the loafer, jan. 1, 2013

, The Loafer • January 1, 2013

www.theloaferonline.com January 1, 2013 • The Loafer,

Volume 27

Issue #4

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Published by Creative Publishing, Inc., P.O. Box 3596, Johnson City, TN 37602

!'46(M*NOPQORP+NPON*SFT*+*NOPQORP+NPUVwww.theloaferonline.com • [email protected]

e-mail: [email protected] (editorial)

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The Town of Abingdon has partnered with Barter Theatre and Bone Fire Brands to launch the kick off of the Abingdon Music Experience and a series of concerts every Saturday in January, 2013. January Jams at Barter Theatre presented by Eastman Credit Union will host an array of musicians per‐forming different genres of music. The schedule that will showcase national recognized artists is as follows:

Saturday, January 5th- Acoustic Syndicate with The New Familiars

North Carolina’s The New Familiars (Opening Act) have been touring & playing their !"#$%&'()$!*$+,)-./0#$1!/2$3$1!(($*!-$')0-%$#!"4$5-0".#6$*-!,$&7)$80%&$.#9(:)#/)%$&70&$they’ve collected throughout their careers, this quartet has shaped a sound that com‐bines the nitty‐gritty roots music of the Appalachia with guitar‐drenched‐drum‐driven anthems of Rock & Roll. Acoustic Syndicate (Headliner) is a rock/folk/bluegrass band from North Carolina formed in 1992. They have toured nationally in the US, including appearances at Farm Aid and the Bonnaroo festival.

Saturday, January 12th- Guy Clark with If Birds Could Fly If Birds Could Fly (Open‐ing Act) are more than just three kids from the mountains of Southwest Virginia that love to make music. Guy Clark (Head‐liner) was born in Texas and moved to California as a young man before relocating to Nashville in 1971. He stepped into the spotlight in the early ‘70s with songs like “L.A. Free‐way” and “Desperados Waiting for a Train”. Over the years, many of coun‐try music’s most respect‐ed artists have recorded Clark’s songs.

Saturday, January 19th- Steep Canyon Rangers and The Black Lillies The Steep Canyon Rangers (First Act) are an American bluegrass band from Brevard, North Carolina. In 2008, the band received a nomination from International Bluegrass Music Association for “Album and Gospel Performance of the Year”. The Black Lillies (Second Act) are an Americana band from Knoxville, Tennessee that was founded in early 2009 by Cruz Contreras. They won the Independent Music Award for Best Song – Story and were nominated for Independent Music Award for Best Album – Americana.

Saturday, January 26th- Leon Russell with Wise Old River Wise Old River (Opening Act) blends a 80-.)&'$!*$.#9(:)#/)%$0#;$.#%&-:,)#&%$&70&$combine tradition with originality. Their sound has been described as “Eclectic‐Americana.” Leon Russell (Headliner) is an American musician and songwriter, who has recorded as a session musician, sideman, and maintained a solo career in music. Born in Lawton, Oklahoma, he be‐gan playing piano at the age of four. Doors open at 7:15pm and the shows will start at 8pm. Ticket prices will vary for each show. For more informa‐tion and tickets call Barter Theatre Box <*9./)$ 0&$ =>?@?=A@BCCD$ !-$ 6!$ !#(.#)$ 0&$ www.bartertheatre.com.

Steep Canyon Rangers

The Black Lillies

Leon Russell

Guy Clark


Acoustic Syndicate was born in December, 1977 when Joe and Fitzhugh McMurry, a couple of broth‐ers from Cleveland County, NC got together and decided to get their kids bluegrass instruments for Christmas that year. Known for its high‐ener‐gy, positive sound, Acoustic Syndicate delivers a genre‐defying performance, masterfully blending .&%$)/()/&./$ .#9(:)#/)%$".&7$&-0;),0-2$9.#)%%)$&70&$only two decades of cohesive teamwork can bring. The Syndicate is currently working on their 7th recording with Grammy winning New York based producer Stewart Lerman.Opening for Acoustic is The New Familiars, an‐

other North Carolina based band, known forplay‐ing their own style of American Rock & Roll for years now. A sound that combines the nitty‐gritty roots mu‐sic of the Appalachia with guitar‐drenched‐drum‐driven anthems of Rock & Roll. The New Familiars have worked with Bob Crawford of the Avett Brothers, Tania Eliza‐beth of the Duhks, and Sam Quinn, formerly of the Everybody‐9.)(;%4“The Town of Abing‐

don is thrilled to be able to bring Acoustic

Syndicate and the New Familiars in to kick off the 9.-%&$)8)-$E0#:0-'$E0,%$0&$F0-&)-4$G)$%))$&7.%$0%$0#$opportunity to host nationally recognized music acts during a month that the Barter is traditionally dark and expand the offerings at the theatre,” said Kevin Costello, Director of Tourism for Abingdon. “In addition to bringing in the great bands, the Barter will also be serving beer and wine. We hope folks will come early and enjoy the new lobby area and socialize with friends before the show.” Doors will open at 7:15pm and the shows will

start at 8pm. Tickets are $25. You can get tickets by /0((.#6$F0-&)-$H7)0&-)$F!I$<*9./)$0&$=>?@?=A@BCCD or by going online at www.bartertheatre.com.

Acoustic Syndicate and The New Familiars LIVE January

5th at Barter Theatre


Lead artist Suzanne Justice will provide 4 hours of guided instruction. Painting sessions 0-)$H:)%;0'$#.67&%$*-!,$?@$A$PM at the Lynn View Com‐munity Center at 257 Walker J&-))&K$L.#6%M!-&$HN$B>??O4$$First of two training classes is on January 8, 2013 from ?@A$PQ4$R!%&$.%$SOT$U"7./7$.%$refundable upon completion of work). To register call the R.&'$!*$L.#6%M!-&$<*9./)$!*$R:(‐tural Art at (423) 392‐8414. ‐‐‐Be a part of the DREAM! Carousel Project on Facebook: www.facebook.com/ kingsportcarousel

About the Kingsport Carousel Project:It started with an idea. Gale Joh shared his enthusiasm and love of carousels and it seems to be catching on. Join us as we create a wood carving studio, paint horses, refurbish an antique frame and bring a unique and magical carousel to Kingsport Tennessee.

