WALK OF FAME BANJO VALLEY - AGAIN!

WHEN: Saturday, September 6, 2008

WHERE: Gorge Park

The site of the Gennett Records studio will be strummed and picked to life on Saturday, September 6, 2008 when Old Time Country echoes through the Gorge Park. The Walk of Fame Music Festival features a bedrock of America’s music history this year. It was here in the little Gennett recording studio in Richmond and its other studio sites that a “massive body of old-time” music records were made that now forms the foundation of today’s country music industry. How many country records were made? So many that locals called the factory complex by the Whitewater River by the name – Banjo Valley – instead of Starr Valley.

The 2008 Walk of Fame Festival highlights the contribution made by those old time musicians, both black and white, some who unabashedly called themselves “hillbillies” from rural areas of the south. They were gospel and old-time singers, mountain string bands, some with “down home” and fiddle music from the bluegrass hills, and others who performed folk ballads brought across the ocean and passed down generations. Some of the musicians were common folks moon-lighting to pick up a few dollars and others were true professionals on their instrument.

The medallion recognizing Uncle Dave Macon is showcased this year. Macon was 64 years old when he recorded in Richmond in August 1934. He had been prominent on the Nashville radio station WSM, its “Barn Dance”, a program that later became the “Grand Ole Opry”. Uncle Dave was singing and playing the banjo and his humor captivated untold audiences for 27 years with the Opry. Inducted in the Country Music Hall of Fame in 1966, a modern day Uncle Dave “look-alike” known as Uncle Doc Wilhite will entertain our Walk of Fame audience, funnin’ with the unique banjo style (think stunts) of Uncle Dave himself. Recommended by the staff of the Uncle Dave Music Festival in Murfreesboro, TN, that annually entertains 40,000, this Uncle Doc from Calhoun, KY will bring this classic banjo star to our stage at 12:10 and again during the Induction Ceremony at 4:00.

Up and coming is the best way to describe banjo prodigy Evan Ward from Wayne County (Northeastern H.S. graduate). With a top album on the bluegrass charts “The Beginning”, Evan dazzles audiences on the banjo with his skill and his youth (a Xavier University student). He’ll perform at 11:00 with Audie Blaylock and Redline, a hard driving bluegrass band of Garrett, Indiana; a band that plays nationally. For more information and to hear the band: www.audieblaylock.com

O Brother, Where Art Thou star, Mike Compton is the premier mandolin player in the U.S. His mentor Bill Monroe, Father of Bluegrass, left a lasting mark on Bean Blossom. Indiana and also on young Mike Compton, who follows in Bill Monroe’s footsteps today. As mandolinist in the Nashville Bluegrass Band (two Grammy awards and Entertainer of the Year honors from the International Bluegrass Music Association), he will play with his longtime duo partner David Long. Walk of Fame go-ers will hear a mix of Bill Monroe mandolin tunes and other sacred and secular songs at 1:00 from Mike and David, a not-to-be missed hour. Tease Mike about being called Tater Bug and check his web site at www.mikecompton.net Mike’s a member of Starr-Gennett Foundation and honored to play in the Logo Building at this historic site near the Main Street Bridge.

Special recordings will also occur on the site of the Gennett studio.

10:00 – 2:00 Wax Cylinder Making The past comes alive as we see and hear the recording industry of the turn of the century now in 2008 as Martin Fisher, Middle Tennessee State University, demonstrates how to record with volunteers from Festival attendees who will hear themselves the way musicians did before 78 records were invented.

Other Featured 2008 Entertainers: The Gennett Records music traditions!

GOSPEL

10:00Gospel Music Hour with local singers

  R.P.D. Aaron Stevens performing hymns by 2007 Inductee Thomas A. “Georgia Tom” Dorsey Highlight: Precious Lord, Take My Hand”

Dallas Smith performing 2008 Inductee and Indianan Homer Rodeheaver, sacred songs all will recognize

ETHNIC MUSIC

2:00Tent Children’s Latino Festival featured band: Sol Jaliscience Mariachi Band (Indy) and the Amigo dancers

SOUND EFFECTS

3:00Rubber Duck Record Regatta on the Whitewater River Prizes!

4:00INDUCTION CEREMONY in the Parrot Logo Building

Starr-Gennett Foundation President David Fulton will emcee the ceremony for the induction of these honorees:

  Homer RodeheaverDuke Ellington

Coleman HawkinsFletcher Henderson

Guy Lombardo Fats Waller

Blind Lemon JeffersonCharley Patton

Uncle Dave MaconRed Nichols

Guests include Gennett family members, family members of inductees (several descendents of Uncle Dave Macon), donors and special guests.

The two day event is the result of much collaboration and a tremendous partnership with City of Richmond Parks and Recreation support. Starr-Gennett Foundation thanks all the volunteers!

Core Planners:

Main Street, Depot District, Earlham College, Wayne Co. Convention & Tourism, Richmond Parks and Recreation, Starr-Gennett Foundation, RSVP – retired senior volunteer persons, Richmond Firefighters Union, Gennett Mansion and the Geddes family, Corazon Latino & Amigos, Cardinal Greenway

Platinum Record Level Sponsors: Wayne County Foundation. Indiana Arts Commission, McAllister Machinery, and Vectren

Big Hits Sponsors: Christopher Automotive Repair

Favorite Tunes Sponsors: Kroger, D & J Homes & RV, O’Charley’s and

Earlham College

 

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