A Kid’s View of a Kids’ Music Camp:
Cordova Music Camp, 2006
By Olivia
(782 words)
Cordova, Alaska, is picturesque in every way. Mountains rise behind you and Prince William Sound stretches out in front, filled with gorgeous salmon of all kinds returning to spawn in the rivers of their birth. Bald eagles circle overhead and fir forest stretch as far as you can see. As a 13 year-old first year camper from Georgia, I found the setting heavenly. Cordova 4H Music Camp, which emphasizes bluegrass but also has old-time and Irish Music and folk dancing, has been going on here for over a decade. It is an amazing opportunity for young people who love bluegrass or any acoustic music form.
We arrived on a Friday afternoon during the “Salmon Jam,” a music festival featuring fresh cooked salmon straight out of the Sound. The festival took place on the side of a ski slope where world-class skiers and snow-boarders go to practice! Within the first hour we felt at home.
The next night my mom, Louisa Branscomb was scheduled to do a set at the Salmon Jam. We met a band that was also appearing, Foxfire, from New Mexico. In maybe 20 minutes we were ready to back my mom up on 12 original songs they’d never heard! This was just the first example of the enthusiasm and skill of all the music instructors, staff, and students that was so special and inspiring all week.
Monday camp started. Each day started with a big breakfast, open jam session (imagine 60 campers playing Hot Corn, Cold Corn!!!), then 3 class periods of your choice. Choices were amazing— you could pick any bluegrass instrument, and/or songwriting (taught by my mom), singing, penny whistle, Irish dancing, and much more. My first class was Dobro with Kevin Haisman from Foxfire Bluegrass. My second class was mandolin with Stephanie Haisman also from Foxfire. Then I had songwriting with my mom and about 10 others. All the classes were fun-filled and the teachers were funny and relaxed, making the perfect learning atmosphere.
It amazed me how the uniqueness and individuality of the students/campers mixed with the patience and cooperation of the teachers, instructors, and counselors could make a camp so great. The teachers and other campers were amazing. Lasting friendships were formed literally overnight.
In the evenings the camp put on a square dance or water fight or something else to bring the campers closer together. You might think Alaska is too cold for a water fight, but they didn’t (I did!). I believe that because Cordova is such a small town, these things brought the whole community together; not just the camp. Everyone there is nice, caring, respectful, and polite toward the students.
On Saturday all you do is practice with your band for the concert. All students, no matter what their level, play all week with a band of the type of music they chose. Of course, I was in a bluegrass band. For practice each band performs around town at different locations. We played by the harbor, with the salmon fishing boats sailing out in front and the mountains up ahead. We even earned 27 dollars in tips! Then we had the concert, with all the student bands. Mike Mickelson, the awesome guitar player from the band Bearfoot, was the M.C. and also a great teacher all week. The concert was fantastic. Even after a week, the student bands were super. We didn’t think we could do it, but we did.
At night we would go over to someone’s house and jam till midnight, one, or occasionally two in the morning. Back home you could never do that. The atmosphere was just so happy and help-filled; it was fantastic.
Overall this camp is great at helping you learn a lot quickly, and loads of fun. The people are special and the music is great. For me, it is hard to explain how awesome an experience this was. The beauty and serenity of Cordova, a close-knit small town, inspires peace and safety. You could go anywhere and feel safe and at home. Drawing kids from all over the states, with different musical backgrounds brings a sense of unity, one could say. The staff at the camp makes you feel welcome and secure. They also show you that you can be great no matter what level you are at.
Everybody who helped to put this camp on and offered their homes for campers deserves a big invisible round of applause, along with the Camp leaders, Belle Mickelson and Kristin Kokborg, and the staff. They are all amazing people. All I can say is: If you can possibly make it to Alaska, no matter where you live, go to the Cordova 4H Music Camp!
Bio:
Olivia loves to play dobro, listen to bluegrass and country music, learn everything she can about bluegrass, and write about music and musicians. She lives in North Georgia.
Louisa and Olivia with Foxfire Bluegrass at the Salmon Jam, 2006
_________________________________________________________________________________________________
“Turpentine”
This album from the band Foxfire Bluegrass is one to die for! Foxfire Bluegrass is currently made up of siblings Stephanie Haisman on mandolin/vocals, Brian Haisman on guitar/vocals, Kevin Haisman on banjo/vocals, and Timothy Haisman on acoustic bass/vocals along with family friend Lucas Caudill on fiddle/vocals. They are based in Bloomfield, New Mexico.
Foxfire’s constant drive and energy is one that is rare to find, especially on recording. Along with their bluegrass harmonies and distinctive sound, their love for what they do sets them apart. On Dolly Parton’s “Jolene” sibling harmonies give this song the punch it needs. The single instrumental on the album “Rebecca” shows that not only can they sing, they can play. “Wings of Love” uses whole family harmonies to give this song a distinctive sound found nowhere else on the record. “Shady Grove”, gives Foxfire Bluegrass the chance to show soulful treatment of a traditional tune along with the more contemporary songs on the album.