Volunteers Needed to Paint Animals for the Kingsport Carousel Project


The Historic Jonesborough Dance Society opens its eighth year with a contra dance on Saturday January 5, 2013. The event will be held at the Jonesborough Visitors Center at 7:00pm featuring the Asheville band “Boom Chuck” with Clinton Ross calling the dance. Admission is $7, $5 for HJDS members and $5 for full time students. A class for newcomer contra dances will run from 7:00‐7:30pm. The dance will go from 7:30‐10:30pm with a Klondike Bar break at 9:00pm.“Contra dance is a way for all citizens of the area

to rededicate themselves to New Year’s higher ideas and ideals for diet and exercise changes. We know from the experts that most people start the year with ambitious goals for weight loss, smoking cessation or other behavioral changes during the 9.-%&$ &)#$ ;0'%$ !*$ &7)$N)"$ V)0-WK$ %&0&)%$ !-60#.X)-$David Wiley. “The problem is that many of these commitments fade away in the short term” adds Wiley. “Our contra dance program, even though it is held only twice per month can jump start anyone toward their goals. We had 30 dances again 2012. In and of itself, 30 dances won’t make !-$Y-)02$0#'!#)Z%$9.&#)%%$M-!6-0,K$Y:&$*!-$,0#'K$it made a difference. We have built the foundation for our own dance community in addition to

starting a monthly family dance series. Now, one can contra dance twice a month for FREE at ETSU on the second and fourth Tuesday.Boom Chuck unites three friends who have

played for contra dances in the area for the last three years. The band consists Laurie Fisher on 9.;;()K$ N./$ R!2)-$ !#$ 6:.&0-$ 0#;$ Y0#[!$ 0#;$ 1./2'$Cooper on bass. Clinton Ross, an ETSU student from Charlotte,

began his calling career in 2012. Ross, a member of the ETSU Bluegrass, Old Time and Country Music program, is an accomplished musician but took very quickly to contra dance after participating in the on‐campus dances twice a month at the Culp Center. He was immediately drawn to calling. He attended the Cumberland Dance Week, a camp in Nancy, KY, this past summer where he was tutored by one of the nation’s top callers, Seth Tepfer, from +&(0#&04$$H7.%$".(($Y)$R(.#&!#Z%$9.-%&$/0((.#6$6.6$*!-$the Historic Jonesborough Dance Society. For more information on Saturday’s dance or any upcoming events, please call David Wiley at 423‐534‐8879 or visit www.historicjonesboroughdancesociety.org. or Historic Jonesborough Dance Society on FACEBOOK.

Contra Dance Begins 8th Year in Jonesborough!


Rex Theaterhttp://www.visitgalax.com/rextheater.

htmlJanuary 4 – Breaking Up Christmas

(free)January 11 ‐ Iron Mountain Ridge

Runners

The Floyd Country Store7&&M\]]"""49(!';/!:#&-'%&!-)4/!,]

Friday, January 4?\BT$E0#)&$H:-#)-$3$^-.)#;%

7:30 The Snow Creek Old Time Band9:00 The Jug BustersSaturday, January 5

12:00 Americana Afternoon1:30 Americana Open Mic

J:#;0'K$E0#:0-'$?2:00 Beginner Jam in Community Room

2:00 Old Time Music JamFriday, January 11

?\BT$5!"#$_!,)$`!%M)(7:30 Tenbrooks

9:00 Rebekah & UsSaturday, January 12

12:00 Americana Afternoon1:30 Americana Open Mic7:30 The Floyd Radio Show

Sunday, January 132:00 Beginner Jam in Community Room

2:00 Bluegrass Music Jam

Heartwood: Southwest Virginia’s Artisan Gatewayhttp://www.heartwoodvirginia.org

January 3 _)0-&"!!;$<M)#$E0,$?M,$a$CM,

January 10 Youth Music Concert–Honaker FFA F(:)6-0%%$F0#;$U1:%%)(($R!:#&'b$?M,

ConcertsReynolds Homestead 2013 Second Sunday — An American Music Series 2nd Sunday Series explores the roots of old‐time, bluegrass, blues, jazz

and gospel music. 4 concerts will run J)/!#;$J:#;0'$!*$&7)$9.-%&$*!:-$,!#&7%$Jan. 13, Feb. 10, March 10, and April 14, 2:00 in the afternoon. January 13th A Youth Concert featuring young Patrick County musicians, Including: Catherine Connor, Casey McPherson, Maggie

Blankenship, Nick Goad, Jacob Harbour, Elliot Robertson, Brady Horton, Bailey Steele, Ross Adams, Harper Steele &

others. Heartwood: 2nd Thursday of each

,!#&7$Y)6.##.#6$0&$?$M,4January 10 – Youth Music Concert–Honaker FFA Bluegrass Band (Russell

R!:#&'b$?M,

Lays Hardware Center for the Arts Live Bluegrass every Friday night from 7:00 ‐ 10:30, doors open at ?\TT$SO]0;:(&%K$SD]/7.(;-)#$?@D=K$:#;)-$?$0;,.&&);$*-))4$7&&M\]]"""4

layshardware.com.January 4 ‐ Benny Jones & CMT Country

January 11 ‐ Bluegrass CircleThe WHEO Jamboree is held at The Historic Star Theatre, 318 Patrick Avenue, in Stuart, VA at 7PM on the third Friday of each month. $5 admission at the door goes directly to musicians. Shows are recorded on Friday night in front of a live audience.

Music-Related Events and Information Along the Crooked Road: Virginia’s

Heratage Music Trailwww.thecrookedroad.org.

Schedules are subject to change. Please call ahead or go online to con!rm details.


JamsHeartwood: Southwest Virginia’s Artisan Gateway

http://www.heartwoodvirginia.orgE0#:0-'$B$a$_)0-&"!!;$F(:)6-0%%$0#;$<(;$H.,)$<M)#$E0,$?M,$a$CM,

Radford Fiddle and Banjo Jam Mondays 7pm. Bluegrass and old‐time mountain music are on the menu every week at River City Grill4$E!.#$&7)$[0,$%)%%.!#$!-$[:%&$)#[!'$&7)$%!:#;%$!*$9.;;()K$Y0#[!K$,0#;!(.#$

6:.&0-$0#;$:M-.67&$Y0%%4$$7&&M\]]"""4-0;*!-;9.;;()4/!,

Smyth County Jam Mondays Chilhowie Lions Club$Y:.(;.#64$E0,,.#6$%&0-&%$0&$?\BT$0#;$6!)%$&!$")$/0#c&$[0,$0#'$,!-)d$H7)$!M)#$,./$%&06)$%7!"$%&0-&%$0&$0Y!:&$?\eO4$7&&M\]]"""4%/[0,4/!,

Mitchell Music Company in Floyd$M-)%)#&%$H:)%;0'$#.67&$!M)#$E0,%$*-!,$?\TT$M,$@$C\TT$M,4$P(0')-%$!*$all skill levels are welcome. Coffee, tea and refreshments are free. http://www.mitchellmusicco.com

The 1908 Courthouse$G);#)%;0'$#.67&%K$?\BT$M,$&!$C\TT$M,K$-0.#$!-$%7.#)4$E!.#$:%$*!-$0$&-0;.&.!#0(K$old‐time, mountain music jam. Admission is free. No refreshments are available. Be ready to tap your

toes. 1908 Courthouse Junction of US 21 and US 58 Independence, VA

Dairy Queen in Rocky Mount has jam sessions every Thursday 9 am to 10 am! Be sure to join them for a jamming good time! Dairy Queen 995 Franklin Street Rocky Mount, VA

Allen Hicks Jam in Nickelsville every Friday night all year long from 7:00 ‐ 10:00 pm. 1844 Bethel Road+((.%!#$`0M$1:-.&0#$R(:Y$E0,$)8)-'$^-.;0'$#.67&$Y)6.##.#6$0&$?\BTM,4$+;,.%%.!#$.%$^1ffK$/!,)$&!$M(0'$

or just to watch. Pickers of all skill levels are welcome. Allison Gap Ruritan & Community Center D?O$g./2$J2.(()&$1!0;$J0(&8.(()$h+$=eB>T$=>?@eC?@BCAe

