Traditional Country Music Association Of The Upstate

October 17th Front Porch Picking

2009-10-03T06:56:00.000-07:00

Our July , August, and September Front Porch Pickings were held at the Watkins Community Center Auditorium in Honea Path, SC. This recently rennovated venue easily holds 250 guests and offers a beautiful hardwood dance floor, nice stage setting, a snack bar, and climate controlled. . . . and has become our TCMA Upstate Front Porch Picking Home. These pickings have seen more and more upstate families attending as they learn about this monthly event where, at no charge, all come to enjoy traditional country music and learn about it's roots through the performers who share their stories.

An invitation has gone out for all traditional country musicians / singers, who would like to participate to contact us by e-mailing TCMAUpstate@aol.com or calling 864-940-6555 to get on the schedule. And many have done just that! The past few months have seen those who have their roots deep in traditional country music take the stage and share their talent and their stories about this music and those who made their mark through it. Even more exciting are the young people who have been joining us. Last month we had an amazing 5th grader from Anderson County who joined the Rowdy Friends guitarist - Jesse Brown, on stage and shared several songs he has learned to play. While his interest has been in rock . . . that afternoon he learned more about traditional country and how his gift can help tell stories that can live forever.

This coming event - October 17th, will see another day packed full of performers, including a young college student who writes and performs her own material. She will be introduced and join the other performers taking to the stage to educate and entertain. Those confirmed to date are Nashville's Ron Campbell, Mayberry, Tn Mayberry Porch Players, Greenwood's own Tina Haralson, and JD Brown and the Rowdy Friends. Several other groups are currently checking their schedules and hope to join us. The music begins at 2 p.m. and goes to 6 p.m., with the Rowdy Friends taking the stage at 6:30 p.m for a 2 hour traditional country music concert with a huge dance floor just waiting to be filled.

Please mark your calendar and plan to join us . . . and let others know about this FREE event. There will be all ages there . . . from toddlers to seniors - often spanning 4 generations, all brought together through traditional country music.

Please join us in Honea Path on the 17th to enjoy the day from 2 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. There will be a snack bar open and TCMA Upstate front porch picking t-shirts available.

August Front Porch Picking Scheduled

2009-07-19T20:32:00.000-07:00

Our July Front Porch Picking was held at the Watkins Community Center Auditorium in Honea Path, SC. This recently rennovated venue easily holds 250 guests and offers a beautiful hardwood dance floor, nice stage setting, a snack bar, and climate controlled. Although there is a fee involved, the convenience is such through the hot summer months that it has been decided that the August 22, 2009 Front Porch Picking will also be held there from 2 pm. to 6 p.m.

The picking is open, at no charge, for all to come and enjoy traditional country music. Any traditional country musicians / singers who would like to participate can do so by e-mailing TCMAUpstate@aol.com to get on the schedule.

There will be a snack bar open and TCMA Upstate front porch picking t-shirts available.

Hope to see you on August 22nd!

TCMA Upstate Front Porch Picking T-Shirts

2009-07-19T20:20:00.001-07:00

There are still Front Porch Picking t-shirts available for a minimum $10 donation for kids and adult sizes, and $12 donation for the XXXL size. These shirts proudly display our new logo as designed and donated to TCMA Upstate by David Locke of David Locke Design of Greenville, SC / Anderson, SC / and New York, NY. Here is TCMA Upstate Board Chair, Jesse Brown, and wife Stacy, and sons Dakota and Zach in theirs! If you would like one, please e-mail TCMAUpstate@aol.com with your contact info and we will get back with you! TCMA Upstate is a 501(c)3 charity, therefore all donations can be tax deductible.

Front Porch Picking a Big Success!

2009-07-19T18:51:00.000-07:00

Porch Picking at the Watkins Community Center was a big success yesterday, seeing lots of Upstate families in and out throughout the day to enjoy the great line up of traditional country music. The host band, JD Brown and the Rowdy Friends planned the event, led by Board Chairman, Jesse Brown (seen on drums). In the group from left to right are Roseanne Brown, David Nabors (Board Member), Jesse, JD Brown, "Friend" Keith Jones from Athens, GA and "Brother" Bob Williams.

Playing for the second time for TCMA Upstate, is pictured here - Joe Berry, Traditional Country Music Hall of Famer, and his Berry Pickers. Joe tours internationally but was sure to save the July date for this event where traditional country music is being preserved through education and introduction to the younger generaiton.

Harris Folk Heritage Award winner, Alda Smith (black hat) and Ron Smith to his left, perform as part of their Side Track band which included Norma Hughes-Smith, and joined on stage by other Traditional Country music musicians.

The goal of TCMA Upstate is to make a difference through the music. . . and to introduce it to the youngest generation while entertaining the older generations. This pictures really show the difference our organization can make. These two toddlers literally met on the dance floor and enjoyed each others company throughout the day as they learned to dance to traditional country music along side the older generation - truly representing four generations.

Please e-mail us if you have any questions about this organization, or would like to help sponsor our monthly Front Porch Pickings!