Although Foxfire Bluegrass is one of the most professional and hardworking young bluegrass bands around, they still have the ability to get any crowd clapping. They have the sincerity and charm to please a fine arts audience but yet they still have the ability to please a high energy college or middle school crowd. I should know because I had the honor of sitting in with them at my school, Darlington in Rome, GA. They had every rap-loving kid there clapping and dancing along. This is one band you have to see in order to truly appreciate! Check out there website at www.foxfirebluegrass.com for bookings or just general info!
__________________________________________________________________________________________________
Jerry Douglas
Jerry Douglas plays a resophonic guitar that is more commonly known as the dobro. A dobro is the least common bluegrass instrument. It generally uses lots of slides, hammers-ons and banjo-like rolls. On slow songs he tends to play lots of chordal movements. He is known as the Jimi Hendrix and Charlie Parker of acoustic music.
In 1970 Jerry became highly recognized by other musicians. Jerry was born in 1955 in Warren, Ohio. He stayed at home till he was 16, but in the meantime he had a lot happen. When he was 12 he got his first dobro. Fortunately he had other musicians to play with and get better with. Over time, Jerry got good enough to play in bars with his dad’s band, the West Virginia Travelers. When Jerry turned 16 he was invited to go on tour with the Country Gentleman in 1973.
Jerry first fell in love with the dobro in 1963. His father, John Douglas, had taken Jerry to a Lester Flatt and Earl Scruggs concert. Uncle Josh Graves and Brother Oswald Kirby were playing the dobro. He fell in love with the melodic sound of it and committed himself to the instrument. As soon as he woke up every morning, he would hear Flatt and Scruggs on the record player. Even though no one knew what the dobro was he still wanted to play it.
He learned the fundamentals on an old guitar on which the strings had been raised. He played it with a metal bar with which he created the sliding effect. Playing the dobro came easy to Jerry. He did not have to sit down and practice for hours every day. He went out and played football and did everything else that he wanted to do. He just played his music with ease.
Jerry has overcome many obstacles in his life. The biggest obstacle was getting to where he is now. It just takes practice and determination. He has appreciated all of his nine grammies, numerous grammy acknowledgements, and endless specialized awards. He mainly plays, though, because he loves to.
Jerry’s greatest accomplishments, all, have been amazing. He has played on over 1,500 different albums and has played with thousands of artists. He has played on Celtic cd’s, rock’n’roll cd’s, jazz cd’s, and many, many other variations. Each recording that he has been on has had its own little spice to it.
Jerry has two daughters, one son, and a wonderful wife. His daughters names are Nola, (the older one), and Olivia, (the younger one). His son is Patrick and his wife is Jill. They all support Jerry in his musical career, and they do every thing they can do to help him.
Jerry loves his music, and here are some of his own words about it. “I have put together a real band. I’m going to make this different enough so that it will be identified with me and my music. I want to focus on the distinctive sound of my instrument. That slidey sound that has become my signature style.” “I don’t think there is anything in the world that could make me as happy. It is my way of therapy and my way of making money. It’s more important to me as an emotional therapy than it is a job. When I’m really, really tired or when I have worked too much it feels like a job. The rest of the time, though, it’s a friend to me. It is a teacher of all things about life in general.”
Jerry started his professional career when he was 16. He started when he went on tour with the Country Gentleman. Jerry started playing the dobro because he loved how it sounded when Uncle Josh Graves played it. Jerry listened to bluegrass all his life and played with his dad’s band until he went on tour.
I picked him because he is an amazingly talented man. He is a great man with an amazing love for his family and his music. I also picked him because I personally know him and he is a great guy. I also play the dobro. I love to have loquacious conversations with him. - by Olivia
________________________________________________________________
The Lovell Sisters
It’s a cold windy November night. You are sitting by a nice warm fire overlooking the Appalachian Mountains talking to Jessica, Megan and Rebecca Lovell. That’s where I was on November 26th, getting an interview for the school newsletter. You might say “Oh that’s boring. Whatever, I wouldn’t want to do it,” but really, it was worth it.
The three Lovell sisters created their own band this year at the “Society for the Preservation of Bluegrass Music of America” (SPBMA pronounced SPIGMA) meeting. Now with Andy Nall playing the acoustic bass and Jake Stargel on guitar, they are wowing the spectators at their shows. They are that new band the bluegrass community needs.
Jessica (20) is the oldest of the three. She plays the fiddle and was heavily involved in the SAU (Southern Adventist University) symphony orchestra, by the age of 15 she was co-principle of the 2nd violin section! Megan (17) is the middle child. She plays the dobro but also started on classical violin. While Rebecca (15) is the youngest, she has won more awards. Just this year she got 2nd place in the Winfield National Mandolin Championship. Also earlier this year, Rebecca won first place in the Merlefest mandolin competition. Last year she was the first woman to ever place and this year she is the first woman to ever win. It was a blind competition and the judges judged only from what they heard. Rebecca won fair and square over the guys.
