D tunes

I think we could add Black Eyed Susie to the list of D tunes.

And a short side note that these tunes are stilled played quite a bit. I
was in North Carolina for a few months this last summer and these tunes
are still an important part of the repertoire Some bands play these
tunes exclusively. They are important regional tunes.

A lot of people think these tunes are beginner's tunes. Well as Doc
knows, and I now know, the reason we learn these tunes is because they
are traditional tunes. So in learning these tunes from Doc I was well
equipped to play with the musicians at numerous fiddler's conventions in
North Carolina and Virginia. Doc helped keep the traditional tunes alive
in the north country and for that I am thankful. Thanks Doc!

wolf

Thanks and best wishes

Doc, it's been a few years since we last played together, but I'll always remember your enthusiasm for music. It was an honor and a privilege to share stages with you.

Scott Kiefer, bass, Matanuska Thunder Pluckers

Tunes I learned from Doc

Thought I would start a stream here and see how many tunes we can list that we identify with Doc.  At this year's folk fest, we will have some time to play dances at the hall.  I'd like to get a good list of tunes that we can use.  Doc will be there to call, play, or just hang out.  But wouldn't it be great if we played all of Doc's "greatest hits?"

 

Many of these old classics may not sound as cool as the newest, hippest, obscurest tunes playing on today's old time tune circuit, but they were fresh and exciting to me, when Doc would just say, "This one's in D" and rip into one.   I played banjo for many years, and would just try to hang on and catch the changes and maybe some of the melody, just soaking it up, thrilled to be playing with a real fiddler.   He was the real thing.   He was the first fiddler I ever played with. 

 

OK.  I don't think I will get very far with this list.  I will need some help.  But I'll start with the D tunes, and hopefully the rest of you will chime in.  These are tunes I learned from Doc.

 

Soldier's Joy

Arkansas Traveller

Mississippi Sawyer

Fly Around My Pretty Little Miss

Eighth of January

Liberty

Chinese Breakdown

Ragtime Annie

Fisher's Hornpipe

Angeline the Baker

Sugar Hill

Old Molly Hare

 

 

Danny

Don't Stop on the Bad One

Another Doc story comes to mind. We were talking about playing and Doc
told me, "If you play a wrong note, don't stop on it just keep going."
From that I have taken that a step further, "If you play a weird note
and just do it once it is a mistake. If you play it again, it will seem
like a variation."

Thanks Doc for opening up the music world to me. It has provided me with
lots of fun and I have tried to follow in your footsteps and turn on
others to Old Time music. Your influence will be felt for many years and is an integral part of Alaska's folk music tradition.

Wolf

Monday night Dances

I remember the Monday night Dances in Mt View
Thank you Doc . for being so encouraging to all of us beginning
fiddlers ,who were just starting out .
Richard Gelardin

Memories of playing and dancing in Mt View

Doc used to call the dances in Mt. View back in the early 80's. He was
very encouraging to beginner musicians such as I was at the time, and
I sure learned a lot from him. He taught me that you didn't need to be
perfect to play for dances, and that to do so on a regular basis is
great practice, because you get to play the tunes over and over.

Doc told me the words to the tune "Cuckoo's Nest" were really filthy,
and he sang it for me once and it was true! Now it's hard for me to
play that tune without thinking of Doc.

Denise Martin

www.dulcimerdiva.com

friendsofdocsouth at gmail.com

I am also hoping for my memory to be jogged by other posts, but right now I remember two things.

One of Doc's sayings that has never left me: "Square dancing is the most fun you can have with your clothes on."

The other thing is a tip on learning how to frail I was trying to do the "bump-ditty" and it just was not coming. Doc suggested I think of it as a "boom-ditty." And I do not know why but this tip was the door that started me, for better or worse, playing the banjo. Thanks, Doc  

Jack Fontanella

Alaska Music Institiution

Doc South is widely regarded as the "Father of Old Time and Bluegrass
Music" in Alaska. He started teaching traditional music and dance in the
early 70's in Fairbanks and later in Anchorage. The people who have
learned from and been influenced by Doc is like the "Who's Who" of
Alaska Folk Music.
Because of Doc, the music and dance scene in Alaska is vibrant and
alive. This year the Alaska Folk Festival in Juneau is honoring Doc for
his past and ongoing achievements in spreading traditional music all
over the state. "Thank You, Doc!!!"

