LENOIR, N.C. – From the beginning, I’ve operated the Appalachian Chronicle based on the belief – established through experience – that dedicated, expert and effective responses to our region’s challenges and opportunities are addressed best by the people at the grassroots.

That is why I report from the grassroots. That is where the action is. Our institutions are not remotely exceptional; in fact, they are presently hopelessly compromised, rendered useless by the oligarchs.

I find that those involved in grassroots efforts are presently asking themselves, “What then shall we do when the only certain thing for each day is complete uncertainty?” Millions around the world and untold thousands of people in Appalachia have concluded that we must look to our family, neighbors and friends to expand the circle of caring people.

In short, working together, we will cultivate Appalachia’s abundance. We see it around us every day. The people, the history, the cultural arts and those opening their wallets to help others are examples of Appalachia’s abundance. The abundant natural beauty and vital, life-giving waters of our mountains is why we often battle the fossil fuel industry.

Confrontation and controversy are part of caring about your community. Conversely, when we guide our minds and hearts to positive actions, it is wonderful – and effective!

Such a case of cultivating Appalachia’s richest resource – her people – is the Caldwell Musicians Showcase, now in its 27^th year here in Western North Carolina.

Caldwell Musicians Showcase History

Since its humble start, more than 300 musicians from Caldwell County or with connections to it have played on the stage at the J.E. Broyhill Civic Center here.

The idea that led to the birth of the Caldwell Traditional Musicians Showcase occurred at a gathering of musicians more than 25 years ago, at a Christmas party at the home of longtime Caldwell musicians Kay and Patrick Crouch. That evening, a typically spontaneous jam session broke out – not unlike the ones that have occurred in homes and on porches in Caldwell County for generations. Present that night was David Briggs, who was then the executive director of the J. E. Broyhill Civic Center.

Patrick shares, “He turned to me and said, ‘Paddy, why do we not have this on stage?’”

That simple question led to the first show, which was titled “Music with a Southern Accent.” Kay acknowledged that the first show was all they planned at the time. The Showcase came about based on the success of that first show.

The next year, the show was titled, “It Must Be Something in the Water,” a tip to the long, seemingly unending inhabitants of musicians living among the hills and hollows of Caldwell County. It was also the first show of about ten in a row where they recorded an album (CD) of the musicians playing their selections. Indeed, those CDs that were recorded in the early years made their way into the libraries of the Caldwell County Schools. Eventually, with the changing music industry, CD sales dropped off, replaced with social media. 

So, while the initial goal was to just get some of Caldwell County’s best musicians on stage for the community and beyond, by the second show, a first goal had been set. Kay explains, “Our goal was to get 100 musicians on stage. After 10 years, we had reached 128.” By then, the Showcase had a life of its own.

In 2023, they hosted their last show – the 25^th – titled Heroes and Friends. Kay and Patrick expressed confidence in their decision to pass the baton to a new generation of musicians, choosing Lenoir musician Andrew Massey to lead the Showcase into the future. As Patrick notes, “For 25 years, we’ve introduced the new generation of musicians to audiences while honoring the preceding ones.” He adds, “That’s a generation. It is time for the younger generation to keep it going.” He added, “The purpose is to make people aware of all of our musicians and instill pride in  the musicians of Caldwell County. They play at a sophisticated level. We tend to foster traditional musicians.”

Kay and Patrick say that the Showcase is designed to highlight the achievements of local musicians who keep the community’s rich history of traditional music alive. It is also intended to increase awareness of live music as an important cultural resource.

Kay and Patrick are part of an acoustic trio – Strictly Clean and Decent – that includes Ron Shuffler, who plays the upright bass with Strictly Clean and Decent. Kay performs on the guitar, flute, piano, and tin whistle with Strictly Clean and Decent. Patrick handles the mandolin, banjo, dobro, fiddle, and guitar for the trio.

Junior Appalachian Musicians (JAM) Program

An understated but critical aspect of each Showcase is the educational opportunities it provides to students involved in the Junior Appalachian Musicians (JAM) program. This isn’t surprising considering that both Kay and Patrick are educators. Patrick taught music for decades at Granite Falls Middle School and Kay ran the music program at Caldwell Community College & Technical Institute until her “retirement.”

In 2017, a guest on the Showcase stage was Blackberry JAM, a six-piece band sponsored by the Caldwell Arts Council’s Junior Appalachian Musicians (JAM) program. The band was formed out of the need to provide a performance outlet for talented members of the Caldwell JAM program. Other members entertained arriving audience members in the auditorium.

That same evening, Strictly Strings appeared in the 19^th Annual Caldwell Traditional Musicians Showcase. The five-member band had connections to Caldwell County through the Boone campus of Caldwell Community College & Technical Institute. That is not all though. The group’s enthusiasm for traditional music clearly marked their music as heartfelt.

Indeed, the group’s enthusiasm for – and mastery of – traditional music was made apparent on its newly album at the time, “High on a Mountain.”

The Transition

Last year, when asked his thoughts on taking over hosting duties for the Showcase, Andrew Massey responded succinctly – “Abject Terror!” Still, he quietly removed “traditional” from the title, looking to expand the offerings of the Showcase as it works to expand its audience.

Massey is a self-taught Lenoir musician. Also a songwriter with a reputation of collaborating with and supporting other area musicians, he was the natural choice to replace Strictly Clean and Decent Kay and Patrick shared recently. “The past 10 years there has been a resurgence in songwriting,”  says Patrick. “The next generation are folks like Andrew. He is vital because of his musical force. Equally important, he promotes all musicians. He is generous with his talents and time.”

While they no longer host the Showcase, their influence lives on. In a previous interview, Kay noted with pride, “One thing I’m just so pleased with is having Caldwell County recognized
by the Blue Ridge Music Trails. Knowing that our county is seen as a destination for music lovers is wonderful.” That designation was earned around 2004.

Nancy Posey, the show’s emcee for several years, is a retired Caldwell County educator now living in Nashville. She shared, “Kay and Patrick have touched so many people in the community.” She added, “Half the fun of being in the show is being with Patrick and Kay. If you’d ask me who are my heroes and friends, two who fit both categories are Kay and Patrick. They are so generous. They have been putting this together for the greater good for the community. If they’re your friends, you’ve got friends for life.”

Conclusion

If you missed last year’s show, you’ll want to mark your calendar for this year’s show. The transition of the Showcase to the stewardship of Massey last year was seamless. It was further proof that Caldwell County produces top-notch, exceptional songwriters and musicians. They weave masterful stories, steeped in Western North Carolina’s traditional past and emerging Americana influences. Most play multiple instruments.

A couple of graybeards proved why they’re not going anywhere soon, even as the gathering of extraordinarily talented new generation of musicians brought high energy to the Showcase while honoring its history.

As I wrote last year, most importantly, as it as done every year, it brought our community together for an evening of reunions, hugs, smiles and joy. That is what music does. As the international language, it ignites a Spirit of Peace. We can always use that.

Caldwell County is a desirable destination largely because of the musicians. Let’s thanks them by sharing a bit of our time and money to see what they’re writing and playing.

Want to go?

The 27th Annual Caldwell Musicians Showcase – “Strings Attached” – will be held Saturday, March 1, 2025 at 7:30 p.m. at the J.E. Broyhill Civic Center in Lenoir, N.C. Tickets are available in advance or at the door for $11. Tickets are available here or by contacting the box office at (828) 726-2407. The J.E. Broyhill Civic Center is located at 1913 Hickory Boulevard, Lenoir, N.C. 28645.

© Michael M. Barrick 2025. Home page feature photo by Andrea Crouch.