Pap used to say we tried to do too many songs and never stayed with any of them long enough to really get them right. He had a valid point, we do seem to learn songs only to leave them by the wayside and move on to another tune.
There are some songs we’ve never stopped doing since the girls started playing and singing first with Pap and Paul and later by themselves. One that comes to mind is the classic Dillards song made famous by The Andy Griffith Show “There is a Time.”
Every once in a while we’ll revisit one of those old songs we left behind and practice it up again. Sometimes we sort of relearn it and start doing it again and others we play it for a practice or two and then leave it again.
The girls used to do the old song “Lonesome Feeling” written by Billy Henson and first recorded by The Osborne Brothers at about every show we played. I’m almost certain the girls originally learned the song from a Josh Williams cd they picked up on a trip to see Miss Cindy when she still lived in Black Mountain, NC.
I always loved the song because of its lonesome sound and lyrics. I’m a lover of the melancholy whether its music or stories.
A few weeks ago the girls decided to give the song a try again and we’ve been doing it in our recent performances. Here’s a video they added to their YouTube channel a short time ago.
As they mentioned in the video, Pap really liked the song. I’m not sure if it was because he really enjoyed the lyrics or if it was simply that he enjoyed seeing his granddaughters do the song.
The video below was from almost ten years ago. You can certainly see how much the girls have changed since then and you can hear how their music has progressed as well. But my favorite part of the video is Pap’s face—you can tell he was flat out enjoying the performance.
Hope you enjoyed the videos and I hope you have a wonderful Sunday.
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Hank Williams nailed it. I’M SO LONESOME I COULD CRY (1949) by Hank Williams https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4WXYjm74WFI
Awesome videos, Tipper! You are all so blessed to have these of your family as they grew and matured. Pap is so full of pride and joy!! I know it does your heart good to see him enjoying this moment in time.
I enjoyed both renditions of this song. It makes me think how important it is to try to brighten someone else’s day and, if possible, help to lighten their load. Excellent job again!
Awww love the song both videos …what a great tune . I still like Andy Griffith and the Dillards ….still have an album by Douglas Dillard we still enjoy … hoping for some rain in Kentucky ,have a great night …☺️
That’s kinda weird Tipper, I’m watching a rerun of Andy Griffith now. I do love the boys on there and their sister. They sure can play. So can your girls. They did an awesome job on that.
I do love your blog! I’m living in Jonesborough TN, now; and I spent many of my young years in Highlands NC
Yes, it is a joy to watch Pap’s face while he listens to the twins! I would like to get their names straight. Is Chatter The Who place guitar, and Chitter the one on fiddle?
Guerry-so glad you enjoy the blog! You got it right Chatter is Corie who plays the guitar and Chitter is Katie who plays the fiddle 🙂
Tipper, music videos from your twin girl always make a good Sunday morning even better. I think I enjoyed the early ones with Pap smiling and encouraging them along the best. I’m sure they’ve made him as well as you parents very proud indeed.
How can one add any comment to perfection?
Those Pressley Girls always put on a lovely show with their talented singing and playing. Yet,I’ll have to say your right Tipper, Pap’s face lighting up with those big smiles,over those granddaughters,is most entertaining too.
The girls did a great job on that song, as usual. Pap didn’t hide his feelings during their performance. His smile leaves me wondering what he said when the song was over.
Guess we’ve each traveled some version of a lonesome road at one time or another. Corey and Katy do a memorable rendition, as usual. The song reminds me of how I like to take what I call my “Road and Trail” pictures. Somehow, to me, a road or trail wending its way through the woods and bending out of sight just says something. What it says, I think, varies with each person To me it is about exploration, discovery, mystery, possibility, curiosity going forward. But it can be reversed and thought of as that place one came from, the old homeplace or some other place of fond memory or even a dark place one once passed through. I must have over a hundred such pictures. I use one every now and then to make a card. I’m not much good at it but I like to try.
I can sure tell how their voices have matured with age, both songs are beautiful! I love seeing Pap smile!
This is a beautiful start for my day!
Greatly Enjoyed!
Also, more of your Paps wisdom. Can apply to several things in life.
Those girls sing and play so well together. I enjoy their music.
Thoroughly enjoyable, and yes, the girls have improved and become more polished. Yet years ago the promise was obviously there, and it’s a joy to watch as Jerry nods his head with a knowing smile full of pride and awareness that his granddaughters are walking a well trodden musical path where he has traveled.
Jim Casada