Pap and Paul
One of the most soothing sounds I’ve ever heard is people singing two part harmony. Most folks in the world would agree harmony singing is a pretty sound and it’s even impressive from a technical standpoint since it’s not something everyone can do.
While I certainly agree with both of those points, there’s another reason it is a true balm for my soul.
From my earliest memories there was always two-part harmony singing in the background of my life. Most often it was Pap and his brother Ray. Other times it was Pap and Granny. Of course in later years it was often Pap and Paul.
It’s hard for me to think about all the songs, all the harmony, all the strummed strings that followed me around while I was being raised up without getting teary eyed.
No one in my family circle of music has ever even come close to being famous or making a living from the music they made. Yet their hands, voices, and love of singing shaped the very lives of those who dwelled among them.
A few years back Paul found an old video of us doing “Ages Ago” at one of our Sunday evening pickin and grinnin sessions. Here’s what Paul said had to say about it just after he found it.
Twelve years ago (hard to believe it has been that long), we uploaded a video of Pap and me singing “Ages Ago.” In that video, we sing only one verse (just like Gene Autry, the Country Gentlemen, and Crowe and McGlaughlin). I knew that somewhere, there existed a video of us doing the song where I made up a second verse to lengthen the song. A couple of weeks ago, I was lucky enough to find it. I first heard the song when Crowe and McGlaughlin released a great album where they featured two flat top guitars and close harmony singing (my favorite musical format!).
This would have been in the late 90’s, I think. I learned later that they were doing a cover of an old Gene Autry song. McGlaughlin is a master of cross picking.
My nephew Ben (who we referred to as “Guitar Man” in the early days of the blog), provides the lead guitar picking in this video as well as in the shorter version from 12 years ago. He did a great job. I wish he wasn’t out of frame. He can be heard but not seen.
His brother Mark is joining us on mandolin in this old video, and a very young Corie Pressley (aka “Chatter”) can be seen sitting behind Pap. Tipper is also out of frame playing the bass.
I’m pretty sure the reason we never used this video is that several of us mistakenly thought the song was ending a good 12-14 beats before it was time. You can hear this if you listen close. This doesn’t hurt the song too bad, no more than the fact that I looked very much like a hobo in this video 🙂 I was happy to find it, and I hope you enjoy hearing this video featuring Pap’s wonderful harmony!
The doctors are still making plans for Granny’s treatment program. She grows weaker by the day and it seems I can see her fading away right before my very eyes.
Granny is still in good spirits and I’m thankful for that. I’m also thankful I have a stockpile of the soothing music of childhood to comfort me.
Subscribe for FREE and get a daily dose of Appalachia in your inbox
Love the harmony! Granny is in my prayers, and Katie too.
Have Granny’s doctors suggested palliative care? I don’t mean to sound callous-far from it-but if Granny’s time on this earth is near its end, maybe comfort measures in her final days is what’s needed rather than an aggressive “treatment” plan that is 99% certain to fail. I find doctors are rarely willing to discuss this. It’s like they think it’s an admission of failure on their part.
my dear sister in law died of breast cancer very young. She spent the last 9 months of her life enduring a treatment plan that reduced her quality of life to near zero. On her deathbed she said recalled that no-one had told her- plainly- that her illness was terminal and that she had the option to decline treatment and simply enjoy her final months with appropriate pain management. She missed so much of her young children’s lives battling the side affects of treatment that was never going to work.
I continue to ask God to comfort and heal Granny. May Granny’s fading and weakness soon become merry good health and robust strength.
My friend, the late Larry Jon Wilson, being from S GA…..said “hominies”
Beautiful music. Prayers for you all.
Such a wonderful legacy to have the sound of those beautiful harmonies and voices and music of your closest loved ones and surely must be a comfort in all times. That is such a beautiful talent – Katie and Corie sound so beautiful together too – I very much enjoy listening to people who can sing like that. The Sunday music blogs are always enjoyable to me. I drove to Hendersonville again yesterday to get more apples and listened to both Shepherd of My Soul and Live To Never Die several times, all the way there and back (four hours worth). Seeing Mr. Wilson in this video, I wondered, I bet his heart was full having his family circled around so close playing music and singing together. And surely a blessing to Mrs. Wilson’s heart still. Continuing to ask the LORD for her, & you all, peace & deep restoring rest & sleep and also wisdom and clarity from the doctor(s). Hope everyone has a wonderful Sunday this beautiful day.
