Blog 40: Ten Reasons Why You'll Love The Whiskey Gentry

First of all, check out that STYLE.

All right, since I have resolved to start writing about local events/shows/etc., I figure a grand place to start is the upcoming TWG show here in our neck of the woods. It's going to be next Friday, November 4th at Brackins Blues Club in Maryville and as someone who has seen them live twice (at Preservation Pub, actually), I cannot in good conscience avoid telling you how remiss you will be if you do not see them perform. Now, let's get down to business--to defeat--the Huns! Whoops, wrong kind of song. Anywho...

10: The full band includes (but is definitely not limited to) a banjoist/accordion player, a fiddler, and a mandolin player. Oh. Snap.

9: From their Facebook Page: "Band Interests: Hell raising, good whiskey and good music don't bother us much." How funny/fantastic is that quote? They've got moxie. Also, they've got the great novelty of truly embracing the history and flavor of Appalachia and the South.


8: Their influences: "Social Distortion, Alison Krauss, Flogging Molly, Hank Sr., Patsy Cline, the Misfits, Hot Rize, Flat and Scruggs, Bela Fleck." Having been in a band with a similarly wide range of influences, I can tell you how valuable it can be. It gives you so much more room to define a different sound rather than sliding into a genre stereotype, which brings me to my next reason...

7: Even seasoned members of the industry have trouble classifying their unique style. While they are loosely deemed a "Country/Bluegrass" band, they are so much more than that classification can describe. Their lead singer, Lauren Staley-Morrow, was the frontwoman for a group with an interesting indie/punk/country blend that inspired a following (Missy Gossip and the Secret Keepers). Husband Jason Morrow (lead guitar, vocals) brought into the mix both strong family roots in country and bluegrass and years of his own punk music projects. Each member has a story and a musical history that forms something truly magnificent.

6: In the big, bumping musical metropolis of Atlanta, TWG was named Atlanta's Critic's Pick for Best Local Country Band. To put that in perspective, think about how many local bands are vying for attention here in Knoxville. Then, multiply that by at least 10! That kind of recognition is HUGE. I've seen more than one Atlanta music blog about them (for those of you who find the time to follow such things).

5: John Keane, a music producer based in Athens, GA, produced their latest album "Please Make Welcome" , which is fantastic (I'm particularly fond of the song "Alone on a Saturday Night"). Keane has produced famous groups such as R.E.M., Widespread Panic, and the Indigo Girls. Not only did he believe in The Whiskey Gentry's record enough to work with them (going out of his way to coordinate with their busy schedules and even putting in the aforementioned song on short notice), he allowed the very talented Mr. Morrow to do a lot of co-production work. This is a band that commits itself to retaining its true identity.

4: Paste Magazine featured TWG in their "Best of What's Next" column. Their glowing analysis of this band's musical prowess in this article is just one more reason to believe in them. Did I mention Paste has such trustworthy taste that for two years in the early 2000s, they had a weekly entertainment pick segment on CNN?

3: The warmth and honesty of tradition and family roots are ever-present in this group's function. For example, Lauren's father hails from South Africa, prompting an extremely unique live cover of Toto's "Africa." Now, I haven't yet had the privilege of witnessing this cover, but I hear that it is a favorite of the many TWG fans, especially in areas around their hometown of Woodstock, Georgia. An album-featured tune, "Queen of My Heart," was written by Jason Morrow's grandfather. How cool is it that this new band comes with a fondly historical worldview?

2: The collective and individual personalities of the band members are part of what makes them exciting. Though I've mostly spoken about Lauren and Jason (because I actually know them a bit), the spunky spark is just as alive in the other members of the band: Chesley Lowe (five-string banjo, accordion), Sam Griffin (bass), Price Cannon (drums), Michael Smith (mandolin), Rurik Nunan (fiddle). It took time to put together this motley crew, but it is clear that it was a successful process. They gel as if they've been playing together for a decade rather than a few, short years. One cool story I heard is how Rurik, the fiddler, helped create a transformational intro to the band's chanty "Eula Mae" in which each person comes in separately rather than all at once. Another example of their excellent spirit is their fun hit "Comrade," which utilizes audience involvement as an integral part of the song's artistry. It's a blast to sing along with that one, let me tell you.