Willis Gap Open Jam Family Fun, Music: Old time, County, Gospel, Bluegrass. Open Jam, play what you bring, so anyone is welcome to participate. Tune up your musical instrument and or voice and come on

down! FREE admission, Jamming Every Friday Night 7:00 until 10:00 pm. dancing is permitted. http://www.WillisGapCommunityCenter.com

The Floyd Country Store will host Sunday Jams 2‐4 pm. First and Third Sundays will be an Old Time Jam and Second and Forth Sundays will be a Bluegrass jam every month. Each jam will be lead by a host

6-!:M$!*$,:%./.0#%$0#;$!&7)-%$0-)$")(/!,)$&!$[!.#4$$7&&M\]]"""49(!';/!:#&-'%&!-)4/!,


Saturday, January 5th, 2013, at 7:30 p.m. the Carter Family Fold in Hiltons, Virginia, will present a concert of bluegrass music by the McLain Family Band. Admission to the concert is $10 for adults, SD$*!-$/7.(;-)#$?$&!$DDK$:#;)-$06)$?$*-))4$$The McLain Family Band has

been performing at Carter Family %7!"%$ %.#/)$ E0#)&&)$ R0-&)-$ 9.-%&$began presenting concerts in the old A.P. Carter Grocery in 1974. Raymond McLain, Sr., (now deceased) formed the *0,.('$ Y0#;$ .#$ &7)$ (0&)$ DC?T%$"7)#$ 7.%$ 9.8)$ /7.(;-)#$ ")-)$very young. Mr. McLain was a

Carter Family Memorial Music Center board member from the day the center was created. Although the McLain Family Band no longer tours, they try to perform at the Fold when their schedules permit. Now headed up by Raymond McLain, Jr., the group has expanded to include some of the spouses of the McLain siblings. Raymond is Director of the Kentucky Center for Traditional Music at Morehead State University. He also performs, produces, and records. Raymond serves on the Carter Music Center’s board of directors in addition to serving as the Artistic Director at the Fold. Joining Raymond will be his sister Ruth McLain Smith on bass and vocals. Older sister Alice will lend her instrumental and vocal talent along with husband Al White on mandolin. Michael McLain will join the group on banjo, guitar, and vocals. His wife, Jennifer, will be featured on vocals and mandolin. Baby sister Nancy Ann will be helping out on vocals. Raymond’s 40 plus

years of entertaining have taken him to performances in all 50 %&0&)%$ 0#;$ ?=$ *!-).6#$countries, including a tour as a musical

ambassador of the U.S. State Department. For 21 years with the McLain Family Band, Raymond was featured internationally at thousands of festivals and concerts and as a soloist in appearances with over 230 orchestras. Raymond was with Jim & Jesse’s Virginia Boys for ten years. He currently performs with Canadian harmonica whiz, Mike Stevens. Through the years, the McLains have produced dozens of CDs and records. For more information, go to http://www.mclains.com For further information

http://www.carterfamilyfold.

orgShows from the Carter

Family Fold can be accessed on the internet at http://www.

carterfoldshow.comCarter Music Center

is part of the Crooked Road: Virginia’s Heritage Music Trail. For more information on Saturday’s concert, contact Mountain Q:%./$ Q:%):,$ 0&$ =>?@?eO@TTBO4$ $ ^!-$ -)/!-;);$information on shows coming up at the Fold, call =>?@BA?@?TOe4

McLain Family BandCarter Family Memorial

Music CenterJanuary 5th


The Civil War January 28 – 31, 2013 Matinee Series for Students and

FamiliesIn this stirring production

Theatreworks USA focuses on the stories of individuals caught up in the war that divided the nation. Featuring traditional songs of the era while sensitively illustrating this complex, tumultuous chapter in American history, The Civil War illuminates the humanity and %0/-.9./)$ !*$ &7!%)$ "7!$ *!:67&K$ 0#;$the many who died. Diana Wortham Theatre at Pack Place. Monday‐Thursday, January 28 ‐ 31, 2013, 10:00 a.m. & 12:00 p.m. each day. Open to families, homeschoolers, and students. Tickets $7 individual &./2)&%i$ S?$ *!-$ 6-!:M%$ !*$ DD$ !-$more (1 free teacher ticket per every 10 students). Recommended for Grades 3 – 9. Tickets and information, (828) 257‐4530, www.dwtheatre.com.


Elite Starz Competition Cheer Team won the National Finals at the America’s Best Compe‐tition! Coach Michelle Blevins Dempsey will teach cheers, cheer jumps, cheer dance, cheer stunts, etc. No out of pocket expense for uniforms. Only $40 per month! Two new classes are available for level 1 (beginners) Saturday, January 5th and meet‐ing each Saturday from 1:00pm‐2:00pm at the new Memorial Park Community Center. Phone Renee to register 0&$e?D@eAOD4$H7:-%;0'K$January 10 and meet‐ing each Thursday from ?\BTM,$&!$>\BT$M,$0&$&7)$Princeton Arts Center on Oakland Ave. Phone Mandy or Mary Lee at 283‐5800 to register.

Join The Elite Starz Competition Cheer Team

Girls Ages 5-14

The Southwest Virginia Museum Historical State Park will host its First Saturday Community Coffee House on Saturday, January 5th from 7:00pm to 9:00pm. Tommy Shortt will serve as the featured host for this month’s Coffee House.Shortt, a regular at the monthly Coffee House,

has been singing since he was eight years old.

_)$ "0%$ 7)08.('$ .#9(:)#/);$ Y'$ 7.%$ *0&7)-K$ G)%()'$Vernon, and Tommy listened to him play and sing bluegrass music while growing up. Tommy plays traditional and original country music in Southwest Virginia and the neighboring states of Kentucky and Tennessee. The First Saturday Community Coffee House is

an open‐mic event and is open to all family‐friendly performers. All interested musicians, storytellers, and poets should 0--.8)$ Y'$ ?\BTM,$for sign‐up and scheduling. Admission is free to this program. Refreshments will be available for purchase. For more information, please call the Southwest Virginia Museum Historical J&0&)$P0-2$0&$=>?@O=B@1322.

