FIDDLIN’ at the MANESS POTTERY & MUSIC BARN
If you’re ever in Moore County, North Carolina, on a Tuesday night you might want to check this out. Blue Grass, Country, Gospel and just plain pickin’ and singin’ are all jumbled up in this amazing venue.
It’s in the heart of Pottery Country ... just six miles West of Carthage. The first thing you’ll see when you approach the barn are the haphazardly parked cars lining the street and people of all ages streaming into the large barn. Many of them carry violins, banjos and other musical instruments and the click, click of some shoes indicates that there are cloggers among them.
There’s no admission charge and no formal program for the evening. The people arriving with instruments are the ones who will provide the entertainment. Each group gets approximately ½ hour. It all starts around 5 pm and goes on until all have had a chance to play.
The quality of the local talent is pretty impressive. The night we were there I heard a cello rendition of “The House of the Rising Sun” that was outstanding. It’s actually considered a great honor to play at the Clyde Maness’ barn and it‘s not unusual for a well known Country or Blue Grass star to show up unannounced.
The audience is made up of country folk who know their music and they’re not shy about it either. The aisles fill up with people of all ages dancing and clapping to their heart’s content. At some point a basket is passed for donations and people pay what they can afford.
It’s a far cry from Broadway ... but for good clean “down home” entertainment it can’t be beat.
posted by Ginnie at 5:09 PM
7 Comments:
In about a months time, we'll be having our local Celtfest. It's mostly local or fairly local talent too. Great stuff that has to be kept alive.
MY deceased SIL made violins and called them fiddles. He had a collection of old banjos. When he died, my daughter sold the lot. She loved Blue Grass and clogging. The last time I clogged my legs hurt for a week, but I loved these sing-song festivals. Dianne
Mmmm, my daughters boyfriend would enjoy this I'm sure. They both live in Raleigh and he loves Bluegrass.
Love Di ♥
I doubt I could get my daughter there, but I might enjoy it!
Ginnie, just wondering if this is a seasonal event or one that goes on all year long. It's something we would definitely get to, next time we're in NC and anywhere near the area. Local events are the best!
Did I ever tell you our wee hamlet, River Valley is the Bluegrass capitol of Northern Ontario. I will mentions this place to some locals and ask them it they know of it.
It looks like a great time and something that I would definitely like. We have a similar thing here on Wednesday evenings when different people take to an outdoor stage. Lots of good music!
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