You know, I recently read an article in a well-known music magazine that was poking fun at the Grammy's for the "sleeper" chosen for Best Album. We all know what that best album was. I just can't imagine how people like Marilyn Manson, Eminem, and Kid Rock can be respected and yet bluegrass is ridiculed. It doesn't make any sense to me.
We are constantly bombarded with Equal rights, respect differences, politically correctness, etc. and yet we have all this sentiment of stereotype when it comes to mountain people and their music. I came from the mountains of Virginia. A small town called Galax, Virginia. Home to the largest Fidderlers Convention in the world. I'm a true hillbilly. My kin, sit on old front porches with coon dogs running loose. Bluegrass music was played on those front porches on Saturday evening followed by church on Sunday morning. I moved to Raleigh, NC 3 years ago. What a culture shock! Since moving here, I have been called "common", been turned down for jobs due to my "accent" (they say that it portrays ignorance), and basically looked down upon because of the fact that I am from somewhere that isn't populated over 100,000 residences. Although, recently in a convenience store, I was a show stopper because I was the only person who would help a mentally challenged man purchase a Coca-Cola. He came in completely disheveled. Dressed completely inappropriately for the weather. It was during the 5pm rush hour. People were scurrying to stay away from him and just trying to get home as quickly as possible. The store was full of expensive business suits, and well-done hair. This man marched straight up to the counter and tried to tell the attendant that he wanted a Coke. He pushed two dimes across the counter and smiled. The attendant tried to explain to him that he didn't have enough for the drink. The man didn't understand what he was saying to him and wandered off to the fountain to try to make his drink. People were huffing and charging the attendant to get out before the man held them up again. I watched him trying to figure out how to get the drink in the cup. I walked over to the coolers, got a bottled Coke, and went towards the counter. The attendant smiled at me and motioned for me to come to the head of the line. You could've heard a pin drop. I think everyone had stopped breathing. The man was on his way back to the counter with a crumpled cup and I showed him the drink. He gave a toothless smile, and tried to take his cup back. I paid for the drink, gave it to him along with his two dimes and he walked out the door. The look on his face was that of a child with a new toy. The attendant then smiled again, and rang me out. The whole store was speechless. And to me, that was the most sad. The fact that those people in their Lexus, and busy day were so surprised that I had helped this man. What were they thinking? But this is Raleigh. The influx of the techies, and sales staff from all over the country has brought with them their big city attitudes. They don't know how else to live. They buy half million dollar homes that sit within 10 feet of their neighbor's half million dollar homes on each side. Because they are used to living in condos or downtown apartments. They speed, and have frequent accidents on the highways because they are used to crowded streets and high insurance premiums. It's a land confused. I want to go home. Back to my mountains. Back to the lady in Wal-mart that will give you a quarter if you need one. Back to driving on two-lane roads where everybody you pass waves at you with all five fingers even if the don't know you. Back where you can leave the screen door unlocked at night to let the cool air in. Back where you can let the kids play in the yard without worry. Back where the children in your class at school don't know about sex at 10 years old. Back to where the paths in the woods aren't paved. Back where 100 year old trees are in everybody's front yard. Back where life is slow and satisfying. Bluegrass Bulletin Board brought to you by the fan club of Dr Ralph Stanley & His Clinch Mountain Boys subscribe or unsubscribe at http://drralphstanley.com/