!"##$%&'"())%*"+)+%,"##-./)$%,"011%*"-+1Southwest Virginia Museum Historical State Park


The Junior League of Johnson City (JLJC) will host a new member Q))&$3$`-))&$!#$H:)%;0'K$E0#:0-'$A&7$0&$?$M4,4$0&$&7)$P0#)-0$F-)0;K$(!/0&);$0&$BDeT$P)!M()%$J&-))&K$E!7#%!#$R.&'K$HN$B>?Te4$$The Meet & Greet provides women interested in membership the opportunity to interact with current members and to learn about the League’s rich history and outstanding community impact in Johnson City.J!,)$!*$&7)$Y)#)9.&%$&70&$E:#.!-$g)06:)$!*$E!7#%!#$R.&'$,),Y)-%$enjoy include:

Leadership, organizational, volunteer and community‐issue based training, and opportunities to put that training into action both in their professional and/or personal lives.Networking and social opportunities. JLJC members live in all corners of our community. Members’ lives are enriched by the contacts and friendships made with individuals of all backgrounds and interests.An opportunity to make a positive and lasting impact on the lives of individuals in our community. All Junior League of Johnson City active and new members volunteer in a variety of League community projects. There are volunteer !MM!-&:#.&.)%$&!$9.&$0(($.#&)-)%&%K$&0()#&%$0#;$0Y.(.&.)%4

“Membership in the Junior League of Johnson City has been so rewarding,” says Joy Fulkerson, JLJC President. “I’ve developed close friendships, gained knowledge and experience from outstanding leadership training and learned so much about Johnson City and its needs and assets. I encourage all women to consider membership in the JLJC as we work to build a better, stronger community.” The Junior League of Johnson City is open to any woman age 21 and over who shares our interest in and commitment to volunteerism and a desire for personal and professional leadership development. For more information, email .#*!j[:#.!-()06:)!9[/4/!, or check out our website at """4[:#.!-()06:)!9[/4/!,.

Junior League of Johnson City to Host

Meet & Greet for Prospective Members


The City of Johnson City, the Tennessee Wildlife Resource Agency, and Keep Johnson City Beautiful are now collecting Christmas trees as part of the annual tREeCYCLE program. TWRA will place the trees in area (02)%$&!$/-)0&)$9.%7$70Y.&0&%K$enhancing not only the overall aquatic habitat of !:-$ (02)%$ Y:&$ 0(%!$ 9.%7.#6$opportunities for local anglers. Real Christmas trees (cleared of any decorations) will be accepted for drop‐off through Saturday, Jan. 19 at the Winged Deer Park Boat Ramp parking lot on Carroll Creek Road. Trees should be placed at the northwest side of the parking lot below the recycling drop‐off station. Johnson City residents with regular garbage/recycling collection may place their trees at the curb for pickup through Saturday, Jan. 19. These customers are advised to keep Christmas trees separate from brush to ensure the trees will be designated for the tREeCYCLE program. For more information, please call Keep Johnson City Beautiful Coordinator Eva _:#&)-$0&$C>C@?BDA4

Put Your Christmas Tree to Good Use After the Holidays


Two great shows, one awesome night. Come see award winning Elvis Trib‐ute Artist Josh Rush rock the stage at New York New York, Johnson City, TN. For two decades Josh has been wow‐ing audiences with his tribute to the King of Rock, performing all genres of

Elvis career! Music from the rockin’ OTZ%K$ &7)$,!8.)$ ')0-%K$ &7)$ ?A$ R!,)‐back and the Vegas years... Josh does it all! Come out for a little taste of Ve‐gas right here in the Tri‐Cities as New York New York proudly presents Josh Rush As Elvis.

Josh Rush As Elvis!Jan. 5th 8:30pm & 10:30pm

East Tennessee State University’s <*9./)$ !*$ P-!*)%%.!#0($Development is offering a Renaissance Child Winter Enrichment Program, Jan. 3, 4 and 7, 2013. This creative experience provides activities for /7.(;-)#$ 06)%$ ?@D=4$The schedule includes storytelling, arts and crafts, and safe science experiments. The program operates from 8 a.m.‐5 p.m. on the ETSU campus and costs $50 per day, with discounts for those attending two or three days. Each child should bring a bag lunch and wear “paint‐friendly” clothing.

Space is limited, and while substitutions are allowed, there are no refunds. To register, call the ETSU <*9./)$ !*$ P-!*)%%.!#0($ 5)8)(!M,)#&$at (423) 439‐8084 or go to www.etsu.edu/renaissancechild. For more information, contact Angela McFall, program coordinator, at the same phone number or [email protected].

ETSU Offers

Renaissance Child Winter

Enrichment Program


Mark Kroos plays two guitar necks at the same time with a tapping technique that involves both hands fretting the strings. It creates a very explosive and energetic genre that is as en‐tertaining to watch as it is to listen to. In July 2011, Mark won Guitar Player Magazine’s International Guitar Superstar Competition in Nashville and has since shared the stage with guitarists like Phil Keaggy, Mike Stern and Lee Ritenour. Mark has also picked up sponsorships from Ovation Guitars, D’Addario Strings and Kyser Musical Prod‐ucts among others. Currently based out of Williamsburg, VA, Mark recently released his sec‐ond full‐length instrumental

guitar album. The album is titled Down Along the Lines of Joy and features Mark on both double and single neck guitars boasting a variety of different styles and .#9(:)#/)%$*-!,$R)(&./$0#;$F(:)‐grass to Funk. “Mark Kroos plays with

sensitivity to the music and positive energy that is truly refreshing.”Muriel Anderson, 1989 International Fingerstyle Guitar Champion. Videos of Mark performing are available at www.markkroos.com. “I closed my eyes and heard

more than one guitarist...It’s obvi‐ous that Mark is never musically alone.”Phil Keaggy, Grammy‐Nominated Guitarist

Mark KroosThe Acoustic Coffeehouse

January 11th 8:00 PM


“Barking Signals (badly) Dur‐ing Goldwater” is the underdog story of a 14‐year‐old boy who is equal parts puny and shy in a little town deep in Virginia’s mountains. It’s decided only one thing can bring the boy out of the limits he’s put on himself: Playing second‐string quarter‐back on Abingdon High School’s junior varsity team. For more information and to read some testimonials, go to www.plug‐gerpublishing.comThe author is retired from

writing the metro column for The Evansville, Ind., Courier & Press. During my 39‐year ca‐-))-K$k$M)##);$,!-)$&70#$?KOTT$columns on everything from Appalachian snake handlers to an A‐bomb survivor who re‐members the horrors of Naga‐saki. You can view some of my work by accessing www.news‐paperwriter.com. Other books include “Baseball

Days,” in which I asked well‐known men and women to tell me a story about growing up

and playing ball. Contrib‐utors include Dick Vitale, Brooks Rob‐inson, Rick Reilly, Rob‐ert Merrill, Dave Barry, Mickey Spill‐ane and Patrick Bu‐chanan. “Past D e ad l i n e s : Past Lives,” I sought recol‐lections from p rominen t media folks about their 9.-%&$ [!Y%$ .#$newspapers, t e l e v i s i o n and radio. Among those s h a r i n g stories are Ch r i s t i ane Amanpour,

Kenny Mayne, Kevin Harlan, Juan Williams, Kathleen Parker 0#;$E!#0&70#$+(&)-4$J)&$.#$DC?OK$“Barking Signals” is the of an :#(.2)('$ M(0')-Z%$ 9.-%&$ %)0%!#K$!#$0#;$!**$&7)$9.)(;4$$Excerpt: There’s the cure‐all

nature of the little yellow pills that are doled out by the hand‐ful at the end of practice. Player: “I’ve got jock itch.” Coach: “Take salt tablets.” Another player: !"#$% &'()*+),%,-.$-/0123 Coach: “Take salt tablets.” Another play‐er: “My dad left my mom.” Coach: “Take salt tablets.” There’s the wide‐mouthed admiration of varsity players because they have armpit hair and the visit to the coal mine where the father of one of the jayvees was killed in an underground explosion.“Barking Signals” sells for

$25, includes postage. Garret Mathews 7954 Elna Kay Drive Evansville, Indiana 47715.gar‐[email protected], phone 812‐401‐8940.