Line Up is set for our July 18th Front Porch Picking at the Historic Watkins Auditorium

2009-06-05T17:04:00.000-07:00

Front Porch Picking
at the Historic Watkins Auditorium
204 S. Main - Honea Path, SC
864-940-6555 for more information on
Traditional Country Music Assn of the Upstate

FREE ADMISSION
Saturday, July 18, 2009
Noon - 6 p.m.

Enjoy an entertaining and educational day for the entire family. A day full of the music of traditional country music artists.

Performances by Traditional Country Music Hall of Fame member Joe Berry, Ron Campbell - host of Nashville’s Ole Time Gospel Hour, members of the Knoxville, TN Mayberry Pickin’ Porch players Wally and Minnie, Harris Folk Heritage Award Winner Alda Smith, and local favorite - JD Brown and The Rowdy Friends.

Stay for the Traditional Country Music Concert & Dancing

A free performance of classic country music
by The Rowdy Friends
JD, Roseanne, Bob, Jesse, and David
from 6:30 - 8:30 p.m.

SNACK BAR WILL BE OPEN ALL DAY

TCMA Upstate is a 501(c)3 Charity
www.TCMAUpstate.org

Instructors and instruments Needed

2009-03-27T04:27:00.000-07:00

One major component of TCMA Upstate is to provide traditional country music education and enjoyment to all generations. One aspect of this is providing music lessons on traditional country music instruments to our youth.

We need musicians who can give of their time on a regular basis to pass on their talents to our youth to keep traditional country music alive, AND donations of instruments for youth to have for this process.

Please e-mail us at TCMAUpstate@aol.com if you are interested in learning more.

Thanks! RJ

Storms Predicted for Saturday

2009-03-27T03:47:00.000-07:00

As you know, our Front Porch Pickings are done on the front porch of a 100+ year old Farm House. The weather is being predicted to include rain and thunder storms for tomorrow, our scheduled Front Porch Picking. At 1 p.m. if the weather looks threatening there will not be a Front Porch Picking.

Next scheduled Picking is for April 18th. IF you know of an indoor location in the Belton-Honea Path, SC area where we can hold these pickings indoors during bad weather, please let us know! RB

Ronnie Campbell Hosting July 18th Front Porch Picking

2009-03-24T04:00:00.000-07:00

Last October we were so privileged to have Ronnie Campbell, star of stage and syndicated traditional country music and gospel shows, Host and MC our Front Porch Picking at the Depot. In talking with him, he has indicated that he would love to join us again for our July 18th event! When he returned from hosting our event last year, he published the following in the Music City News:

"Recently a trip back to my hometown of Belton, SC was a real thrill for me. The Traditional Country Music Association of the Upstate staged a "Front Porch Picking" at the Belton Train Depot. Remembering the old Depot from my days of youth there, it was exciting for me to actually go and work there. The (Belton Depot) group had received some grants to renovate various historic places in Belton and the old Depot came alive again. (For that day) I was their MC and the program featured all kinds of Traditional Country Music.

First on the program was a gracious and talented guy, Bill Lowe with Connie Lowe from the South Carolina Upstate. Bill performs with his group the old songs and ole style of music, from the Carter Family time to other types of real country. Bill Lowe worked in California for a long time, doing studio work and fronting shows for the big artists. He moved to SC to continue his love of the Traditional Country and Blue grass style of music. His performance was both professional and educational, and I hope to see him again.

Next on this special and historic day, the band from South Carolina, JD Brown and the Rowdy Friends featured the famous cowboys songs of yesteryear, like those performed by Gene Autry and others of that era. Songs like, Be Honest with Me, and many other graced the stage at the old Belton Depot. The afternoon show featured a great group from the Upstate, Joe Berry and the Berry Pickers, with Joe on keyboard. They featured other traditional songs of the sixties and seventies like Don Gibson and Ronnie Milsap. The speakers spilled out on the street and more people came in to enjoy the music. It was a great show and I am proud to be a part of it. Thanks to the Brown's, Alda and Norma Smith and many others, it was a great event for all and traditional country music."

Ronnie's support is sincerely appreciated, and we so look forward to seeing him again in July! RJ

Big Front Porch Picking Being Planned

2009-03-23T04:00:00.000-07:00

The Board has decided on the date for our next big daylong Front Porch Picking! Circle July 18, 2009 on your calendar. This will be a daylong event presented free for you and your family. We are still looking at venues, and will have that to share with you within the next week or so.

For those of you who were unable to attend our last big event in October 2008, this is a combination of musical education through entertainment and ended the day with a classic country music concert. The day is free for all our guests. In today's economy, finding family friendly entertainment at no cost is difficult . . . but those who attended found exactly that.

Again, make plans to be part of this wonderful event coming up on July 18th. Please e-mail us asap if you would like to be part of this day, through the educational component on traditional country music, artists, and instruments, to volunteer your time and/or talent to help with all the planning and coordinating, and/or if you would like to help with the funding. Our last event was only possibly due to a grant from the SC Arts Commission as well as matching support from Capital Bank of Honea Path, the Anderson County Council, and private donors who wanted to make this type of traditional country music educational entertainment possibly for the citizens of the Upstate.

