April From The Editor 

Did March go out like lamb? April has its own weather lore sayings - the most famous being “April showers bring May flowers.” Which also spawned the also traditional accompanying dad joke: “If April showers bring May flowers, what do May flowers bring?” The painfully groaning answer is, of course, “Pilgrims.” An alternative from The Farmer’s Almanac to the well worn April showers saying is respectfully submitted: “If it thunders on All Fool’s Day, it brings good crops of corn and hay.”

 

I came across this very concerning article in the Bluegrass Intelligencer titled “Old-Time Music Permanently Revokes All Song Titles.” Apparently, The National Council of Elders has unanimously voted to end the practice of using words to name old-time fiddle tunes. Beginning April 1st, musicians will identify fiddle tunes only by playing the first four bars, since tune titles have become meaningless. This far reaching decision could really impact your next jam experience!

 

That brings us full circle to All Fool’s Day/April Fool’s Day. This tradition has been around for thousands of years, but no one really knows how it got started. It is probably not a coincidence that a lot of the history behind the day is also a hoax. Watch your back on April 1st -  just to be safe.

 

The latest addition to the Song History page is “Kingdom Coming,” more commonly known in Old Time music as “Year of Jubilo.” Songwriter and abolitionist Henry Work wrote this song in 1862 for performance by blackface troupes. The lyrics describe the impending freedom of a group of slaves after their master flees the plantation to avoid capture by advancing Union troops. This incredibly popular song reversed the standard minstrel formula, which typically depicted stereotyped caricatures of docile slaves and an oppressive master. The lyrics need to be considered in historical context, but the catchy melody is an Old Time jam favorite.

 

The last weekend of April is the 7th annual Upper East Tennessee Fiddlers Convention in Flag Pond. I am hoping to see some of you there, and to bring home some new tunes. If you have never been to this event, please consider giving it a try, as it is very well run and attracts some outstanding musicians from East Tennessee, Western North Carolina, and beyond. And it’s only a two hour drive from downtown Knoxville!

 

Mark​