“Barking Signals (badly) During Goldwater” G-rated Football Book for Fathers and Sons

An Underdog Story of a 14-year-old Boy

Old Christmas: Militia Muster at Fort WataugaSaturday, January 5 10:00 am – 4:00 pmJ:#;0'K$E0#:0-'$?$DT\TT$0,$a$

3:00 pmChristmas isn’t over yet! Eu‐ropean migrants brought Old World holiday traditions to America, from the Dutch Sinter

Klaus to the Twelve Days of Christmas. Discover the English, German, Scotch‐Irish, and Dutch roots of our modern holiday celebrations. Contact the park for detailed schedule.Workshop: Beginners Spinning Instructor: Amy GawthropJ:#;0'K$E0#:0-'$?$D\BT$a$e$M,$R!%&\$SeT4TT$.#/(:;)%$9())/)$UDst time students in this class) $15.00 for returning students Min: 1 Max: 5Learning about wool, it’s struc‐ture and how it reacts. Wool preparation with hand cards, viking combs and drum carder. Practical at the wheel time. Call the park to register.Workshop: Watercolor Paint-ing -Landscapes Instructor: Barbara JerniganSaturday, January 12 10 am – 1 pmCost: $12 (plus supplies) or $20 (includes supplies) Min: 5 Max: openLearn and practice watercolor techniques and style. Dress to take a short walk outdoors for photos and observations,

weather permitting. Call the park to register.Workshop: Watercolor Paint-ing -Landscapes Instructor: Barbara JerniganSaturday, January 19 10 am – 1 pmCost: $12 (plus supplies) or $20 (includes supplies) Min: 5 Max: openLearn and practice watercolor techniques and style. Dress to take a short walk outdoors for photos and observations, weather permitting. Call the park to register.WORKSHOP: Beginners Knit-ting - Making a Scarf! Instructor:Amy GawthropSunday, January 20 1:30 pm – 4:00 pm Cost: $25.00 Min: 1 Max: 10You will learn to cast on, cast off,

knit and purl, left & right hand‐ed knitting, and how to pick up dropped stitches. Bring at least 2 skeins of worsted weight wool in a solid color (if you want a long scarf, you will need at least B$%2).#%b$!-$0#'$9.Y)-$&70&$".(($make a comfortable scarf; set of US#8 knitting needles (no lon‐ger than 10”), wood or plastic, straight or circular. Call the park to register.Shape Note Singing - Led by Don WileySunday, January 20 2:00 pm – 4 pmJanuary – April, June, September ‐ NovemberSing the shapes! In this early musical tradition, “shapes” represented each note of the do‐re‐mi scale. Although many Appalachian frontiersmen could not read, they achieved beauti‐ful four‐part harmonies through &7.%$%.,M(.9.);$,)&7!;$!*$()0-#‐ing music. We invite you to join “The Old Fields Singers” for an experience you will not forget.WORKSHOP: Inkle Weaving Instructor: Ronnie LailSaturday, January 26 10 am – 4 pmCost: $50.00 includes loom (to keep!) & all supplies Min: 3 Max: 8$20.00 thread only$10.00 instruction onlyLearn how to weave wide sash‐es, narrow bands, and shoelaces on a loom that is light‐weight and easy to carry around! You can create wonderful patterns through varied placement of colorful thread. Bring scissors. Call the park to register.Old Time Music Jam – Led by Art LangSunday, January 27 1:30 pm – 4 pm


Sycamore Shoals State Historic Area

Where Our Heritage Comes to Life!January 2013 Events and Workshops

Enjoy the rich musical traditions of our region each month. Old time musicians of all levels are welcome. Don’t play and instru‐ment? Come on over, kick back, and enjoy the tunes!Watauga Valley Fife & Drum CorpsSaturdays 10:00 am – 12 pmThe Fife & Drum Corps performs at historical events, dedica‐tions, and parades. This group is open to anyone ages 13 & up. Musical experience is welcome but not necessary; just come with a willingness to learn. Meet our volunteer coordinator John Large at the Sycamore Shoals Visitors Center. Lessons are free of charge, just call and let us know you’re coming!

Included Photographs are from Old Christmas 2012Traditional Arts Workshops

To join one or more classes, you must register in advance and pre‐pay.

Please call the park at (423) 543‐5808 for more informa‐tion


It doesn’t get any better than the brilliant winter night skies with bright stars marking some of the most recognized names in star lore.The eastern horizon is a caval‐

cade of mythical creatures larger than life, including a raging bull, twin brothers and pair of hunt‐ing dogs. And then there is the mighty hunter who takes center stage this month and captivates the winter evenings. Taurus the Bull and its head

of “V‐shaped” stars has a red star marking its eye, Aldebaren. But a much brighter yellow “star” makes for a temporary eye this Winter of 2013, the planet Jupi‐ter. Above them is the star cluster known as The Pleiades, or Seven Little Sisters. And rising below

are the bright stars of broth‐ers Castor and Pollux in Gemini the Twins. And in between is the unmistakable dot‐to‐dot gi‐ant of brilliant stars, Orion the Hunters. His dogs are tow as he rises above the eastern horizon, they are Canis Major and Minor, and are marked by the bright‐est star in the sky, Sirius, and almost as bright Procyon. These two stars, and the red star, Betel‐geuse, making up the shoulder of Orion, form a giant triangle that amateur astronomers call an “as‐terism” and dubbed the Winter Triangle.It is the easily recognizable

Orion the Hunter that draws all attention skyward as the outline of a man in splendid bright stars move into a dominant position

above the southern horizon. All of the bright stars making

up the shoulders, knees and belt of Orion have popular names given them over centuries of stargazing. There’s the right shoulder Betelgeuse (Arabic for “armpit of the giant”) and the other shoulder Bellatrix (the conqueror). The right knee is Saiph (the sword), and the left one is Rigel (giant’s leg). The hunter’s belt of three

stars bisects the giant from left to right named Alnitak (the gir‐dle), Alnilam (string of pearls) and Mintaka (belt). And dangling from this tilted line of stars are three fainter stars making up Orion’s sword. But the middle star of this celestial sword is not a star at all, but a stellar nursery that is right now creating hun‐dreds of new stars. Called the Orion Nebula, this

is one of the spectacular sights through any backyard telescope. And in color photographs, the nebula becomes a glorious place with spiritual overtones. As imaged by the earth‐orbit‐

ing Hubble Space Telescope, the Orion Nebula reveals the com‐plex gas formations that would engulf 1,000 Solar Systems the size of our Sun’s family.This amazing nebula structure

is one of the most studied and the easiest to see to any casual stargazer. To the naked eye on a


