Thursday, December 18, 2008

Living History for a School Group

Nathaniel and his dad spent this morning adding a living history element to a school program at Traveler's Rest State Historic Site. Nathaniel and his dad jammed in their old-time clothes while two busloads of students toured the old stagecoach inn. They would break from strumming for each group of students and would tell a little about the history of the mountain dulcimer. Nathaniel even jammed a little with Tony Souther, site manager of Traveler's Rest, who plays a traditional wooden Appalachian banjo. This morning's program was the fourth dulcimer event in the last week and final scheduled event of the Chistmas season. Sorry for the poor quality photo. Camera phone. dark room.

Friday, December 12, 2008

Art Show & Mississippi Sawyer

Nathaniel spent Saturday, Dec. 6 and Sunday, Dec. 7 playing solo for a drop-in type audience during an art show in the home and studio of North Georgia artist, John Kollock. Than was in a room with his sister, Sarah, who showed her pressed flower artwork. Nathaniel's songs, many of which were his own arrangements, included a mix of Christmas music, hymns and fiddle tunes. Click above for his version of Mississippi Sawyer.

Monday, November 24, 2008

Tis the Season

December appears it will be a big strumming month. Nathaniel will spend two full days strumming in the home studio of a popular local artist, John Kollock, during the 25th Annual Foothills Guild Art and Craft Tour on Dec. 6th and 7th. He'll play mostly Christmas songs. In addition, the Nacoochee Strummers will be playing at least four Christmas programs at nursing homes and churches. (Nathaniel will play a finger picked Silent Night solo at each.) Finally, Nathaniel, his sister, Sarah, and his dad will be part of the living history at Traveler's Rest State Historic Site, a 1700s stagecoach Inn, on two separate December days.

Sunday, November 23, 2008

Inspired

After four days of leaving home early, attending workshops and roaming the vendor halls all day, attending concerts at night and late-night jams after those, what did Nathaniel do when he got home this afternoon? Picked up his dulcimer, of course. So much inspiration and so much to apply! He decided to try Joy to the World with lots of play in an aggressive strum. This is the work in progress - second time through after he had the idea. He also worked on a fun Go Tell it on the Mountain in A and a beautiful O Come All Ye Faithful in G, with a mix of flat picking and strumming. Dad just thought this one was cool and decided to tape him working on it.

On Stage Solo

Nathaniel has played quite a few solos, either while performing with the Nacoochee Strummers (dulcimer club) or strumming with his dad at a festival or other event. Yesterday, however, he took the stage all alone for the first time during the "Open Stage" portion of the North Georgia Foothills Dulcimer Association's Fall Festival. Nathaniel played Gray Cat on a Tennessee Farm and I'll Fly Away. Here's I'll Fly Away, with Dad's apologies for the sideways filming.