FFS Board Of Directors - Fresno Folklore Society

Volume 44 Edition 5
May2015
Submit articles to:
[email protected]
By the 15th of each month
FFS Board
Of
Directors
President
Denise Sciandra
[email protected]
Vice President
Paul Starcevich
[email protected]
Secretary
Sue Wirt
[email protected]
Treasurer
Jim Ross
[email protected]
Concert Master
Steve Ono
[email protected]
Membership
Patty Bennett
[email protected]
Lifetime Member
Alan Hubbart
Members At Large
Linda Guerrero
[email protected]
Bill Lehr
[email protected]
Karen Starcevich
[email protected]
Ann Lamb
Bill Johnson
[email protected]
Flyer Editor
Bill Johnson
[email protected]
Calendar Editor
Maria Glover
HM 559-322-8677
Cell 559-281-8278
[email protected]
A N o n - P ro f it C or p or at i o n f o r Tr ad i t io na l A rt s
Notes from Board President, Denise Sciandra
Who is Vernon Dalhart? He was a prolific singer of opera, pop, and
"hillbilly" during the first half of the 20th century. He was admitted
to the Nashville Song Writers Hall of Fame in 1970 and to the
Country Music Hall of Fame in 1981. Even so, he has remained
relatively unknown today.
Vernon Dalhart was born Marion Try Slaughter in 1883
in Jefferson, Texas. He was called "Try" as a child. He
was a true Texas cowboy who grew up on a ranch and
learned to herd cattle and shoot. He was named after
his grandfather who was a notorious bully. Try's
father, Robert, was also a bully. Robert Castleberry,
the brother of Try's mother, believed that his sister
was being mistreated by her husband. He quarreled
with Robert Slaughter over the years and in 1893 the
quarrel ended with Castleberry killing Slaughter.
Within a few years, young Slaughter and his mother moved to Dallas where
Try studied music and worked to support himself and his mother. Following
his mother's remarriage in 1905, Try moved to New York to study opera. In
1911, he had a minor principal role in Puccini's opera, "The Girl of the Golden
West." As a principal, he needed a name for the program listing. He chose
"Vernon Dalhart" from two west Texas towns where he had once worked as a
cowboy.
While continuing to sing opera and popular music, Dalhart tried to break into
the record business which he did in 1916 with "Just a Word of Sympathy."
Between 1916 and 1923, Dalhart recorded well over four hundred songs but
nothing notable until 1924. That is the year he recorded "The Prisoner's
Song" for the struggling Victor Company. It was the "B" side of his recording
of the "Wreck of the Old 97." Nothing was expected of this song that was
written by Dalhart's cousin Guy Massey most likely while he was a prison
inmate. However, it was a huge success, selling at least two million copies.
Logo Design
by Tom Walzem
at Otto Creative
The Fresno Folklore Society “Flyer” is a monthly publication.
FFS P.O. Box 4617 Fresno, CA 93744
Banjo Frog Art
by Jon Adams
Submit articles for publication to [email protected]
by the 15th of each month
President’s Notes (continued)
One of Dalhart's producers may have put it best when he said: "Dalhart had the peculiar ability to adapt
hillbilly music to suit the taste of the non-hillbilly population."
It is this song that got me interested in Vernon Dalhart. "The Prisoner's Song" is on
my grandfather's list of songs that I have been researching for the past three years.
Once I learned that the name of the singer that made this song popular was
Vernon Dalhart, I wanted to know more. I knew that Dalhart was a small city in the
panhandle of Texas. In the early 1900s, its population was a mere two thousand
people and is only eight thousand today. Dalhart is where my mother was born in
1916 and where her family lived in 1924, the year "The Prisoner's Song" was
recorded. It is where my grandfather bought his first fiddle. I like to picture my
family walking in Vernon Dalhart's steps and my fiddle-playing grandfather hearing
Vernon Dalhart perform live during his early years as a singer.
"The Prisoner's Song" is also how I found my ninety-year-old singer, Bernadette Siegel. We were attending a
Woody Guthrie centennial concert in 2012 performed by Evo Bluestein at the Woodward Park Library.
