blind pig gang

Paul, Chatter, Chitter, Tipper – June 2018 Martins Creek

These days The Pressley Girls get paid to play music. When you think about it there’s no way the girls could travel around without being compensated for their gas and their time not to mention the money it takes to keep instruments in playing condition. But there are times we play for free.

The girls regularly play for the local Shriners as a way to support their great cause and we always play at least once a summer at Martins Creek Community Center to help them raise money to pay their electric bill.

Sometimes we play for free for something really special. Like the 82 birthday of a family friend. Playing on the top of a mountain with spectacular views surrounded by people who claim you as their own almost makes it seems like we should have paid them for letting us make music.

I’ll leave you with the best quote of the day from the birthday man himself. “The only thing that would make this any better is if Jerry (Pap) was here too.”

Tipper

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

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11 Comments

  1. My father and father-in-law were both Shriners and they do great work. My son’s roommate in college was born with a birth defect and he had many surgeries at Shriner’s Hospital. He was very grateful as they changed his life for the better. Bless those who open their hearts to others.

  2. The 82 year old Birthday Man said “a lot of memories were made that day ! That made his day ! It was all a surprise to him . Thank you and May the Lord Bless you all for sharing all your talents with him and all that was there ! Loved the music , love you all more ! Yes , we miss Pap very much !

  3. Now me, I could make money in music if I chose to. I’m pretty sure people would pay me not to sing and play. I could go out on the street with cup and a bucket. The cup would have a sign “I sing for money”. The bucket would say “Please Don’t”. I’ll bet you a nickel the bucket would be full before the cup collected a dollar.

  4. Oh, I’ll grant you Pap was there! With every tap of the toe and every draw of the bow, he is there when you all make music for us!!

  5. Tipper,
    I Thank God often for people like you. Your bunch has Blessed me many times and I’m reminded of what Pap use to say, “Go Home with Me.” …Ken

  6. I ask my grandson sometimes, “You know what we are making today?” And he says, ‘What?”. And I say, “Memories.” The memories will last as the best part of a double reward when the money is long gone, as I know you all know. Still, I’m glad they are making some money with their music to.

  7. I think that the greatest sign of a life well lived is that money is not the most important thing in it! I knew that there were some performances that you were paid for and some that you did out of kindness. That has always pleased me even though I’ve never said anything about it.
    I’m very proud of you all!

  8. I know Pap would be proud, enjoy it while you can, when I first started dating my Wife, her Moms family would get together and play music, they’d have several big get togethers each year when Gordon was near and play music and visit, that’s all gone now the old house where they lived is used as a storage building for one of the Boys, all but 2 are gone and there were 7 boys 5 girls, just lost one of the Sisters the last couple months, things change folks marry and move off, just enjoy the blessing while you can.

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