Old-time fiddling, picking and singing may be on the wane, but it was very much alive Sunday afternoon in Iola.
Jerry Rowe strummed his mandolin, Don Brooks’ fingers pranced up and down the fretboard of his guitar and Carol Maranville flashed her familiar smile behind a keyboard at a monthly get-together at Iola’s North Community Building. Musicians came from several area chapters to help those of Iola’s keep alive 1950s country, bluegrass and gospel music.
Rosalie Rowe, president of the local Kansas Old-time Fiddlers, Pickers and Singers chapter, was pleased with the turnout.
“We must have 40 today,” she said. “Sometimes people who come dance — we encourage them to — but mostly they listen to the music. There aren’t as many now as there used to be, but those who come have a good time.”
THE GROUP formed in the 1960s, when popular music began to move in a new direction.
“We wanted to keep the older music alive,” said Brooks, 60, of Yates Center.
He began playing in the late 60s, just out of high school, and soon was going to sessions each month, as his duties with the railroad allowed. Retirement a few years ago allowed Brooks to seize the music with more zeal. He now plays several times a month in public venues and just about daily at home.
“I play anything by Merle Haggard,” Brooks said, and has taken advantage of technology to turn solo sessions at home into group affairs through Internet contacts.
Jerry Rowe plays the banjo and guitar in addition to the mandolin and has an instrument by his chair at home.
“Whenever a commercial comes on (during a TV program) he picks it up and starts playing,” said wife Rosalie.
She took up playing the washtub a couple of years ago, but didn’t bring it along Sunday because, as president, she had official duties to perform.
How on earth, she was asked, do you play a washtub?
“Simple,” said Rosalie. “You just take a broom stick, fasten it to the tub and run a string from the top of it to the tub.”
The resulting instrument is played the same as a bass fiddle.
While stringed instruments are the staple of Sunday’s sessions, the keyboard also has a role. Carol Maranville is at home behind the keys as well as with a guitar. Her husband, Buddy, plays the harmonica.
THE FIDDLERS is a preservation society, but chapter meetings also are social events.
On Sunday two tables at the rear of the community building overflowed with food.
“We eat before we play,” said Rosalie.
They also visit before, during and after the music and those who play and sing go home looking forward of the next opportunity.
Kansas has 16 local chapters, down from 19 not so long ago, which meet every month. A state convention is held in the spring, with this year’s in Osawatomie on April 8-10.
