Experience Virginia life and history through music and song
Rhythms ‘Round Virginia is a musical tour of the Commonwealth featuring banjo, guitar, fiddle, jawharp, and bones.
In this intimate and informative performance, you will hear banjo breakdowns, fiddle hoedowns, old-time gospel songs, animal songs for children, music of the Carter family and music of the Civil War era. You may even learn to play the bones, and other percussion instruments. As an amateur historian, Jimbo is happy to share amusing anecdotes from years of research.
Kim and Jimbo play traditional music of Virginia including old time banjo tunes dating back before the Civil War, songs of historical interest (such as Lynchburg Town and New River Train), and original songs based in tradition such as Floating Down the James commemorating batteau travel on the James River.
“You both are so talented and do a great job keepin’ the ol’ tunes alive as well as generating new ones.” —P.A., Montebello, VA
BIO:
Award-winning musicians, Kim & Jimbo Cary have been performing traditional music at schools, libraries, festivals and concerts for over 20 years. Selected as touring artists by the Virginia Commission for the Arts, they have performed at the Kennedy Center and Easter at the White House and for thousands of children and adults throughout the Commonwealth. VCA grants are available for non-profit organizations in Virginia to help with the performance fee.
PERFORMANCE OPTIONS:
- concerts
- mini-concerts
- festivals
- lecture/demonstration
- receptions
- educational programs
“amazingly talented duo”
PAST PERFORMANCES:
– Monticello
– Pharsalia Plantation
– Michie Tavern
– Oakland Museum
– Point of Honor Museum
– Historic Waterford Fair
– Oak Ridge Estate Summer Festival
– James River Batteau Festival
– Boyd Tavern 200th Anniversary
– Waverly Museum Peanut Festival
– Patrick Henry Memorial at Red Hill
“Your warm and lively music created a joyful and festive atmosphere.”
-S.J. S., Oakland Museum
SAMPLE PERFORMANCES: (repertoire)
VIRGINIA MUSIC:
• Indian Maiden, a fiddle tune with gourd accompaniment commemorating Captain John Smith and Pocahontas.
• Moving from Jamestown to Monticello, the Carys play Money Musk, a Scottish reel popular in Jefferson’s time.
• The Carys play English, Scottish, and Irish dance tunes, favorites of Patrick Henry and Thomas Jefferson such as The Girl I Left Behind Me. Instruments include mandolin, guitar, whistle, and jaw harp.
• Jimbo plays the gourd banjer a replica of a 19th century banjo developed by African Americans. Kim will demonstrate how to play the bones, another popular instrument of the time. The Carys bring over 20 sets of bones for the audience to use as Kim leads a mini lesson on how to play the bones. The Batteau Song/ Boatsman banjo medley describes hauling tobacco and other cargo via rivers and canals in the early 1800’s.
• On fiddle and banjo, the Carys perform Abe’s Retreat – a Civil War era tune that celebrates early Confederate victories and commemorates the Battle of Bull Run. The Fall of Richmond describes the withdrawal from the capital of the Confederacy.
• Jimbo has composed Beneath the Shade of the Trees in honor of Civil War hero, Thomas “Stonewall” Jackson.
Kim & Jimbo perform the music of the famous Carter family of southwest Virginia. Songs such as You Are My Flower and Keep on the Sunny Side remind us to enjoy the simple pleasures of life. Gather at the Fold by Jimbo Cary, commemorates a visit to the Carter Family Fold in Maces Spring, Virginia.
“If you have a little time,
Take a trip to the Tennessee line,
Not too far from Maces Spring,
there you’ll hear the guitars ring.
Shall we gather at the fold,
sing the songs and hymns of old,
Sarah, Maybelle, & AP are gone,
I hope their music will live on.”
In Walter’s Song (another original by Jimbo Cary), you will hear the story of Walter Sprouse, an old-time banjo picker from the Charlottesville area who inspired many people to play and enjoy music. (photo of walter)
The Great Grandma’s Song, by Jimbo commemorates Ruth Graves, a Nelson County quilter and great grandmother who made quilts for her family and community. Her colorful quilts –(such as the tobacco leaf, basket, and star quilts) are on display as a bright and lively backdrop to Kim & Jimbo’s performances.
• For the children:
The Carys will bring a variety of animal puppets and sing about Virginia’s wild animal friends. Singalongs include Possum’s Tale is Bare and Please Keep Wild Animals Wild . Gourds, bones, tambourines and other instruments are available for the audience to play along. (photo of children with animals)
“An excellent performance by seasoned musicians.You have the audience in the palm of your hand.”
GRANTS:
Based on their artistic excellence and sound management, Kim & Jimbo have been selected as Touring Artists by the Virginia Commission for the Arts. Grants are available for non-profit organizations to help with performance fees and travel expenses.
• awarded first-come, first-served : please book early while they are still available!
• deadline is Dec 1, 2016 for touring season July 1, 2016 through June 15, 2017.
• simple application process: for details, contact Kim & Jimbo at Green Hills Music.
Another performance of Virginia music may include:
- Wildwood Flower/ Freight Train : played on Virginia Piedmont fingerstyle guitar and flatpick guitar
- Great Grandma’s Song: the story of Ruth Graves – an old-time quilt maker from Nelson County, VA.(photo). Kim & Jimbo will bring a display of her quilts (see below)
- Cumberland Gap – an Appalachian fiddle tune performed on fiddle and 5-string banjo
- Wreck of the Ol’ 97 – a song of the trainwreck that took place near Danville, VA
- Old Dan Tucker : performed on jawharp and bones — with a short demonstration of how to play the bones. The audience is invited to play along.
- Clinch Mountain Home – “Carry me back to old Virginia” from the Carter family of southwest Virginia
- Walter’s Song — tells the story of Walter Sprouse , an old-time banjo picker from Albemarle County (photo of walter)
- Ashokan Farewell — a favorite from Ken Burns Civil War documentary
- John Henry and Snowdrop played on 5 string banjo — Jimbo won a blue ribbon at the Virginia State bano contest playing these tunes (photo of jimbo at state contest) (include audio file of this).
- You are my Sunshine: an old favorite with new words by Jimbo
“We always want you to be happy
even though you’re far away.
It will be a joyous reunion
when our sunshine comes back to stay.”
- Glory Glory and Do Lord – old-time gospel favorites
- Jonah’s Song – you’ve heard the story of Jonah and the whale — this is a new take by Jimbo Cary.
“Thank you so much for sharing your love of music with us”