Doc probably did more for mental health in Fairbanks with his music than
his work as a Psychiatrist for the State of Alaska. I know for sure that
he touched way more people in the community thru his music. So in
reality, his music was not only his lifestyle, but an extension of his
reaching out and helping people. "Thank you Doc!"

Doc has been a big influence in my music life and that of many of my
friends. Now with the Old Time Herald article by Pete Bowers more people
have come to learn that Alaska has it's own music heroes.

FW

In honor of Harold "Doc" South

Doc,

Apparently our paths were destined to cross long ago because I have a photo
taken by my San Franciscan boyfriend in 1979 that shows me sitting
at the front of a small stage at Talkeetna Bluegrass Festival watching
a band called the "Doc South Family Band" playing.  I thought it such a
gift that a family could and would play music together.  I had no idea
then what was to be my fate for many years to follow...


I cannot tell you how great it is to still see your smiling face.  We go back to 1982 when we were first neighbors, although your reputation had preceded itself all the way down to Washington State University where I was then in grad school - You a Staff Psychiatrist at API, me a student intern Psychologist who later fell in love with one of your sons and also began her dream of becoming a performer.  Louise was always inviting shy, little ole' me to come over and jam.  I was so scared and sure I couldn't do it.  But you all welcomed me anyway...

I continue to remember the gigs at the Willow Trading Post - (one time Mary Carey showing up), Montana Creek Lodge, many festivals (Anchorage and Fairbanks Folk Festivals, Renaissance Fairs, Sutton, Talkeetna, Chitina, Seward Fourth of July parade, a square dance out on the Glenn Highway and lodge where Libby Riddles showed up), and particularly the time KSKA held a fest attended by thousands of people.  I was absolutely terrified and never could have sung or played a lick were I not a member of the Doc South Family Band. 

Then there were the tales, times, and road trips when Dan, Bill, Stephanie, and I carried on the family band tradition for a while...

Because of your many shared stories I feel a part of the history of what was happening in traditional music in Fairbanks before you came down to Anchorage and continued to spread your influence there.  (Your musical time in Anchorage is a book in and of itself).

You and the family welcomed me like one of your own...You have influenced so many people in so many ways, be that through music, lending a hand to someone in need, a shoulder to cry on, encouragement to a novice player, teaching others to dance and get along with each other through the gift of music. 

I hope to honor your son William's talent and legacy by playing some of the many fine songs we wrote and performed together after the Family Band broke up.

You have truly lived a life of service to others and may those many blessings given be returned to you until your last day on the planet and beyond...

Sincerely,

Deb Wessler

Homespun Productions
www.homespunproductions.biz
www.myspace.com/debwessler

Pete said...

I just talked to Doc today and he is really looking forward to seeing all his old friends in Juneau!

What music is all about.

I remember when I was first learning the banjo (in Fairbanks in the early 70's) that I was taking Doc's workshop in Old Time Music on Tuesday nights and as part of the workshop we were supposed to go to the Thursday night square dance workshop and play for the dancers.

Well I arrived hoping to get to play with some other musicians. Well, when I got there I was the only musician. Doc said something like this, "OK, Wolf, they are ready to dance." I looked around and was hoping to see a fiddler or even a guitar player show up. There was no one else there. I told Doc I could only play one tune and not very well. He looked at me, as to say, so. He told me to get after it. They needed some music to dance to. So I picked away at June Apple. I don't remember how long I played it, but I was scared to death. But he did put across the point. The dancers needed music and that night I was the music.

wolf

Got any good Doc stories!!

If you have any Doc South stories go ahead and post them and we can use them for honoring his contribution to Alaska music.