Explore Rabun - Magical Mountain Music

from Laurel of Northeast Georgia July 22

A River Literally Runs Through It

The Arts Magical Mountain Music

Early Rabun County musicians Grady Nixon on fiddle, Everett Nixon on banjo and other Tallulah Falls students, circa 1925

Tallulah Falls student musicians circa 1920, including Grady Nixon on harmonica, Gertrude Kilby on guitar and Hazel Nixon on banjo O ne thing we are known for in the mountains is our unique musical heritage. Many people may only think of Bluegrass when they think of Appalachian Music, but Appalachian music first arose when people from various European and African countries intersected in the mountains, bringing their own traditions and cultures together to form a new music style, now known as “OldTimey” music. It is the culmination of nearly 300 years of musical influences from around the world, has contributed to nearly every modern musical genre and is a part of our history that we treasure and are proud of! Old-timey music encompasses various styles that originated in rural America, particularly in the Southern Appalachians, before recorded music and radio were widely available. This wasn’t music meant for performance’s sake, it was music made in the home and in community spaces, generally for personal entertainment, dancing, worship and mourning. It is a synthesis of European and African music… fiddle traditions from Scotland, Ireland, England, France, and Germany; ballad traditions from Scotland and England; and vocal, rhythm, and instrumental styles from West Africa. Much of this is embodied in the union of European fiddle and African banjo music. This music is so much a part of who we are because it was passed down from family member to family member, just like cooking recipes, sewing and weaving skills, other functional crafts and even liquor making! Everyone participated

Music on the Mountain at Foxfire Museum

The Foxfire Boys at the Dillard Bluegrass & BBQ Festival

Marie Dunkle & Margie Swint, “Caledonia Women,” at Tiger Mountain Vineyard Lisa & Filmer Kilby at Stonewall Creek Vineyard

Magical Mountain Music

and music was taught one on one, many not even reading traditional music, using shape notes instead. And dance developed along with it – square dancing, clogging, buck dancing and other types of folk dance. Music and dance were the primary form of entertainment for our ancestors and an intrinsic part of life in the rural mountains of Southern Appalachia. Today, old-timey music is still alive and well here in Rabun County, as well as the many types of music that have evolved from it. Stop by Blue Ridge Music to enjoy an impromptu jam session with Tom and the gang on the front porch. Get yourself up to the newly reopened and renovated Mountain City Playhouse for a quick lesson in buck dancing and then join in evening’s fun when the band gets going. Plan an afternoon at one of our local wineries which feature performances by many of our wonderful local artists while you sip and savor their wine and the spectacular mountain views. You can also learn more about the history of music in the Southern Appalachians at the Foxfire Museum. There are so many ways to experience our wonderful musical heritage as we celebrate it every day in some form or other. Music is a part of just about everything we do, from worship, to dining, festivals, gettogethers and events of all kinds. And when you come to the mountains, you are welcome to join in, kick up your heels, hum along, tap your toe or simply listen and smile. However you choose to enjoy it, be prepared to be entertained. In Rabun County music fills the air and our hearts. We hope you’ll come and be a part of our song!