LeMars, Iowa.....Rural 'American' music is still alive, though Hee Haw is not around any more to make fun of it. Some of America's rural music is the only genuine country music left in the USA. And, some of it is still rural, rustic, acoustic, and fun, just as bluegrass music is.
Honoring this great American music tradition, is the National Traditional Country & Bluegrass Music Assn., made up of about 3,000 members from all across the United States and foreign countries, who are concerned about America's musical heritage, especially it's rural music.
"Rural music," according to Bob Everhart, President of the National Traditional Country & Bluegrass Music Assn., and "Ambassador of American Folk Music," a title bestowed upon him by foreign journalists writing on the subject from the U.S. State Department, "is the music of our settling pioneers. It has been handed down from covered wagons and fur trading expeditions through the generations, and is still prevelant, much like it once was, among the rural America we know today, especially among those who still practice the music genre, and play it in varying degrees of ability. Iowa is a very fertile State for 'genuine' country and bluegrass music, and it's not just corn that we grow here. We also grow some incredibly gifted performers and musicians that practice 'genuine' country and bluegrass music, or as we prefer to call it, 'rural' music."
Celebrities turn out to make sure this very American musical art form survives. Jim Ed Brown of the Grand Ole Opry, has been nominated for induction into America's Old Time Country Music Hall of Fame. "I've been in country music a long time, and as a young boy used to eat what we called mule corn. Bob Everhart has promised to trade some mule corn for some of my figs when I get to Iowa." Mule-corn, according to Everhart is just plain field corn, very edible when it is just making kernels. Everhart also said Whispering Bill Anderson, of the Grand Ole Opry, who will be at the festival, is also interested in Iowa's corn, but perhaps from a different angle. According to Mr. Anderson, "Tennessee has been making mash whiskey for many many years. Now Iowa is doing it, and calling it Ethanol. There's no doubt that this is the future for removing our dependence on foreign oil, and I'm glad to be able to be part of not only that endeavor, but also to be part of an event that is so concerned about the future of America's rural music. I grew up singing among rural people, and one of my biggest hit "Po Folks," is our very own style of 'rural' music, so I hope Iowa keeps right on keepin' on when it comes to saving a musical genre."
Other guests with similar attitudes about being on the festival, especially helping keep authentic rural music alive include Jay Ungar and Molly Mason from New York. Ungar is the violinist who created "Ashokan Farewell" as the theme music for the popular Public Television series "Civil War." Jim Glaser of the Glaser Brothers who grew up in Spaulding, Nebraska, said, "I have a committment to 'real' country music too, just like the Glaser Brothers did. It will be my pleasure to accept the Glaser Brothers Hall of Fame induction this year in LeMars, Iowa. The Stanley Brothers, Carter and Ralph, are also nominated. Carter Stanley's daughter is the spearhead behind getting Uncle Ralph to the festival this year. "The Stanley Brothers were among the first to have their rural music recognized by commercial interests, and Uncle Ralph is still doing the music much as it was when he and my dad started. I sincerely hope the bluegrass community will be there to give Uncle Ralph and my dad the standing ovation of appreciation they so deserve."
By the time the festival is off and running more than 25 celebrities will be on hand for the lift off. The festival takes place at the Plymouth County Fairgrounds in LeMars, Iowa, just 19 miles northeast of Sioux City. The seven day event goes from August 25 through August 31.. A day pass is $15 per person, and includes all entertainment on all ten stages from 9am to midnight everyday, including celebrities. A senior citizen discount has tickets available at $11 per day, and those under age 16 are admitted free. A weekly pass is $55.
Everhart suggest people bring their own lawn chairs, although there is some seating available. There are five motels in LeMars, and more in Sioux City, and RV camping is permitted at the fairgrounds at a low fee.
According to Sheila Everhart, Bob Everhart's wife, and Director at the Festival, "We are very fortunate to have so many performers keeping America's rural music alive. Perhaps the most unusual aspect of this is the participation we get from foreign artists. Greta Elkin, for instance, from North Ireland, has lived many years in a land shaken by violence. She comes to us for the serenity of our rural area, and being known as the "Queen of Ireland's Yodelers," she has made many friends doing what rural music does best. It's the same with a performer like "Lucky Susan," Crowe of New Zealand. Susan was married to Dr. Charles Crowe (father of several children, Russell among them), who was knighted by Queen Elizabeth. That makes her a "Lady" in the hierarchy of kings and queens, and she's a traditional country singer. "I simply love the 'realness' of traditional music stryles," Susan said, "it's the simplicity of it, the true heartfelt and genuine sincerity in it, and the fact that it's open to everyone, that impresses me so much with this event that Bob & Sheila Everhart do."
The ten sound stages include room for many different genres of music that fall under the umbrella of 'traditional country music' according to Everhart. "This music didn't just simply evolve from nowhere, it came from the very strong need of our settlers to all parts of the United States, to have some kind of entertainment in their midst. Once the homesteads and settlements were established, the simple fiddle or harmonica gave way to small bands and entertainments of all kinds. Ragtime, blues, bluegrass, mountain music, cowboy music, gospel music, polkas (we even have a polka party in the dance hall), great plains music, and a lot of the traditional music from the homelands of the immigrants who came to the upper midwest. It's all available at the festival, now in it's 33rd year, in LeMars, Iowa."
Sheila Everhart, who helps schedule over 600 performers and groups is also quick to add, "We've got a tremendous number of things to see and do at this event. There are showcases for groups wanting to reach talent buyers, and we've been very fortunate over the years to have buyers come from Branson's Silver Dollar City, Wal-Mart, the Crackerbarrel Restaurants, Waffle House, and every year we send out well over 50 free invitations to other festival producers and venue promoters. Now, we have talent buyers coming from foreign countrys. Bob & I have been touring New Zealand for the past two years, and we've already managed to bring together several promoters and talent for our festival. It's the same with our friends who come from Europe, Canada, even China and Japan. This is the oasis. This is where 'traditional' music makes it stand."
Also on the fairgrounds will be a tipi village, started by Kathy "Bullhead" Grinstead. A large rendezvous-style village with absolute authentic costume, music, and tipis. It sits in the middle of a small pioneer village on the fairgrounds. The porchs of the village will become the focal point of the "International Busker's Championships" as anyone and everyone can participate, by simply performing on one of the small porchs. There's a small Ag Expo to keep us up to date on the doings of agricultural history, and pioneer arts and crafts are everywhere.
"Jamming" is one of the key interests of many participants. It's everywhere and very spontaneous. However there are three organized jamming areas. This is an opportunity for anyone wishing to play, wishing to learn how to play, wishing just to be part of the incredible music that surrounds them to enjoy the music and the fantastic brotherhood that surrounds the music and the players of it. Workshops are held in all areas of interest all seven days, by professional teachers and performers.
"It's the music!" Bob Everhart says to the question of why he has been involved for so many years. "The music is paramount. Sometimes egos and money take a toll, but the music still prevails, and we intend to keep it going as long as we can for whoever likes it no matter where they come from."
More information about how you can be a part of saving America's rural music or attending the festival, or performing on it, is available at the NTCMA website http://www.oldtimemusic.bigstep.com or writing the NTCMA P O Box 492, Anita, Iowa, 50020, or at 712-762-4363, or by e-mail bobeverhart@yahoo.com
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