Old-time music freewheels into town on The Murfreesboro Post

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Old-time music freewheels into town

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By: By ERIN EDGEMON Business Editor

Old-time music freewheels into town | Uncle Dave Macon

The showmanship of Uncle Dave Macon, the song stylings of Jimmie Rodgers and The Carter Family and the traditional gospel music of The Tipton Family will be on display beginning Friday, July 13 at the 30th annual Uncle Dave Macon Days festival.

“If you don’t think you like old-time music, there is nothing like the real thing,” said Teresa Owen, festival director, “and you will fall in love with it.”

The festival is held July 13-15 at Cannonsburgh Village at 312 S. Front St. The three-day festival is held each year as a way to pay tribute to banjo player Uncle Dave Macon, a former Rutherford County resident and one of the first superstars of the Grand Ole Opry, and to preserve the legacy of old-time music and dancing.

Numerous music and dance competitions are held during the three-day event. Around 18 food vendors selling everything from hamburgers and hotdogs to roasted corn, funnel cakes and smoothies as well as food from such countries as Greece, Italy, Mexico and the Philippines will be will on hand during the festival.

Arts and crafts such as fine stained glass, homemade rag rugs, fine-quality jewelry, woodcrafts and pottery will be available for purchase at the festival.

Some of the best music during the festival can be heard throughout the festival grounds as seasoned musicians often send the days picking and jamming under a shade tree.

“It is one of a very few free family events that you can take the stroller set to the grandma and grandpa,” said Wendy Bryant, public coordinator and long-time attendee of Uncle Dave Macon Days.

“You can’t beat a festival that is good for the family. The event draws in 45,000 over the three-day weekend. I think it is one of the crown jewels of Rutherford County.”

Patrons are encouraged to park for free at the city parking garage, which can be accessed on Vine Street, one block off the Public Square, or from Broad Street, one block from Cannonsburgh Village. A shuttle will take patrons from the garage to the festival.

Murfreesboro police officers will help direct traffic.

Paid parking is available nearer to the festival grounds.

Festivities kick off July 13 with the old-time singing contest at 5 p.m. on the main stage. Also that evening, the Trailblazer Award will be given to Roy Harper for his contributions to traditional country music.

Other competitions taking place Friday evening include beginning instrumental, freestyle dance, blues singing, dobro and the DeFord Bailey Harmonica Contest.

One of the highlights of the evening for many is the Uncle Dave Macon Free Wheelin’ Style competition.
“That is one of my favorite categories,” Bryant said. “Uncle Dave Macon was a showman. Anything gees in this category.

“I remember one year a lady and her dog came out singing,” she said of the category. “It is lively entertainment. It is crowd pleaser for sure. It is one of the most unusual categories.”

Festivities on Saturday, July 14 begin with a variety of guitar, mandolin, fiddle, clogging and buckdancing and dulcimer and old-time banjo competitions.

A Motorless Parade featuring horse or mule pulled wagons will begin around 10 a.m. at Central Middle School on East Main Street. The parade will travel through the Public Square to Cannonsburgh Village. The parade started because the Uncle Dave Macon operated a mule distribution company for years that was put out of business by gas-powered engines.

“Mr. Mandolin” Jesse McReynolds will be given the Heritage Award around 5 p.m. for doing his part to preserve and promote old-time music. Reynolds will perform following the award presentation.

“I really enjoy Saturday night — the bluegrass banjo finals and the bluegrass band finals,” Bryant said.

“Those people can really tear it up. That is something I don’t miss.

Erin Edgemon can be reached at 869-0812 and at eedgemon@murfreesboropost.com.

For a full Uncle Dave Macon Days schedule, visit www.uncledavemacondays.com or visit the Rutherford County Chamber of Commerce at 501 Memorial Blvd.

Uncle Dave Macon Days Schedule
Friday, July 13
4 p.m. – Dancer and musician registration
5 p.m. - Linnel Gentry Old Time Singing Contest
Beginner Instrumental
Uncle Dave Macon Free Wheelin’ Style
Freestyle Dance Jr.
Freestyle Dance Sr.
7 p.m. - Trailblazer Award
Blues Singing w/acoustic instruments
De Ford Bailey Harmonica Contest
Dobro competition

Saturday, July 14
9 a.m. – Guitar - One Tune - No Finals
Mandolin - One Tune – No Finals
Contest Fiddle - Waltz & Breakdown –No finals
Old-time Clogging –JR -preliminary
OT Clogging -Adult -preliminary
OT Clogging –SR -preliminary
OT Buckdancing –JR -preliminary
OT Buckdancing –Adult -preliminary
OT Buckdancing –SR –preliminary
Dulcimer - One Tune – No Finals
Traditional Fiddle - Two selections –No finals
Old Time Banjo – preliminary - One Tune –Finals

5 p.m.
Heritage Award Winner Presentation - Jesse McReynolds, "Mr. Mandolin"

6 p.m. - Old Time Band – preliminary - One Tune -Finals
Bobby Thompson--Bluegrass - One Tune (finals if time allows TBA)*
Banjo -preliminary
Bluegrass Band –preliminary - One Tune (finals if time allows TBA)*

Saturday Night: FINALS
OT Clogging -JR
OT Clogging -Adult
OT Clogging –SR
OT Buckdancing –JR
OT Buckdancing –Adult
OT Buckdancing –SR

Old Time Banjo - Two Tunes
Old Time Band - One Tune

Bobby Thompson--Bluegrass Banjo - One Tune (if time allows)*

Bluegrass Band - One Tune (if time allows)*

Sunday, July 15
Noon – 4 p.m. Gospel singing featuring Southern Express and The Tipton Family

Tagged under Uncle Dave Macon

Member Opinions:

By: Boo on 7/8/07
Erin- Is there accommadations for disabled veterans or any persons confined to a wheel chair, is there any parking place better than another for handicapped people, and are the restrooms wheelchair friendly? Great article- I've never been, so I found it real informative. Thanks.

By: Flo on 7/9/07
OH Boo - Get Ready for the best weekend in Murfreesboro!!! Last year was my first time and we bought new lightweight lawnchairs and we are READY for this! I will drive by Cannonsburgh tonight and check out the access for you!

By: Boo on 7/9/07
Flo- you are so precious to do this! My husband lost his lower leg to Viet Nam and, though he has a prostheses, he cannot wear it for long periods of time because of the condition his stump was left in. He is a trooper though. He will hang in there on his leg until he just can't, Then we get out the wheel chair. I don't know for sure he will feel like going but I am going to encourage him to. This is so sweet of you! Thank you so much!!!

By: Flo on 7/10/07
Well Boo ~ You and Hubby COME ON DOWN to Uncle Dave Macon Days! I am VERY impressed at the thought to full access for everyone that Cannonsburgh Village has! Though I have been there many times.....I never looked at it from that perspective before. It is FULLY accessible for wheelchairs, walkers and folks who prefer to stay on stable surfaces. The cobblestone sidewalk may be a teeny bit bumpy but it goes ALL around the village.
The restrooms have a wide ramp leading to them and ample space to do wheelie's in them (should someone so desire). There are handicapped parking spots but I don't know what the access to those will be for the weekend. But if it is like anything else that I have encountered here in the Boro' I bet you can drop him off close and then go and park. You might call either the Police Dept or the number on the Uncle Dave Macon Days website and ask about your parking needs. Hope to see you! I will be wearing my big blue hat and sitting with Hammerhead and nodding to the music with our frozen water bottles!

By: Boo on 7/11/07
FLO- Thank you so much for this information! I'm sure it not only helps me, but there are probably others out there who needed to know too. Thanks again!