Hope to hear from you soon! RB

March Front Porch Picking

2009-03-22T09:46:00.000-07:00

Our Front Porch Picking for 2009 has begun! Since these are outside events, please understand if there is rain or dangerous weather in Honea Path, SC at the time of the scheduled Picking, it will be cancelled.

Upcoming Front Porch Pickings are March 28th, April 25th, May 23rd, and June 20th, all Saturdays, and will begin at 2 p.m. and end at 4 p.m. all at TCMA Upstate's home in Honea Path. Please e-mail TCMAUpstate@aol.com if you would like to join the pickers, or just want information as to exact location. To enjoy the music, listen to storytellers, and dance under 100 year old Oak trees, join us! Bring your chair and sunshade and enjoy 2 hours of entertainment where traditional country music began. Hope to see you there! RB

Thank you, Joe Berry!

2009-03-21T09:38:00.000-07:00

The Traditional Country Music Association of the Upstate sincerely thanks Traditional Country Music Artist, Joe Berry, for his role on our start up Board of Directors. Through our Board we have been able to move TCMA Upstate forward. Our first big event, Front Porch Picking at the Depot last October, a day long of traditional country music entertainment and education, was a big hit with a big thanks to Joe and all the wonderful talent and recognition to TCMA Upstate he brought.

Joe has had to step down from our Board having given so much this first year. The good news is the reason is due to his heavy touring schedule - so check out our link to his webpage and try to make one of Joe Berry and the Berry Pickers shows. It is traditional country music at it's best!

To fill the opening on the board, we welcome Diane Palmer. Her first introduction to our organization was through the October event, and she immediately connected her lifelong love of traditional country music with our passion to make a real difference for citizens of the Upstate through that music. Thank you, Diane, for sharing your passion and expertise to continue moving TCMA Upstate forward!

Check back soon as we are now planning our next big Front Porch Picking!
RJ

New Happenings Being Planned!

2009-02-22T07:14:00.000-08:00

Exciting news will be shared very soon as the Board of Directors work on the Spring and Summer schedule of events. We are also anxious to hear what you would like us to consider . . . so e-mail us at TCMAUpstate@aol.com with your suggestions!! RJ

Happy New Year!

2009-01-18T14:40:00.000-08:00

While we are several weeks into the new year, I so hope all is going well for you. We all look toward a better year for 2009. Our Board will be meeting on February 5th to confirm our Front Porch Picking dates, and how we can start working toward our goals. During such a time of economic stress we are needed more than ever.

Please contact us to let us know your ideas, and how you would like to be part of our mission. To fully achieve our goals to make a real difference through traditional country music, we need your support. We now have our 501(c)3 IRS determination so you donation can be tax deductible! If you are interested in becoming a supporter, please get in touch with us via e-mail at TCMAUpstate@aol.com to explore our opportunities where each dollar helps make a difference.

Thanks so much! Hope to hear from you soon,
RJ

Be a guest at the CMA Awards!

2008-09-27T13:47:00.000-07:00

MORE exciting news - Teresa Popp has signed on as Stage Manager for our October 18th Front Porch Picking at the Depot!

Teresa is no stranger to keeping things running on time as she has managed many productions with her church in Dallas, GA. In addition to her managerial skills, Teresa, who is a Mary Kay Consultant, will have an area where guests of the Front Porch Picking can pick up information about Mary Kay Products. AND, she wants you to know that you can go to her website below NOW and enter Mary Kay™ 2008 Beauty of Country Sweepstakes. Go online and enter daily for your chance to go live to the CMA Awards on November 12th in Nashville! Wouldn’t THAT be cool! YOU could be at Country Music’s Biggest Night™! You can actually enter every day – and if you want to start today go to www.MaryKary.com/Teresapopp, register and start entering! Of course while you are there you can look at the neat products. Teresa said that with the Holiday season coming up she can help wake up your inner gifting genius! She has gift ideas that are anything but blah. Gifts girls adore. Gifts guys gotta have. Any budget. Any occasion. Any time. Her motto is “I’m here to make your life easier! Just ask!” and you can do so through her website above or e-mailing her at teresapopp@marykay.com.

Just a quick reminder, too, that with our event being aired we are seeking a major event sponsor which will earn a spot across the stage that will be visible. PERFECT opportunity for getting your business name out . . . so let me know if you want to discuss that spot. Remember – TCMA Upstate is a nonprofit AND the event is being provided to all at NO COST . . .so you will be doing a great service to our Upstate community at the same time. Contact me at TCMAUpstate@aol.com to explore this future.

Have a great weekend!! RJ

October 18th Front Porch Picking at the Depot to be broadcast on MCTMG Television!

2008-09-25T04:39:00.000-07:00

This is exciting news! MCTMG Radio & Television Network will be broadcasting our October 18th Front Porch Picking at the Depot. There will be cameras there and MCTMG will broadcast it in its entirety! We will have the air times availabe at the Picking so you can be sure and watch it. Check out our links page to visit them and start enjoying their programming today.