Orion Nebula an Extraordinary

Stellar Nursery

Continued on page 21

clear night, the Orion Nebula is just barely visible as the middle “star” of the dangling sword from the Hunter’s belt, though it is 1,300 Light Years away. And this vast gaseous cloud and its diffuse shape is hinted at in binoculars or the cheapest telescope.First sketched by the great

18th Century astronomer Sir Wil‐liam Herschel, today’s amazing orbiting telescope observatories are literally peering inside the Great Nebula of Orion and seeing the creation of stars.But those views through a

good amateur telescope can also be breathtaking. Known by the moniker “M‐42” as the designat‐ed catalogue number by another 18th Century sky hunter Charles Messier, this object is truly a be‐hemoth of hydrogen and other gases that are an incubation chamber for star birth.Spanning 15 Light Years in

diameter, this most celebrated of deep sky wonders is truly gi‐gantic. To give a size perspective, the closest star to our Sun is just over 4 Light Years away!Seen in a backyard telescope,

the Great Nebula looks like the %.;)$ 8.)"$ !*$ 0$ /:MM);$ 9(!")-K$

".&7$M-!,.#)#&$9(:**%$0#;$%".-(%$of gas extending outward, the insides glowing slightly green‐ish. In the center of M‐42 are four

newly‐born stars, nicknamed for centuries “The Trapezium.” A dark lane of gas, nicknamed the “Fish Mouth” by backyard astronomers, separates M‐42 from a smaller rounder patch of gases called M‐43. This M‐43 is actually lurking behind the Great Nebula, part of another star nursery that is even bigger! The Pleiades star cluster in the shoulder of Taurus the Bull was created out of a similar inter‐stellar cloud. <#)$!*$&7)$9.-%&$;))M$%2'$!Y‐

jects photographed in the early 1800s by William Herschel’s nephew, John Herschel, the Great Nebula is also a popular target for today’s astrophotog‐raphers and their digital cam‐eras. But once astronomers be‐

gan orbiting telescopes above the thick, image‐degrading at‐mosphere of Earth, the actual birthing of stars in the Universe was being seen. First the amazing views from

the Hubble Space Telescope, then more advanced and spe‐

cialized telescopes like Compton, Spitzer, Chandra and one named after the great astronomer Her‐schel.Today, what’s going on in this

incredible gaseous complex is just beginning to be understood. And there are hundreds of such stellar nurseries in our Milky Way Galaxy. In fact, beside the

belt star Alnitak and just beyond the visibility of backyard tele‐scopes is the famous Horsehead Nebula, as its cosmic cloud looks like the animal when seen in photographs. But one thing is certain, man’s

understanding of the Universe will be continually evolving, and the stellar nursery of Orion’s

Great Nebula in our own back‐yard will play a large part in that process.So, go out and see for yourself.

The mighty Orion the Hunter is gazing down upon us tonight walking his dogs across the sky. And among the many treasures of the Winter night, Orion’s Great Nebula beckons.


Continued from page 20


Live Music 8pm‐12am. Applebee’s‐‐Kingsport TN By: Caleb Slade Johnson of Grainger County, Glenn Spayth, Marshall Ballew & The Smokey Mountain Posse. Come out on the FIRST THURSDAY NIGHT OF EACH MONTH and support your local live music scene and take advantage of Applebee’s many food and drink specials. Booking and h)#:)$.#*!$080.(0Y()$0&\$-);;0"69(.#&%&!#)j'07!!4/!,$!-$̂ 0/)Y!!2]Tammy Alley. Visit The Acoustic Apple Jam at Applebee’s on Face‐book.

The Acoustic Apple JamSinger ‐ Songwriter VenueFirst Thursday of each month

Celestial events in the skies for the week of Jan. 1‐6, 2013, as compiled for The Loafer by Mark D. Marquette.

While window sun catchers toss the rainbow of sunlight around the walls of our cozy homes, the days might be cold, but they are getting longer. The Sun is at its (!")%&$M!.#&$!#$&7)$')0-$.#$&7)$%!:&7K$&7)$(!"$0#6()$9.(&)-.#6$%:#(.67&$.#&!$!:-$

rooms with windows facing south. But day‐by‐day, the Sun’s arc across the daytime sky is getting higher—adding about a minute every other day to our light time. But there’s still more than 13 hours of nighttime, and plenty to see in the glorious

winter sky.

Tues. Jan. 1

Nothing says the New Year is here more than the easily recognized constellation Orion the Hunter. Leaping over the eastern horizon and taking his place high in the south as the night of stars wheels overhead, Orion is a winter friend to avid stargazers, and a treasure trove of deep sky objects, including the crown jewel of

the winter sky—The Great Nebula of Orion.

Wed. Jan. 2

Though its winter, the last signs of summer are setting in the west shortly after sunset, with the bright stars Vega and Altair straddling the Milky Way until they

disappear around 8 pm.

Thurs. Jan. 3

On this 2004 date in space history, NASA’s Mars Excursion Rover named Spirit suc‐cessfully landed on the Red Planet, beginning a six‐year exploration of the surface. Succumbing to battery failure in its sixth year, Spirit was guaranteed to last 90

days! The rover’s twin, Opportunity, landed a few weeks later but is still alive and well—and ready to celebrate its 9th birthday on Jan. 25th.

Fri. Jan. 4

The Moon is at Last Quarter today at 10:58 pm, making a right angle with the Sun and Earth. The Moon belongs to the after‐midnight domain, becoming a crescent

before sunrise late in the week.

Sat. Jan. 5

On this 2005 date in space history, astronomers discovered an object larger than Pluto and nearly twice as far. Named Eris, it and a half‐dozen other objects near the size of Pluto sparked the debate that demoted the planet to “dwarf planet”

%&0&:%K$[!.#.#6$f-.%$0#;$!&7)-%$.#$&7)$#)"$/(0%%.9./0&.!#4

J:#4$E0#4$?

Taurus the Bull has two eyes, one yellow and one red, as it stampedes high above the eastern horizon. The yellow eye is the planet Jupiter, and the red one is giant star Aldebaran. Watch throughout the winter as Jupiter moves slowly through

Taurus.

Mon. Jan. 7

<#$&7.%$D?DT$;0&)$.#$%M0/)$7.%&!-'K$&7)$6-)0&$k&0(‐ian scientist Galileo turned his new telescope to the planet Jupiter and discovered three of its four giant moons. The discovery convinced Galileo that the Earth orbited the Sun and our Moon orbited Earth—which was not accepted knowl‐edge 400 years ago. A few nights later, Galileo

saw a fourth Jupiter moon, Ganymeade, joining Io, Callisto and Europa. All four moons, and the cloud bands of Jupiter, are easily seen tonight in any

backyard telescope.