1: The number one reason to love a band, of course, is the music. TWG alternates between hauntingly tender and rebelliously rowdy (don't make fun of me for using the word rowdy, by the way). The lyrics are heartfelt, raw, and often tell some sweet, folksy stories that are sure to keep you interested. The musicianship is killer and the vocals are spot-on. If the charisma and critical acclaim aren't enough to tempt you, seeing these people play a show will undoubtedly change your mind.

That concludes my first art-involved blog entry! How exciting. I hope you liked it and that you will give my recommendation a shot! ;)

Blog 39: The Maddening Case of Mr. Collins

**Soo…this will be interesting. A friend of mine suggested that I put my blog on Tumblr. In an effort to generate more hits (as this blog is to look good on my journalistic resume, folks) and possibly get some readers outside my circle of family/friends, I’m going to begin posting to both sites. I know I currently have around 40 readers. I don’t know who most of you are because for some reason you refuse to click “Follow” at the top of the page…but if you have seen the error of your ways and would like to actually help me out in a tangible way that is actually way more awesome than you just listening to my rants…you can totally, finally click that “Follow” button at www.hayleeturner.blogspot.com  AND on www.observationsofanacorn.tumblr.com. That would basically make my life. Or my career. You never know.  You could change my life with one click, people. What’s a girl gotta do to get a little support around here?!**

Now, what to discuss in my first dual posting? It seems only right, as I am currently watching Pride and Prejudice (which, strangely enough, ties with The Boondock Saints for my favorite film), that I speak about a subject which is often in my thoughts: Mr. Collins. Since I’m sure some of you aren’t as familiar with or extremely fond of Jane Austen’s work as I am, allow me to explain. Mr. Collins is one of the most ridiculous characters I know of in literature.

He enters in as the future heir to the Bennett family’s estate (Elizabeth Bennett, the heroine, being one of many sisters all unable to obtain the property). He decides that he will choose a wife from amongst the Miss Bennetts, and precedes to choose the one he deems the prettiest (Jane). The mother hints that Jane is “very soon to be engaged,” so he settles on poor Elizabeth, claiming love. His convoluted compliments, elevated airs, and weird admiration of his wealthy patroness make him little more than a laughing-stock.

I think the reason that most people loathe Mr. Collins so thoroughly is his depth of insincerity. He speaks of love when a marriage is really all he cares about. He knows nothing about Lizzie excepting she is attractive and available. His next action is to be embarrassingly possessive at a ball (despite Lizzie’s best attempts to avoid him), and soon after, to propose. Without giving her a chance to answer (assuming it will be a yes), he begins to plan both of their futures aloud and explain why she must see that they should be together. When Lizzie politely declines, he pushes on, assuming she must be practicing ‘fashionable ladylike delicacy’ of some sort. When she again objects, he turns to spite, saying in essence that she must be joking because she can’t be sure another offer of marriage will ever be made to her. In this, he basically tries to coerce the union upon her. Thankfully, our heroine shuts him down completely (like a BOSS).

I suppose that was sort of a long summary of his character. My point in saying all that is to address an all-too-common scenario in which one person persuades him or herself to be in love when the root desires are far less noble—lust, longing for a relationship, societal pressures—and then said person tries to impose a union upon the object of the infatuation. It has happened to me a few times and I’ve got a couple of friends who have been trapped in such a situation as well. Let me tell you, it isn’t fun. The unjust possessiveness Mr. Collins (as I call all such people) exhibits is particularly repulsive and annoying. And yet I have a pity for Mr. Collins, because I feel like no one has given him (or her) this piece of advice: if you’re truly meant to be with a person, they will know it as well as you. If they’ve shut you down repeatedly, it is not to increase your love by way of suspense. It is because they probably really, really want you to go away.

