Northwest Observer Forums > Closed Topics > Previous Topics > Summerfield Park, Bluegrass and fond memories
Northwest Observer Forums > Closed Topics > Previous Topics > Summerfield Park, Bluegrass and fond memories |
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| Moderated by: Steve Adkins | Topic closed | |
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RayRiffe Member 
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Howdy folks! I was out at the Summerfield Community Park yesterday and am impressed with the plans and I hope it all goes well. It's a wonderul project and one in which Summerfield should be proud! Ol' Howard ain't the only person who likes bluegrass. I grew up with it! I'm a HUGE fan of Dr. Ralph Stanley! I grew up in the next county from his home in southwest VA. My grandaddy, God rest his soul, sang a beautiful Stanley tune called 'Great High Mountain', which was actually written by the late country star, Keith Whitley. Whitley and Ricky Skaggs started their careers with Stanley. That song, 'Great High Mountain' is sort of the 'anthem' of the Riffe family. My grandaddy was a coal miner and a preacher in the Old Regular Baptist faith (which is very similar to the Primitive Baptists). We Riffe's hold a family reunion every July 4th weekend and that song will be heard there. My granny is 85 years old and her health is beginning to fade a little, but her huge family loves to gather and hear that song. I play a little guitar (mostly chord) and sing a little. My brother is a pretty good bluegrass singer in a band called 'Black Diamond'. They are based in southwest VA, near Bluefield. They've won awards in West Virginia. A traveler up that way that stops at a rest stop on I-77 can purchase their CD's. I grew up near Bluefield, on the Virginia state line, near the 'Land between the Tunnels' on I-77. A very beautiful scenic and rustic part of the country! It's only about a 2 1/2 hour drive from Greensboro. Check it out sometime! Anyway, I visited our congressman in his DC office and he has an autographed photo of Stanley hanging on his office wall. As do I...we hit it off pretty good since then. Well it was good to reminisce a little and take a small, and much-needed, mental break from the campaign. Thanks for bringing up the bluegrass. On to my 'Meet Ray Riffe' event today from 4pm-6pm at Bur-Mil park! Hope to see you all out there! Stop by and say hello! And if you haven't voted yet, make sure you do so on Tuesday!! |
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FatPappy Member 
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Yee haw, Ray! You'll hafta bring some o' the boys out to the Summerfield Park when we get our amphitheatre goin' an' do a little pickin' an' grinnin'! I'll bring a jug--uh, properly drained, o' course--an' mebbe we can get Crackha, Macca, an' Lacka to dance a jig or two! Mebbe we can skip the 1812 Overture like we was gonna do, except fer the cannon far, an' jump right in with Battle o' New Orleans or somethin'. 1814's close enough, ain't it? "In 1814 we took a little trip, Along with Colonel Jackson down the mighty Mississip. Took a little bacon an' we took a little beans, An' we fought the bloody British at the town o' New Orleans." |
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Steve Adkins Member 
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It was very good to meet you in person at the Summerfield Park Meeting Saturday Ray. Best of luck to you. Steve A. |
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