Tipper, My heart goes out to you as you and your family as you care for Grannie during this time of the unknown and as you watch her fade right before your eyes. It’s times like these that test our faith beyond measure. I am comforted, and I know you are comforted, too, knowing that your family is melded together by such a deep and abiding love for God and for each other. Praying the doctors will decide very soon about Grannies treatment plan. Also praying for peace and comfort for Grannie and her family. Sending love and big hugs my friend…!!!!
Beautifully said.
Oh Tipper I very much enjoyed the song! Such talent is God given.
I’m so sorry Granny’s health is declining. Please be assured many prayers are going up to our sweet Jesus!
Much love ❤️ We all love Granny.
P.S. Tipper I recently emailed you to tell you that I was diagnosed with Lewy Body dementia. You were so kind to me. Thank you for your prayers!
I have a praise report! Two Sunday ago, I went forward during the alter call at church and asked my pastor to pray for me. He anointed me with oil and said the most beautiful heart felt prayer. My MRI was the following day & I’m happy to report that there’s no sign of any dementia! I was healed! God is faithful.
I’m rather partial to a 2 part harmony myself. That’s my uncle Josh Crowe and David Mclaughlins album Paul refers to in the post. Little back story…They cut that record during the years my daddy had taken a step back from the music business and being on the road with Raymond & the Crowe bros to follow the Lord’s calling for him to be more involved with our church and become a deacon. I think things went well for all involved because that ended up being a nice endeavor for uncle Josh & David and I know daddy has never regretted minding the good Lord. Y’all did a great job on the song, as always! Love hearing yuns and hope everyone is having a nice Sunday
Loved the song. The video is so sweet. Praying for your mom and the famiy
Beautiful harmony from a beautiful family. I continually pray for Granny & it’s sad to hear that she is getting weaker each day. God has a plan for her that we cannot stop. Between God, family & doctors she is in good hands.
Continued prayers for Granny. Beautiful music!!!
Tipper, thank you for sharing Pap, Paul and the others playing and singing this beautiful song. My heart goes out to you as you wait for the doctors plan. Granny is a blessing to us because you have shared her with us all. Her good spirits, joy in the Lord and her family encourages us all. She is so precious. Prayers continue for Granny and all your family.
Such a beautiful song and a blessing to have this and the many other videos. Granny is in my prayers, and the doctors too for wisdom with her treatment. Enjoy your Sunday. God bless you and your family.
Walking beside a parent, or any dearly loved one, through the last few yards of life toward the goal is one of the hardest, yet sweetest blessings of our lives in mortal bodies. It is a sacred privilege. I’m so glad that you and your family are among those who know how the story ends – we will be with Him again!
Praying for all to be comforted by the certainty that our Father does not make mistakes and that His plan for every life is the perfect one…
So true!
Family harmony is the best! My mother and three of her sisters sang together. I can remember their sweet harmony. I’m so sorry Granny is getting weaker. Prayers for all. Take care and God bless ❣️
Lots of folks, especially in the southern hills, can make things with their hands, cook a decent meal and perhaps pick up an old guitar or harmonica, but it takes a mother to put it all together in a very special way, create a warm and welcoming home and inspire others to do the same. We’re all concerned about Granny having a hard go of it, but she’s still creating her masterpiece and her presence will be felt for generations to come, our hearts will always beat a little happier when we think of her. I remember her sweet voice when she would join Paul in a song.
Ray, I have often heard in my life that the man/husband is the head of the house or family. I have also heard it preached that the woman is the neck that turns the head or that she is the heart of the family. I like to say a good wife or mother is the glue that holds a family together. Just read what the Bible says about a virtuous woman. My family lost our “heart of the family” two and a half years ago. My wife, mother, grandmother was the one my family all turned to in times of trouble. No, I am not putting her above God, He should be first.
So beautiful! It’s so special to see your family sing and play music together. Always enjoyable! Praying for Granny and all of your family each day.
Tipper, I believe that all those ages of your father and your brother listening to those wonder country artists like the Louvin Brothers and others, plus Paul and Pap playing their share of good music themselves helped to hone those unique harmony skills. I really enjoy their music as well as hearing some of the younger folks join in on rhythm guitar or mandolin. It also seems that I can always hear you somewhere on the bass as well. Keep up the good sounds, and thanks again for sharing with us. It really brightens my day, especially on a Sunday morning. Love and prayers for your Mother.
