My life in appalachia musicaneers

In Appalachia you never know when you’ll run into a couple of musicianers.

According to the Dictionary of Smoky Mountain English:

Musicianer noun A musician, one who plays an instrument. “…1940 Simms Wiley Oakley 34 Wiley [Oakely] is extremely fond of music. He feels certain that he would have “been a real musicianer” if musical instruments to play upon had been available in his young days.”

Ever since the girls sung Happy Birthday to Charles Fletcher here on the Blind Pig-their musical skills have been in high demand for local birthday wishes.

I think their new motto is something like “have fiddle and guitar will sing for birthday cake.”

Tipper

Appalachia Through My Eyes – A series of photographs from my life in Southern Appalachia.

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16 Comments

  1. I’m a day late reading this so hadn’t planned to comment but was pleased to read Mike McLain’s comments about what it feels like to be a “musicianer” – it’s something I’ve never been able to describe to others although I know many musical performers – they’re different – the “performance” is more important to them – but their music seems to be missing something. Chamber music, small ensemble, and certain “soloists” seem to have more heart in their music. One of the few large groups who provide that musicainer feel is a vocal group called “Conspirare” – I know these aren’t folk music but persons who listen for the heart of music with their hearts will likely take this group to heart.

  2. Tipper,
    After reading B. Ruth’s comment, I
    recon since I can make a Black
    Walnut Cracker, does that make me
    a “Cracketeer”?…Ken

  3. “have fiddle and guitar will sing for birthday cake.” LOL
    I always wanted to learn to play the harp. I have a lap harp; I can’t play it. I use to sing pretty well when in high school. Unfortunately age seems to have changed things. Such is life!
    May the girls be a blessing to many as they cross paths with others; I’m sure they will be.
    God bless.
    RB
    <><

  4. Tipper,
    Reckon I lost my first post!
    I commented on the two musicianers! They are super ones for shore.
    The term Musicianer is in my Lexicon of Southern Appalachian Speech as well as a few others.
    The definition was simply; musician…I didn’t look it up again but one defines it as an old English term…brought over I suppose frum our kinfolks…
    I wonder if I could be called a housewifener, or betterhalfener or an artistener..or granniener…
    Just pondering.
    Thanks Tipper you know I love your music musicianers!

  5. Such wonderful talent. I’m not sure if I sang, the listeners would offer me birthday cake to eat. Chitter and Chatter, try never to give up your wonderful blessed talent. I always look forward to listening to your songs as well as those from your family.

  6. Tipper,
    I remember when your beautiful girls
    called me and sung “Happy Birthday”.
    That was so nice and unexpected,
    made my reading glasses fog up!
    Chitter and Chatter both come from
    a family of real musicians, and
    we’ve enjoyed watching them grow.
    No wonder you’re so proud of ’em,
    us too…Ken

  7. Now, there’s a word I’ve never run into, and I have played music for 6 decades and more! My best recollection is that if you were a person who was gifted in the ways of the guitar, banjo, fiddle, etc., that’s what you did, you “Played music” in the mountains. I can’t remember what they called it in upstate New York, its been almost long enough….

  8. Musicianers, songstresses, artists, artisans, authors, actresses and Appalachian ballerinas. Could you ask for more?

  9. Whoopsie! The sun has gone under clouds again! This playing hide and seek is irritating!
    Well, I’ll just draw me a big sun in the corner of the canvas like my grandchildren taught me. Have me some long rays coming down sparking on the stick people and children on the swing and the stick tuplips and the tall stick sunflowers…A few blue M’s flying over the one small white cotton cloud toward the green ball on a thicker stick of a tree! What a wonderful painting that will be!
    Thanks Tipper, Thanks grandchildren!

  10. Musicianer, that’s a new one for me. Seems like being one would be fun and hearing one or more would be an unexpected delight. I have always enjoyed the sight and sounds from music filling my ears in public places. Joy comes from hearing it causing the audience to walk away in smiles. At least so it goes for me.

  11. Tipper,
    You and your girls will never be forget for the special
    birthday song for me. I am hoping to be here for my 92nd. birthday and the girls will use the cloger
    dances and sing it one more time.
    Thanks.
    Charles

  12. I love it…will sing for birthday cake! Beautiful, talented, and smart.
    I’ve never heard that word. I wonder is the ‘c’ pronounced as a ‘k’ in this , new to me, word?

  13. I like the term. Being a “musicianer” all of my life, many of my fondest memories are connected to music experiences. It is almost impossible to describe to non-musicianers the feeling of creating music, whether for the enjoyment of others or for the musicianer’s own enjoyment. It taps to the very root of the soul.

  14. both your girls are very special musicianers. Dancing, playing and singing, you should be very proud of them.

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