Rackensack, The Pickoids, and Whiff n Sip
Rackensack, The Pickoids, and Whiff n Sip
Every town has music organizations that put on shows, host jam sessions, and work to preserve the music of their area. I just returned from Little Rock, Arkansas where I enjoyed meeting and playing music with members of three of these groups; Rackensack, The Pickoids, and Whiff n Sip. Each of these groups has a different history and focus and many people are active in all three while others find the one that suits their interests.
My friends, Fred Wilson and Suzanne Michell have introduced me to people from all three groups and I have had a great time both playing music and talking about Arkansas music history with them. If you are a songwriter or musician you can find groups in your area where you can share your love for music and enjoy an occasional night out.
They also provide performance opportunities giving songwriters a chance to present their material with short sets in front of a supportive audience.
Rackensack is the oldest of the groups founded in 1963.
The Rackensack
They are continuing with these recording projects today.
Last Wednesday night The Pickoids hosted a jam session at Studio Joe, a coffeehouse in Little Rock. I enjoyed listening to Trainwreck and other musicians playing acoustic music. I also enjoyed playing some of my songs for them with Suzanne Michell and Uncle Fred. They do this on a regular basis. Here's a link to their website where they post a calendar of events.
The Pickoids
And this page from their Gallery has downloadable videos of their performances.
Online Pickoid Videos
Whiff n Sip is an informal group that meets weekly on Thursday nights in their member's homes. They pass the baton around the room and you can sing one, play one, or make a request. If you know the song or if you're a quick study you can play along. They are very supportive of people presenting new material and when someone does a song they know they all get to singing and it sounds fantastic. This kind of informal gathering is the most fun for the musicians. It's an absolutely zero pressure environment where you are encouraged to play new material even if you've never played it for an audience before.
Are you a member of a music performance and promotion organization? Please post links to web pages with info about your group. These three groups all play acoustic music but it could be a Blues society, Jazz Society, Dulcimer society, etc. Let us know about the kind of music you like to play and where you go to play it.
Thanks,
Hairy Larry
Click here for discussion and more clips.
Every town has music organizations that put on shows, host jam sessions, and work to preserve the music of their area. I just returned from Little Rock, Arkansas where I enjoyed meeting and playing music with members of three of these groups; Rackensack, The Pickoids, and Whiff n Sip. Each of these groups has a different history and focus and many people are active in all three while others find the one that suits their interests.
My friends, Fred Wilson and Suzanne Michell have introduced me to people from all three groups and I have had a great time both playing music and talking about Arkansas music history with them. If you are a songwriter or musician you can find groups in your area where you can share your love for music and enjoy an occasional night out.
They also provide performance opportunities giving songwriters a chance to present their material with short sets in front of a supportive audience.
Rackensack is the oldest of the groups founded in 1963.
The Rackensack Folklore Society was organized for the purpose of perpetuating the traditional folk music of the people of Arkansas, particularly in the mountainous area of the north-central part of the state. Stone County, located in the area, was unique in having music-making families throughout its boundaries who founded the base of the Rackensack organization.They hosted regular shows, singalongs, and jam sessions in the Mountain View area and their efforts have been a boon to the local economy with the Arkansas Folk Festival drawing an international audience as well as weekly shows at the Jimmy Driftwood Barn.
- The Encyclopedia of Arkansas History and Culture
During the mid-1960s, a branch organization of the Rackensack was created by George Fisher in Little Rock. This branch chapter assembled a large membership in the Little Rock area and followed the traditional guidelines of the Rackensack in perpetuating the folk music of the area. Their meetings and concerts were held at the Arkansas Arts Center.Rackensack also promotes traditional music and story telling with their CDs made by Rackensack members.
- The Encyclopedia of Arkansas History and Culture
The Rackensack
They are continuing with these recording projects today.
In celebration of the Rackensack Folklore Society’s 45th anniversary, Arkansas musicians are coordinating performances of old-time mountain acoustic music today and Saturday.If anyone has buy links or more information on the Rackensack CDs please post this info in the comments.
...
The society is celebrating its anniversary by releasing ... a CD, Down in the Arkansas: Melody and Song in the Arkansas Tradition, a collection of hoedowns, songs and tales.
- The Arkansas Democrat-Gazette
Last Wednesday night The Pickoids hosted a jam session at Studio Joe, a coffeehouse in Little Rock. I enjoyed listening to Trainwreck and other musicians playing acoustic music. I also enjoyed playing some of my songs for them with Suzanne Michell and Uncle Fred. They do this on a regular basis. Here's a link to their website where they post a calendar of events.
The Pickoids
And this page from their Gallery has downloadable videos of their performances.
Online Pickoid Videos
Whiff n Sip is an informal group that meets weekly on Thursday nights in their member's homes. They pass the baton around the room and you can sing one, play one, or make a request. If you know the song or if you're a quick study you can play along. They are very supportive of people presenting new material and when someone does a song they know they all get to singing and it sounds fantastic. This kind of informal gathering is the most fun for the musicians. It's an absolutely zero pressure environment where you are encouraged to play new material even if you've never played it for an audience before.
Are you a member of a music performance and promotion organization? Please post links to web pages with info about your group. These three groups all play acoustic music but it could be a Blues society, Jazz Society, Dulcimer society, etc. Let us know about the kind of music you like to play and where you go to play it.
Thanks,
Hairy Larry
Click here for discussion and more clips.
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Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Texas Jake Lee on -
Really great information Larry!
Thanks!
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Permalink Reply by Hairy Larry on -
Jake,
Thanks. There are so many good musicians everywhere and this is such a good way to meet them.
Hairy Larry
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