to home room by Friday.” All that has changed. Tuesday afternoon, April 7, Holly Springs senior Maura Jane Autry, her mother and a friend met Kate Roberts, a professional photographer from Baldwyn, on the banks of the Tallahatchie River in New Albany. Roberts shot dozens of pictures of Maura Jane with a high-end digital camera, with natural back lighting from the late afternoon sun shining through the trees lining the river bank. And that was just one set shot in New Albany. Other sets are shot other places. Not so much senior pictures as a senior portfolio.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

POSTED 5/2015

The New Albany School Board presented Melanie Anderson with a Certificate of Appreciation at the monthly school board meeting held on Monday, May 4. The certificate and recognition was in honor of School District Administrative Assistant Board Clerk Appreciation Week that was celebrated in April. Anderson serves as Administrative Assistant to the Superintendent for the New Albany School District.


The New Albany School Board presented Melanie Anderson with a Certificate of Appreciation at the monthly school board meeting held on Monday, May 4. The certificate and recognition was in honor of School District Administrative Assistant Board Clerk Appreciation Week that was celebrated in April. Anderson serves as Administrative Assistant to the Superintendent for the New Albany School District.

A committee working on New Albany's annual Down From The Hills Bluegrass Festival met Thursday afternoon, May 14, at the UCDA office in the old post office on Bankhead Street. Shown clockwise around the table are Betty King, Cathy Garrett, Phil Nanney, Mary Jennifer Russell, Sean Johnson, Susan Hickman and Hudson Hickman. Jill Smith, the director of the Union County Heritage Museum, which produces the festival, is not pictured but was present throughout the meeting. The 2015 Down from the Hills Bluegrass Festival will be next weekend, Friday and Saturday, May 22 and 23.

A committee working on New Albany’s annual Down From The Hills Bluegrass Festival met Thursday afternoon, May 14, at the UCDA office in the old post office on Bankhead Street. Shown clockwise around the table are Betty King, Cathy Garrett, Phil Nanney, Mary Jennifer Russell, Sean Johnson, Susan Hickman and Hudson Hickman. Jill Smith, the director of the Union County Heritage Museum, which produces the festival, is not pictured but was present throughout the meeting. The 2015 Down from the Hills Bluegrass Festival will be next weekend, Friday and Saturday, May 22 and 23.

 

 

 

(left to right) Jill Smith, Micha Foster, Susan Hickman and Chef John Stokes meeting to discuss plans for New Albany's premier Farm-to-Table dinner on May 22.

(left to right) Jill Smith, Micha Foster, Susan Hickman and Chef John Stokes meeting to discuss plans for New Albany’s premier Farm-to-Table dinner on May 22.

With mild weather work was progressing Monday on the site of the new Tanglefoot Trail bridge across Main Street in Downtown New Albany. Shown above with landscape architect Sam Creekmore, Jr. (left) are Richard Turner and Sonny "Sundance" Snider.

With mild weather work was progressing Monday on the site of the new Tanglefoot Trail bridge across Main Street in Downtown New Albany. Shown above with landscape architect Sam Creekmore, Jr. (left) are Richard Turner and Sonny “Sundance” Snider.

The Youth Choir of New Albany's First United Methodist Church performed outdoors in the church's Harwell Garden the evening of Sunday, May 3, 2015.

The Youth Choir of New Albany’s First United Methodist Church performed outdoors in the church’s Harwell Garden the evening of Sunday, May 3, 2015.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Joe Wilson, of New Albany, with Jeannie C. Riley, of Harper "Valley P.T.A." fame. The picture was taken here in New Albany..well, according to Joe, "Way Back When!" If you have a photo to share in the Spotlight, email it to news@nanewsweb.com.

Joe Wilson, of New Albany, with Jeannie C. Riley, of Harper “Valley P.T.A.” fame. The picture was taken here in New Albany..well, according to Joe, “Way Back When!” If you have a photo to share in the Spotlight, email it to news@nanewsweb.com.

 

Kevin Hinton of Bankhead Flower Shop spoke to New Albany's Historic Northside District Garden Club's May 28th meeting, which was held at the home of Sandy Shaddinger. Hinton gave club members some hints about making flower arrangements from the flowers grown in their own gardens.

Kevin Hinton of Bankhead Flower Shop spoke to New Albany’s Historic Northside District Garden Club’s May 28th meeting, which was held at the home of Sandy Shaddinger. Hinton gave club members some hints about making flower arrangements from the flowers grown in their own gardens.

