Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SUNDAY, August 22, 1993 TAG: 9308220117
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: E-1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: PAT BROWN STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
The occasion was the fifth annual Vinton Old-Time Bluegrass Festival and Competition. Its organizers, Donnie and Rhonda Wray, say that part of their goal is to make sure young people carry on the tradition of mountain music.
But that was not what the young people were concentrating on as they performed Saturday. Jacob Chittum of Ferrum smiled as he came off the stage. He sang "Rank Strangers," a gospel song written by Bill Monroe, considered the father of bluegrass music. His performance was sandwiched between those of his father and his brother, Bruce and Jason. Jason Chittum won the competition for male youth vocals last year when he sang a number his father had written. He has begun training on guitar and harmonica.
Performing, said Bruce Chittum, "is like fishing - a family thing." And he likes the messages in the songs. "There's a moral behind them. It's better than a lot of things they could be doing," he said of his two sons.
Michael White played "Foggy Mountain Breakdown" on his banjo. He said a visit to the festival last year "confirmed my interest in the banjo" and convinced him to begin lessons.
Dale White, Michael's father, became interested in bluegrass music when the family moved to Moneta 20 years ago. The family lives in Vinton now, and Michael takes lessons from Donnie Wray.
"I think I'll stick to bluegrass," Michael White said of his musical future. "I don't like heavy metal because of the themes. Bluegrass is more peaceful."
April Whitaker sent strains of "Shady Grove" out through the amplifiers, with a fiddle that seemed to fit her in spite of her youth.
Steve Dowdy shared a tree-shaded spot with his bass fiddle while he waited for his turn to play "Grandfather's Clock." The 13-year-old takes lessons from his dad and has won the youth category for his instrument "every year that they've had youth competition here." Dressed more like a baseball player than a performer, Dowdy spoke of competitions in other towns. "I was second in the state for two years in Chase City."
Some young people switched roles and became boosters for their parents. Barbara Dalton of Gretna brought two of her four children - and a friend to watch them - while she took the stage to sing an original number and accompany herself on the autoharp.
She hopes 8-year-old Jesse will be able to back her up on guitar someday since he has an interest in her music. "I'm proud of her," Jesse said.
The craft portion of the Vinton festival doubled in size this year, and there were plenty of food and drink booths to keep down the hunger and thirst of hot festival goers. The farmers shared their market canopy with an audience that knew to come prepared with lawn chairs. Festival organizers, formerly backed by a Vinton merchant's group, incorporated this year.
The adults who won Saturday night could expect prizes as high as $300. The young people, all of whom had to be younger than 16, could win $20 for first place and $10 for second.
by CNB