Old-Time Music
is the name used as long ago as the 1920's for the dance tunes, songs and solo
pieces people played for entertainment before radio and recordings caused most
people to put their instruments away.
With roots in Ireland and northern Europe, and African influences, the music
adatpted to many American environments as it was played and passed from person
to person. New tunes were "made" and became part of the tradition.
Banjos joined fiddles, and when the era of the mail-order catalog came, guitars
were added, too.
By the mid-1920's, the new recording industry in the United States became interested
in recording the traditional dance tunes. Sentimental and religious songs also
became part of the old-time music captured on heavy 78 RPM discs.
Old-time music at its best is tunes and songs and the stories that give them life.
Played from the heart, the music conveys the feelings and stories of those who
played it first.
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Tom's radio program
In The Tradition
airs on WDIY 88.1 FM
every Wednesday
from 7 to 9 pm
"American music from the
roots to the branches"
Tom is also the host of the nationally-syndicated
Sing Out! Radio Magazine
broadcast locally
on WDIY 88.1 FM
every Sunday at 10 am
also heard on Sirius/XM
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Bound to Change
Our new CD, Bound to Change, features Tom, Betty, Nate, and Norm Williams. Stacy Bechtel and Brittany Hicks
also joined us for the recording sessions, and the CD includes tunes like "Weeping Pilgrim," "The
Maidencreek Waltz," and "Shove the Pig's Foot a Little Further into the Fire" (complete song notes are
available here).
For online ordering information, please visit our merchandise page.
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Upcoming Events
- June 9, 2012 - 5:00 pm
Old Tyme Heritage Daz, Bowers, PA
With Stacy Bechtel on bass. When we asked her, she pointed out that as a Bowers native, she could walk to the park. We'll rock
(or old-time?) the park amid a selection of antique tractors and restored cars. No website; the event takes place in the
William Delong Memorial Park, 233 Bowers Road, Bowers, PA
on June 9 (9:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.) and June 10 (9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.). Tractors, steam engines, a cruise and street rod
showing, and we'd bet on a pig roast or at least sausage sandwiches and funnel cake.
Google Map
- June 17, 2012 - 10:00 am - 2:00 pm
Emmaus Farmers Market, Emmaus, PA
Celebrating Fathers Day surrounded by plants, honey, goat cheese, fine bread and who
knows what else! We'll be sitting under the white popup tent, with lots of information
to give out for upcoming gigs. Bring your father or son and enjoy some good food, good
neighbors and old-time tunes.
www.emmausmarket.com
- June 22, 2012 - 6:00 pm
Sculpture Garden Concert, Bethlehem, PA
With contra dance demonstration provided by members of the Valley Contra Dance. Concerts are held in the beautiful, shady
ampitheatre-style Sculpture Garden just east of City Hall. Free to the public. Nate should be with us, and we'll just kick back
and play some dance music, sing some songs (probably sad ones) and have a good time. Rain location is in the Rotunda next door.
Google Map
- June 23, 2012 - 7:30 pm
Portable Maidencreek Old-time Music Festival, Bethlehem, PA
At Godfrey Daniels, 7 East 4th Street, the Portable Maidencreek provides a glimpse of the Maidencreek Old-time Music Festival to
come in July. The cast of characters will include Tom, Betty, Nate, Brittany Hicks, Norm Williams, Mike Andrews, Paula Taylor,
and more. The event is a benefit for the Maidencreek Festival on July 29; see notes below.
- June 25-29, 2012 - M-F, 12:30-3:30 pm
Madcap Mountain Music Camp, Allentown, PA
We're planning the second Madcap Mountain Music Camp, which is associated with the music camps run by dedicated strings teacher and cellist
Debbie Davies. Each afternoon will provide a mix of hands-on instruction on fiddle, guitar, banjo and dulcimer, visits from musicians
and traditional dancers, and learning about mountain music and musicians. We'll welcome players from about ten years of age on up
through adults; please ask if you're not sure about children a little younger. With Norm Williams, and special guests to be named later.
www.madcapmusiccamps.org
- July 13, 2012 - 7:00 pm
Catasauqua Park Concert Series, Catasauqua, PA
A first time for us at the Friday night Concert Series in Catasauqua. Old-time music under the stars — we hope, anyway,
since there won't be a rain date. Norm Williams will join Tom and Betty as we travel not too far from home. But check the Catasauqua
page on Facebook for updates — the Pine Street Bridge figures prominently in the directions we have and it's supposed to
be closed for repairs soon and re-open on July 9th. Knowing our state's reputation for timely road and bridge repairs ...
well, check for information and travel updates. Free to the public.
