All right! Thank you so much! And Mr. Widener, if you have stories about
A.P. Carter, then you have something precious to Carter family fans
everywhere. I am certainly one of them. You have our attention, I can
assure you. I know I am not the only person reading this board who just did
a double take, and said, "What did he say?" How often I have listened to
A.P. Carter singing with Mother Maybelle, and wondered and wished I knew
more of this great songwriter and singer. His voice was utterly compelling,
for he sounded as if he was singing out of some pure emotion. The listener
could hardly believe he was not sitting on his porch singing for the simple
joy of it. Stories about A.P. Carter? You should put them in writing. When
this generation passes, there will be no more stories about this man and
his kind. These are people of whom myths are made. Please, please share
some of your stories with us. And stories of the area in the fifties, as
well. People who love bluegrass will be fascinated. I know I find myself
wondering about the area of the world that gave birth to this deathless
music. When I first heard Ralph and Carter I was dumbfounded. I wondered
how such music came to be. Give us, if you will, some background. Give us a
setting for it.
And thank you, Mr. LeMarr. I will certainly order the book. I will order
all the books, for they all look equally interesting. Could you not tell us
what inspired you to take up the mandolin? I am sure everyone is interested.
And Jonathan, I did not hear the Stanley brothers until after Carter's
death. It was heartbreaking to know this man was already gone, before I
knew exactly what bluegrass was. Yes, some of us were that ignorant.....! I
heard them quite by accident one day, and I have been listening since. From
there I discovered all the rest....it has been a joy.
I have heard Dr. Ralph in concert a couple of times in Columbia (SC), but I
have not been to his festival. I have read some about it, but I know many
of you are familiar with it and have stories to tell.....stories that are
priceless....stories of Ralph, stories of other musicians, stories of your
own experiences.....
Thanks.
Kathleen
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