My Appalachian Celebration was a huge success! The only thing that could have made it better-was if every Blind Pig reader could have been there too.
You knew there was going to be singing-and there was-by The Pressley Girls and the whole Blind Pig Gang. I think we set a world record. I’m positive we did the song Poor Man the fastest it has ever been done. We had it moving along so fast Paul could barely get the words in their place.
Sometimes that happens-at least this time it made me smile. I felt like the mischievous sister watching Paul sing faster and faster while we all played faster and faster.
There was some mighty fine clogging by the Kudzu Kickers. What a great bunch of kids! They’ve been dancing together for so many years they remind me of the siblings in The Sound of Music. The team always does a great job-but something seemed extra special about their clogging that night. Watching them filled my heart with pride and made me teary eyed all at the same time.
Gayle Larson played the spoons as folks began to arrive. She never ceases to amaze me-truly one of the most interesting and talented ladies I have ever met.
Then there was Granny Sue-the star of the night. Wow what a storyteller! Granny Sue had the crowd in the palm of her hand. One lady told me she was sitting on the edge of her seat during the scary parts. My favorite stories were the funny ones. I especially loved the one about her husband Larry thinking a ghost was after him when it was actually his imagination and the Prince Albert can full of marbles he had in his back pocket.
I was honored by the Blind Pig readers who did make the show. I wish I had thought of taking a photo of all the Blind Pig readers who were there before the night was over. I’m thinking this won’t be the last Appalachian Celebration so I’ll add the group photo to the list for next time.
I promised those of you who were unable to attend because of distance or prior commitments I’d share part of the show via video. I thought sharing a video of Granny Sue, one of the cloggers, and one of the music would give you a taste for what the night was like. Unfortunately a small technical issue left me with no video of Granny Sue from the night-but I did video her telling a story to the girls at my kitchen table so that will suffice.
Since this is Monday-lets start this week off with a peppy clogging number by the Kudzu Kickers. Chatter and Chitter are the girls with their hair plaited (braided).
I hope you enjoyed the clogging! Drop back by in the next few days for a peek at the music and for a story from Granny Sue.
Tipper
Would have loved to have been there. We were actually in your neck of the woods today! It is so beautiful-we thoroughly enjoyed our drive even though it has been a flying trip through 3 states today.
These wonderful simple pleasures purely make a heart full, don’t they!!!
Makes me feel sorry for Hollywood celebrities who seem to have so much, yet REALLY have so little.
Know what I mean?
And while we may not meet while on this earth, I do believe we’ll meet in the hereafter – as I’ve heard so many times before, “See you here or in the air with Jesus.” ;o)
God bless.
RB
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Brilliant – love this!
I loved seeing those girls all grown up now singing so well. Good crowd. I wish I had not gotten lost and missed the first part.
I called Granny Sue, Hootin Annie, I believe on FB. I am sorry for that mistake. Don’t know where that came from. Thanks for letting me know about the gathering and I look forward to the next one.
The stories were good, too.
I am so disappointed we didn’t make it!!! I really wanted to come, but a whole lot of life got in the way. Thanks for sharing the evening-I’m so glad it was a success. Hopefully, there will be a next time-
I have watched the girls and the ret of their team clogging for a long time, I was trying to remember the first time…I think it was at the park in Young Harris one year when we were there.
Love the dance.
Tipper,
That was the best meeting yet! Don’t
recon I’ve sent this many e-mails over
something, ever. I enjoyed meeting lots of folks, hearing funny stories, all that good Blind Pig Gang music, and being entertained by them energetic Kudsu Kickers.
After it was over, I headed to the
bathroom and Tipper grabbed me to
get some pictures. Then she saw B.
Ruth and grabbed her. So, I pulled
up her pretty mama-in-law and
Suzanna (the Storyteller), while
Chitter was monkeying with the
camera.
Jim, wish you had been there with us
other turkeys, and Don and Lonnie, I
didn’t see you all till it was over.
Thank you Tipper, it was great…Ken
Oh wow! Wish i lived close enough to have been there. Sounds like such a fun time.
WOW!! What a talented clogging team. So nice to see such a fine group of young people carrying on a great Appalachian tradition. Tipper, so glad your first celebration was such a success!We were there with you all in spirit and hope to be able to attend the next celebration. Great Job!
Awe what a great show. I knew it would be and had all intentions of coming but just wasn’t able to drag a leg to get there. Maybe next time. Ya’ll are awesome.
