Americn Roots Musical Showcase

Last Saturday proved to be a new experience for me, sort of anyway. The Musical Showcase for the New Harmonies Traveling Exhibit rocked with music affirming the exhibit at the library. Emcee Sherman Johnson happily gathered people together, introduced the performers and kept the show moving like a brook sparkling along. First up were performers for the Haliwa-Saponi with the Native flute, then hand drums. My mind went immediately back to a few rock concerts I attended in my younger years. The Armory (gorgeous in its new look) vibrated with sound. It was exhilarating!
A pleasant softer sound of Colonial music performed a cappella by Dolores Clark brought the movie “The Songcatcher” to mind. Smiles and giggles broke out when she sang “I Wish I Were A Single Girl Again.”
Freida Egerton and many of her regulars represented the Ridgeway Opry House with some Country and Bluegrass. She played the dulcimer and gave a bit of history. Joe B Cutchins poured out the Blues with a smooth bounce to it. The natural progression of American music, which is what this is all about, led us to the Street Genie, Freddie Greene playing Jazz with his soul bleeding through his instruments.
Always enjoyable Steve Hyman sang some Rhythm & Blues. I remembered that he’s appearing at the upcoming Pawfest on May 16 at Magnolia Manor. We wound down with Gospel, actually wound up because the sound was an outburst for most of the groups but creamy when The Royal Jubilee Singers came on stage. These four gentlemen also sang a cappella, are all in their eighty’s and put me in mind of the Ink Spots and the Platters. They were just delightful. As were the Bullocks, Arnetta Yancey, the Ayscues and the Warrenton Echoes who ended the program with style and grace.
It was a grand day. We ran from 3 pm to 7:30. Folks were coming and going, sometimes fitting parts of the program into their pre-scheduled day. I watched Emily Shaw moving from place to place wherever she was needed just like she has done since she dropped into this project. She’s earned high commendations for all her efforts to be so successful.