The Printer of Anderson also has delivered our TCMA Upstate Brochures. This brochure gives a good understanding of our organization. If you would like one, or know someone we should be sending one to, please let us know by calling 864-940-6555, or e-mail TCMAUpstate@aol.com.

Joe Berry sent me an update. He and his Berry Pickers are about to hit the road for some concert dates, but he asked we all go to www.Nashvillecountryclub.com and vote for his song “Can’t Get There Fast Enough.” It is his original, but in true traditional country music style.

Tune in to MCTMG to enjoy good traditional country and gospel music, and listen to Joe's song at www.Nashvillecountryclub.com and let me know what you think! RJ

Cooler Weather - Finally!

2008-09-23T04:12:00.000-07:00

Good Morning. Aren’t the mornings nice and refreshing when you step outside? I really like it that this time of year that we have the nice warm days to go with it. I realize here in Honea Path, SC that we are still in for some hot days, but after the really hot summer this is so comfortable. I know I’ve spent a lot of evening time on the porch, keeping Pearl and Fannie company.

Oh - I talked with Joe Berry a few days ago and he’s getting ready to head out on tour. I’ll have some more info about that in a few days, and hopefully he will be able to do some guest blogging for us from the road!

Again – the T-Shirt design is ready and just waiting to get it into a format that I can share with you. If you are coming to the Front Porch Picking at the Depot on October 18th you will want to go ahead and order yours. We will have ours on!

Have a great day - RJ

Miss Pearl

2008-09-19T05:44:00.000-07:00

Remember back in the summer when Miss Minnie Pearl joined us? Look back in this blog for her “baby” picture. Well, look at our little girl now! She’s twice as tall as our little Beagle, Fannie Mae, and ALMOST as tall as our Staffordshire Terrier, BooBoo. (Real name Brutus - He’s just too sweet so Boo Boo kind of stuck.)

Miss Pearl is 3 months old and now over 25# and becoming a real fixture at TCMA Upstate. This picture was taken yesterday. We had to have a tree removed due to storm damage last month and haven’t gotten it all cut up into firewood yet. Several of us were on the back porch of TCMA Upstate’s home and Miss Pearl, who is used to being right there with us on the front porch found the “highest” angle, the tree stump, to try to see what was happening on the “back” porch.

Pearl won’t be able to attend the October 18th Front Porch Picking at the Depot – but plan on coming by the TCMA Upstate home for the November Front Porch Picking. By then she will be a really BIG girl!

ALSO – the Front Porch Picking t-shirts are almost ready. I’ll get the design posted in a day or two and if you’d like one or two you can e-mail in your order!

Have a great Friday! RJ

Traditional Country Music DOES sooth the savage beast!

2008-09-13T03:53:00.000-07:00

We have the soon to be 2 year old grandson with us this week. Yesterday we were putting some music from CD’s to cassette tapes because the older car we drive for good gas mileage just has a tape player. So here we sit in the dining room eating toddler approved fish sticks, tater tots, hush puppies, and black eye peas and Merle is singing Rainbow Stew and Rambling Fever from the living room. When we finish up Cota asks to get down so I wipe his face and hands and help him out of his chair. I start clearing the table and after the first quick trip into the kitchen and back I realize he’s not right there as usual and I peek into the living room. There he sits . . . in his Spiderman chair, head laid back on the little built in Spiderman pillow, and his foot just a taping on the floor – in beat to the music. After a few moments he must of felt me standing there because he turned his head toward me. His eyes locked onto mine and he smiled a big smile, pointed to the CD player where it was copying over onto the tape and said, “Daddy!” His Daddy, Jesse, often sits around after supper with the guitar and plays and sings . . and often Merle Haggard. I just smiled and said, “Yep, that’s just like your Daddy!” He sat there the entire time it took me to do kitchen duty and make that tape.

It is true. Traditional country music does sooth the savage beast and the average toddler.

When I tucked him in last night I told him all about how we were doing our Front Porch Picking today. He LOVES the monthly Pickings because he will play his little harmonica and sing along with us, just like his grandpa did when he was a little boy, and his daddy did as well. Plus Cota grabs the hand of whoever will dance with him and gets out there in the yard and dances to those good ole traditional country songs. He loves the peppy ones where he can get out some of that toddler energy. I’m all for whatever gets out his toddler energy! Ha, ha. He does, however, back off and give the “floor” to those who enjoy the slower songs. He is just so cute because when the music ends he just claps those little hands in pure joy. THAT is what TCMA Upstate is all about. Introducing traditional country music to ALL generations to experience.