Bernadette was sitting with Ellie Bluestein. I visited with them afterward. Bernadette talked about how
much she loved these early 20th century folk tunes. That led to my telling her about my songbook project.
She asked what songs were on my grandfather's list. I named "The Prisoner's Song." She said, "Oh, I know
that one. Just tell me the first few words." So, there we were in the library singing "The Prisoner's Song."
She could carry a tune and she knew the words. Within a week, I asked her if she would consider recording
a few songs for the CD to go with my songbook. Her reply was an immediate and enthusiastic, "I'll do
whatever you would like me to do."
I would never have guessed that Vernon Dalhart and "The Prisoner's Song" would be an interesting part of
my family history. (Denise Sciandra)
Early Times in the Fresno Folk Scene
by Evo Bluestein
Evo continues with interviews regarding early Fresno folk history. This month Frank Hicks completes his
remembrances of the old days.
Author's Note: An earlier excerpt about Frank Hicks ran in the September 2014 FFS newsletter. This excerpt
picks up from his high school graduation in June 1941. Frank went to work for the railroad in 1950, became an
engineer in 1956 and continued his career with the railroad until retiring in 1982. Fortunately, his railroad
career enabled him to take off time to play music. Frank's introduction to Sweet's Mill (via Bob Thompson)
changed his life and the lives of others. As jazz violinist Paul Anastasio recalled, "Until I met Frank, I had never
seen anyone play like that; it made me the player that I am now. He was the finest rhythm guitarist I've heard
live or on record. He was simply a phenomenal jazz musician and a great guy who should have been better
known."
Frank Hicks 1922-1995 (Part 3, Continued from April Flyer)
John and Marie Halcomb were visiting Ron and taping some tunes when Pete said, 'You know what would be
good with this, would be a mandolin.' I told him I knew a mandolin player, but I hadn’t seen him in many
years. He was a blind man named Kenny Hall, who I had heard play with the Happy Hayseeds in Modesto and
Stockton, but I didn’t know where he was at–if he was still alive. John Halcomb said he knew right where
Kenny Hall was. He was up in Napa. I knew Kenny, but had never played with him. I knew he was good. I used
to listen to The Happy Hayseeds on the radio. John Halcomb went up to get him and brought him back. So he
joined us then. We played the Ash Grove and the San Diego Folk Festival and other clubs.
Early Times in the Fresno Folk Scene (continued)
Ron got me going to the Weiser Idaho fiddle Convention, and then we went
to a Bakersfield convention and we won third place and a bunch of money.
Later on, we went to the Oregon State contest. I met fiddler Virge Evans up
there. He was a smooth fiddler. I asked if I could play with him. He liked my
playing and, later on, he asked me to make a record with him. Kenny was
on it too. Virge was a perfect swing player, great on waltzes and
schottisches too–not a hoedown player.
The Sweet's Mill Mountain Boys were supposed to go back to the Newport
Folk Festival in Rhode Island, but Pete was tied up teaching (CSUF) and
Ronny got sick with cancer, which is how he died. We were supposed to make a record with Ronny while he
was dying, but I was making a record with Virge Evans and couldn’t do it, so they *Newport FF+ got a band out
of Bakersfield, from Buck Owen’s outfit.
