at Calvary
United Methodist Church
Latham, New York (suburb of Albany) Same place as the Dulcimer Association
of Albany,
and a very agreeable venue it is, indeed!
FULL PARTICULARS ARE ABOUT ALL ON THIS PAGE NOW (4/30/12)
First Particular:
2012
featured Performers:
Bill Taylor
Mountain Dulcimer
Bill has been a valuable presence on the
mountain dulcimer scene since the late 80’s. Before
that for many years he performed at Dollywood, appearing
at the Grand Ole Opry as a guitar player and singer. His
music styles range from bluegrass and old-time to jazz
and rock, enhanced by his expressive vocals. Bill’s
teaching is inspired, organized and supportive.
He also happens to be one of the most respected builders
of quality mountain dulcimers, and his instruments can
be found in the hands of many satisfied players.
During the school year, Bill teaches environmental science
to sixth graders and fourth graders at the Eugene W. Huskey
Environmental Center in Pittman Center, TN.
Ruth Smith
Hammered Dulcimer
Ruth's many years of classical training
give her a special touch, and she is recognized for
her delicate, expressive style. Ruth is known for bringing
the softer side of the hammered dulcimer to life.
Dirty Linen World & Folk Music Magazine says
“Ruth Smith's touch on the hammered dulcimer is
absolutely magical, with exquisite phrasing, highlighting
the range of the instrument, especially on her own pieces.”
Dulcimer Players News says Ruth is “very sensitive
to the nuances of the music, allowing each tune to breathe.”
She employs hands-on teaching techniques which place
special emphasis on playing expressively.
Will Smith
Autoharp
Will has been teaching and performing autoharp
on both sides of the Atlantic for more years than he cares
to remember - okay, almost forty. He has been on albums
by numerous artists, including those of three different
winners of the CMA Female Vocalist Award - Pam Tillis,
Kathy Mattea, and Reba McEntire, and once performed as
a sideman on the Grand Ole Opry, prompting "Whispering"
Bill Anderson to shout, "Who is that guy with the
autoharp?" Twice his playing was featured on songs
that won the Canadian Country Music Association Song of
the Year Award. He is currently working on a recording,
for 2012 release, to demonstrate advanced diatonic techniques
as well as a unique chromatic chord bar design that adapts
classical, bossa nova, modal Appalachian, pop standards,
and other genres to the autoharp.
Will’s original songs have been recorded by John
Anderson, Mark Chesnutt, Wade Hayes, Shelby Lynne, and
others, including a pair of albums by Shawn Camp released
by Warner/Reprise in 2010.
FURTHER PARTICULARS
REGISTRATION FORM
LODGING
FRIDAY AND SUNDAY SCHEDULE
SATURDAY SCHEDULE
WORKSHOP DESCRIPTIONS
PERFORMERS' &
WORKSHOP LEADERS' BIOS
SKILL LEVELS
MISCELLANEOUS INFORMATION
T-SHIRT DESIGN
HISTORY OF THE GATHERING
MEMO
Dear Cranberry
friends,
First the bad news - believe it or not, another "Cranberry
Scramble" has taken place. Last summer we made
sure that we were on SUNY Cobleskill’s calendar
for 2012, we’ve been in touch over the time since,
and were just about to put all of the updated info on
the website when, out of the blue and to our great dismay,
Coby informed us that extensive campus renovations would
make it impossible to hold the Gathering there this
year!
Our sense of unbelief that this could possibly be happening
for the third time was huge, but when it subsided we
immediately began the search for another place. This
needed to be accomplished as quickly as possible or
we’d have to cancel Cranberry. We looked into
several possible venues in the Cobleskill/Oneonta area
but had to eliminate each because of one or more serious
flaws, such as no parking, no auditorium large enough
for concerts, etc.
Then, while talking with the pastor at the church where
the Dulcimer Association of Albany Mountain Dulcimer
Music Fest is held every March, Gene and I mentioned
the Cranberry dilemma and he suggested that we consider
his church. At first we were very skeptical, but we
decided to visit to the church to look at it through
“Cranberry colored glasses” and we realized
that this could work! Fortuitously, the regular board
of trustees meeting was scheduled to be held in a couple
of days, they voted enthusiastically to host us, and
we experienced great relief at the knowledge that Cranberry
2012 would happen!
Our biggest concern was that for most of our participants
it would be a longer drive than the trip to Cobleskill
had been. Then, much to my surprise, when I checked
distances and driving times on MapQuest, I learned that
Latham is actually closer and quicker for those coming
from NJ and PA, and even if you're coming from the Richmond,
VA area, it's only 2 minutes longer! Of course, for
our many friends in all parts of New England, Latham
is significantly closer.
We do realize that having two similar, yet different,
events in the same location might seem a bit odd, but
we had to conclude that "any port in a storm"
was better than not having Cranberry at all. And, we
also want you to know that the DAA Fest has been held
in this location for ten years now, and the people at
the church are incredibly wonderful to work with. They’ve
shown great support and enthusiasm for hosting both
the monthly DAA meetings as well as its annual festival,
and are very pleased to be able to extend their hospitality
to Cranberry as well. Renovations a few years ago made
the church an even more attractive and pleasant place
to be.
So, the GOOD NEWS is that on July 27, 28, 29 we'll
all be at Calvary United Methodist Church at 15 Ridge
Place, Latham, NY 12110. It's only a very short distance
from I-87, very close to motels and restaurants - some
even within walking distance - yet in a quiet, residential
area with ample parking in lots across from and behind
the building. All workshops, concerts, and vendors will
be in the same building which is completely handicap
accessible. Local zoning prohibits RVs from parking
in the church lot overnight, but the nearby Wal-Mart
will welcome them.
We're working diligently to get all workshop information
on the web site so that all of you who have been looking
forward to Cranberry 2012 can start sending in your
registrations. Please bear with us as we continue to
work out the final details and send everything to our
web master, and then we'll all look forward to another
wonderful weekend of good music with good friends.
CarolLynn
E-MAIL
LIST: Whether
you are on the list or want to be, please click the Big
Green Button for an important message.
No, not an ad! An actually important message.
GOSH, having a festival is a lot of
work.
YOU can help!
Click the pic to enter the XXth
CENTURY
Contact
People Are CarolLynn
and Gene Langley
282 Blue Factory Road, Averill Park, NY 12018.
(518) 283-4769
And speaking of
new new NEW....
here is the latest e-mail address for CarolLynn and the Gathering.
Forsake all others.
