R.S. Thomas Memorial Singing Saturday, May 28 ~ Shaped-Note Singing, Chatsworth, Georgia

North Georgia Events, Chatsworth, Georgia: 

R.S. Thomas Memorial Singing Saturday, May 28 at 7:00 p.m.
at Smyrna Baptist Church on Smyrna Church Road south of Chatsworth...

A century ago, virtually every one of Georgia’s counties, like those in most states from Virginia to Texas, had singing conventions where individuals and groups from churches of various denominations would come together periodically to learn and sing new southern gospel songs published by various companies scattered across the southeast.  The songs were printed in “shaped note” format and singers learned, and, sometimes sang, the syllable names—do, re, me, fa, sol, la, and ti as well as the lyrics, accompanied by musicians on piano and/or organ. It came to be called “shaped-note singing” or “sacred-harp singing” (the human voice being the sacred harp).

The Murray County Singing Convention was organized in 1909 and met at churches throughout the county in both spring and fall sessions for about seventy-five years.  When this group disbanded, Mr. R.S. Thomas of Whitfield County, but choir director at Smyrna Baptist Church in Murray County, began a “combined” convention singing at his home church.

Mr. Thomas, who worked in the carpet and then in the printing industries for many years as well as serving in the Georgia Senate, had been a part of gospel singing since the 1920’s when he went to conventions at the “shed” at Pleasant Grove in Whitfield County.  He traveled to singings in several states for most of eight decades before his death in the summer of 2011 at the age of 93.  He continued to be a part of the music program at Smyrna, too, leading songs until just weeks before his passing.

Leaders of the quarterly Murray County Singing Convention have named the next session the R.S. Thomas Memorial Singing which will be held on Saturday, May 28 at Smyrna Baptist Church on Smyrna Church Road south of Chatsworth.  The music begins at 7 p.m. and will include a selection of songs in tribute to this singer, leader, and promoter of convention style gospel music.

Special guest for the singing will be well-known North Georgia composer Mr. Morris Stancil who has written such songs as “Because He Loved Me” and “Beautiful Home.” Efforts are underway to publish a new compilation of Stancil’s songs, some of which will be heard at the convention.

Refreshments will be served after the singing.  An offering will be received for the R. S. Thomas Music Scholarship Fund.  Rev. Andrew Bowen, pastor, invites all those who knew R.S. or love this music to attend.  For more information call 706-695-2740 or visit the church website at www.smyrnabaptistchurch.org.

Address: 

Smyrna Baptist Church

1913 Smyrna Church Road

Chatsworth, GA 30705

Second Saturday “Americana Music Series” at the Chatsworth Depot

Chatsworth, Georgia, free for everyone: Americana Music Series ~ folk and bluegrass music and more:  May 9, June 13, July 11, August 8, and September 11...

The Chatsworth Depot and Wright Hotel Committees of the Whitfield Murray Historical Society announce an “Americana Music Series” at the Depot in downtown Chatsworth, during their regular Second Saturday openings this year.  Designed to get more people into these historic buildings as well as to provide enjoyable quality activities for visitors to the sites, the events promise great entertainment for all ages—and a little history, too! A variety of performers will be featured at the free events, which are sponsored by a number of local folks and businesses.

Both the hotel and the depot will be open 11-4 the following Saturdays, with volunteers providing tours and activities at each building. Local and touring musicians scheduled to perform at 2 p.m. each day include: 

May 9 - Robert Lovett & Pattee Wilbanks performing Americana, bluegrass, classic country at the depot, sponsored by Chatsworth Ford, while the Hotel will have games, face painting, and things for kids and adults. These events will be part of the Historical Society’s “Mother’s Day Caravan-with Whitfield County sites open also as well as the Old Spring Place Methodist Church.

June 13 - Jeff & Marcy Paulson will present a program of traditional ballads, sponsored by Murray County’s elected officials.  The hotel will display railroad art and pictures and feature a “Train” story time for the youngsters.

July 11 - Butch Ross will host a dulcimer workshop in the morning at 11am and do a concert that afternoon, sponsored by Ace Hardware. The hotel will have a Civil War theme.

August 8 - Murray County’s own Kingdom Seekers will open for the Earl Bracken bluegrass band at 2:00.  This day will be sponsored by Chatsworth businesses Peeples Funeral Home, Paula’s Florist, First National Community Bank, and Life Touch Chiropractic.  The Wright Hotel will host a “Local Authors” book day.  

September 11 - The Wilsons will be the opening act at 2 p.m. followed by Tom Brown with a singers/songwriters showcase Sponsored by Bojangles, Krystal, & Captain D’s. The hotel will highlight its medical and Indian collections on this day. 

Refreshments will be available and while the tours will be free, donations for the preservation and maintenance of these historic properties are appreciated. The Depot and the hotel are located in downtown Chatsworth at the corner of Second Avenue and Market Street, one block east of U.S. 411. For more information check the historical society’s website, Whitfield-Murray Historical Society or check out the Chatsworth Depot Facebook fan page. 

The historic Chatsworth Depot, originally on the L & N Railroad, has been moved a block from its original location behind the Wright Hotel.

Map: Chatsworth Depot






#ChatsworthGA        #historic        #folkmusic         #bluegrass

Johnny and Jack: Poison Love

If Cherokee Shuffle made me lonesome for the old days, this old Johnny and Jack tune makes me sad down to my bones. Can't tell you how many of those old Appalachian voices are gone out of my life.

VIDEO/SLIDE SHOW (OLD MUSIC):

Anyhow, this wasn't what I was lookin' for when I did the search. I was tryin' to find Slow Poison, another old tune by Johnny and Jack. It makes me laugh. How about this for a love song (of sorts):

Carbolic acid, and even ar-sen-ic,

Nuthin' in the drugstore ~ could kill me half as quick

As your slow poison! (...)

Now that'll bring tears to your eyes... (Tears of laughter!)

Cherokee Shuffle

The Cherokee Shuffle has a wonderful, folk music sound, especially when these two play it. The sound of the fiddle makes me lonesome for the old days!