l-r Paul Anastasio, Frank Hicks, Barry
Shultz, Rip Van Winkle, Joe Holley
The Legends Of Folk Music
May 12-17, 2015
In May, the hills around St. Nicholas Ranch in Dunlap will be ringing with the glorious sounds of voices,
autoharps, fiddles, guitars, banjos, mandolins, ukuleles, etc. The 17th Annual California Autoharp Gathering
kicks off on Tues, May 12, with the Early Bird Academy (for those who want to get a head start). The
regularly scheduled CAG starts on Thursday, May 14 with four days of classes, individual instruction,
performances, general jamming in various places around the grounds, hiking, eating good food and making
new friendships as well as renewing old ones. The theme this year is “Legends of Folk Music” featuring
Ronny Cox, Carolyn Hester, Jim Page, and Eric and Suzy Thompson. Lots of returning artists will be there to
teach classes, jam, and perform with the participants (Bryan Bowers, Evo Bluestein, the Canote Brothers,
John Massey, Dave Rainwater, Ray Frank, Tina Louise Barr, and Karen Mueller, just to name a few). Check
out the website for a complete list. Beginners are very welcome; the event is geared toward all levels with
a goal of learning to play and sing together. We will be joined by 50 children from San Joaquin Valley
schools who will have their own classes as well as some with adult attendees. Once you go, you will want
to return every year. Come. Make a joyful noise with us. There is no more room in the dorms, but the
campground and some local motels still have space. You can also arrange to come for a day. Check on line
at calautoharp.com for information and registration. See you there. (Sue Wirt)
BLUEGRASS IN THE PARK IS BACK
For all of you who love the venue and the music that is played there or those of you who have not been and
should go, Bluegrass In The Park is back again, starting Friday, May 22, 2015, with Grasskickers as the
featured band. Bluegrass In The Park is a free event sponsored by The California Bluegrass Association and is
held this year on most Fridays from May 22 through mid September. It takes place in the wonderfully
shaded grass area (Clovis Veterans' Memorial Park) at 901 Fifth Street, across the street from Clark
Intermediate School in Clovis. Even on hot days, there is almost always a cooling breeze. Starting at 6:30 pm
and ending at 8:30 pm, it is the perfect way to spend a Friday night out with your family and friends. Bring a
chair or a blanket, maybe some dinner from Clovis Farmers' Market or your favorite sandwich place, sit
yourself down and listen to some great music. Not all of the bands play strictly Bluegrass (in fact, one of
them plays some good Parrot Head songs as part of their repertoire), but they are all guaranteed to keep you
singing and clapping along, and dancing if you choose, as there is space for that, too. You can go to the
Bluegrass in the Park, Clovis, website, and check out some of the bands that will be playing, They are also on
Facebook. We hope to be able to include a schedule as part of the June FFS newsletter. (Sue Wirt)
Hi, I’m Lynn Ross, of “Lynn’s Jam”, where I make and sell jam to help musicians in many
ways.
If you read the “Jam” column in the April Flyer. You’ll k now that Jim and I gladly host
musicians who play concerts in Fresno.
We hosted the “Haunted Windchimes” who played April 16th to a packed audience at the
Voice Shop. After the concert they came home with us to their “ home in Fresno”, and along
Our Founder
with Steve Ono, John Alden and Debby Rudd, enjoyed a late evening roast beef supper and
lots
of talk.
This month we will host Bryan Bowers, who came to us in particular because we don’t house cats. Bryan is
extremely allergic to felines. One evening, a long time ago, Nancy Waidtlow was hosting a potluck music
gathering. As Bryan was sitting at the table with us, enjoying Nancy’s Posole, he began to have respiratory
problems. He asked if anyone at the table had been around cats. Terry Barrett, who had joined us not five
minutes before said he had cats. Bryan asked Terry if he would remove his shirt. He did, with Nancy
providing a replacement, and returned to the table. Bryan thanked him profusely and in a short time his
breathing returned to normal. Whew! That was a close call.
Bryan won’t shake hands or hug you if you’ve been near a cat because he has had trips to the emergency
room because of the exposure, and sometimes it takes three days for him to recover. About twelve years
ago we were asked to host Bryan. We’ve enjoyed his “salty” stories, his risqué jokes, his zany sense of
humor, his warm heart, and songs he plays for us that he’s working on to perform.
May 10th he is performing in the Wolk Garden with a couple of Fresno’s “musical greats” Terry Barrett and
Barry Schultz. This is a performance not to be missed.
Speaking of “not to be missed, save the date June 27 for a special music potluck. Jim and I are celebrating
our 80th year and our 60th wedding anniversary, and it’s a Folklore Society event. You are invited! Details
will follow in the June Flyer.
May’s jams: Cherry and Apricot yum!
Jam Camp a success!
