Jimmie Griffith Exemplifies Showcase Theme
Music is handmade in Caldwell County and is heartfelt from his native Brazil
By Michael M. Barrick
Note: This is an installment in a series of feature stories on the performers scheduled for the 19th Annual Caldwell Traditional Musicians Showcase. Check back for additional stories through Sat., March 11 when the Showcase will be held at 7:30 p.m. at the J.E. Broyhill Civic Center. The article introducing this year’s Showcase can be read here.
Jimmie Griffith. Courtesy Photo.
LENOIR, N.C. – Jimmie Griffith is a multi-instrumentalist singer-songwriter living in Caldwell County. But as a Brazilian native whose vocals are in Portuguese and instrumentation heavily influenced by Bossa Nova, Dave Brubeck, Miles Davis and other American jazz musicians, Griffith acknowledged that he’s not your typical performer one might expect to see in the Caldwell Traditional Musicians Showcase.
Nevertheless, this year he will not only be performing; he also will be exemplifying the theme of this year’s Showcase – “Handmade and Heartfelt.” That is because Griffith’s music is made right here in Caldwell County; he has called this part of North Carolina home for nearly two decades. But his music is also heartfelt, heavily influenced by his upbringing in Brazil, where he lived the first 19 years of his life.
Griffith, who performs as MaisCeu, acknowledged, “I definitely fit into this year’s theme. I take it to heart, so I hope it will transfer to the audience.” He continued. “I grew up in a very rural area in Brazil in the mountains. North Carolina is a second home for me. Being in the mountains here helps me with my compositions. They’re written here. The root of inspiration is a crossover between my love for the mountains of Brazil and North Carolina.” Acknowledging that he sings in a language not very common in Caldwell County, he laughed but noted that his music “ … is very much about this place as well.”
In fact, he said audience feedback from the Showcase is something he seeks. “Since my music is not traditional, I just want people to come with an open mind. You don’t have to understand what someone is singing or the style of music to appreciate it. I welcome feedback. It adds to what I do. It keeps me going even though I’m not playing music common to the region.”
Jimmie Griffith performing. Courtesy Photo
Griffith explained how that came to be. “My father is from North Carolina. He joined the Peace Corps after university and lived in South America. He met my mom. I was born and raised in Brazil.” He continued, “Dad loved music. My dad obviously had a passion for the music. He would play albums. So my music has some inspiration that came from the late 50s and 60s Bossa Nova crowd.” Bossa Nova, which places more emphasis on melody and less on percussion helps explain why Griffith says he is “most inspired by words and lyrics.”
Yet, his multi-instrumentation is essential to his creations. “My bread and butter is the guitar,” he shared. “I have other instruments I play on stage. I play flute, shaker, bells, percussion instruments, triangle. It just depends upon the song. Mainly guitar and vocals are present in all songs. I work to keep folks engaged with variety.”
Griffith concluded, “When I saw the lineup for the Showcase, I was excited about the quality of musicians. To be side by side with those folks is flattering.”
© The Lenoir Voice, 2017.
Showcase Date & Ticket Information
The 19th Annual Caldwell Traditional Musicians Showcase will be on Sat., March 11 at 7:30 p.m. at the J.E. Broyhill Civic Center. Purchase tickets here from the Civic Center.
Performers
This year’s concert will include eight groups or individuals, including Strictly Clean and Decent. The total of musicians performing will be around two dozen, in addition to members of the Caldwell Junior Appalachian Musicians performing traditional string music.
Strictly Clean and Decent, a 26-year partnership of Kay and Patrick Crouch and Ron Shuffler
Ridgeline: A bluegrass band featuring Jim Matheson on guitar, Mike Nelson on banjo, Tim Greene on mandolin and guitar, April Flanders on fiddle, Larry Wright on bass, and Jimmy Houston on guitar.
MaisCeu featuring multi-instrumentalist Jimmie Griffith performing Brazilian music.
Max Waters playing Southern gospel, jazz, and blues piano.
Strictly Strings performing old time and contemporary string band music. The band is Kathleen Burnett on fiddle and guitar, Anissa Burnett on bass and fiddle, Willow Dillon on banjo, fiddle, bass, and cello, Caleb Coatney on mandolin, banjo, and guitar, and Cecil Gurganus on guitar, fiddle, and bass.
Caldwell Junior Appalachian Musicians performing traditional string music
Sycamore Bones with Cory Kinal, Andrew Massey, and Abigail Taylor performing original music.
Darren Bryant and Justin Clyde Williams performing country music.
Nancy Posey will be the emcee for the evening.
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Handmade & Heartfelt
Theme of 19th Annual Caldwell Traditional Musicians Showcase inspired by area musicians
By Michael M. Barrick
(Note: This is the first in a series of articles. Check back for feature stories on the performers).
LENOIR, N.C. – Kay and Patrick Crouch were relaxed – the kind of relaxed that is rooted in two decades of experience – as they discussed the upcoming 19th Annual Caldwell Traditional Musicians Showcase during a recent visit to their home.
This year, the concert, which is hosted annually by Strictly Clean and Decent – Kay and Patrick as well as Ron Shuffler – will be held on Sat., March 11 at 7:30 p.m. at the J.E. Broyhill Civic Center.
