The Goleta Old-Time Jamboree and 39th Annual Old Time Fiddlers’ Convention and Festival will again present Honeysuckle Possums and Little Black Train on Sunday, April 11 at the Live Oak Unitarian Fellowship Hall (not the sanctuary) in Goleta. The Goleta Old-Time Jamboree is an all-ages community music event that combines a pot luck Sunday luncheon, an open old-time jam session for one hour, and then a double bill concert. The first one was held in February and was considered a success by organizers, who expect the Jamboree to become a regular event.

With an all-star lineup of veteran string wizards Kenny Blackwell (mandolin), John Weed (fiddle), and Stuart Mason (guitar and mandola), Little Black Train will perform vintage fiddle tunes and old-time songs from their new release “Little Black Train.” From Depression-era gospel to Appalachian and and Celtic dance tunes, they explore the roots of bluegrass that date back to the nineteenth century and earlier. They employ the time-honored “folk process” to combine new words and melodies with traditional songs from sources such as the Carter Family, Doc Boggs, and Charlie Pool. The new record also includes fiddle tunes from archival sources in West Virginia, Ireland, and Scotland.
The Honeysuckle Possums are Susan Reeves, Nicola Gordon, Rebecca Troon, Lisa Macker, and Ruth Alpert. Collectively they play guitar, fiddle, banjo, ukulele, bass, mandolin, tin whistle, and strum stick. The Honeysuckle Possums reach a state of collective musical bliss while playing old-time, original and bluegrass songs and tunes, and then share that slice of heaven. Unconditional love, support and a lot of laughter are a big piece of the pie. Possum audience members are likely to laugh, sing, dance, clap along, and take home a big grin!
The Live Oak Unitarian Fellowship Hall is located at 820 North Fairview Avenue, Goleta, CA 93117. Live Oak’s campus, formerly a 1906 farmhouse situated on an avocado orchard, is now a welcoming, homey cluster of buildings, fruit trees, and patios. The concert begins at 2:00 PM with pot luck luncheon and open jam starting at 1:00 PM. No tickets are required but suggested donation is $10 at the door. Bring a dish to share for the pot luck luncheon. The event is sponsored by the 39th Annual Old Time Fiddlers’ Convention and Festival, to be held Sunday, October 10, 2010. Call 805-534-9021 for more information.
Press Contact:
Stuart Mason (stu@helmintoller.com)