This week I present my favorite movies of 2012. While many .4%$1%/.5%&+4/--)%$.6+-7%)-6-0%made critics best of list, they still provided a fun time at the theater for yours truly. 1. THE DARK KNIGHT RISES - Christopher Nolan’s wonderful Batman trilogy ended with Bane, Catwoman, and the last (sadly) performance of Christian Bale as the best onscreen Dark Knight to date. 2. SKYFALL - The James Bond series celebrated 50 years on

the big screen, and Daniel Craig and company provided not only a quality adventure for 007, but produced the best Bond movie yet. 3. THE HOBBIT: AN UNEX-PECTED JOURNEY - Peter Jackson returned to direct the prequel to his beloved and mega successful “Lord of the Rings” series, and the outcome was 0#!&7)-$9.#)$0;8)#&:-)$.#$Q.;;()$Earth. 4. LIFE OF PI - This fantasy‐ad‐venture is directed by Ang Lee,

provided plenty of cinematic eye candy via a tiger, a boy and an ocean in 3‐D. 5. CHIMPANZEE$@$H7.%$9.(,$*-!,$Disney Nature followed the true life adventure of a Chimp named <%/0-4$H7)$9.(,$"0%$)I/.&.#6$0#;$tugged at the heart strings. The chimps were better actors than ,0#'$7:,0#%$.#$9.(,$&!;0'K$0#;$they weren’t even “acting”. 6. LOOPER -$H7.%$%/.@9.$0/&.!#$thriller kepy my attention with a time‐travel plot, and featured an amazing make‐up transforma‐tion for Joseph Gordon‐Levitt, who was transformed into a young Bruce Willis. 7. PROMETHEUS - Director Rid‐ley Scott returned to his “Alien” universe and released this mind Y)#;.#6$%/.@9.$&7-.(()-4$G7.()$!&7‐)-%$,0'$;.**)-K$k$%&.(($%0'$&7.%$9.(,$is an “Alien” prequel. 8. THE BEST EXOTIC MARI-GOLD HOTEL - The joyful and sometimes sad tale of a group of British retirees, including Judi Dench, who travel to India to

leave their old lives behind is a 9.(,$*!-$&7!%)$"7!$0MM-)/.0&)$&7)$0-&$!*$/.#),0$0#;$9.#)$0/&.#64 9. THE AMAZING SPIDER-MAN - While many fans of Spidey thought it was too soon to re‐Y!!&$&7)$%)-.)%K$+#;-)"$`0-9.)(;$was perfect as teen Spider‐Man and gave the series new life. 10. JOYFUL NOISE - Dolly Par‐ton returned to the big screen in this musical‐comedy‐drama. Along with Queen Latifah, the duo brought down the house with thunderous and quiet gos‐M)($%!#6%4$H7.%$9.(,$"0%$*:#$0#;$moving for all. 11. THE AVENGERS - The pow‐erhouse teamup of Thor, The Hulk, Captain America, Hawkeye, Black Widow and the always wonderful Robert Downey Jr. as Iron Man, vanquished bad guys while racking in millions at the Y!I$!*9./)4 12. HOTEL TRANSYLVANIA - This CGI animated feature had famous monsters, including Dracula, and enough wise‐cracks

&!$9.(($H7)$Q:,,'Z%$&!,Y4$+;0,$Sandler’s best role in years! 13. BRAVE - An amazing CGI 9.(,$*)0&:-.#6$0$5.%#)'$M-.#/)%%$"7!$"0%$0$9.)-/)$"0--.!-4$J7)$0(%!$70;$(!#6$9(0,.#6$-);$70.-$that looked amazing on screen, and should have gotten co‐star credit. 14. ROCK OF AGES - Tom Cruise stole the show as rock star (he %0#6db$J&0/))$E0II$.#$&7)$9.(,$version of the broadway musical. If you love music from the 80’s, you will sing along throughout &7)$9.(,4$R-:.%)$%.#6.#6$lP!:-$Some Sugar on Me” is enough reason to see this movie. 15. PARANORMAN$@$H7.%$9.(,$is CGI animation with fun and unique characters, that provides not only the opportunity to see animated zombies, but learn a few life lessons as well. Here’s to a wonderful 2012 at the movies and hopes of a great 2013 of movie watching!


It wasn’t the strangest new year party I’d ever been invited to—that would be the great Pudding Cook Off of 2008—but it was certainly up there. Uncle Dan had 9.#0(.X);$ 7.%$ ;.8!-/)$ !#$ R7-.%&,0%$ f8)K$a service of the county clerk’s “Wanna Really Feel Like Crap This Year?” division. Uncle Dan, however, did not feel crappy—he felt jubilant. He had married a younger woman named Debbie. The family chose not to comment on Dan’s decision to commit to a woman barely 30—he being in his mid 50s—but we all had a feeling it wouldn’t last long. I’m pleased to say I won the pool at 2 years, one month. Dan decided he wished to throw a big

“Welcome back to Bachelorhood” party on New Year’s Day. He took me aside at the family’s Christmas Eve gathering to ask if I would help him go over the details. I’m glad he did, as all he had on his list was to eat barbecue, followed by burning ;!"#$0$"!!;)#$)*9.6'$!*$5)YY.)4$ k#%&)0;$I suggested we make it a nice BBQ eatin’ gatherin’. It was pretty much a nice loud wake for his marriage. f0-('$ E0#:0-'$ 9.-%&K$ k$ *!:#;$,'%)(*$!8)-$

at Dan’s helping him cook. Dan was in a great mood all morn, and I think he set a new personal record by going though a six pack of Sam Adams before noon. This was the happiest I had seen him in a good long while, he kept talking about what a great turn this was for him. The family all arrived around three, and as they

gathered, Dan handed out drinks while I 9.#.%7);$%)&&.#6$:M$&7)$Y:**)&4$Once everyone had arrived, Dan

decided that he wished to make a small speech before everyone ate. Dan stood up in front of everyone on his wide hearth, and began talking. “I want to thank everyone for coming today, but 9.-%&$ ()&$ ,)$ ".%7$ '!:$ 0(($ 0$ 8)-'$ _0MM'$New Year! I hope this year brings much joy and prosperity to us all. Today, we close the Debbie chapter of my life, and we open the pages on the next. I’m glad Debbie was in my life for the period of time she was, but it’s best that we are no longer...” Dan started to trail off, and stare

off into the distance. “DEBBIE!!!” Dan cried out, and ran out the patio doors and into his backyard. In the Ross clan, emotional outbursts are nothing new, so as we all watched my Uncle have a nervous breakdown, there was a pause. This was followed by everyone making their way over to the buffet. We ate, and no one thought to check on Uncle Dan—who eventually came to senses around midnight. It was one hell of a way to say hello the

new year. Dan got a little therapy, and the family got some barbecue. As we sit here looking at the start of a new year, let ,)$Y)$&7)$9.-%&$&!$".%7$'!:$0$6-0#;$!#)d$Here’s my hopes for better year for us all! Cheers!

