We are grateful for this program, as it broadens student understanding and experience of subjects covered in the curriculum.
Teacher, West Street Elementary, Sanborn, NY
Thanks to Arts Partners for Learning, West Street Elementary students interacted with the Herschell Carrousel Factory Museum and musician Doug Yeomans. The museum helps students explore the art, science, math, music, and social history of the early American amusement industry, from carrousels to coasters. Doug Yeomans’ customizable Erie Canal program uses music to help students experience this fun and fascinating part of the past.
Mountain Run played for two wonderful hours at The Stage in Warsaw on Nov. 14. For only $10, our ears were treated to the tunes of Doug Yeomans’ and his Hot Bluegrass Band.
Yeomans has been performing since 1970, was inducted into the Buffalo Music Hall of Fame in 2004 and won the first International Guitar Competition sponsored by the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra. Jim Whitford, also a member of the Buffalo Music Hall of Fame, sang and played dobro, acoustic bass and guitar.
Twenty-four songs rambled on for the small group of attendees, who thoroughly enjoyed the show. Opening with “I Just Think I’ll Stay Around” the bluegrass show began. Yeomans brought out his “good time banjo” for “My Home’s Across the Blue Ridge Mountains.” This song took me away on a peaceful retreat. Some sad songs covered were “Bluest Man in Town” by Bill Monroe, “Mr. Bo Jangles,”Johnny and Jack’s “Poison Love” and “Hard Times Come Again No More.”
I got my love of country/bluegrass music from my father. We have seen Yeomans plenty of times and as always, he put on a fantastic show. Even with a throat cold going on, his voice was amazing. “The Buffalo Gals” got me to sing along as I’m originally from West Seneca and a “Buffalo Gal” at heart. The “St.Anne’s Reel” instrumental played smoothly.
I sang along to “Old Flames” and the lively “Wabash Cannonball.” I attended solo, so I couldn’t dance to “The Tennessee Waltz”, but I would have liked to. “Did I Tell You” was a beautiful ballad written and sung by Doug, and I clapped along to “The Man of Constant Sorrow” before they took a short break.
At break time, Paul Penner of The Stage talked about the modern world’s change to all digital film in the very near future. There is a 1 1/2 year window to raise funds for the necessary upgrade. A “Live at The Stage” CD features all different types of music for a $10 or more donation to help with this cause. As Yeomans said, “It’s such a great place and deserves our support.” Another attendee echoed Yeomans saying, “It’s a shame that such wonderful entertainment is offered right here in Warsaw in this small community at “The Stage” and that more locals don’t patronize it.”
What a display of awesome Bluegrass music. Several great singers – including Johnny Cash, Hank Williams and The Rolling Stones – came to life as Yeomans and Whitford did them proud in the second set.
The supposed-to-be last song ended on an upbeat note with the great Bill Monroe’s “I’m Going Back to Old Kentucky”. After shouts of “more!” came from the lively crowd, I requested “Blue Moon of Kentucky.” Mountain Run first played a slow version of this great song and then a fast one.
I loved this show and I hope that Yeomans returns to The Stage again soon. I am pretty sure that he will because as he told me, “I just have to say that The Stage is one of the best venues in all of Western New York.”