 

Posted 6-2015

Jim Faust, Angie Faust Staten and Mike Staten enjoyed the music Saturday, June 20, 2015, at Live @ Noon on Tanglefoot Plaza in New Albany.

Jim Faust, Angie Faust Staten and Mike Staten enjoyed the music Saturday, June 20, 2015, at Live @ Noon on Tanglefoot Plaza in New Albany.

 

 

 

Mississippi Insurance Commissioner Mike Chaney spoke Monday night, June 22, to the Union County Republican Women's Club. Chaney, a Republican, is seeking his third four-year term as the state's insurance commissioner. He is opposed in the August Republican primary by John Mosely . The winner in that race will presumably face Johnny McLeod, who is unopposed for the Reform Party nomination. Campaign finance reports filed in early May showed Chaney with $338,089.43 in campaign funds on hand. Mosely had $20,674.60 and McLeod reported he had no campaign money

Mississippi Insurance Commissioner Mike Chaney spoke Monday night, June 22, to the Union County Republican Women’s Club. Chaney, a Republican, is seeking his third four-year term as the state’s insurance commissioner. He is opposed in the August Republican primary by John Mosely . The winner in that race will presumably face Johnny McLeod, who is unopposed for the Reform Party nomination. Campaign finance reports filed in early May showed Chaney with $338,089.43 in campaign funds on hand. Mosely had $20,674.60 and McLeod reported he had no campaign money

 

Posted 8-2015

New Albany Symphony League members, left to right, Sandy Shaddinger, Joyce Sumners, Joanne Lesley, Collett Cross, Celia House, and Jean Ashcraft, met July 29th to discuss plans for the upcoming season.

New Albany Symphony League members, left to right, Sandy Shaddinger, Joyce Sumners, Joanne Lesley, Collett Cross, Celia House, and Jean Ashcraft, met July 29th to discuss plans for the upcoming season.

If the Chinese proverb, "A smile will gain you ten more years of life" is accurate, these two have earned those years. Jean Ashcraft, of New Albany, visits with Joe "Sonny" Giachelli, of the Pinedale community, at New Albany Health & Rehab Center. Sonny is there to receive medical therapy to supplement his smile benefits.

If the Chinese proverb, “A smile will gain you ten more years of life” is accurate, these two have earned those years. Jean Ashcraft, of New Albany, visits with Joe “Sonny” Giachelli, of the Pinedale community, at New Albany Health & Rehab Center. Sonny is there to receive medical therapy to supplement his smile benefits.

 

Long-time friends Joyce Sumners and Mose Stokes catch up with each other, sharing a laugh over possibly varying opinions of who was the smarter in high school.

Long-time friends Joyce Sumners and Mose Stokes catch up with each other, sharing a laugh over possibly varying opinions of who was the smarter in high school.

Everyone has a job. Mom does the hair; dad babysits; daughter ties it all together with a "cuteness" bow. Stylist/Nail Technician Annie Kent keeps it "all in the family" for her husband Ben and daughter Lucy at the Rodéo Salon on Bankhead St. in downtown New Albany.

Everyone has a job. Mom does the hair; dad babysits; daughter ties it all together with a “cuteness” bow. Stylist/Nail Technician Annie Kent keeps it “all in the family” for her husband Ben and daughter Lucy at the Rodéo Salon on Bankhead St. in downtown New Albany.

 

Posted September 2015

Picturesque New Albany provided the backgrounds Tuesday, Sept. 1, for promotional photographs shot for Wooden Groove, a Mississippi-based acoustic string band. Double bassist Taylor Meador of Oxford, guitarist Adam Hollowell of Tupelo and mandolinist Seth Vincent Flake posed in front of a 60-year-old railroad engine in downtown New Albany. Engine number 800 was built by the old General Motors Electro-Motive division, probably at its London, Ontario, Canada plant, in the early 1950s. Number 800, a four-axle GP8 diesel-electric locomotive was rebuilt at the Illinois Central Railroad's Paducah, Kentucky shops in the late 1970s. Number 800 is still an active railyard engine and belongs to the Ripley and New Albany Railroad, the successor after many ownership changes, of Colonel William Clark Falkner's Ripley Railroad, founded in 1871.

