About Me
Coming up REAL SOON..PRE FESTIVAL ACTIVITIES
VOLUNTEER PICNIC
Thursday, June 26, 6 p.m., Cannonsburgh, (On Front St., Just off Broad St. behind Shoney's) in the Gazebo
This is our annual covered dish/pot luck Volunteer Picnic. If you have an interest in volunteering this year at UDM Days or are one of our faithful volunteers...this is the place for you to be!! Don't forget to bring a copy of your recipe ...they will be used in the Daily News Journal food page. See YOU there!!
UNCLE DAVE MACON DAYS VIDEO PREMIER
Presented by Navigation Advertising
Friday, June 27, 6-8 p.m., Oakland Historic House Musuem, 900 N. Maney Ave. FREE
Come and see the brand new Uncle Dave Macon Days Video. Food. Music. Good Friends. A chance to see and take home, a piece of Uncle Dave Macon Days/Rutherford Country history. This beautiful, color, full-length video documentary captures the essence and excitement of 30 years of Uncle Dave Macon Days.
TRIBUTE TO UNCLE DAVE MACON CONCERT, THUR, JULY 10, 7:30 p.m. DILLON PARK, WOODBURY, ADMISSION CHARGED
Hosted by the Cannon Country Arts Center , featuring the Jake Leg Stompers and the Galley Nippers (please see blog for more info)
Start your weekend an evening early by attending this energetic, fun-filled evening of old time and jug band music...to get just a little taste of what you'll enjoy at Uncle Dave Macon Days
NEW...THIS YEAR!!
First Place prize money increased to $1000 for Old Time String Band
First Place prize money increased to $1000 for Blue Grass Band
Jug Band competition added on Friday night. First prize - $750
Special motel room rate for festival guests. $59.00 at the Baymont Inn and Suites. To get this rate, you MUST make reservations by June 25, 2008. Call the LOCAL Baymont directly...(615) 896-1172.
WSM-AM 650 ..Bill Cody brings his early morning radio show back to the City Cafe on East Main Street on Friday
US House of Representatives proclaims Murfreesboro as a National Center for Traditional American Music.
American Bus Association designates festival as one of the Top 100 Events in North America
Uncle Dave Macon inducted into the 2008 Starr-Gennett Walk of Fame, Sept. 6, Richmond, In (see blog for more info)
2008 Uncle Dave Macon Days Festival, July 11-13
Plan now to attend one of Tennessee's premier summer music and dance festivals - the 31th Annual Uncle Dave Macon Days old-time music and dance festival (July 11-13) in historic Cannonsburgh Village located just off the public square in Murfreesboro, Tennessee.
The family-oriented event annually gathers more than 40,000 people to Murfreesboro for a hearty helping of fun, southern style. It has been consecutively selected by the Atlanta-based Southeast Tourism Society as one of the Top 20 events in the Southeast. Additionally, the American Bus Association designated Uncle Dave Macon Days as one of the Top 100 Events in North America for 2005 and 2008.
Uncle Dave Macon Days is one of the oldest traditional music festivals in the country. A purse of more than $10,000 is at stake during Friday and Saturday's highly charged music and dance competitions. In 1986 the United States House of Representatives proclaimed these competitions to be the National Championships in Old-Time Banjo, Old-Time Clogging and Old-Time Buckdancing. Murfreesboro, was once again in the national lime-light in 2008 when it was proclaimed by the US House of Representatives as a National Center for Traditional American Music.
For more information you can visit the Uncle Dave Macon Days web site.
Festival history
The festival was established by the late Jessie Messick and members of the Macon family to honor the life and times of Uncle Dave Macon. In the beginning, the first event's plans were made between Messick and David 'Ramsey' Macon, (Uncle Dave's grandson) during a lunchtime meeting at a drug store on the historic square.
The afternoon banjo pickin' was held on the grounds of the Rutherford County courthouse. It was a humble start that has grow in a major summer event in southeast. Early volunteers recall how they forgot to plan on outdoor lighting and folks turned on their car headlights. so the 'banjo pickin' could continue.
