"Songs of the Carter Family" Workshop
Workshop held May 10
The Songs of the Carter Family Workshop slated for April 12, was rescheduled for May 10, and was enjoyed by those who attended.
The workshop was led by Phil, Annette, and Salem Watts, and was held at Grace United Methodist Church at 927 W. Fair Avenue in Marquette. The interactive workshop presented a history of the original Carter Family and their musical styles and harmony. Participants in the workshop learned and sang several of the original Carter Family songs.
Workshop fees to support scholarship
Workshop fees of $25 ($15 for those under age 18) support an annual Hiawatha scholarship to help enable a Marquette-area young person to attend a one-week traditional-music camp at the Augusta Heritage Center in Elkins, West Virginia. Please click here to learn more about the scholarship and music camp. Sorry, no refunds or exchanges of workshop registration fees.
More about Augusta
The Augusta Heritage Center is known nationally and internationally for activities relating to traditional folk-life and folk arts of the Appalachian region and culture. The week-long camp in August focuses on old-time instrumental and vocal music. Please click here to learn more about Augusta and its programs Augusta Heritage Center.
About the "Songs of the Carter Family" Workshop
In the summer of 1927, the original Carter Family - A.P., Sara, and Maybelle - took all day to travel 28-
odd miles from their home in the shadow of Clinch Mountain, Virginia, to Bristol, Tennessee.
There they recorded a set of songs for Ralph Peer of the Victor Recording Company. Many consider this to be the "Big Bang" of a music style that developed into folk, country, and bluegrass.
Many performers were schooled on Carter Family songs such as "Keep On The Sunny Side," "The Wandering Boy," "Old Gospel Ship," and "Will The Circle Be Unbroken."
The Watts family used slides, historical stories, and close listening to tracks of the original Carter Family recordings, as well as a few more modern interpretations. They also taught a number of Carter Family songs, focusing on the style, two- and three-part harmony, etc.
The Watts Family has modeled the event after Ginny Hawker's workshops, which they have attended.
Phil Watts recommends the following sources of Carter Family music. Most of these can be found on Amazon.com, where you can usually listen to clips from the song tracks.
The Carter Family, JSP Records (Imported). Two boxed sets with five CDs each, 1927-1934 and 1935-1941. These are the mega sets - more than 120 songs each - re-mastered from the originals. Inexpensive but high quality; the best deal for volume.
In The Shadow of Clinch Mountain, Bear Family Records (Imported). This is a 12-CD set of re-mastered originals plus a 220 page book. Rare and difficult to find; can cost between $140-300, depending on used or new condition.
Bristol, by Ginny Hawker and Kay Justice (CD; Copper Creek). All Carter Family songs. The best modern interpretation of the Carter Family. Our top recommendation for great Appalachian harmony singing. You can learn a lot from listening to this one over and over.
Jim and Kim Lansford, two self-published CDs. Their "Out in The Cold World" CD has several Carter Family songs. More great harmony singing from a very under-rated couple; a bit "modern" on the instrumental breaks, but all acoustic and still great pickin'.
"Songs of The Carter Family," Jody Stecher and Kate Breslin (CD; Appleseed Recordings). From a couple who know the history.
Meeting In The Air, Red Clay Ramblers (CD; Barker/Sapsucker). The "Ramblers" were a North Carolina band in the 1970s and 80s. This is a nice collection of all Carter Family songs originally released as an LP in 1980. Great male-voice three- and four-part harmony.
There are many individual CD compilations out there of various quality; some are by modern Country-Western stars and may contain a lot of electrics, drums, etc.
(Left) Participants in last year's workshop listened to Carter Family recordings.
(Right) 2007 workshop attendees practiced Carter Family harmonies in small groups.
The Watts Family
The Watts Family are Marquette performers who specialize in the close harmonies and intricate arrangements of the Carter Family. They perform regularly in the Sunday Morning Gospel workshop of the Hiawatha Festival. They have also attended a number of Augusta workshops, as well as individual learning sessions with noted traditional musicians.
For more information on the workshop, please contact us at 906-226-8575, or info@hiawathamusic.org.
