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Turning twang into gold

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aristotle

Veteran Expediter
Appalachians live with ridicule. We talk funny. Sound funny. A peculiar people, geographically isolated by mountains and imbued with a leeriness of outsiders. This isolation has preserved a distinctive dialect often heard in song. Particularly, mountain music as heard in Bluegrass venues and traditional country music. Many of our nation's most prolific singers and songwriters sprang from the Appalachian traditions. First among equals would be Dolly Pardon.

Born dirt-poor as one of twelve children, Dolly Pardon took her natural singing and songwriting abilities to Nashville, Tennessee days after graduating high school. Music was kind to Dolly. Initially, she was derisively referred to as just a "girl singer" brought along as eye candy. Dolly had a knack for exceeding expectations. From a penniless child, Dolly's career in music has amassed a fortune measured in hundreds of millions of dollars.

Dolly has a self-effacing charm. Quick to make jokes about herself while showering praise on others. Following Dolly's career over several decades, one notices a life free of scandal and rich with gratitude. This is an incredibly smart woman. She spends much of her time these days involved with charitable events and mentoring young, aspiring talent.

Dolly is credited with writing hundreds of songs. Here are two favorites:

"I Will Always Love You" Dolly Parton - I Will Always Love You - YouTube

"Jolene" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pa10TC7MrdI&feature=related
 
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aristotle

Veteran Expediter
Notanewbie said:
But Dolly was from Tenn .... try this link for a BUNCH of stars! ;)

Map
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I was speaking generally of Central Appalachia to include not only Eastern Kentucky, but also, East Tennessee, West Virginia, western parts of North Carolina and Virginia. And certain sections of North Georgia. The rugged mountain terrain in these areas lent itself to isolation and preservation of the dialect at the core of Appalachian song.

I share my birthplace (Pikeville,KY) with Patty Loveless and Dwight Yoakam. Dwight has a popular song about US Route 23. "Readin',Writin' Route 23"...



Http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GfwbUXgNWzQ
 
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Monty

Monty

Expert Expediter
And my birth place was Paintsville .... and my Mother's maiden name was Skaggs ... guess who I am SURE I'm related to in some distant place! ;)
 
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aristotle

Veteran Expediter
Notanewbie said:
And my birth place was Paintsville .... and my Mother's maiden name was Skaggs ... guess who I am SURE I'm related to in some distant place! ;)
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Since the passing of Bill Monroe, Ricky Skaggs is the reigning king of Bluegrass music. Chronicling Ricky Skaggs' career would take weeks and weeks... and be worth every minute!
 
Doggie Daddy

Doggie Daddy

Veteran Expediter
aristotle said:
Since the passing of Bill Monroe, Ricky Skaggs is the reigning king of Bluegrass music.
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While Ricky Scaggs does own Bill Monroe's mandolin, calling him the reining king of bluegrass music might be pushing it.

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aristotle

Veteran Expediter
Doggie Daddy said:
While Ricky Scaggs does own Bill Monroe's mandolin, calling him the reining king of bluegrass music might be pushing it.

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You're right. Favorites are subjective. Alison Krauss is pretty much unrivaled; having accumulated almost as many Grammy awards as birthdays. Sam Bush, Del McCoury, Claire Lynch, etc... there is a long list of outstanding Bluegrass performers. Have you listened to Steve Martin on banjo?
 
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