Musicians' Guild Workshops

Fall 2009

"One Hundred Years at the Crossroads"
Workshop and Concert Honor the Life and Works of Robert Johnson

The Musicians’ Guild at RCC hosted a special workshop and concert by noted educator and performer Scott Ainslie on Thursday, Nov. 5. Ainslie presented a workshop at noon in the RCC auditorium (ADT-100) and returned that evening for a concert at 7 PM. In honor of the upcoming 100^th anniversary of the birth of blues legend Robert Johnson, Ainslie titled his workshop, “One Hundred Years at the Crossroads.”

Drawing on the musical legacies of Delta Blues legends Robert Johnson and Muddy Waters, the East Coast’s Blind Blake, and Durham, NC’s own Reverend Gary Davis and Blind Boy Fuller, Scott Ainslie is a noted performer and scholar with more than two decades of experience teaching elements of African and African-American music to students of all ages, both in the classroom and from the stage. For this work, Scott has received numerous awards including St. Andrew’s Presbyterian College 20th Annual Sam Ragan Fine Arts Award, appointment as a Public Fellow at UNC-Chapel Hill, and grant awards from the National Endowment for the Arts and the Folklife Section of North Carolina Arts Council.

Scott Ainslie will discuss the musical heritage of blues legend Robert Johnson at a workshop and concert on Thursday, Nov. 5.

Ainslie has transcribed the complete recorded works of Mississippi Blues legend Robert Johnson, published as Robert Johnson/At The Crossroads (Hal Leonard, 1992), and has an instructional DVD on Johnson’s guitar techniques entitled, Robert Johnson: Signature Licks (Hal Leonard, 1997). He has presented programs for the NC Center for the Advancement of Teaching, and been a featured artist at Merlefest, The Kennedy Center, The Old Songs Festival, Louisiana Crossroads, and at the Toronto, Mississippi Valley, and Bull Durham Blues Festivals. He released his fifth solo recording, Thunder’s Mouth, in early 2008. Coming of age during the Civil Rights era, Ainslie continues to have a deep reverence and affection for cross-racial exchange, honoring the African and American roots of the tradition while presenting an engaging tour of both the music and the history of the Blues.

Scott Ainslie has recently published a new lesson on Robert Johnson in Acoustic Guitar magazine. Here's the link if you're interested in learning more about using a slide to play the blues:
http://www.acousticguitar.com/ article/default.aspx?articleid=24728#Ex1

Fall 2008
DADGAD Tuning

Guitar Master Al Petteway showed just how many ways guitarists can benefit by using the open tuning called DADGAD. Long associated with Celtic music, this tuning can also be used to play the blues, jazz, country, and bluegrass styles. Al made it look easy!

Fall 2007
Harmonicas and Humor

Humorist, musician, and harmonica player extraordinaire, Mel Jones discussed the origins of the "French harp" and demonstrated how to use it effectively for humor and serious performance. His Bag o' Bones joined Jones on stage that evening for a rousing concert.

Fall 2006
Scott Ainslie and the music of Robert Johnson

Scott Ainslie demonstrated African polyrhythms and discussed the basics of blues singing, playing, and performing.

Homemade Music has been a tradition in Rockingham County for generations. Beginning in 1999, the Musicians' Guild has made it a tradition at Rockingham Community College by holding an annual benefit concert featuring campus and community musicians and technicians. Each year several different acts have donated their time and talents to raise money for a good cause--and each year the community has responded with enthusiastic support for the musicians and for the local chapter of Habitat for Humanity.

Feb. 26, 2010
Homemade Music Returns for More!

Top row: "One String Over" includes Bradford Reaves, Renee Henry, and Jim Harvish.
Bottom Row: Lee Dishmon, Chip Cardwell, Ed Dodson.

It's almost time for another heaping helping of Homemade Music! Some old favorites as well as some newly discovered talents will take the stage to entertain, have fun, and raise money for Habitat for Humanity. This year, One String Over returns to play its own version of folk-jazz fusion. Dual-enrolled high school students Zach Yarborough and Patrick Cardwell take the stage for the first time. Yarborough will perform with a brass ensemble. Cardwell will perform with his father, Chip. Also returning are the popular duo of Keith Sigmon (harmonica) and Lee Dishmon (finger-style guitar), acclaimed flat-picker Ed Dodson, and RCC's own string band, Campus Tradition. All musicians, technicians and stage hands donate their time and effort. The public is welcome. Admission is free but a donation to Habitat for Humanity is suggested.