If you have some time this afternoon, be sure and come by and join us from 2 – 4 p.m. at the Front Porch Picking in Honea Path. If you need directions, call us at 864-640-6555. RJ

Fannie Mae joins the Front Porch Crowd

2008-09-12T02:34:00.000-07:00

No . . .I don’t mean Aunt Fannie. Last week I was driving down Hwy 25 in Southern Greenville County (SC) and I saw up ahead traffic swerving and stopping. Naturally I started slowing down and what I saw in front of and in between several cars at a distance as I approached on this 55 posted speed limit area was a little bitty short tailed Beagle walking across the fast lane, pausing, taking a few steps, then stopping again and looking very dazed and confused. I pulled over into the middle lane (known by some as the Suicide Lane as it is not generally a lane of traffic and both directions could use it for emergencies.)

I carefully got out and as this little Beagle saw I had stopped and got out she walked OUT of the fast lane (thank goodness) and into this middle lane and looked at me and stopped. I wondered if she had been hit, she looked so scared. I quietly said, “Come here” and she came right to me and laid at my feet scared to death. Normally I would not pick up a stray dog in the middle of a busy highway during rush hour . . . but I just knew if I didn’t when I came back by she would be a little dead body somewhere along that stretch. I picked her up and placed her in the floor board of my back seat and realized that she had a stench about her I was not happy about having linger in my car . . . but what are you going to do? I was committed at that point.

I headed to the house with this little stinky passenger who immediately discovered a fast food bag in my back seat. While there was nothing in it other than wrappers she tore into it nonetheless. Which was okay with me – it kept her from tearing into something else. Finally arrived at the house and got a good look at her . . .and that was when I discovered for sure it was a “her”. Initially I thought she was pretty old because her Beagle “tan” around her face was all laced in gray, but now I’m not too sure. I haven’t seen any LOST signs or ads, so we have an appointment with the vet next week and he’ll tell me for sure. In the meantime, ole Fannie is definitely young enough to put up with Miss Minnie Pearl’s puppy antics. (Read early blog about Miss Pearl joining the Front Porch.) Pearl, our front porch bloodhound, is now 3 months old and 25#. She is endearing with her clumsy ways. Her feet are big and her ears are long and she is always tripping up on something. The funniest thing (for the observer as I’m sure she’s not amused at all) is she will fall asleep on the porch . . . and when she wakes up she turns over the wrong side to get up and literally falls off the front porch. That and stretching out and sticking a paw or a tail part under a rocker of a chair you may happen to be sitting in.

Anyway – back to Fannie. We weren’t too sure if Fannie, being a Beagle, wouldn’t eat, rest, and then wander off into the woods or pasture and take Miss Pearl with her. It seems, however, that our Southern hospitality of good food, fresh water, with our friendly and welcoming atmosphere was too good for her to give up. She’s been here almost 2 weeks, and now when you walk out on the porch in the afternoon there are two residents stretched out enjoying a snooze – Miss Minnie Pearl and Miss Fannie Mae.

So when you come to the Front Porch Picking tomorrow (September 13th)– you can meet BOTH ladies. They will be glad to see you, wagging tales and all. RJ

Let us not forget . . .

2008-09-11T03:13:00.000-07:00

I, like most other citizens of our United States of America will spend part of my day today reflecting on what happened seven years ago – September 11, 2001. As we all should. We were dealt a terrible blow with horrifying results.

Jesse Brown, part of The Rowdy Friend and Chairman of the Board of Directors of Traditional Country Music Association of the Upstate, had just joined the SC Army National Guard that Spring. Like so many who joined the Guard, he had a definite sense of duty but looked at it as helping in times of emergency in his home state of SC– such as a hurricane. His additional motivator was to pay to finish his college education. Less than 6 months in “September 11th” happened. It wasn’t too long after that his entire Company made history. They were the first SC Army National Guard Communication BN activated and sent to an area of conflict, and served an active military role during wartime. In that support role they (over 300 of them) were spread out throughout Iraq and Kuwait. Since then, many other National Guard troops have filled key roles in this conflict, and now almost 4 years since going over the first time, Jesse's group is looking at another rotation next year.

Jesse has a way of giving two points to his experiences – what he enjoyed most and what he liked the least. When asked of this experience – over a year in “the dessert” he had two points of ‘liked the most’. The first was meeting the children of Iraq. The joy of a child was magnified when there wasn’t a lot to be joyous about. The second was his music. His one “luxury” item he took with him was his old flat top guitar. His team worked 12 hour shifts, and in between there really wasn’t much to do . . . other than sweat in the terrible heat. He had the night shift, and after the evening meal and before reporting in he would sit around with his fellow soldiers and pick the guitar. LOTS of Merle Haggard, Waylon Jennings, and some of the Georges too – Jones and Straight. When asked what he liked least . . . he just looks off into the distance of his mind and says quietly he’d rather not talk about that.

While our organization, TCMA Upstate, is all about history - you have to look at history to see the future. What worked helps shape what improves our future, and what didn’t we need to avoid. This is true in music and life in general. We need to keep history in mind while thinking of our futures here in the United States. . . . .