Hats off to Ron Bohigian who organized the 1st Annual Jam Camp for people “who like jamming and
camping”. Kirch Flat group camp on the King’s River above Pine Flat Lake heard a lot of familiar old time
tunes echoing among the trees April 16-19 as people jammed the oldies. Some camped outside overnight
while others came up just for the day
to play, and still others “camped” just
up the road a piece in the old Forest
Service ranger cabin. Potluck food
was in abundance as was fine wine
judging by the box of “dead soldier”
wine bottles at the end of the food
table. Rumor had it the fish limit was
two per day and some campers
planned on maximizing it for dinner!
Say thanks to Ron next time you see
him at the Basque. He’s the one with
the fiddle and sunglasses in the
picture. (Bill Johnson)
FINEGOLD TRUST WINS LAWSUIT TO REPOSSESS ITS PROPERTY….after 3 years
Yay….after 3 years of Superior Court hearings, postponements and a 4 day trial the Finegold
Trust, a 501 (c) (3) non profit Trust, won their lawsuit to repossess the
120 acre “Finegold Ranch” from The San Joaquin River Inter-Tribal
Heritage Educational Corporation (SJRIHEC.) After the waiting period ends
on Monday, April 20th final court documents will be recorded: a) the
Statement of Decision; b) Notice of Entry of Judgment and c) the new
Deed. All this should be completed by the end of May. After all that, the
Finegold Trust will be the owner again and will be able to continue to
The “Gate Haus”
fulfill the “educational, scientific and charitable purposes” specified in its founding document.
The “Barn”
“Notch Haus”
Finegold Community’s Annual Easter Gathering occurred again for
the 50th year on April 3rd through 6th,as a
“Deeded Easement,” even though the
property and structures remain in shameful,
vandalized condition. The Finegold Trust
extends many thanks to the Fresno Folklore
Society for its steadfast encouragement and
assistance with event insurance. The Trust
looks forward to coordinating future events
again. (Bill Lehr, Finegold Trustee)
Creek Crossing - after the rain
Emily Johnsen
on Footbridge
Bryan Bowers with Barry Shultz and Terry Barrett
Sunday, May 10, 2015 — 6:00 PM 5:00 Potluck
Wolk Garden 6661 N Forkner Fresno CA 93711
Tickets: $10 ADV/FFS $15 Gate
Purchasing Tickets: National Hardware and Patrick's Music
For information call: (559) 307-3610
Bryan Bower's creativity and talent have won him induction into Frets
Magazine's First Gallery of the Greats after five years of winning the
stringed instrument, open category of the magazine’s readers' poll.
This distinction put Bowers along side other luminaries, such as Chet
Atkins, David Grisman, Stephan Grappelli, Itzhak Perlman, Tony Rice,
Rob Wasserman and Mark O'Connor, recognized for their personal
accomplishments. In 1993, Bryan was inducted into the Autoharp Hall
of Fame to stand only with Maybelle Carter, Kilby Snow, and Sara
Carter. From his rather unglamorous beginning as a street singer,
Bryan Bowers has become a major artist on the traditional music
circuit. He has redefined the autoharp and is also well known as a
singer-songwriter. Bryan has a dynamic outgoing personality and an uncanny ability to enchant a crowd
in practically any situation. His towering six foot four inch frame can be wild and zany on stage while
playing a song like `Dixie' and five minutes later he can have the same audience singing `Will The Circle
Be Unbroken' in quiet reverence and delight. For nearly three decades, Bryan Bowers has been to the
autoharp what Earl Scruggs was to the five-string banjo. He presents instrumental virtuosity combined
with warmth, eloquence, expression and professionalism.
Evie Ladin / Evil Diane
Sunday, May 31, 2015 — 6:30 PM
Mia Cuppa Caffe' 620 E Olive Ave Fresno CA 93728
Tickets: $10 ADV/FFS $15 Door
Purchasing Tickets: National Hardware and Patrick's Music
For information call: (559) 307-3610
EVIE LADIN lead vocals, banjo, guitar, body music, feet • KEITH TERRY bass,
cajón, pizza pan, metal toys, bells, body music, vocals • often seen with ERIK
PEARSON guitar, banjo, vocals
A deeply evocative banjo player, clever songwriter and rhythmic dancer,
with a powerful voice that draws you in – EVIE LADIN is “a natural
entertainer with a gift for infusing folk practices with contemporary verve,”
San Francisco Chronicle.
