Looking Back, Looking Forward

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Posted by Joe Shannon
January 4, 2012

Mountain Home Music had a good 2011! Like we've done for 18 years, we've presented mostly local folks who play local music. To mention a few: David Johnson and The Studio Band helped to get the season started with some Country Music Classics. Dale Jett, grandson of A.P and Sarah Carter, shared "Will the Circle Be Unbroken." The Whitetop Mountain Band dazzled us with their old-time fiddle tunes, dancing, and ballads. We celebrated the 4th of July with Bluegrass & Brass, and later in the summer Dave Haney and Company gave us Part I of A History of Bluegrass. On Labor Day, through story and song, we honored railroaders, coal miners, mill workers, and many others. In the fall, piano man Jeff Little had the audience rocking to some rock-a-billy classics. Steve Lewis, Butch Robbins, and Edwin Lacy gave us a Banjo Jubilee, and The Forget-Me-Nots reminded us of the link between Celtic and Classical Music. For the Christmas season, Mark and Julee Weems and Scott and Dori Freeman shared A Celtic Christmas, and many of our MHM musical friends helped to celebrate An Appalachian Christmas.

Mountain Home Music mainstays helped to hold us together: David Johnson, Steve Lewis, Scott Freeman, Strictly Clean & Decent, The Sheets Family, Nancy Schneeloch-Bingham, Marion Edwards, and Mary Greene. These folks have been a part of MHM since it started back in 1994. We made some new friends, too: The Red June Band, from Asheville; Canadian and Celtic fiddler April Verch; dulcimer players Bob and Melody Thomason and Jim Miller, and quilters Reva Roark Stewart and Noelle Rosenfeld.

Most of our concerts were full.and some were overflowing. Mountain Home Music is grateful for the support we've received. Mostly we're grateful for the opportunities to share the music of these ancient and beautiful mountains and to meet and make new friends.

The 2012 schedule will be assembled this winter and posted on this website in early spring.

I look forward to seeing you in 2012.

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Joe's Stories

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Posted by Joe Shannon
January 4, 2012

At most concerts I read a brief story or poem that I've written. Until our 2012 concert season begins, I'll post one of these stories/poems each month on this website. I've chosen "My Old Gray Coat" for the first posting. It's from my play Blue Ridge Blue & Gray, and was first read on MHM in 1995.

My Old Gray Coat

December 8, 1864
Webster County, Virginia

Dear Lorena,

The Shenandoah Valley is covered with snow,
covered with campfires,
and covered with soldiers longing for home.

Tomorrow the battle will be engaged,
but tonight I hold malice for none.

Tonight .tis you I long to hold;
tomorrow I hold my gun.

Lorena, a full moon shines tonight,
and shadows dance across the snow.

Willow trees weep while soldiers sleep;
winds of fear and loneliness blow.

Perhaps next spring.well,
I pray this war will soon be over.

Do you still wear my old gray coat?
I can see it wrapped around your shoulders.

If you do, please take it
and wrap the arms around you tight
and know that if I could, I.d be with you
in your arms tonight.

When morning comes and I must go;
when soldiers scream and.

Well, if perchance we miss next spring,
just hang my coat gently on a nail.

Hang it by the door
where you will pass to ages old,
and Lorena, please remember,
that old coat that hangs there,
it will keep you from the cold.

Jacob

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Steve Lewis April Verch Band David Johnson

Our 2011 Concert Season Has Finished

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Check back for updates for 2012 season

Posted by Webmaster
December 12, 2011

Mountain Home Music's 2011 concert season has finished, but Executive Director Joe Shannon is already making plans for our next season, so be sure to check back often for updates on the upcoming 2012 season. Additionally, over the winter break we will be posting some news items about Mountain Home Music, and the state of our mission.

Mountain Home Music is grateful for all of the musicians who have shared their wonderful talents and skills with our audiences. You can review the list of concerts for this past season on our Tickets page, as well as the photos we have posted on our Facebook page.

As always, you can help support our mission to preserve and honor the music of the Appalachian region by becoming a member-donor.

Thank you to all of our supporters.

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