. . . in that direction . . . I’m not much of a political person. I do take my freedom and duty to vote seriously, however, and I try to be informed on the candidates and their positions and then vote the way I think things should go. Of course I have found you don’t always know what to believe. What you hear in the news and in the political speeches and ads isn’t always what it truly seems. I just think when we risk the lives of our men and women in the military –to protect us where ever they are asked to go, AND, the lives of our citizens here at home through threat of terror in the United States . . . well, we all need to listen closely and ask hard questions. Then go vote for the person whom we think can steer our nation and our Military in the way we as individuals think best. I hear people say they LOVE one candidate over the other – or won’t vote for one over the other for reasons that have nothing to do with ability. Folks – substance matters. SUBSTANCE and ABILITY. PLEASE, listen to the debates and see which candidates in your local elections as well as National have the substance and ability you think is needed to help lead our communities and our great Nation in the direction you would like it to go. THAT is why we have the freedom to vote, and why we all need to take that freedom seriously and exercise it.

Okay – I’m off my soap box for now. BACK to traditional country music . . . if you haven’t been to our Front Porch Picking yet – how about joining us this Saturday? I’m definitely looking forward to it! RJ

Front Porch Picking This Saturday – September 13th

2008-09-10T03:39:00.000-07:00

While we are having some spotty showers forecast for every day through the weekend, weather permitting we will have our Front Porch picking this Saturday. The picking is from 2 – 4 p.m. and while we’ve played under cloudy skies we’ve yet to be rained out. If you would like to come and jam along, or just be here for the enjoyment of the music – give us a call for more information or directions – 864-940-6555.

We have been working hard talking with people to gain support for our BIG Front Porch Picking in October. You can go to over Events page of this website and get the line up. We have some really great traditional music performers and Storytellers who will be there. The part that seems to get the biggest attention is these artists will be not only performing on the main stage, but spending the day on the “Front Porch” of the Belton Depot storytelling. They have such a rich history of performing with the traditional country music greats around the country, and the world. They will be able to share a little bit of their lives through the day, as well as answer your questions. This is true to our Mission at TCMA Upstate – to educate in an interactive and entertaining way.

Sponsors are still needed – if you or your Business would like to step up and sponsor a segment of this daylong event, please call us or e-mail TCMAUpstate@aol.com. RJ

Capital Bank Supports Front Porch Picking

2008-09-05T05:49:00.000-07:00

Our appreciation goes out to the Capital Bank, Honea Path branch, for their support of our October 18th Front Porch Picking at the Belton Depot. Sponsorships are still available for this big free to the public event. Please contact us at TCMAUpstate@aol.com for more information on how you can help us make a difference.

While we need the rain here in the Upstate of SC, we certainly don’t need the damage a major hurricane will bring. Rowdy Friend, Jesse, is part of the SC Army National Guard. They were notified this past Tuesday to report to active duty in anticipation of Tropical Storm Hanna hitting the SC coast full force as a hurricane. After 2 days of Ready, Set . . . . almost Go, it looks like Hanna isn’t going to hit with the force they thought – thank goodness. Now we just have to hold our breath that she doesn’t strengthen, and at the same time keep a close eye on Ike coming in to the US. In the meantime, our SC upstate troops have been released, but advised to keep their bags packed! I hope that doesn’t mean that Jesse will have to be on Hurricane duty for our Front Porch Picking here in Honea Path on September 13th! If you are a picker, or just a grinner – plan to come by from 2 – 4 p.m. and join us - weather permitting. More info on that soon . . . RJ

Happy Trails To You . . . . .

2008-08-31T05:03:00.000-07:00

Our Rowdy Friends were working on those Cowboy songs and sounding pretty good, too. Tina Haralson, also featured for October 18th Front Porch Picking at the Depot, is meeting with me today to discuss the songs she will be performing during her three sets during the day long event. She also will be sharing her experiences on the Front Porch in Storyteller fashion, as will Joe Berry and his band the Berry Pickers, Bill and Connie Lowe, Ron Campbell, and Norma and Alda Smith.

Tina’s first memory of traditional country music was a road trip as a very small girl with her Mom. It was just the two of them, and all the way there and all the way back her Mom played country music on the radio to keep them company. All the way there and back Tina and her Mom sang along with each song. She said from that time on as they would pack the car for the “day” trips to visit relatives she would really get excited with anticipation, looking forward to her time with her Mom and that radio that opened up the world of traditional country music for her. “This music is in my blood and in my memories,” she says, “Thanks to my Mom.” Her Mom has been gone for some time now, but with every song Tina sings from her childhood comes a loving memory of the two of them together in that car, singing along with all the traditional country music artists. Now, today, Tina joins an elite group of performers who honors that music of her childhood.

Be sure and join us for this big FREE event on October 18th to meet Tina and enjoy her fantastic voice as she honors the female traditional country music singers.

Well, I am off to start my day. I hope the rest of your Labor Day Weekend is a fun and safe one, and while you are out grilling and sharing time with friends and family you have good ole traditional country music playing! RJ

The Printer becomes new sponsor!