February 27, 2009: Homemade Music

The auditorium was filled with an enthusiastic and generous audience as Homemade Music returned for the eleventh time to the RCC auditorium. Many favorite performers returned to the stage to help raise money for the local chapter of Habitat for Humanity. They included Keith Sigmon and Lee Dishmon, Ed Dodson, and Campus Tradition. "One String Over" appeared for the first time on the Homemade show. "Fathers and Sons" brought together two sets of musical parents and progeny: Doug and Taylor Rorrer (RCC student) and Jesse and Dave Smathers (RCC staff). The audience donated more than $1500 to Habitat for Humanity.

Homemade Music: Tenth Anniversary Edition

Homemade Music returned to the RCC stage for its tenth year on Feb. 29, 2008! The special anniversary edition concert featured long-time favorites Keith Sigmon and Lee Dishmon, Wood & Steel, Hubert Lawson and the Bluegrass Country Boys, and RCC's own Campus Tradition. A splendid time was had by all in attendance.

Kieth Sigmon (harmonica) and Lee Dishmon (fingerstyle guitar) opened the tenth anniversary concert. Joining them at the festivities were Hubert Lawson and the Bluegrass Country Boys. Lee Lawson is a student in the RCC machinist program.

Wood & Steel (left) returned to the RCC stage with more of their renditions of tradition music as well as some outstanding originals. Last, but not least, RCC's own Campus Tradition entertained with some favorites from a variety of genres.

Homemade Music 2007
Homemade Music drew a crowd to hear Damascus Road, Flame of God, Lee Dishmon and Keith Sigmon, Campus Tradition, Wood & Steel, and Hubert Lawson and the Bluegrass Country Boys. The crowd contributed nearly $1000 to Habitat for Humanity.

Homemade Music, Feb. 24, 2006
The audience more than filled the RCC Auditorium and gave most generously to the Rockingham Habitat for Humanity. Contributions of $1800 surpassed last year's record! The performers offered a musical variety with something for almost everyone. Among the acts on stage were Cameron Seybert (marimba), Dustin Crutchfield (original acoustic music), the Impacts (beach music), Campus Tradition, the Ramblin' Blues, Keith Sigmon and Lee Dishmon (harmonica and finger-style guitar), and Wood & Steel (bluegrass.)

Homemade Music, Feb. 25, 2005
They came, they saw, they contributed! Once again the community turned out in droves to hear the sounds of Musicians' Guild members and their special guests. Contributions set a record of over $1400 for the local chapter of Habitat for Humanity. Among this year's great acts were Cameron Seybert (on marimba); Joel Hodnett, Nicholas Carter, and Kyle Rakes; Kimberly Pulliam and Michael Rose; the Ramblin' Blues; Wood & Steel; St. Dio; and Campus Tradition.

Homemade Music, Feb. 27, 2004
This year's annual benefit concert to raise money for the local chapter of Habitat for Humanity really drew a crowd. The auditorium was filled to capacity as friends and neighbors turned out to hear Joey Price, Dustin Crutchfield and Shana Shreve, Billie Brown, the Hungry Hash House Ramblers, Travis Comer and Justin Carter, Wood & Steel, and Campus Tradition.

Homemade Music V, Feb. 28, 2003
Despite power outages and an ice storm, Homemade Music added another successful performance in 2003. This year's performers included "The Senseless Happy," a popular band from the Triad area featuring RCC student Christian Martin; Billie and Brian Brown, a fine pairing of two student pianists and vocalists; and the Rorrer Family--Doug, Taylor and Kathy. "Daze Ahead," an alternative band featuring RCC students Keith Shepherd and Lee Smith returned to Homemade Music as did Lee Dishmon (Business Technology graduate), Jonny Colley (Coordinator of Compensatory Education), and Campus Tradition, RCC's string band.