Longtime Stairwell Sister – San Francisco’s all-gal old-time teardown - Evie
has appeared on A Prairie Home Companion, and stages from Celtic
Connections to Lincoln Center, Hardly Strictly Bluegrass and many more. Her
solo debut Float Downstream (2010) produced by Mike Marshall and Keith
Terry is "Solid song craft performed wonderfully end to end." Sing Out!
Barreling full-steam out of trad Old-Time into the urban environs of Oakland, CA, with side trips into a global
percussive dance scene, Evie brings deep roots to collaboration with the BAND. Tenacious, innovative string
musicians/dancers with a quirky neo-trad soul, the ELB throws down a new folk music with an unusually
creative and surprising live show.
F u t u r e
E v e n t s
Sue Beevers Memorial Fiddle Scholarship Concert
Scats on the Sly and more
Sunday, June 21, 2015 — 6:00 PM 5:00 Potluck
Wolk Garden 6661 N Forkner Fresno CA 93711
Suggested Donation Tickets: $15 @ gate
Contact Sherron Brown or Steve Ono to volunteer
For information call: (559) 307-3610
Jim and Lynn Ross 80th Birthday
and 60th Wedding Anniversary
Party
Saturday June 27 at their daughters'
place in Clovis.
5PM Potluck with details to follow.
Steve Ono will be organizing the stage
and doing sound.
To get a slot contact him at 559-3073610 or [email protected]
Laurie Lewis, Tom Rozum and special guests
Sunday, August 30, 2015 — 6:00 PM, 5:00 Potluck
Wolk Garden, 6661 N Forkner Fresno CA 93711
Tickets: $15 ADV/FFS $20 Gate
Purchasing Tickets: National Hardware and Patrick's Music
For information call: (559) 307-3610
May FFS EVENTS 2015
Every Wednesday : Kenny Hall’s Friends Old Time Music Jam @ Santa Fe Basque Restaurant, 5:30 to 7:30
pm – Free
Every Thursday : Honky Tonk Jam hosted by EZ Mark Poschman @ Full Circle Brewery, 5-7 pm. 620 F St.,
Fresno, CA, (559) 264-6323. - FREE
Monthly Events:
1st Sunday:
Kelley’s Corner Jam @ Pizza Factory in Madera Ranchos, 2-5 pm.
1st Saturday:
**NOT THIS MONTH: Chris & Tina Galfo’s English Country Dance @ Auberry Library, 7 to 9
pm. Live music with Sherron Brown and Jean Kilpatrick. Donation.
1st Saturday:
Sacred Harp Singing is scheduled twice a month, with some variability in dates and times.
Call Linda Booth for details at 292-6469.
2nd Sunday:
Irish Jam @ La Boulangerie, Fig Garden Village at 2:30 to 4:30 pm.
2nd Monday:
**NOT THIS MONTH: FFS Board Meeting @ Sante Fe Basque Restaurant, 7:30 pm.
2nd Saturday:
Contra Dance @ Cal Arts Academy, caller Evo Bluestein, live music by Barry Shultz and
Karana Hattersley-Drayton, 6:30-9:00 pm, $6 donation. 4750 N Blackstone Ave, Fresno, CA,
Studio E.
3rd Saturday:
**NOT THIS MONTH: English Country Dance @ California Arts Academy, caller Evo
Bluestein, no partner required in advance, live music by Sherron Brown and Sam
Cunningham, 6:30 to 9 pm, $6 donation.
FFS and related Events (FFS in Bold)
May 10, Sun.,
Bryan Bowers with Barry Schultz and Terry Barrett @ Wolk Garden, 6 pm, 5 pm Swimming
and Potluck; $10 Adv/FFS, $15 at door. See Concert Page.
May 12-13.,
Tue. & Wed., CAG Early Bird Academy. See article.
May 14-,17.,
Thur. - Sun., California Autoharp Gathering (CAG) @ St. Nicholas Ranch, Dunlap. See
article.
May 23, Sat.,
Evo Bluestein’s String Band Class @ California Arts Academy, 4750 N.
