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"
He can also be heard
on WXLV 90.3 FM
every Thursday
from noon to 4 pm
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Upcoming Events
- August 8-15, 2010
Old-Time Week at the Augusta Heritage Center, Elkins, WV
Tom will be teaching guitar at the Augusta Heritage Center's Old Time Week. Others on staff include coordinator Joe Newberry,
Charlie Walden, Ken Jackson, Dave Bing, and Andy Fitzgibbon will teach fiddle. Banjo will be taught this year by Riley Baugus,
Cathy Barton, and Rebekah Weiler. Bass will be taught by Joe DeJarnette; and mountain dulcimer will be taught by Karen Mueller.
Stringband for Kids will be taught by Anna Roberts Gevalt; and Stringband for Adults will be taught by Dave Para. During the
week there will be regular evening jam sessions, slow jam sessions, song swaps, dances every night, concerts Tuesday and
Thursday evenings, and performances by classes at the end of the week. Old-Time Week runs concurrently with Vocal Week and
Dance Week.
www.augustaheritage.com
- August 29, 2010
Second Annual Maidencreek Old-Time Music Festival, Blandon, PA
More details to follow ...
We also host two old-time jams each month:
- First Tuesday of each month at
Godfrey Daniels
in Bethlehem, an open old-time jam from 7-9:00 p.m. Admission ($2.50 to play or listen)
helps to cover the electric bill!
- Fourth Friday of each month at
Meadowood Music
in Blandon, PA, along Route 222. 7-9:00 p.m. Free.
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