Randy’s Record Shop
By Jim Hornsby... Randy Wood died last year at the age of 94. He was a remarkable fellow; a pioneer in the development of the music industry in Middle Tennessee, a major influence in the rise of rhythm and blues from inner-city obscurity to America’s main stream, a dominant force in the early days of rock and roll, and, by all accounts, a “super nice guy” — a true gentleman who was devoted to his family, loyal to his friends, good to his employees and generous to his community. George Barker, in The Man with the Golden Ear, says of Wood, “No businessman ever struck it so rich, so quick and picked up so many friends along the way.” Continue reading
Music at Mansker’s Station
By Laura Blankenship... In the 1780’s and 90’s, survival in the Cumberland area of North Carolina’s western territory (today’s Middle Tennessee) depended on fortified log “stations”, or civilian forts. Settlers would reside in these stations or retreat to them when hostile Native Americans came into the area. Although the pioneers enjoyed good relations with some tribes, others were determined to drive the settlers away and worked in alliance with the British, and later, the French and Spanish to do so. Continue reading
Sweet Mountain Dulcimer
SWEET MOUNTAIN DULCIMER ... With their new CD, “Sweet Mountain Dulcimer,” Denise Gartin and Diana Coss transport us back to another time; a time when our country was young and entertainment was, to paraphrase Mike Seeger, a personal accomplishment rather than a commercial purchase. The music is a mixture of beautiful folk ballads and sacred songs performed in solo and duet renditions as they would likely have been heard at family gatherings and community events in early American settlements. Continue reading
How Love Saved The Ryman
By Charmaine Lanham... My first job in Nashville was as secretary to George Gruhn at GTR (now Gruhn Guitars) located in its original building across from the old Hatch Show Prints building on 4th Avenue North. My husband worked there too. The GTR shop backed up to the Ryman Auditorium, and as GTR employees we could simply show up at the famous backstage door on almost any weekend and were permitted entrance. We were pretty much given free range by the longtime guards, Mr. Bell and Mr. Van Dame. Continue reading
Art Beyond The Canvas
Dancing Noodle Magazine celebrates the creative work of writers, photographers, artists and artisans in Middle Tennessee. Our ever-expanding publication is dedicated to seeking out unusual, often overlooked forms of art and bringing their deserving creators into the spotlight. Contributors vary from month to month, offering discovery and opinion from a fresh point of view.