Blackstone. 9 am to 3 pm. Info [email protected] 559-297-8966
May 31, Sun.,
Evie Ladin & Keith Terry @ Mia Cuppa, 6:30 pm, $10 Adv/FFS, $15 at door. See Concert
Poster.
UPCOMING EVENTS
June 21, Sun., Sue Beevers Memorial Fiddle Scholarship Concert @ Wolk Garden 6 pm, 5 pm
Potluck; Suggested Donation $ 15 at Gate. Scats on the Sly and more . . .
June 27, Sat., Jim and Lynn Ross' 80th Birthday and 60th Anniversary Party, location TBA,
potluck at 5 pm. Details to follow. Contact Steve Ono, phone 559-307-3610 to sign up
to perform.
Aug. 30, Sun., Laurie Lewis, Tom Rozum and special guests @ Wolk Garden. Potluck. Details to
follow.
FRESNO FOLKLORE SOCIETY
Sun
Mon
Tue
May 2015
Wed
FRESNO FOLKLORE SOCIETY
Thu
Fri
1
3
4
5
6 Kenny Hall’s
Friends @ Santa
Fe Basque, 5:30
to 7:30 pm
FREE
10 Irish Jam @ La
11 FFS
12
Boulangerie, 2:30-4:30 Board
pm
FREE
Meeting,
VE DAY
1945
13 Kenny Hall’s
Friends @ Santa
Fe Basque, 5:30
to 7:30 pm
FREE
@ Santa
Bryan Bowers @ Wolk
Fe Basque
Garden, potluck &
@ 7:30
swimming 5 pm,
concert 6 pm, $10
pm
adv/FFS, $15 door.
CAG Early Bird CAG Early Bird
Academy- See Academy- See
Article
Article
14 Honky Tonk w/ 15
EZ Mark @ Full
Circle Brewery, 5-7
pm.
FREE
16 English Country Dance
@ Cal Arts 6:30 pm $6
donation
ARMED FORCES
DAY
CAG - See Article
17
2 English Country Dance
@ Auberry Lib. 7-9 pm,
FREE
Sacred Harp Singing 3-5
pm, call to confirm 2926469
9 Contra Dance @ Cal
Arts, 6:30-9:30 pm, $6 donation
7 Honky Tonk w/ 8
EZ Mark @ Full
Circle Brewery, 5-7
pm.
FREE
CINCO
DE
MAYO
Sat
CAG - See Article
18
19
20 Kenny Hall’s
Friends @ Santa
Fe Basque, 5:30
to 7:30 pm
FREE
21 Honky Tonk w/ 22
EZ Mark @ Full
Circle Brewery, 5-7
pm.
FREE
25
26
27Kenny Hall’s 28
Friends @ Santa
Fe Basque, 5:30
to 7:30 pm
FREE
CAG - See Article
23 Evo Bluestein Old Time
String Band Class @ Cal
Arts Academy, 9-3 pm
[email protected]
CAG - See Article
24
Memorial
Day
__________________ Observed
31 Evie Ladin & Keith
Terry @ Mia Cuppa
Cafe, $10 adv/FFS, $15
door.
See Concert Page
29
30
Non-profit org
U.S. POSTAGE PAID
PERMIT #1033
FRESNO, CA 93706
P.O. Box 4617
Fresno, CA 93744
Return Service Requested
Wo u l d y o u l i k e t o b e c o m e a m e m b e r o f t h e F r e s n o F o l k l o r e S o c i e t y ?
The Fresno Folklore Society (FFS) is a non-profit community-based organization. It sponsors traditional music, dancing, and
other traditional art forms. FFS hosts potlucks and jam sessions; it encourages and promotes new musicians through classes,
recording opportunities and other support. FFS members share visions and concerns for a peaceful and just world and
actively support efforts to create an eco-friendly environment.
Membership Levels: $20.00 individual; $30.00 family; $50.00 corporate sponsor
Membership information:
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Number of family Members: ________
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For more information visit our website at www.fresnofolklore.org
Membership payments and donations can be mailed to: FFS
P.O. Box 4617 Fresno, CA 93744