Design by Ron Wilson
Patrick explained the genesis of this year’s theme. “Some years I have the title in my brain and then get the musicians that fit. This year, however, I had this group of people who I love and admire as people and musicians that I’ve been wanting to get on the show. So, it will feature various styles of music – some is original, and it all comes from the heart.”
This year’s concert will include eight groups or individuals, including Strictly Clean and Decent. The total of musicians performing will be around two dozen, in addition to members of the Caldwell Junior Appalachian Musicians performing traditional string music.
The grand finale from a previous Caldwell Traditional Musicians Showcase
In describing examples of musicians underscoring the theme of this year’s concert, Patrick pointed to two of the groups as examples. Speaking of Sycamore Bones, he said, “I’ve liked Andrew’s voice since I first heard it. It is authentic, as is his songwriting. Cory is also a great songwriter. Since he moved here he has been involved in music, coming to the showcases and other gatherings. They get the big picture. So, they are an example of ‘Handmade.’”
He continued, “Darren Bryant and Justin Clyde Williams play music that is sincere. They feel it. They are representative of where heartfelt came from.”
Everybody truly loves music. It is the universal language. The audience knows that. The biggest challenge is for the musicians to limit their selections.” – Patrick Crouch
Pointing out that 19 years of experience of preparing and hosting the showcase has made it easier for them, Patrick shared, “Now we have a tradition established. I already know what we’re going to do for the 20th.”
Patrick and Kay acknowledged that not every one of the more than 200 musicians that have appeared in the showcase as of this year are Caldwell County residents, but all have roots to the county. “It’s the traditional music that’s the connection,” offered Kay. She continued, “It’s good to connect with folks from outside Caldwell County. The real value is that these folks see what we’re so proud of.” As an example, Patrick pointed to Strictly Strings, a five-piece string band that plays bluegrass and traditional music. Three are students at the Watauga campus of Caldwell Community College. In a relatively short time, they have developed quite a following.
Music flows. It flows from the performer. It’s not something you think about. It’s what we do. The sign of an artist is playing whatever they want.” – Patrick Crouch
Patrick shared, “It is unfathomable to think that more than 200 musicians who live in or have ties to Caldwell County have performed. Our goal was 100. After 10 years, we had reached 128. When we started this, this was our stage that we wanted to share. It is incredible to think about how many musicians we have shared that stage with.” Smiling, and looking at Kay, he added, “It’s just the tip of the iceberg. We have such a community of musicians here. It’s going to just keep growing.”
He continued, “Music flows. It flows from the performer. It’s not something you think about. It’s what we do. The sign of an artist is playing whatever they want.”
That’s exactly what happens at the Showcase. Patrick sends out a schedule to the musicians, tells them how much time they have and how many songs they can play, but does not tell them what to play. He explained why. “Everybody truly loves music. It is the universal language. The audience knows that. The biggest challenge is for the musicians to limit their selections.” He continued, “I don’t give a lot of direction. Early on, we met a lot. Now it’s better to just let things be as they may.”
Kay pointed to another one of the musicians as an example of music serving as the universal language. Speaking of Jimmie Griffith, who performs as MaisCeu, and plays Brazilian music and sings in Portuguese, she said, “What he does musically is unique. If you close your eyes you would think there is a band playing. He provides a beautiful cascade of sound.” Patrick added, “Jimmie and I like to jam together. Even though he sings in Portuguese, the patterns and rhythms in his music blend with mine.”
Strictly Clean & Decent
Besides the quality of musicians that play at the Showcase, Patrick says another reason for its success is how the community of musicians support it. “Those who don’t play in it still come out. Some come during sound check just to see folks they haven’t seen in a while. And, of course, we’ve enjoyed the support of the people of Caldwell County from the beginning.”
Sitting in a room surrounded by CDs, musical memorabilia, instruments and a recording studio, Patrick sat up in his chair and shared, “I stick my chest out when I say I’m from Caldwell County and am talking about our music.”
Performers & Ticket Info
Ridgeline: A bluegrass band featuring Jim Matheson on guitar, Mike Nelson on banjo, Tim Greene on mandolin and guitar, April Flanders on fiddle, Larry Wright on bass, and Jimmy Houston on guitar.
MaisCeu featuring multi-instrumentalist Jimmie Griffith performing Brazilian music.
Max Waters playing Southern gospel, jazz, and blues piano.
Strictly Strings performing old time and contemporary string band music. The band is Kathleen Burnett on fiddle and guitar, Anissa Burnett on bass and fiddle, Willow Dillon on banjo, fiddle, bass, and cello, Caleb Coatney on mandolin, banjo, and guitar, and Cecil Gurganus on guitar, fiddle, and bass.
Caldwell Junior Appalachian Musicians performing traditional string music
Sycamore Bones with Cory Kinal, Andrew Massey, and Abigail Taylor performing original music.
Darren Bryant and Justin Clyde Williams performing country music.
Nancy Posey will be the emcee for the evening.
To get tickets to this year’s Showcase, “Handmade & Heartfelt,” purchase tickets here from the J.E. Broyhill Civic Center.
© The Lenoir Voice, 2017.
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