Pickin' at the Station

To all of you who read this prestidigeous WVV Blog,

Just wanted to let you know that anyone who plays an instrument (mostly strings) is welcome to play with the Panther Mountain String Pickers Association circle which meets most Thursdays at 7:00 till 11:00. Started by Dennis Havel and Harry Jameson, we have been meeting to pick and sing all winter long in the Ski Lodge at the foot of our Woodland Valley for a number of years. 2007 was the first year we have extended it through the summer down at the RR Station, and because of renovations at the Ski Lodge we are continuing at the Station for a while.

We go around the circle picking and singing folk, old timey, jazz, blues and traditional mountain music. Sometimes a theme surfaces like when we first started at the train station or around different holidays, but usually we just practice what we like to play often joining back-up with whomever is 'up'. The only rules are no booze, drugs or nicotine and unless asked, we try to remain nonjudgemental. Sorry but it's only for pickers - no audience and it is an acoustic circle, meaning, no amplifiers, electric guitars etc.
Individuals and small groups of our members are often seen performing locally and some even have CDs. Some are various degrees of 'professional', some specialze in the history of some area or artist and some of us just love to be involved while continuing to learn. We range between 4 to 14 in number with half being semi-regulars. Cancellations and special performances go out over our Picking Circle E-list and I will also post the same to this blog - with Blogmistress Carol's indulgence.
Our holiday recess is over and we will have our first Picking Circle of 2008 this Thursday (Jan 3) - down at the RR Station just on down Woodland Valley Rd, which becomes High St. After crossing Bridge St, the Old Phoenicia RR Station is about a block further on the left of Lower High St. It is really just Woodland Valley Road extended. Coming from the east on 28, take the first right after the Phoenicia Diner. The Station is the first building on the right about a quarter mile in.

So HAPPY NEW YEAR! - tune up and come on down for some fun a pickin' an singin'.

- from Dakin Morehouse