Use this search box to find articles that have run in our newspapers over the last several years.
Date: 10/3/2018
WEST SPRINGFIELD – It was down-pouring in West Springfield on Sept. 25, but that didn’t stop residents from visiting the Community Room at the West Springfield Public Library to watch “Unraveling America’s Musical Roots,” a program hosted by author and musician Craig Harris.
With drums in tow and a laptop full of examples of Bluegrass music, Harris shared his expertise with a group of attendees. “Unraveling America’s Musical Roots” was put together by Harris to educate on the history of Bluegrass music. The program compliments his latest book, “Bluegrass, Newgrass, Old-Time and Americana Music.”
The program began with Harris sharing his personal knowledge on the background of the roots and evolution of Bluegrass music. Harris explained what place drums had in Bluegrass, and how instruments have evolved in the genre. Naming greats such as Bill Monroe and the Earls of Leicester, attendees left with a preview of what can be read in Harris’ comprehensive book.
Harris offered a good starting point for those interested in learning more about Bluegrass, sharing the background stories of numerous acts that pioneered the genre. As he described it, going to the program was “just a tip of a tip of a tip of the story that is Bluegrass.”
Harris showed a brief video featuring clips of performances by Bluegrass artists. Musicians spanning across decades represented the evolution of Bluegrass, performing both classics and modern hits.
Harris provided a personal touch to the event by explaining what drew him to Bluegrass back in 1968. After hearing the “Ballad of Bonnie & Clyde” by British R&B singer Georgie Fame on the radio, he took a trip to the record store. After describing what he was looking for to the store clerk as “the Bonnie & Clyde record,” he was not sold a Georgie Fame record.
“He handed me a seven-inch vinyl and I rushed home and put that little wheel thing in the middle of it. Instead of British R&B coming out of my speaker, this is what came out,” he said.
The sound of banjos erupted in the room from Harris’ laptop. Instead, he was sold a Lester Flatt & Earl Scruggs record with the song “Foggy Mountain Breakdown,” featured in the 1967 Bonnie & Clyde movie. It may have been the best mix-up of Harris’ life.
“My mind was blown and my life was changed forever,” he said.
Harris was sold on Bluegrass and its many subgenres, and wanted to hear the music every chance he had.
“I remember as a kid my father worked and they’d travel once a year for a convention. He’d usually just take my mom and fly, but once in awhile, the family made the trip by car. I was living in New York at the time. And I remember as a kid, just as I’d get over the Mason-Dixon line, it meant that I could turn on the ‘hillbilly music’ station. It was amazing. I didn’t think you could hear that anywhere else in the world. When I heard this, it resonated with me, and I just fell in love with the music,” he recalled.
After demonstrating by playing a couple of songs on the drums, Harris invited attendees to become a part of the music by handing out shakers. It was requested that each guest find the rhythm and play along with Harris.
Playing hits such as Elvis Presley’s “Hound Dog” and Old Crow Medicine Show’s “Wagon Wheel,” the group became a part of the presentation, allowing insight into the magic of the music. The several guests were noticeably happy to have the opportunity to play along. Making the evening interactive brought the music to life.
Harris explained that music, in all forms, is worth enjoying, no matter the genre.
“There’s an incredible rainbow of music that we have in this world. To me, I want to embrace and immerse myself in all of it. There’s such rich stuff in all of it. I have a record collection of over 80,000 albums. The more I get, the more I want to get,”he said.
To conclude the evening, attendees joined Harris in a final song. The group was taught both how to sing the song, as well as hand motions that simulated a dance.
Harris shared that he feels music notes run through his veins. At the conclusion of his performance and storytelling, the metaphor certainly is believable.
Harris’ book is available for purchase on Amazon and at his website, bluegrassnewgrass.com.