2008-08-29T03:42:00.000-07:00

Good Morning! Yesterday was spent out and about talking about our organization and our upcoming October 18th Front Porch Picking at the Depot. We picked up a few sponsors, including The Printer in Anderson, SC. Ralph and his crew do a fantastic job on all your printing needs and their website – http://www.theprintersc.com/, is set up where you can upload any thing you need printed. They can do it, zip you a proof, and upon approval they will print it and ship it to you – so you don’t even have to live in the Upstate of SC or North East Georgia to get their expert services! Check them out, or contact Ralph Little at 864-226-8552, Fax – 231-7514, or e-mail at info@theprintersc.com. What I like about working with Ralph is the great suggestions he makes to improve the newsletter or brochure – to make it better or more economical to print! He does a great business card, too – and for those of you who will be picking up our business card or brochure at the Front Porch Picking can see The Printer touches!

Our group, The Rowdy Friends, will be practicing this weekend our component of the October 18th event – the Singing Cowboys. It’s amazing the songs popularized by those “cowboys” – Tex Ritter, Roy Rogers, Rex Allen, Gene Autry, etc. that were later made popular by the Nashville Sound singers! We have a task of out of hundreds, honing it down to an hours’ worth. I’ll let you know how we’re doing with that!!

Have a great Friday – talk to you soon, RJ

2008-08-27T07:25:00.000-07:00

Sorry I have been out of pocket the past few days. Good ole Charter internet services is not what I’d like it to be and has been out of service on and off all week. I’d like to say it’s the blessed rain we’ve received but the interruption started way before the rain did!!

I hope you have checked out our new Events page. As you’ll see, Traditional Country Music Hall of Fame member, Joe Berry, is a headliner for the October 18^th event. He and his band, The Berry Pickers, will be performing the Nashville Sound portion of this day long program, to include some of Joe’s originals. To hear some of his music, go to the Links page of this site and click on his site. Once you hear him I am sure you will be as big a fan as we are. Then do what we are doing – vote in a survey at the Nashville Country Club site where they help radio stations around the country select new hits to play. Go to http://nashvillecountryclub.com/MusicPolls.php and vote!

Have a great day today, and let us hear from you!! RJ

Sept 13th set for our next Front Porch Picking in Honea Path, SC

2008-08-17T07:22:00.000-07:00

Good Morning! We may be getting some much needed rain here in the Upstate of SC. It has been terribly dry – and causing all sorts of problems. The good news is that it did hold off yesterday for our Front Porch Picking event. Our guests enjoyed the free 2 hour concert of traditional country music, and got to meet Miss Minnie Pearl, too! Pearl, now 9 weeks old, was a little shy at first, but quickly warmed up to everyone, going around getting a pat or a scratch from as many as she could.

Our next 2 Front Porch Pickings are September 13^th in Honea Path, SC from 2 – 4 p.m. and our BIG all day event at the Belton Depot in Belton, SC on October 18^th beginning at 11 a.m. going until 9:30 p.m. Both are free events, but we are looking for some sponsorship for the October 18^th event. For more information about the Traditional Country Music Assn of the Upstate (TCMA Upstate) and our Front Porch Pickings, go to our contact page. I hope to hear from you!

Jean Laney Harris Folk Heritage Award Winner joining the lineup for October 18th!

2008-08-15T14:15:00.001-07:00

I just spoke with Norma Hughes-Smith and she confirmed she and Alda Smith will be among the Storytellers on the “Front Porch” of the Belton Train Depot on 10/18. Here is a little bit of information on them:

“Traditional Country Music song writer and performer Alda Smith has dedicated his life to preserving and performing the country music traditions that are part of the mill town culture of the South Carolina Piedmont. The youngest son of the late Ralph Smith, Alda Smith traces his regional musical heritage back to the mid-1800s. Born and raised in Greenville County, SC Smith has deep roots in Piedmont culture and has fostered a keen understanding of the musical genres that form traditional country music. Alda has received the Governor's Order of the Palmetto in grateful recognition of his contributions and friendship to the State of South Carolina and her people and received the Jean Laney Harris Folk Heritage Award Winner for advocacy of traditional music in 2007.

As a musician, Smith began playing the Dobro, a modified acoustic guitar, and later played the pedal steel guitar with many groups in the Piedmont. He joined the Nashville Songwriters Association and began playing acoustic and bass guitar, composing and singing. His musical interests and repertoire are varied, but they are laden with the Upstate traditional music popular in the early 1990s.

Organizer and emcee for Bluegrass, Traditional Country and Gospel Music at the Belton Depot’s Music at the Depot (2ⁿ and 4^t Saturdays each month), Norma Hughes-Smith, has developed partnerships with many upstate groups. Music has been an integral part of her life integrating tunes that brought lessons alive in her classroom (as an elementary teacher) for many years. She has encouraged student participation in community events, singing patriotic songs at festivals in the Upstate, exhibit opening performances in Columbia, Anderson, Newport TN, and Belton. Norma's story about the impact of the arts in her life and how she became involved in music was published recently during the SC Arts Commission's 40th Anniversary Celebration.”

Both Alda and Norma will be at the TCMA Upstate’s event all day on 10/18 to share their music and experiences. Remember – tomorrow is our Front Porch Picking in Honea Path. Hope you can join us!