Uncle Dave lived in the rural community of Kittrell, just out East Main Street from the county courthouse. He is considered one of the first Grand Ole Opry superstars. Macon known as the Dixie Dewdrop, was a master banjo player and performer. He died in 1952, and was elected to the Country Music Hall of Fame in 1966
The 2008 Trailblazer and Heritage Award
The festival presents two coveted awards during the weekend -- The Trail Blazer and the Heritage Award. Both awards recognize individuals who have dedicated themselves to the preservation and promotion of traditional music and arts.
On Friday evening, July 11, John Rice Irwin, the founder of the Museum of Appalachia in Norris, TN will receive the 2008 Trail Blazer award. For more than 40 years, Irwin, has invested his life in preserving the stories and belongings of the people of the Appalachian Mountains. Today the museum is home to more than 30 log structures and thousands of items used in the daily lives of the mountain people.
The Hall of Fame building at the museum is home to Uncle Dave's radio and chair. It also houses, a unique rocking chair constructed of horse shoes and made by Uncle Dave's son, the late Archie Macon, from Murfreesboro.
The 2008 Heritage Award will be presented to the legendary music great Bobby Osborne on Saturday. His instantly recognizable, high lead and tenor voice and inventive mandolin stylings remain unsurpassed in the music industry. For more than 50 years, he and his brother, Sonny, traveled the world as the Osborne Brothers. They had numerous hits including the songs 'Kentucky', 'Ruby' and 'Rocky Top.'
Osborne will also serve as the Grand Marshal of the Motorless Parade on Saturday morning.
'Motorless' parade on East Main Street Saturday morning
Uncle Dave ran a mule-powered freight service and didn't have especially fond thoughts of motorized vehicles. Honoring that tradition, a motorless parade of nearly 100 entries will roll down down East Main Street at 10 a.m. Starting on the grounds of Central Middle School and moving toward the courthouse, it will feature dozens of wagons, buggies, carts, carriages and various mounted entries. This is always one of the festival events not to be missed.
Deering and Gold Tone Instruments provide major prizes
Again this year, the Deering Banjo company and Gold Tone Instruments will be providing first place prizes in two popular contests. The National Old Time Banjo winner will be presented with a new Deering banjo.
The winner of the Beginning Instrumental contest will be presented with a $500 gift certificate from Gold Tone instruments..
New Jug Band competition on Friday evening.
A jug band is an old-style vocal band preforming pre1940s music and using on stage a mix of traditional and home-made instruments that could include everything from tacoustic string instruments to a kazoo, tuba, washboard or jug.
Contestants usually are dressed in period clothing. Expect a solid music performance that is fun, highly energetic and entertaining with a repetoire that incorporates a mixture of blues, ragtime and Appalachian style.
Old Time Banjo and Buckdance workshops and learning jam - sponsored by the Nashville Old Time String Band Association
Saturday, in conjunction with the Nasvhille Old Time String Band Association, two old-time events will take place In Cannonsburgh. Both will be an hour, are designed for the beginner and in a fun, no-stress environment. Please see workshop blog for more info.
At 11 a.m. Old-time banjo will be taught by Rebekah Weiler in the air-conditioned meeting room inside the back of the antique car garage.
At 12:15 Old-time flat-foot buckdancing demonstration/workshop will be taught by Thomas Maupin, assisted by Jay Bland in the covered gazebo located in the center of Cannonsburgh village.
At 2:30 p.m. a slow tempo/learning Old-Time jam will be lead by members of the Nashville Old Time String Band Association, teaching some traditional fiddle tunes to people interested in learning this style of music.It will take place in the storytelling tent in the grassy area near the church in Cannonsburgh village.
Shape-note gospel singing in Cannonsburgh church
This is a rare opportunity to hear the beauty of traditional gospel hymns sang without instruments using the old-shaped note style. If you've ever picked up an old hymnal and seen the music notation where the bottom of the notes are printed in a geometric design -- come learn the story behind them. In the air-conditioned village church throughout the day Saturday.