Tipper,
I think you can mark this down somewhere on your list as “checked” sucess!…What a wonderful bunch of folks and all so friendly and kind! The cloggers did a great job. The singing was wonderful. I enjoyed so much Granny Sue’s stories. I am so sorry we missed all the gang singing. We just wandered too far out in the mountain before we realized we had passed our turnoff…LOL Next time we will be early…and Jim, we missed meeting you, but we did meet your better-half…brother Don! LOL and Jim, you mean Ken doesn’t always look that spiffy!
I just knew when I rolled in and parked, that the guy I parked next to was Ken. He reached out his hand to welcome me and said, “I’m Ken” and I think I really did say, “I know.” and I think in my mind I really did know it was Ken! Such a nice feller! Also good to meet sweet Cindy, too and all in person!
Of course, I knew all or most from the pictures on the Blind Pig…
Thanks again Tipper, you throw a great party, errrr Appalachian Festival Celebration!
PS.. You know Tipper, how wonderful it was to meet you in person, (although I feel I have known you all my life),the girls, (that handsome) Deer Hunter, sweet granny and sweetheart Pap, Paul and Steve…and others who’s names that may have slipped my mind! I’m old you know!
The whole thing sounds wonderful. It must have been so much fun. I love watching the dancers..you’re great!
Diane
Hi Tipper: beautiful daughters, yesterday I put my comment on a video that went Mrs. Jo, I repeat here, the girls are known outside USA, hahaha, cordial greetings to all the family!!.”The Pressley twins are famous and widely known Brasstown far, the best dancers cloggers USA!!!.
Here in Argentina is expected in the near future their performance if their artistic commitments allow.hahaha!
Congratulations also to the whole group, from Buenos Aires, Argentina, JL.
God bless you guys.”
i am so sorry we missed it. soon soon soon.
Tipper, thank you again for a great evening’s entertainment! I, too, got teary-eyed when the Kudzu Kickers got going. After being there for the long hours of practice, it was very moving to see it all come together. It inspired me to get beyond my beginner status!
Did we not have fun! What a great time. I miss everyone already, you all made us feel so welcome. It was such a pleasure to finally meet you and all the Blind Pig gang, and to see those girls I’ve been following online for the past 7 years. Thanks so much for all your work putting the evening together (and to those good cooks who supplied the desserts!).
Delightful!! Thanks for sharing and looking forward to the rest of the videos.
Well Tipper, I do believe those cloggers are ready for a tour of Scotland! Wish we could have made it.
Eva Nell
Nicely done! I’m out of breath just watching them with those fast moving feet. Sure wish I could have been there to see all of it. I used to have a storyteller come into my classroom of middle schoolers each year. One could hear a pin drop; my favoite story each time she came was ‘The cat’s purr.’ I’m a cat person and she would do it just for me.
Great job by the Kickers! Jo should be proud.
Sounds like everyone had a wonderful time! I wish I could have been there. The dancing was wonderful and I know the other music was too! Thank you Tipper for sharing with us that could not be there.
Sounds like a great evening! I have another long day of construction prep-work ahead today, so I’m going to save your video for a treat to enjoy this evening, when the work is done. 🙂
I wish we could have made it. I tell my wife that I don’t know how we did what we did and worked at the same time! We are completely retired, but right now, I think this coming Saturday is clear for me. The rest of the week is booked at least part of the day.
Tipper, your Celebration was definitely a success! We enjoyed it immensely. I doubt that many people noticed (or cared)that you played a song too fast! It looked to me like everyone was having a great time. It was good meeting some new people and seeing some old faces-even Don’s! Thanks for a great evening of good, wholesome, entertainment!
Tipper, the Appalachian Festival was a lot of fun and a LOT of talent. The girls sang beautifully in spite of Chitter’s cough. Pap has the sweetest voice in the world. The kids dancing were outstanding. They were so happy and that showed through in every step. Then there was Granny Sue! She and Larry were delightful to spend the weekend with and her stories were very entertaining. She mesmerized the whole audience and held them in the palm of her hand.
I’m thinking this First Annual Appalachian Festival was a roaring success!
Tipper–I would have loved to have been there. Sounds like great fun, and my, is Ken Roper dressed up. He must have collected all of the sunshine out of the holler where he lives to get slicked up so fine.
Jim Casada
http://www.jimcasadaoutdoors.com
We truly enjoyed the entire night! The music touched our souls, the clogging kept our toes tapping and the storytelling was super! It was great to see Chitter and Chatter, too. We left a little misty-eyed, sorry to leave such wonderful friends!
Delightful!!! Well done!!!!
My Tipper—you sure can be proud of those girls—and I am glad your event was a success—also am glad you shall be sharing the nite with those of us who live many a mile away and can not attend.