Our posters are ready to go up!

2008-08-14T14:53:00.000-07:00

Good Afternoon! Our posters are ready to go up for our October 18^th event. If you would like one or two to post at your company or business, please let me know and I’ll get them to you.

We are looking forward to our Front Porch Picking this Saturday between 2 and 4 p.m. We need some more pickers to come join us on the porch as Jesse will be out of town. If you want to bring your guitar or fiddle or other traditional country music instrument and join JD, Bob, David and me on the front porch – the weather is supposed to be fine so come on down and make some music and meet Miss Pearl! RJ

Front Porch Picking

2008-08-12T06:26:00.001-07:00

RON CAMPBELL CONFIRMED!

Good Morning! We received some good news, confirming that Mr. Ron Campbell, premier traditional country and gospel music DJ and TV personality, will be the Emcee for our October 18^th Front Porch Picking at the Depot! We are SO excited he’ll be there.

I had a nice conversation with Connie Lowe this weekend. She, her husband Bill, and their string band are performing on the main stage at noon October 18th. They will be opening the event with the roots of country music to include the Carter Family music. They are really excited to be performing for the TCMA Upstate, and are especially looking forward to the storytelling they will be doing throughout that day. Check out our links page for their website to read about the rich traditional country music history Bill has lived and will be sharing.

We are finalizing our TCMA Upstate brochures explaining a little more about our goals and how we are working toward them. Be sure and let me know if you want one. Just e-mail with your mailing address – OR, if you have Publisher 2003 software I can e-mail it to you.

I’m off to talk to some potential sponsors for the October Front Porch Picking. If you are interested in learning more about that, too, zip me an e-mail!

Enjoy your day. RJ

Good Morning To Everyone!

2008-08-10T08:44:00.000-07:00

Good Morning! We woke up to a pleasantly “cool” morning here in the Upstate of SC, with cool being a relative term. Mid-70’s, which after the oppressive heat we’ve had, quite pleasant!

I wanted to introduce you to our newest member of TCMA Upstate - Miss Minnie Pearl, or “Pearl” as we are calling her. She is the newest Front Porch Picking member – an 8 week old bloodhound puppy who is looking forward to lazing around on the porch as our Rowdy Friends do their Front Porch Picking concert next Saturday (Aug 16^th). She loves attention so if you make it to the Picking (2 – 4 pm, weather permitting) be sure and be prepared to meet her! As always, the Front Porch Picking is a free traditional country music event. Just e-mail us if you need more information or directions. Have a great day! RJ

Special Note From RJ

2008-08-09T10:25:00.000-07:00

Hi! This is RJ, one of The Rowdy Friends, a traditional country music group here in Anderson County, SC. I hope you are enjoying navigating our new TCMA Upstate website. I am so excited to have it up, and so appreciative to those who are as passionate as I am about traditional country music and who have played a big part in making our site possible - our Board Member, Joe Berry and Music City Talent Management Group’s Jerry Brower. THANK YOU so much for helping spread the word about our organization that will further the education and enjoyment of traditional country music.

If you haven’t already, please read our About Us page where Board Chair, Jesse Brown, talks about the motivation for forming TCMA Upstate. If you have any questions about our plans, or want to be part of them in some way - please Email Us through our Contact Page.

If you are a “local”, or traveling through our area (Anderson County, SC) next Saturday, August 16^th, we will have our Front Porch Picking concert from 2 – 4 p.m. at our organization’s home location in Honea Path. This is a free event for all ages, and held outside so bring your chairs to sit under 100 year old oak trees. Don’t forget your bottled water or soft drinks. It is weather permitting so if there is inclement weather it will have to be canceled.

I’ll be talking to you again real soon. Please send any questions or suggestions of what you’d like me to share with you. Enjoy your Saturday!

Coming Out Event !!

2008-08-08T11:40:00.001-07:00

Join Us as Traditional Country Music Assn of the Upstate is introduced through our first Front Porch Picking at the Depot

This is a FREE Event!

October 18th 2008
Historic Belton Train Depot, Belton, SC

Schedule:

11 am - Intro to the Traditional Country Music Assn of The Upstate & Welcome

12 noon- Country music Roots starring "National Heritage Award Nominee Bill Lowe, with Connie Lowe and their String Band performing music of the era.

2 pm - Singing Cowboys starring JD Brown and the Rowdy Friends

4 pm - The Nashville Sound starring Traditional Country Hall Of Fame Member Joe Berry and the Berry Pickers featuring the music of George Jones, Merle Haggard, and many more favorites

1:30 pm - 3:30 pm - 5:30 pm female perfomers in Traditional Country music starring Tina Haralson, featuring the music of Patsy Cline, Loretta Lynn, Dolly Parton and more

6:30 - 9:30 Traditional Country Music Concert and Dancing
for more info call 864-940-6555

WELCOME!

2008-08-08T10:30:00.000-07:00

Welcome To The Traditional Country Music Association Upstate News Blog! We hope you will bookmark us and visit often!