Participation Type
Panel
Session Title
Session 7.10 Folklore and Folkways
Presentation #1 Title
Blue Ridge Cultural Sustainability in Old Time Music, Ethnoveterinary Reflections, And African Roots and Influences
Presentation #1 Abstract or Summary
The Musicians of Watauga County, NC documentary video focuses on the music of Beech Mountain (skilled luthier Charlie Glenn), traditional dance (award winning Robert Dotson), religious traditions, bluegrass, and includes Doc and Merle Watson, regional experts Cecil Gurganus & Mary Greene. Developed for Junior Appalachian Musicians, Inc (JAM), teachers will use the video as an educational tool in Appalachian Music Modules The Doctoring Around the Farm video documents ethnoveterinary medicine in the folk knowledge of William Cable, an 82 year old farmer in Elk Park, NC, who has spent all of his life taking care of animals and one half million trout. In a region where farm animal veterinarians have remained inaccessible, many small livestock producers rely on local knowledge and skill to meet animal healthcare needs through reciprocal agreements, utilizing local social capital and readily available materia medica. Such practitioners have a complex knowledge of place, environment, and the ecology of disease that is disappearing as small scale livestock farms are replaced by industrialized animal production. In the late 19th century, the African roots of the banjo were obscured by instrument makers’ hoping to sell banjoa to women and college orchestras, but black influences are slowly regaining recognition. At the 2005 ASU Black Banjo Gathering, a group of young musicians met NEA Fellow and African American fiddler Joe Thompson. Video clips show their success as the Carolina Chocolate Drops, and on-going black banjo concerts in the region, have invigorated the African roots of the banjo and influenced musicians internationally.
At-A-Glance Bio- Presenter #1
A native of Cincinnati, Ohio, Timothy McWilliams completed his B.A. in History at Ohio University, and is currently pursuing the Appalachian Music Roots & Influences track of the M.A. in the Appalachian Studies program at ASU. Interested in how traditional music may implement community building projects, Tim has worked with the Junior Appalachian Musicians, Inc, and has also completed a fine video on NEA Heritage Fellow instrument maker and guitar player Wayne Henderson of VA.
Presentation #2 Title
“The Music and Musicians of Watauga County, NC”--
At-A-Glance Bio- Presenter #2
Graduated with a DVM from the Auburn University College of Veterinary medicine in 2009, Shawn Terrell is currently pursuing an MA in Appalachian Studies from Appalachian State University. Research interests include ethnoveterinary medicine, folklife, animal studies, and sustainable agriculture.
Presentation #3 Title
Doctoring Around the Farm: A look at Ethnoveterinary Medicine in the Blue Ridge
At-A-Glance Bio- Presenter #3
Cece Conway is Professor os English at Appalachian State U in Boone, NC, where she teaches 20th C Am (and Appalachian) Literature, we well as Appalachian Studies & Folklore. She is co-maker of the film Sprout Wings & Fly: A Portrait of Fiddler Tommy Jarrell (with Les Blank & Alice Gerrard) and author of African Banjo Echoes in Appalachia.
Presentation #4 Title
Carolina Chocolate Drops and Regional Concerts Invigorate Cultural Sustainability
Blue Ridge Cultural Sustainability in Old Time Music, Ethnoveterinary Reflections, And African Roots and Influences
Harris Hall 446
The Musicians of Watauga County, NC documentary video focuses on the music of Beech Mountain (skilled luthier Charlie Glenn), traditional dance (award winning Robert Dotson), religious traditions, bluegrass, and includes Doc and Merle Watson, regional experts Cecil Gurganus & Mary Greene. Developed for Junior Appalachian Musicians, Inc (JAM), teachers will use the video as an educational tool in Appalachian Music Modules The Doctoring Around the Farm video documents ethnoveterinary medicine in the folk knowledge of William Cable, an 82 year old farmer in Elk Park, NC, who has spent all of his life taking care of animals and one half million trout. In a region where farm animal veterinarians have remained inaccessible, many small livestock producers rely on local knowledge and skill to meet animal healthcare needs through reciprocal agreements, utilizing local social capital and readily available materia medica. Such practitioners have a complex knowledge of place, environment, and the ecology of disease that is disappearing as small scale livestock farms are replaced by industrialized animal production. In the late 19th century, the African roots of the banjo were obscured by instrument makers’ hoping to sell banjoa to women and college orchestras, but black influences are slowly regaining recognition. At the 2005 ASU Black Banjo Gathering, a group of young musicians met NEA Fellow and African American fiddler Joe Thompson. Video clips show their success as the Carolina Chocolate Drops, and on-going black banjo concerts in the region, have invigorated the African roots of the banjo and influenced musicians internationally.
