Participation Type
Workshop
Session Title
Continued Growth: Original Voices Regenerating from the Jean Ritchie Ballad Tradition
Session Abstract or Summary
This interactive musical performance/workshop explores the influence of Ritchie ballads on original ballads written by Appalachian musicians in a 3-generation family band, Tellico. Traditional Appalachian music is often linked with heritage preservation and the idea of transmitting historical values through performance. Within ballad and old time music circles, artists often emphasize particular styles, lyrics and cultural elements held within their songs, crediting the specific individuals who inspired them to carry on the past. Among the names spoken, perhaps none resonates more powerfully than that of Kentucky folk musician Jean Ritchie, whose traditional and original song renditions span the globe. In Singing Family of the Cumberlands, Ritchie emphasized “remembrances” through the communal power of “liv[ing] and sing[ing] the same old songs” in kinship. Yet, Ritchie also represented creative growth within tradition, challenging audiences to “celebrate life” through continued poetic translations of experience. We will sing and reflect on Ritchie songs, linking their lyrical content and themes to songs we might paradoxically claim as “our own originals” as well as our traditional contributions. How does the process of creating new songs reflect the adaptive power of tradition? The songs performed and discussed in this session reflect our value for maintaining Ritchie’s music traditions as well as the more elusive value for engaging in creative (re)generations of that tradition.
Presentation #1 Title
Continued Growth: Original Voices Regenerating from the Jean Ritchie Ballad Tradition
Presentation #1 Abstract or Summary
This interactive musical performance/workshop explores the influence of Ritchie ballads on original ballads written by Appalachian musicians in a 3-generation family band, Tellico. Traditional Appalachian music is often linked with heritage preservation and the idea of transmitting historical values through performance. Within ballad and old time music circles, artists often emphasize particular styles, lyrics and cultural elements held within their songs, crediting the specific individuals who inspired them to carry on the past. Among the names spoken, perhaps none resonates more powerfully than that of Kentucky folk musician Jean Ritchie, whose traditional and original song renditions span the globe. In Singing Family of the Cumberlands, Ritchie emphasized “remembrances” through the communal power of “liv[ing] and sing[ing] the same old songs” in kinship. Yet, Ritchie also represented creative growth within tradition, challenging audiences to “celebrate life” through continued poetic translations of experience. We will sing and reflect on Ritchie songs, linking their lyrical content and themes to songs we might paradoxically claim as “our own originals” as well as our traditional contributions. How does the process of creating new songs reflect the adaptive power of tradition? The songs performed and discussed in this session reflect our value for maintaining Ritchie’s music traditions as well as the more elusive value for engaging in creative (re)generations of that tradition.
At-A-Glance Bio- Presenter #1
Sherry Cook Stanforth is a professor and founder/director of the Creative Writing Vision program at Thomas More College. She teaches fiction and poetry, along with environmental and ethnic literatures. She is the author of Drone String (Bottom Dog Press, 2015) and performs regionally in a family band, Tellico. She raises bees along with four children.
Presentation #2 Title
Continued Growth: Original Voices Regenerating from the Jean Ritchie Ballad Tradition
Presentation #2 Abstract or Summary
This interactive musical performance/workshop explores the influence of Ritchie ballads on original ballads written by Appalachian musicians in a 3-generation family band, Tellico. Traditional Appalachian music is often linked with heritage preservation and the idea of transmitting historical values through performance. Within ballad and old time music circles, artists often emphasize particular styles, lyrics and cultural elements held within their songs, crediting the specific individuals who inspired them to carry on the past. Among the names spoken, perhaps none resonates more powerfully than that of Kentucky folk musician Jean Ritchie, whose traditional and original song renditions span the globe. In Singing Family of the Cumberlands, Ritchie emphasized “remembrances” through the communal power of “liv[ing] and sing[ing] the same old songs” in kinship. Yet, Ritchie also represented creative growth within tradition, challenging audiences to “celebrate life” through continued poetic translations of experience. We will sing and reflect on Ritchie songs, linking their lyrical content and themes to songs we might paradoxically claim as “our own originals” as well as our traditional contributions. How does the process of creating new songs reflect the adaptive power of tradition? The songs performed and discussed in this session reflect our value for maintaining Ritchie’s music traditions as well as the more elusive value for engaging in creative (re)generations of that tradition.
At-A-Glance Bio- Presenter #2
Jim Cook is a retired mechanical engineer and the grandfather of one dozen children. He spends much of his time playing music and reading literature. He performs in a family band, Tellico, and often joins other musicians to provide programming for nursing homes, local festivals and schools. He is also a member of the Cincinnati Dulcimer Society.
Presentation #3 Title
Continued Growth: Original Voices Regenerating from the Jean Ritchie Ballad Tradition
Presentation #3 Abstract or Summary
This interactive musical performance/workshop explores the influence of Ritchie ballads on original ballads written by Appalachian musicians in a 3-generation family band, Tellico. Traditional Appalachian music is often linked with heritage preservation and the idea of transmitting historical values through performance. Within ballad and old time music circles, artists often emphasize particular styles, lyrics and cultural elements held within their songs, crediting the specific individuals who inspired them to carry on the past. Among the names spoken, perhaps none resonates more powerfully than that of Kentucky folk musician Jean Ritchie, whose traditional and original song renditions span the globe. In Singing Family of the Cumberlands, Ritchie emphasized “remembrances” through the communal power of “liv[ing] and sing[ing] the same old songs” in kinship. Yet, Ritchie also represented creative growth within tradition, challenging audiences to “celebrate life” through continued poetic translations of experience. We will sing and reflect on Ritchie songs, linking their lyrical content and themes to songs we might paradoxically claim as “our own originals” as well as our traditional contributions. How does the process of creating new songs reflect the adaptive power of tradition? The songs performed and discussed in this session reflect our value for maintaining Ritchie’s music traditions as well as the more elusive value for engaging in creative (re)generations of that tradition.
At-A-Glance Bio- Presenter #3
Nan Cook is a retired nurse and a long-term (30+) member of the Cincinnati Dulcimer Society. She enjoys playing music in a 3-generation family band, Tellico, and collaborating with other performers to bring traditional music to young and elderly audiences. She loves genealogy, creating old generational recipes and spending time with her 12 grandchildren.
Continued Growth: Original Voices Regenerating from the Jean Ritchie Ballad Tradition
This interactive musical performance/workshop explores the influence of Ritchie ballads on original ballads written by Appalachian musicians in a 3-generation family band, Tellico. Traditional Appalachian music is often linked with heritage preservation and the idea of transmitting historical values through performance. Within ballad and old time music circles, artists often emphasize particular styles, lyrics and cultural elements held within their songs, crediting the specific individuals who inspired them to carry on the past. Among the names spoken, perhaps none resonates more powerfully than that of Kentucky folk musician Jean Ritchie, whose traditional and original song renditions span the globe. In Singing Family of the Cumberlands, Ritchie emphasized “remembrances” through the communal power of “liv[ing] and sing[ing] the same old songs” in kinship. Yet, Ritchie also represented creative growth within tradition, challenging audiences to “celebrate life” through continued poetic translations of experience. We will sing and reflect on Ritchie songs, linking their lyrical content and themes to songs we might paradoxically claim as “our own originals” as well as our traditional contributions. How does the process of creating new songs reflect the adaptive power of tradition? The songs performed and discussed in this session reflect our value for maintaining Ritchie’s music traditions as well as the more elusive value for engaging in creative (re)generations of that tradition.