See Uncle Dave in 1940 'Grand Ole Opry' movie in antique car garage
Through out the day on Saturday, the Stones River Antique Car Club will be showing the wonderful vintage black and white movie 'Grand Ole Opry.' It stars the grand old man himself, Uncle Dave, his son Dorris, Roy Acuff, Bashful Bro. Os and his sister Rachel, the Weavers, Judge Hay, famous Opry announcer and others. This will take place in the meeting room in the back of the garage. Please see the blog for more information.
Uncle Dave and friends in 1940s Grand Ole Opry movie
Macon-Doubler Fellowship presentation
Each year the festival presents a small financial fellowship to an individual(s) who have expressed a desire to learn to play an instrument or learn traditional dance steps. The award is designed to introduce traditional arts to those with no previous experience, or for those in the beginning stage of playing or studying. All ages are welcome to apply. This is done through an application process. The fellowship is underwritten by private donations made by members of Uncle Dave's family and other donors. On Saturday, following the Heritage Award presentation/performance, the current winner(s) are presented on stage.
Congratulations to the 2008 winner, Hillary Bevels.
Other festival activities
Other family-oriented events taking place throughout the festival include: heritage activities for children, mouth-watering local concessions, a juried arts and crafts show, and a historic photo exhibit, with rare picture provided by Shacklett's Photography.
Additionally, there will be clogging demonstrations under the gazebo, story telling on Friday and Saturday evenings, after 6 in a tent near the village church, a civil war group (Uncle Dave's father was a Civil War veteran) and jamming through out grounds.
The celebration takes place in Cannonsburgh, an authentic pioneer village. Cannonsburgh Village is located at 312 South Front Street in Murfreesboro, Tennessee. Murfreesboro is 30 minutes southeast of Nashville on Interstate 24. The village is home to more than 20 restored log structures and will feature living history demonstrations during the weekend. Visit a working blacksmith, baskets being woven and many other things from earlier times.
Sunday afternoon gospel singing and ministry fair.
From noon until five, Uncle Dave, who loved the hymn, 'How Beautiful Heaven Must Be' would be delighted with the sounds of the gospel music that will fill the grounds. Bluegrass legends Sophie Tipton and Louise Tomberlain organize Sunday's music. Also, several many organizations that serve the needs of Rutherford County will have booths with information about their work in the community.
Volunteers Needed
Many people are suprised to learn that since the first note was played at Uncle Dave Macon Days until today, it has been organized by volunteers. Many of our volunteers have given more than 20 years of service to their community with this festival. We hope that says we are a great group in which to be involved. We have a great need for more volunteers, especially during the festival weekend, to help us continue this great event. You can help us with as little or as much time as you are able to give -- it is all appreciated. Please see the blog to find out more information.
The fun starts at 5 p.m. (4 p.m. registration) on Friday, July 11th, 9 a.m. (8 a.m. registration) on Saturday, July 12th and noon on Sunday, July 13th. There is no admission charge. A fee is charged to enter contests. Free and paid parking is available.
The small print information
Please note that all times are approximate. Weather and other things beyond our control can result in a schedule change. Changes will be announced on stage.
The judges decision in the music contests is final. Please note that weather, amount of entrants, and other situations may result in the amount of competition tunes to change in order to run a timely festival. Changes will be announced from stage.
The grounds are drug and alcohol free.
Friendly pets must be kept on a leash at all times and the owner will be responsible for their actions and cleaning up behind their pet.
The festival is a public event. The festival organizing committee, its volunteers and its board are not liable for any thefts or accidents.
There is a small creek near the festival. Anyone who choses to enter the creek does so at their own risk.
This is the official Uncle Dave Macon Days festival myspace page. It is maintained by the festival promotion committee.
The late Cordell Kemp showing banjo tricks he learned from Uncle Dave -- 1984 interview with David Holt.
