BUSI NESS
A Blue Ridge Bluegrass 4th of July w ritten by SHERIL BE NNE T T TURNER
“Blue Ridge Mountain Blues” When I was young and in my prime, I left my home in Caroline. Now all I do is sit and pine, for all the folks I left behind. I’ve got those Blue Ridge Mountain blues, and I’ll stand right here to say. My grip is packed to travel, and I’m scratching gravel, for the blue ridge far away. I see a window with a light; I see two heads of snowy white. I seem to hear those folks recite, where is my wandering boy tonight. I’ve got those blue ridge mountain blues, when the sighing pine trees wave. And now I’m going to wander, to the folks down yonder, on the blue ridge far away. I know that when I return, there’ll be a shindig in the barn. People from miles around will form; there’ll be some fiddling in the barn. I’ve got those blue ridge mountain blues, and I can hear those hound dogs bay. And every day I’ll be counting, till I’ve found the mountain, on the blue ridge far away. I’m gonna do right by my walk, I’m gonna do right by my talk. I’ll hang around the cabin door, no work or worry anymore. I’ve got those blue ridge mountain blues, gonna hear my old dog Trey. We’re gonna hunt the possum, where the corn top blossoms, on the blue ridge far away. Rewritten by Bill Clifton and Buddy Dee for Doc Watson
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very July 4th since 1994, Jerry Bruce has gathered his family and friends around his pond to celebrate the holiday the good old-fashioned way. As the men barbecue the meat on the grills, the ladies prepare and arrange various casseroles, salads, and desserts—family specialties—on long picnic tables under the two shelters. The children, anxious for tonight’s fireworks, run here and there enjoying the warm summer day; feeding the large fish in the pond is a special highlight. A local bluegrass band arrives and begins tuning up for the musical entertainment. It’s 4th of July the Blue Ridge way! The property, acquired by Jerry in 1993, is located in the magnificent foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains and was once the Crain family homestead. “That little cabin there,” Jerry points out, “was the original home of the patriarch of the Crain family. There was a small pond here then, but I tore it out and made it three times as big.” Jerry built his first structure near the new pond in 1994. The wooden shelter includes a small kitchen, bathroom, sitting area, and loft. Later he added a second shelter. “I had so much stuff inside the first one,” Jerry laughs, “that I had to build this other one to hold all the cooking supplies.” Both shelters, supplied with fresh mountain water by a springhouse, offer lots of room for his guests to sit back and visit. Throughout the years, Jerry has landscaped and fine-tuned, creating the perfect place to bring families together for occasions such as this. Around five years ago, Jerry asked friend, Red Sims, and his band, City Limits, to play at his July 4th party. Red, an extremely
talented bluegrass and gospel musician, has 35 years of experience with the guitar, mandolin, and bass. His long-time band mates include equally talented Lewis Crowe, who plays fiddle, guitar, and mandolin, Ken Sisson, a bass player, and Jim Rollins, a banjo player. “Red Sims lives a simple life,” Jerry says. “After work he goes home to his music room where he grabs his mandolin or guitar and picks every day of his life. I can’t believe anyone can be that dedicated.” Red’s sons, Josh, who plays guitar, and Jake, a banjo player, are also involved in music, using bluegrass instruments to mix country with rock and roll. Rounding out the musical family is Red’s wife, Jean, who is choir director for their church and plays piano and sings. Around three years ago, Jerry’s girlfriend, Arline, introduced her father to Red. “Bobby McGehe has played the steel guitar for over 60 years and he’s really good at it,” Jerry explains. Now every year, when Bobby comes to visit for the summer, the musicians get together for a weekly pickin’ and the annual 4th of July celebration. As is often the case with bluegrass music, other musicians will occasionally join in including Al Osteen, renowned banjo player and teacher, who played on the Grand Ole Opry stage at just 19 years of age. This year, as Jerry’s annual 4th of July party winds down, everyone is full of good food, good music, and good conversation. As the fireworks explode over the pond, it signals the end to another successful celebration of country and community—mixed with a little bluegrass under Blue Ridge skies.
GreerNow JULY 2008
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