Catasauqua Facebook Page
- July 19, 2012 - 7:00 pm
Upper Saucon Township Music in the Park, Center Valley, PA
The trio of Tom, Betty, and Norm head south for a performance at the Upper Saucon Township Community Park at 3231 Preston Lane in
Center Valley. Bring a lawn chair and look for the pavilion. For more info call 610-282-1171 or check the website. The concert
series is managed by Listen Live Music, presenters of fine open stage
evenings and concerts, now located at the Macungie Institute.
- July 29, 2012 - 10:00 am - 8:00 pm
Fourth Annual Maidencreek Old-Time Music Festival, Blandon, PA
Opening an hour earlier this year in response to requests and scheduling needs! Some workshops will begin at 10:00 am, so visit
the concession stand for a hearty breakfast. Confirmed already for this year: Ken Kolodner and his son Brad, West Virginian Bob Heyer,
at least two Druckenmillers, Norm Williams, Mike Andrews, Paula Taylor, and Stacy Bechtel. More to come, of course. The "usual
suspects" are planning new offerings, and Ken will offer a master class in hammered dulcimer (with admission, and an additional
fee).
Yes, there already is a t-shirt design, and we've only just started the planning meetings.
Check Facebook and YouTube for videos and photos from past festivals.
The "Portable Maidencreek Festival" at Godfrey Daniels on June 23rd benefits the festival fund.
- August 5-12, 2012
Old-time & Vocal Weeks, Augusta Heritage Arts Program, Elkins, WV
How we've spent our summer vacations since around 1986 or 1987. First as students, once in a while as teachers, coordinators of
various family weeks, and currently as support staff for Vocal Week (Tom) and Old-time Week (Betty). The Augusta program has been
a leading traditional arts program for many years. Dance Week also takes place during this week, and many other offerings happen
earlier in the summer. Visit their website and make plans now! Week 5 names you should know include: Joe Newberry, Rafe Stefanini,
James Bryan, Dave Bing, Joebass DeJarnette, Charles Williams, Laurelyn Dossett, Bobby McMillon, Rhiannon Giddons, and many more.
www.augustaheritagecenter.org
- August 24, 2012 - 2:00 pm
Kirkland Village, Bethlehem, PA
With our life-long friend, storyteller Charlie Kiernan, we'll swap stories
about the town of Lost Dollar and its colorful inhabitants and tunes they might have played, if they had time for music. We've been
doing a variation of this performance for more than fifteen years, we keep changing the tunes, and laugh at whichever stories Chaz
chooses to include.
www.lostdollar.net
- September 14, 2012 - 7:30 pm
Second Fridays at Indian Valley Public Library, Telford, PA
We're invited again to this fine series, a visit that has turned out to be an annual one. We're deciding who might help out this
time, and we'll let you know. It's about 45 minutes south of Allentown, south on 309 and then easy to find.
www.ivpl.org
- September 30, 2012 - 10:00 am - 2:00 pm
Emmaus Farmers Market, Emmaus, PA
Pumpkins, cabbage, more honey (stock up for winter) and many kinds of apples. Pies????
Come out again and see what there is now. As usual, friends and family may join us, but
Tom and Betty will offer a harvest of tempting tunes.
www.emmausmarket.com
- March 2, 2013 - 11:00 am - 3:00 pm
Artisan and Heritage Fair, Hatfield Township, PA
We'll return next year — it's always gratifying to be asked for the next one when we're finished playing an event, or
even in progress! Many crafts demos, hands on activities for children, Civil War re-enactors, and more. Check the Hatfield Township
website for pictures
from the 2012 fair.
www.hatfieldtownship.org
We also host these old-time jams each month:
- First Tuesday of each month at
Godfrey Daniels
in Bethlehem, an open old-time jam from 7:00 pm -9:00 pm. Admission is now FREE to all who wish to play or listen.
Fourth Friday of each month at Meadowood Music in Blandon, PA, along Route 222. 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm. Free.
UPDATE (March 2012):
The monthly old-time jam at Meadowood Music is going on a
vacation of sorts. We hate to say it's over, but it seems like a good time to give it a little rest. We'll let everyone
know here and on the Meadowood website if and when it will
return. Thanks to Karl, Debbie, Joe, Bill, Ed, Jim, Kay and the others who've made it fun over the years. And many thanks
to Paula and Mike for giving us their space and valuable time for so many Friday nights.
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