Resorting to spite won’t help your case, nor will citing some grand plan or providence. It will only make you look like a jealous idiot. :) Mr. Collins, for goodness sake, look around you. When one person that you’ve fancied yourself in love with clearly doesn’t feel the same way, there may be your perfect companion just waiting in the wings for you to take your head out of your own ass and notice her. And Ms. Collins, if “God told you you’re going to marry Mr. So and So,” then why didn’t He tell Mr. So and So that he should stop finding you so completely irksome? Pursuing this end does you no good. In the meantime, you could be missing out on your REAL destiny. The general moral of the story is, stop obsessing about the center of your failures, and seek out new opportunities and adventures. (But don’t be like the real Mr. Collins and propose to someone else the next day. It’s bad form and frankly, terribly creepy).

Blog 38: Every Man for Himself

"Rugged individualism" is a fairly famous term. Most people credit its coining to Herbert Hoover. When I first heard it, however, it was from an AP US History teacher named Ken Senter (one of the best teachers I've ever had, in fact). He said that early Americans built our society on this idea of being self-sufficient, stubbornly independent lone wolves. Those weren't his exact words, of course, but the point stands. I think the obstinate attitude of our forefathers is still present today. When I was younger I saw a lot of merit in these ideas. Yeah, pull yourselves up by your own bootstraps. Strive and heave and claw your way to survival. Never ask for help, never surrender your pride. As I get older, though, I realize more and more how important it is to have community. Yes, I am all for hard work. I believe that in order to truly reach your purpose, you have to contribute time, effort, and passion. I can't help questioning, however, whether that rugged individualism is the product of wisdom or simple arrogance? I'm inclined to believe the latter.

I have always had an intense desire for independence. Maybe the fact that I equate independence with freedom is a matter of conditioning, or maybe it's the product of being the second youngest in a sibling set of six. Either way, over the years I've had to come to terms with the fact that we all need other people. Whether we rely on them financially, emotionally, or even physically, we cannot be whole without fellowship and human interaction. Being around others and communicating with them is a key way that we discover what it is about ourselves that we need to work on and change to become better people.

I hate having to ask for help. I like being the hero, not the damsel in distress. Maybe it is that very pigheaded part of me that God is trying to work on at the moment. Maybe that's why my car broke down, then the truck broke down, and now I have to get rides everywhere. Not that I think it's a punishment. I think it's an opportunity. Do I still absolutely hate it? YES. But having to depend on others teaches you who can actually be depended on for support and understanding. Situations like this are also perfect instruction for compassion. I usually don't mind giving someone a ride when I can, but being stuck like this really makes me want to go out of my way to help other people.

I am starting to believe that our disjointed, "every man for himself" way of life is a terrible misunderstanding of what it means to be a strong and productive people. The New Testament church, for example, shared their belongings, distributing their possessions where they were needed and working together to accomplish common goals. I'm not a fan of handouts or socialism, or our crippling Welfare system in this nation. But I am a fan of all of us working hard together to reach a better world. It's an ideal, sure. And there's pretty much no way we can get everyone in on it. But what if we could just touch our friends and family, infecting them with a desire to give and receive as needed rather than horde things like misers. What if we began to practice true charity and profitable cooperation in our every day lives? What would change? What could we become?

I'll confess, I sound a bit hippie-ish. I know it. It all started when I read The Irresistible Revolution by Shane Claiborne. I don't agree with every sentence or suggestion, but he has some great ideas on what it means to be a good Christian or just a good human being. The rest of this comes from the life experience of taking a huge shot to my pride and admitting that I need you--my friends, my family, the stranger who holds open a door or helps me pick up something I've dropped--and whether you're willing to admit it or not, you need that community, too.