Does Granny hold back her pains and her fears from her children because she would rather suffer silently that watch them suffer for her?
Papaw-too a certain extent I’m sure she does.
Prayers for Granny, Katie, and all of you. God has you all in his hands. Beautiful music, truly.
Your family is so blessed to have all theses wonderful recordings. Continued
Prayers for Granny. God Bless and keep you.
Granny continues to be in our hearts, thoughts, and prayers, Tipper. As is Katie … In my humble opinion, family harmony is undeniably the top of the mountain in the music world; always touches you in a way no other music can. And “pickin’ and grinnin” sessions at home are the most fun because there are no boundaries or restrictions! Music from the heart, for sure!
Continued prayers for Granny and your whole family.
Hold your family tight. Go out and look at your beautiful garden and see all the wonderful things God has given you. Granny is in safe hands. Pap is waiting to hold her in his arms again. As always the music has made my Sunday. Whatever you do today be blessed.
Harmony is really hard to sing but some people have a talent for it like Pap did. I know it brings you joy and peace when you listen to the family singing together.
Enjoy this beautiful Sunday God has given us! Let’s go sing praise to HIM.
Great music and definitely shows your family has been blessed with ability and talent. Thinking of you all and especially your mom.
Loved the harmony!! I’ve taken care of loved ones when they were fading right before my eyes, Tipper, so I understand fully how it pulls at your heart but I know that the Lord was walking with me every step and carrying us through the roughest valley. It is never easy but we have His promise, He will never leave us or fail us. Praying for you all!
It’s a beautiful sunny morning and that was a beautiful song to listen to. I am sorry it feels like the doctors are taking so long for your Mama’s plan. I will say an extra prayer for all of you today.
Music truly is the glue that binds our lives together. As you’ve stated looking back in our lives, so many events can be tied to a song that was popular or was involved in the event.
As we see the fall harvest being brought in, not only from the fields but also our bountiful gardens, my mind recalls a song that I learned from a young age in church, as a small boy. It’s entitled “Come Ye Thankful People Come” and it tells of thanking our Lord for another year of bounty and his blessings to us. Don’t know if it’s known to you or not, but maybe you could do a little digging in your vast resources and locate it.
In church as a kid (65 years ago) we sang in four part harmony and with no instrument accompaniments.
What a blessing to each other and us!
My father in law along with one of his daughters, were musicians in their own right but never tried to make a career of it. My father in law often said a band made up of family members are the best when it comes to singing harmony. It seems like y’all have proved this to be true. By the way he loved listening to the Wilson Brothers. I have been praying for Granny and her family and will continue to do so.
We hold Granny and you in our hearts and pray her strength will be renewed very soon. Listening to your family singing and strumming gives us all hope. Your closing words brought to mind Wendell Berry writing, “But as a little bird hidden in the / leaves / who sings quietly and waits, and / sings.”
beautiful! continuing to pray for all of you.
Thank you for this sweet song and the memories it pulls from my past ❤️
Carolyn
Enjoy every minute. No one like a good mama. I was blessed also.
God helps you, one day at a time.
Prayers for you and your family.
How soothing & what harmony! The talent in the Wilson family extends to everyone. I’ve found that when a family has something that they can do together and develop over the generations to benefit the group of them it, it brings a greater good, serves the Lord, & overrides any life challenges that come along out of our individual human experience. To then have the ability and the grace to share this with the community, and in y’all’s case the world, serves as an example of a way to live, serve, & provide much needed continuity for everyone!
Blessings,
Allison
Thank you, Allison! So well said. I wholeheartedly agree.
Such beautiful harmony. You have been so Blessed, in my opinion, with all the talent in your family. I am so sorry to hear the Doctors are taking so long to start some sort of treatment for Granny. It has been what seems like a long time for the diagnosis. It is so hard to keep up her spirits as well as your I spent 18 very long month taking my mother 5 days a week for chemo treatments. It is harder for the victim, in my opinion, that is what they are, victims. Praying for her and you guys. You have been through a long hard 2023. I know the Blessings outweigh the troubles, but sometime they can be overwhelming for even the strong. God Bless you guys