These girls have each hand picked their own instruments. Megan fell in love with her dobro because, “It has more of a vocal quality. You can be really expressive with it. It is very versatile.” Yet Jessica wanted more of a rhythmic style, so she changed to bluegrass. Rebecca started on the banjo but ended up switching to her mandolin. She says she likes it, “because I am very hyper, the most hyper of us, always moving. The mandolin is so rapid-fire that it helps me get out all of my energy.”
They all love bluegrass, but each for different reasons. Both Jessica and Rebecca love it, as both of them say, “because of the tradition. It’s all about family and people having something in common. Without even knowing someone, you can walk into a room and all play Red Haired Boy. That something is special.” While Megan says “It’s amazing to think about these same songs having been played for so long.”
All three of these girls have mentors. Megan loves Jerry Douglas. “He’s AMAZING! His tone, expressiveness. His versatility. He can play anything. And he’s so tasteful.” When Rebecca was asked, she said “Chris Thile. In the same way. I think he is the best mandolin player in the world, in another realm. He can go from Bach to Red Haired boy. Sam Bush is the rhythm master.” Yet Jessica said it was “Stuart Duncan, when you actually see him. You feel you know him because his soul comes through the music.”
Their parents are highly involved with their music. “They give us constructive criticism, plus they drive us everywhere and have paid for all of our lessons. They are always letting us know we could become who we have become. They support us as people, more than as musicians.” Their dad has booked all of their shows. Their mom always has something on to cook and is a big support section.
When they were asked what the advantages and disadvantages were of being in a band with two other sisters, a big “oooooooooo” went around the table. After a minute of thinking, Jessica said to us ,“The advantage is you know so much about each other, where you came from, that you are kind of on the same wave length. We have read the same books, seen the same movies. We have been at home together due to being home-schooled. But then when you get in arguments you really know how to push buttons, what hurts.” Megan says that the advantages and disadvantages are the same. “You have to be around them all the time!”
Not only are they bluegrass fans they also like other types of music. They are influenced by many people in many genres, such as: Rascal Flatts (country), Kelly Clarkson (pop-rock), the Killers (U.K. rock), Hilary Hahn (classical), and Andrea Bocelli (opera). They take in all different aspects of these genres. They like each genre because of different things but mainly because of the “versitality and the emotion.”
When asked what is the thing that you are most likely to agree on, they all gave a laugh and thought for a second. Rebecca admits that she is a stickler for timing but yet the peacemaker of the group. She admits to being a little bit of a goody-two-shoes. Jessica says that she can get really snappy. Megan though calmly admits that she pouts, gets sullen, and gets really moody. She also said: “So together I guess we are the three dwarves- Moody, Snappy, and Goody” they comment with a laugh. They later told us that they do sometimes disagree on what to do next.
We ended up having a long conversation on whether there are any gender differences in bluegrass today. Overall there is a big “YES!!” from the group. Rebecca had a very strong opinion on this. She says “I think a lot of the time, if you are just walking around at a festival, you see them roll their eyes as if to say, “there’s another little girl trying to play at bluegrass.’ It’s still a male dominated field, but you have Alison Krauss and Rhonda Vincent Valerie Smith, Michelle Nixon and many others who are so awesome who are trail blazers. I think that’s why the Dixie Chicks appealed to a lot of people: the women were strong. Earle was killed!!! Not your usual I’m waiting for Prince Charming. It’s amazing how many women are killed in these songs. Also, how many happy songs can you name? The music came from hard times. But for us, we want to carry on the tradition and the sound, but there are still many bluegrass stories to be told to a mainstream audience. It is important to tell your own story as a girl and a person who is living now, in this culture.” Though Jessica said “We definitely need more women in bluegrass music. In bluegrass, the lyrics often view women as either being helpless, or objects of desire. They are either victims, or they are being left, or being killed. So it is refreshing to hear music where women are capable and powerful and women’s story is told. Where women are creative and competent and capable. “
We asked these three young women if they had to listen to one song all night long what would that song be? Jessica would “Nothin but a Whipporwill” by Blue Highway. Megan wants “The Day Before You” by Rascal Flatts. She hates to admit it though, because it is not bluegrass. Megan would listen to Jerry Douglas but he is humbling. She says that whenever she hears him she always thinks “How did he do that?” Rebecca would listen to two: “Bridal Veil Falls” and “Song for a Young Queen” by Chris Thile.
These women were asked what is their favorite line in any song, and within seconds they were all screaming and shouting “Everybody I saw seemed to be a rank stranger!” by Ralph Stanley. They all started singing it, and Rebecca started doing mandolin chops in the air. A very funny scene indeed!
Their advice to young players is: get your technique right, don’t be afraid to learn from others, accept the fact that you are always learning and its ok that you are at what ever level you are at.
They all agree that the most fun thing about being musicians is the new material, playing, and meeting new people. These girls want you to come see their shows and BE ROWDY! They also need you to buy their cd’s. These young women LOVE energy! By the way, if anyone wants to learn the dobro or mandolin, you can contact them at their website www.lovellsistersband.com. For booking, contact them at booking@lovellsisterscom. By the way, boys: they do NOT have time for dating!
Copyright © 2006 Woodsong Farm. All rights reserved.