Picturesque New Albany provided the backgrounds Tuesday, Sept. 1, for promotional photographs shot for Wooden Groove, a Mississippi-based acoustic string band.
Double bassist Taylor Meador of Oxford, guitarist Adam Hollowell of Tupelo and mandolinist Seth Vincent Flake posed in front of a 60-year-old railroad engine in downtown New Albany.
Engine number 800 was built by the old General Motors Electro-Motive division, probably at its London, Ontario, Canada plant, in the early 1950s. Number 800, a four-axle GP8 diesel-electric locomotive was rebuilt at the Illinois Central Railroad’s Paducah, Kentucky shops in the late 1970s.
Number 800 is still an active railyard engine and belongs to the Ripley and New Albany Railroad, the successor after many ownership changes, of Colonel William Clark Falkner’s Ripley Railroad, founded in 1871.

 

 

Harold Gregory, shown at 7 pm, Saturday, Sept. 5th, in front of his daughter's home on East Bankhead Street is about to move to Blue Springs from Douglas County, Georgia, at the western side of the Atlanta metropolitan area. Gregory is originally from Mattoon. lllinois, where he managed a graphics business. His alert white protector is called "Bama."

Harold Gregory, shown at 7 pm, Saturday, Sept. 5th, in front of his daughter’s home on East Bankhead Street is about to move to Blue Springs from Douglas County, Georgia, at the western side of the Atlanta metropolitan area. Gregory is originally from Mattoon. lllinois, where he managed a graphics business. His alert white protector is called “Bama.”

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

PEOPLE IN THE SPOTLIGHT

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New Albany Revamps Down from the Hills Bluegrass Festival

NEW ALBANY, MS – Changes are in store for the city’s Down from the Hills Bluegrass Festival and Mississippi Bluegrass championships this year. The festival is scheduled for May 22nd and 23rd, 2015

For more than a decade, bluegrass musicians and fans from around the southeast have been coming to New Albany to play traditional music and to compete for more than $8,000 in prizes at the Mississippi Bluegrass Championships. Also known as “Down from the Hills”, the event was sanctioned by the Mississippi Legislature in 2010 as the official Bluegrass Championship for the state.

“Preservation of the culture and music of our region is part of the mission of the museum.  We want to showcase the talent and dedication of the youth and adults who make this music and keep the traditions alive,” said Jill Smith, director of the Union County Heritage Museum.

While the event has had strong and steady attendance throughout the years, organizers believe that the event can be larger. For the 2015 event, the Union County Heritage museum has teamed up with the city’s tourism department to expand the festival into a two day event to be held at Park Along the River in downtown. In addition to music the event will now include an arts market, a farmers market and a “Farm to Table Dinner” to be hosted on Friday night and served on the footbridge at the park. Chef John Stokes of Water Valley will be preparing the meal from locally grown and harvested ingredients.

“New Albany’s biggest attraction is, without a doubt, our historic downtown,” says Sean Johnson, the city’s tourism director. “The Tanglefoot Trail and our independent retailers are bringing in people from all over the region. Moving the festival closer to where this traffic is will not only help the festival in terms of attendance, but we hope that it will also help to show our visitors the culture and old roots of New Albany as well as the ‘Hill Country’ region of Mississippi in general.”

Organizers said that having a location nearer to downtown New Albany and other attractions would help with not only the attendance, but the overall feel and exposure of the festival. “The Union County Fairground  Board and Mississippi Extension Service have been wonderful partners through the years.  This year construction at the fairground site helped make the decision to move the festival location, Smith said.

The music for the event will begin on Friday night at the park with a free concert by Sean Watkins, the founder of the bluegrass band, Nickel Creek, as well as an opener to be determined.

Sean Watkins, founder of Nickel Creek Blue Grass Band to Perform at NA Bluegrass Festival

Sean Watkins, founder of Nickel Creek Blue Grass Band to Perform at NA Bluegrass Festival

The championships will open on Saturday morning (May 23) with competitions for Mandolin, Dobro, Guitar, Banjo, and Fiddle. The competition judges include two national bluegrass champions Weston Stewart, former National Banjo Champion as well as Mississippi Champion and Johnny Bellar, National Dobro Champion and Mississippi winner in past years as well as two other judges who are well versed in performance and judging . The evening will bring concerts from the Eisenhauer Band, the Cakewalkers and more.

The festival is funded by VisitMississippi, the Mississippi Arts Commission, the City of New Albany, The Union County Heritage Museum and other sponsors. For more information about the festival or to inquire about vending or competing, visit www.MississippBluegrass.com or call 662-538-0014.

 

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