Chitter, David, Chatter at JCCFS
A few months back I shared a post letting you know our dear friend David Kaynor had passed away. As you might imagine since that time there’s been a lot of David stories shared among his friends who are spread across the US and beyond.
David’s longtime friend Sue Songer put together a wonderful book of his music and more. David knew about the book and was able to assist Sue with a few things before he died. You can learn more about the book by watching this video. A link to purchase the book is in the description of the video.
Once David was diagnosed with ALS he talked with the girls about his looming death at great length. One of the things David wanted was to make sure his instruments went to the girls. Even as I type these words I can’t begin to comprehend why he chose to leave his fiddle and guitar to Chatter and Chitter. I mean of course they’re my daughters and I think everyone should love them 🙂 But still David had so many friends, colleagues, and students.
After his passing the girls wondered about the instruments but never felt like they should inquire about them so they didn’t.
David’s longtime friend Becky, who the girls know well, was well aware of his last wishes and once his will had went through the necessary channels she contacted the girls about getting the instruments to them.
The week the fiddle and guitar arrived the girls were scheduled to do Morningsong at the Folk School. It seemed only fitting that they take David’s instruments and use them since he had a great love of the school and spent many happy times playing on Keith House stage—not to mention the Folk School is where the girls first met David so many years ago.
The sound on the video isn’t that great because it was streamed live, but I hope you still managed to enjoy hearing the girls play David’s generous gifts the first time at a performance.
I want to say something profound about the meaning behind David’s gifts; the knowledge the instruments will continue to provide joy and solace to the girls and others; as well as the influence of David’s life and music flowing through the girls’ music and lives, but I can’t seem to wrap my head around all those things.
It will definitely take more studying to fully realize the fullness of David’s last wishes.
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Me Also ..simply beautiful lovingcare❣️
Such a beautiful gift and beautiful song. What an awesome thing for him too do for the girls! Love you guys so much! From SC, your friend, Jane
Could you think of better recipients for those precious gifts? He was not here physically to see the joy he was giving but he did have the joy of knowing.
I’ve been reading David’s Autobiography, and he was a truly a remarkable person. He accomplished things with his music, the contra dance, and calling for the dancers that were amazing, to say the least. Yet behind it all was to bring people together and build friendships,relationships,and keep them alive through the years,by sharing his love of music.I believe he knew best who could carry on his dreams and desires, when he left his instruments with Katie and Corie.
I’m so happy that David’s fiddle and guitar will be living with Katie and Corie. The Pressley family was an important part of David’s love for Brasstown. Now, he will remain with us in memories, tunes, dances and friendships as well as those well-played instruments.
I loved the viedo. I was tapping my foot right alone. I have always have had an interest in the fiddle but I can’t play a lick. I just dont have it.I love the sound and all that comes out of one. So many. Your family was special to him and he showed that with permitted the girls with his instruments. David lives on. God Bless You all.
Wow! How fortunate you are to have known him. Evidently he thought the girls are deserving of his instruments. It seems to me that they are progressing very well in their music. Thanks for sharing.
Gifts he knew the girls would treasure and continue to spread the JOY of music.
Beautiful story! God bless you!
David was indeed a wonderful musician and incredible best friend to Katie and Corey. He will remain with great affection all the days of these young ladies lives! I think he left his instruments to the Pressley girls cause he knew in his heart they would cherish them as much as he did. But the biggest reason he gave those instruments to Katie and Corey is simply because he loved your daughters with all of his heart as he loved you and Deer Hunter. May David live on for many years to come in hearts, songs, and writings. May you find a healing joy every time one of his instruments is played or he comes up in discussion amongst friends and family. Hopefully he only died was once but was born twice is my prayer.
Beautiful.
David knew the girls would love the instruments as much as he did. And I think he was right. They both look as if they had been a little bit teary-eyed as you took the pictures of them holding their treasures.
I expect his thought was, ‘You’re special and I want to leave you something special.’ And it may well be he was thinking of speaking through the notes.
I can see the sorrow in Chatter and Chitter’s faces. It is a mystery to me how sadness changes one’s eyes. My Dad called it ” looking like two holes burned in a paper sack. ” He is the only one I ever heard say that. We have a picture of myself and our daughter the day she was leaving to go half the world away and I look like that. That was a hard day.
But I know what you mean. There are things within us all that we can never come to grips with and put into words that are equal to the feeling. You know and have written about them. ‘Home’ is one of them, much more a feeling than a name. To some of us (I’m one.) that inability is a shadow we live under and a bit of sorrow we live with. Thankfully, imperfect efforts are still valuable.
On another subject, we listened to “Mountain Path” this morning. As you know, Mrs. Arnow taught school herself in rural Kentucky in the next county north of where my wife and I grew up. She knew the people, the place and the folkways. And, as you mention, saw beneath the rough and ready to the gold. I’m all for you reading myself. When you read an authentic Appalachian voice with an authentic Appalachian voice, it doesn’t get any better than that.
I don’t mean to hog all your space, but there’s something else I wanted to say… I had nothing else to do a few days ago, so I tapped into “Grannyisms,” which contained, to my surprise, postings from your very early Blind Pig days. I would encourage your other readers to go back and read those very entertaining postings for themselves. There is no wisdom like that of our Grannies.
Such a wonderful legacy. Those instruments couldn’t have found a more loving home.
Thanks to Corie and Katie for sharing that music. David’s original song, which sounds a lot like Molly Malone, and John Prine’s song about Mulenburg County were thoroughly entertaining, even though the original artists have passed on. It further illustrates my earlier thoughts about David and his music.
Wow! That’s Awesome! Mr. David knew the girls would cherish the gifts of his instruments to them and that they would keep those instruments alive as well as his legacy by playing them and blessing others as well. Btw that says a lot about the impact your girls had on Mr. David as well. Which is the same impact they have on all of us that know them and or hear them play and sing. GOD BLESS YOU ALL.
There’s a theory that sound never dies, and why should it? There’s no blast wall out there to stop it. David’s music, through his own instruments and songs, will literally live on and through two very special young women who loved him and his music. the lyrics and tunes. I’m sure it will engender a culture that will further propagate that wonderful legacy for the enjoyment of generations to come.
What a beautiful tribute to a good friend! David was a sweet, caring man! I never saw him that he didn’t have a smile for me. I miss him too!
David wisely assured that his musical instruments and musical heritage would continue to be part of the beauty and goodness that your family has so generously shared with so many people in Appalachia and even far afield.
Very nice. I never get tired of listening to the girls play.
He surely knew the girls would carry on his legacy ❤ What a touching story, Mrs. Tipper.