Byard Ray's "Soldier's Joy" at historic Fairview Presbyterian Church, Fountain Inn, South Carolina

Описание: "Soldier's Joy" from western North Carolina fiddler Byard Ray

Excerpt from “Gourd Banjos and Homespun: Music, Work, and Community in the Old Upcountry" a presentation by my wife Caroline and myself for the Peden Family Reunion at historic Fairview Presbyterian Church in Fountain Inn, SC, July 20, 2024. This presentation offered a glimpse into the everyday life of settlers in the South Carolina Upcountry while exploring questions of continuity and change in the cultural traditions brought here from the Old World. In other words, just how did the early settlers of our region go from being Scots-Irish, Welsh, English, or African to being South Carolinians, and specifically Upcountry South Carolinians?

It was a privilege to share this material for such an attention and enthusiastic audience, and we look forward to future opportunities to present it elsewhere locally in the future. In spite of the ongoing destruction of our historically rural landscape and community in Greenville County, there are signs of a growing interest in historical preservation. We hope that our work brings attention to that cause and helps others see and appreciate the value of our local history, cultural heritage, and rural landscape and traditions.

Caroline and I were honored to be featured speakers at the Peden gathering and help celebrate the legacy of a family whose presence has been such a blessing to our corner of the Upcountry for nearly 250 years. In fact, Caroline and I are direct beneficiaries of that blessing. Fairview, where we are now members, played such a central role in our courtship that I dare say if weren’t for the Pedens founding the church way back in 1786, we might not be married today!