Sunday, November 27, 2011

"Legendary Hunters and Hounds"--What a Great Show!


Folks, if you couldn't make it last Thursday evening (November 17) to The Liars Bench at the Mountain Heritage Center, you really missed a great show.

Gary started things off with various announcements including the soon-to-be production of his new play "Outlander" at the Parkway Playhouse in Burnsville, NC; the soon-to-be produced series of Liars Bench shows "The Balsam Chronicles" in 2012; and the re-organization of The Liars Bench to be able to creatively and professionally reach a larger audience here in the Southeast.

Gary mentioned at least one topic of "The Balsam Chronicles" with Jackson County native Dr. John R. Brinkley ("the goat gland man") as the focus of one show with many other interesting, educational, and entertaining show topics being worked on by The Liars Bench staff. Please stay tuned as "The Balsam Chronicles" will most likely put The Liars Bench on the 'map' regionally, if not nationally, and your continued participation in the Liars Bench phenomenon will help to make southern Appalachian history.

Paul Iarussi opened with a great number, "Lonesome Road Blues" that really got folks toes-a-tappin'.

Gary told the story of "Honest John", a Jackson County bear  from the early twentieth century, who was a 'gentleman' bear, if not quite a scholar.

In segment one, Bob Plott gave a brief history of one Plott brother, Johannes, making it to America (the other brother who started the journey died and was buried at sea) with five hunting dogs, which in a little over two hundred years would become North Carolina's official state dog and famous the world over.

While Bob was sharing with us his history, David Brewin's Plott hound "Nanny" became amorous with Bodine and attempted a liaison. The crowd loved it.

Alas, poor Nanny and her advances were not returned. She eventually gave up on Bodine and lay down on stage.

William Ritter played and sang "Jack Diamond" on the fiddle and sang "Wild Boar in the Woods" a capella--a truly scary song about hunting a fierce wild boar with a wooden knife.

In the second part of the show Gary told the ancient legends of the "8th Clan" of the Cherokee and "Gall Place", the sacred lake of rejuvenation for wounded animals in Cherokee country.

Barbara sang a different version of "Wild Boar in the Woods."

Barbara and William sang and played a song about a crafty fox in the woods which everyone loved.

Bob Plott told several humorous hunting stories that involved his ancestors.

Paul Iarussi finished up the show with "Old Slew-foot."

We want to thank each and every one of you for supporting The Liars Bench show and look forward to seeing you at our next presentation when The Liars Bench goes "on the road" over to Macon County at Rickman's Store on Friday December 9 at 6pm. Please come at least a half hour early for a good seat.
To get to Rickman's Store call for directions at The Land Trust for the Little Tennessee at 828.524.2711 or
drive to Rickman's Store which is located on Cowee Creek Road just past the old Cowee School, just off of Hwy 28 (Bryson City Rd.) approxmately six (6) miles north of Franklin, NC. If you're headed north from Franklin going to Bryson City the old school and Rickman's Store will be on your right.
You can get more helpful information at: http://www.rickmanstore.com/home

Thanks again folks. You're what makes the Liars Bench the success it has become and reminds everybody involved with the show that Southern Appalachian audiences are the greatest and that its all worth the sacrifice. Thank you for believing in The Liars Bench.

More pictures soon on Facebook and an update on the creative process used to produce "The Balsam Chronicles."

http://hollernotes.blogspot.com/
http://twitter.com/#!/TheLiarsBench
https://plus.google.com/LiarsBench
The Mountain Heritage Center at WCU: 828.227.7129
Land Trust for the Little Tennessee (Rickman's Store): 828.524.2711

Saturday, November 12, 2011

"Legendary Hunters & Hounds of the Great Smokies" to play on The Liars Bench


Folks, have we got a treat for you. Coming next Thursday November 17 at 7pm at the Mountain Heritage Center, The Liars Bench presents "Legendary Hunters & Hounds of the Great Smokies." Our star member artists Gary Carden, Barbara Duncan, Paul Iarussi, Dave Waldrop; guest artists William Ritter and Liz Nance; and a special guest artist, Bob Plott with one of his famous Plott Hounds will perform southern Appalachian hunting tales in story and song on one stage.
"We've been planning this show for over a year and look forward to every Liars Bench fan who can make it that night to be entertained and educated with The Liars Bench unique perspective on Southern Appalachian culture and history" said public relations/publicity director Carl Iobst.
Regular cast members include Gary Carden, Lloyd Arneach, Paul Iarussi, Barbara Duncan, Dave Waldrop, and the show’s mascot Bodine. The Liars Bench recognizes established regional artists and performers and encourages new talent also.
Carden started The Liars Bench back in 2010 as a unique blend of culturally accurate mountain Americana to promote Southern Appalachian storytelling, music, poetry, drama, and folk arts. Since then everyone working on The Liars Bench has continued to treat Appalachian culture with integrity and authenticity and to present an accurate reflection of the Southern Highlanders and their ways.
The next presentation of The Liars Bench will be at Rickman's Store in Macon County on Friday December 9 at 6 pm.

http://hollernotes.blogspot.com/
http://twitter.com/#!/TheLiarsBench
https://plus.google.com/LiarsBench
The Mountain Heritage Center at WCU: 828.227.7129