Homemade Music IV, March 1, 2002
A crowd of 150 contributed more than $700 to the local chapter of Habitat for Humanity. Campus Tradition welcomed the crowd with its own version of "Homemade." Jonny Colley returned for a second year to perform his original tunes. Monique Lewis wowed the crowd by performing pop, classical and gospel. She received help on her last number from fellow RCC student Robert Neal. Skip and Ed took time out from touring with their band "Wood and Steel" to perform a number of traditional tunes for mandolin and guitar. Lee Dishmon demonstrated his love of finger-style guitar and the music of James Taylor. Campus Tradition closed the show with some western swing, bluegrass, and a tribute to Hank Williams.

Top row (from left): Jonny Colley, Monique Lewis.
Bottom row: Skip Kelley, Ed Dodson, Dale O'Bryant, Lee Dishmon, Chip Cardwell.

Homemade Music III, March 9, 2001
Homemade Music returned with a third helping of talent as an audience of nearly 200 donated over $800 to the local chapter of Habitat for Humanity. Bobby McInnis performed his original neoclassical compositions. Skip and Ed played classic traditional tunes on mandolin and guitar. Laetitia Wells and Denise Wallington lifted everyone's spirits with their beautiful voices and gospel harmonies. Campus Tradition returned for a third year, performing both traditional and original tunes. The Cat's Pants entertained the audience with their unusual instrumentation, original compositions and innovative percussion. Lee Dishmon paid tribute to his musical roots, including NC guitarist James Taylor. Daze Ahead, three RCC students, performed their own songs in an alternative vein. Jonny Colley reached back to the sixties and seventies to perform tunes by Donovan and Cat Stevens.

Skip Kelley and Ed Dodson sing traditional songs. Laetitia Wells inspired the audience with gospel songs.

Homemade Music 2000: The RCC Auditorium resounded with heaping helpings of Homemade Music on Friday, March 10. Eight musical acts donated their time and talent to raise money for Rockingham Habitat for Humanity. Photographers, lighting and sound technicians also donated their efforts to make the concert a great success. Over 175 people attended Homemade Music. They donated $720 to a good cause.

 
Laura Collins (left) entertains with her "Tribute to Patsy Cline" during Homemade Music 2000. Bryan Church Smith   plays a Native American wooden flute with the band, Barbwire Hearts. Jamie Galloway and Jimmy Patterson (right) were two of the performers at Homemade Music 2000.

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Lee Dodson

email:
dodsonl@rockinghamcc.edu

Telephone:
336-342-4261 (ext. 2155)

Dodson plays bass with the RCC string band, Campus Tradition.

Find out more about
Campus Tradition,
RCC's String Band

More Past Workshops Sponsored by the Musicians' Guild

Spring 2006

Sally Spring presented a workshop on "Open Tunings for Guitar" and returned for a special concert that evening.

Fall 2005

Sociology & Song Workshop  and Concert

Al Dunkleman shared songs and stories about our changing society, Southern culture, love, courtship, marriage, social injustice, and diversity.

Fall 2004

Members of the Healing Force presented a workshop on African drumming, dancing, and chanting before a rapt audience in the Whitcomb Student Center. They returned for a special concert in the RCC auditorium that night.

Fall 2003

Members of the band Daybreak discussed how to make it in Nashville and on the road. Later they demonstrated how well they've mastered the art of performance before a large crowd in the RCC auditorium.

Fall 2002

Skip Kelley and Ed Dodson demonstrate the finer points of "Guitar Accompaniment for Traditional Folk and Bluegrass Music" during the fall workshop on
Aug. 29.

Fall 2001

"The Healing Force" brought their happy sound to the RCC campus last year.

Fall 2000

Song-writing and performance workshop with Bruce Piephoff on Sept. 15

Asim Hussain and Bruce Piephoff talk about songwriting at the recent workshop.

Fall 1999

West African Drumming Workshop

Drummers from Talking Drum in Greensboro conducted a workshop on West African drumming. More than twenty RCC students, faculty and staff tried their hands on the djembe, while everyone else in the Whitcomb Student Center felt the beat!

Faculty and staff members are also welcome in the Musicians' Guild!