The Weepy Divorcée

Needless to say, we are being besieged by 2012 retrospectives as this new year dawns, and these M-!,M&$:%$&!$-)9()/&$!#$"70&$&7)$past year has meant to us. B e ‐cause we are so obsessed with assessing the meaning of each passing year, I have decided to bring to fruition a topic with which I’ve been fascinated for quite some time. Being an avid reader and a history teacher/learner, I’ve accumulated quite a list of books that take as their &!M./$%M)/.9./$')0-%$&70&$%:MM!%‐);('$ ,0-2$ %.6#.9./0#&$ &:-#.#6$points in history. These are in addition to the many works that deal with decades and even cen‐turies—good examples are The Fifties, by David Halberstam, two Y!!2%$ &70&$ 9.#;$ %M)/.0($ %.6#.9.‐cance in the 1790s (Jay Winik’s The Great Upheaval and Stanly Elkins’ and Eric McKitrick’s The Age Of Federalism), Michael Ka‐zin’s and Maurice Isserman’s America Divided: The Civil War of The 1960s, Morris Dickstein’s Dancing In The Dark: A Cultural History Of The Great Depression, and Barbara Tuchman’s A Distant Mirror$U"7./7$9.#;%$M0-0(()(%$Y)‐tween the 14th and 20th centu‐ries). Four very enlightening books focus their attention on the 1970s, the subject of much recent scholarship, loathing, and nostalgia: Phillip Jenkins’ Decade of Nightmares: The End of the Sixties and the Making of Eight‐ies America, Edward Berkowitz’s Something Happened: A Politi‐cal and Cultural Overview of the 1970s, Bruce Schulman’s The Sev‐enties: The Great Shift In Ameri‐can Culture, Society, and Politics, and David Frum’s How We Got Here: The 70s. Many other stud‐ies, of course, can be added to the (.%&K$ -)9()/&.#6$ !:-$ /!,M:(%.!#%$to divide our history into conve‐nient ten or one‐hundred‐year

time frames—and thus perhaps misrepresenting and distorting the meaning of history in the process.Taking my cue from Frank

J.#0&-0Z%$ M!M:(0-$ DC??$ -)"!-2‐ing of an earlier Kingston Trio song, “It Was A Very Good Year,” here is a list of recent books that locate turning points by closely

examining various years. I am fascinated that so many of these studies exist‐‐‐and no doubt I have missed several other al‐ready or soon‐to‐be‐written vol‐umes.H7)$ 9.-%&$ Y!!2$ !#$ ,'$ (.%&$ (!‐

cates the turning point in 1824, the year Beethoven composed his monumental Ninth Symphony. According to Harvey Sachs’ The Ninth: Beethoven And The World In 1824, Beethoven’s Ninth not only changed the course of music but also has come to symbolize a world on the verge of some very revolutionary economic and cul‐tural transformations. Three books locate impor‐

&0#&$ ')0-%$ .#$ &7)$ 9.*&))#&7$ /)#‐tury, a time characterized by the so‐called “discovery” of America—Gavin Menzies’ 1421: The Year China Discovered The World presents the controversial theory that China beat Colum‐bus to the punch, and Charles

Mann’s bestselling companion volumes 1491: New Revelations Of The Americas Before Colum‐bus and 1493: Uncovering The New World take a look at what the New World was like the year before and the year following native America’s “discovery” of Columbus. Understandably, his‐torians have focused on the Civil War years as crucial ones. Ken‐neth Stampp’s 1857: A Nation On The Brink and Joseph E. Stevens’ 1863: The Rebirth Of A Nation call our attention to the events of these two pivotal years. The com‐ing of the 21st century quite un‐derstandably occasioned a fresh look at what the world was like at the dawn of the previous cen‐tury—Noel Jacob Kent’s America In 1900$9.#;%$%M)/.0($%.6#.9./0#/)$.#$&7)$9.-%&$')0-$!*$&7)$/)#&:-'$")$left behind thirteen years ago.To me, the most interesting

*0/)&$ !*$ &7.%$ l,!%&@%.6#.9./0#&@year” trend is the number of vol‐

umes that focus on years surrounding the fabled and much‐mythologized DC?T%4$ k#$ /7-!#!(!6.‐cal order, we have Fred Kaplan’s 1959: The Year Everything Changed (2009), James Patter‐son’s The Eve Of Destruc‐tion: How 1965 Trans‐formed America (2012), Mark Kurlansky’s 1968: The Year That Rocked The World (2004), Rob Kirkpatrick’s 1969: The Year Everything Changed (2009—the year two au‐thors apparently came to the realization that “everything changed” in their chosen years), and Andreas Killen’s 1973 Nervous Breakdown: Watergate, Warhol And The Birth Of Post‐Sixties America (2007). Each of the aforemen‐

tioned books is quite good and should be on your reading list, but my contention is that any year can legitimately lay claim to the much‐misused label “the year everything changed.” Of course, it is only in ret‐rospect that any year appears revolution‐ary, earth‐shattering, or “modern.” Although most of us are bewil‐dered by the times in which we live and be‐

lieve the present is changing ev‐erything we hold near and dear, we don’t go around describing &7)$')0-$")$70MM)#$&!$ 9.#;$!:-‐selves in as “the year everything changed.” We simply don’t have the perspective to make such a claim. With regard to the books listed in the previous paragraph, I lived through each of their title years and can’t claim that any !#)$ !*$ &7),$ "0%$ ,!-)$ %.6#.9.‐cant than any of the others. This doesn’t mean that I don’t really like these books, however; they are, in fact, some of my favorites. I am presently in the middle of E0,)%$P0&&)-%!#Z%$Y!!2$!#$DC?O$0#;$ 9.#;$ .&$,!%&$ .#&)-)%&.#6K$Y:&$k$ 708)$ ;.*9./:(&'$ Y:'.#6$ .#&!$ 7.%$contention that his chosen year "0%$,!-)$ .,M!-&0#&$ &70#$ DC?e$!-$DC??4Because Patterson takes his

&.&()$ *-!,$F0--'$Q/`:.-)Z%$DC?O$hit song “The Eve Of Destruc‐tion,” I would use music as my guiding principle if I were ever inclined to compose a “the year everything changed” volume. For .#%&0#/)K$ k$ "!:(;$ /7!!%)$ DC?e$as the year everything changed for me—that was the year of the much‐romanticized British Inva‐sion, and from the moment The Beatles appeared on “The Ed Sul‐livan Show” on February 9, my world truly changed. It changed 060.#$ .#$ DC?>$"7)#$ H7)$5!!-%Z$“Light My Fire” and Procol Har‐um’s “A Whiter Shade of Pale” changed the way I approached playing the organ. And, although I was more fascinated by the pre‐mier of Captain Kangaroo’s TV show in 1955 than I was with Jo‐hann Sebastian Bach, it is in ret‐rospect that I would list 1955 as a pivotal year because of the way pianist Glenn Gould shattered our preconceptions (and mis‐conceptions) of “classical music” ".&7$7.%$9.-%&$-)/!-;.#6%$!*$F0/7Z%$“Goldberg Variations” (a record‐.#6$ ".&7$ "7./7$ k$ 9.-%&$ Y)/0,)$acquainted in the 1980s). My list could go on and on, perhaps in‐cluding every year of my life (and earlier) as the one that “changed everything.”I will leave you to wonder why

we are so obsessed with years, decades, and centuries, while I wish you and your loved ones a very interesting and eventful New Year, crammed with life‐changing experiences.See you next week with a “Kel‐

ly’s Place” column that will no doubt “change everything.”


It Was a Very Good Year

, The Loafer • January 1, 2013 www.theloaferonline.com

the loafer, jan. 1, 2013

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