January From The Editor

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Happy New Year! Welcome to 2026!

 

One of the most popular New Year’s resolutions is “less screen time.” Just to be clear, top experts all agree that this reduction does not include your visits to the knoxvilleoldtime.org website. You know what easily guarantees less screen time? Learning to play a musical instrument and/or learning new tunes.

 

Other experts say that playing a musical instrument benefits mental health by reducing stress and anxiety, improving mood, boosting self-confidence, and enhancing cognitive functions like memory and focus. And the sense of accomplishment from learning a new skill can build self-esteem. 

This all sounds good until teenage fiddle players at the next jam rattle off multiple tunes like they have been playing all of YOUR life. It’s the way of the world, I guess.

 

The monthly Sunday Old Time Jam at Tri-Hop Brewery has been discontinued. Jessica Watkins told me that attendance had steadily fallen off, possibly due to the Knoxville people not wanting to drive to Maryville. You will recall  that over the years, there have been very successful Sunday afternoon jams in Knoxville, so we know there is potential out there. 

 

Tune History this month explores the origin and evolution of Cherokee Shuffle and Lost/Lonesome Indian. One tune is old, and one did not appear until the 1950’s. The trick is to know your keys and B parts. Lots of East Tennessee connections! 

 

The January performance calendar is pretty lean, but that is normal for this time of year. Do not miss Hog Eyed Man at the Laurel Theater on January 31st. Jason and Rob rarely tour, so we are very lucky to have them. Contra and Square dances with live music are also on tap at the Laurel.

 

Speed Zone Ahead! We all have preferred music tempos for listening, dancing, and performing. Our favorite banjo playing neurologist Josh Turknett is back with some more science about the relationship between our brains and preferred tempos. This time he uses bluegrass music to illustrate what is happening inside our heads. No doubt there are many opinions regarding the speed of bluegrass music - and even more opinions as to how/if it is affecting Old Time music. What's going on with tempos that are beyond most listener's comfort zones? What makes bluegrass fans twice as likely to be musicians themselves? What does all this have to do with coffee, beer, and auctioneers?

 

Have you been to the Women In Old Time Music exhibit at the East Tennessee Historical Society yet? It runs through April 19th.

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The “Worth A Listen” recommendations have been moved to the monthly newsletter. If you have not yet subscribed, scroll down to the signup area on this page.

 

Mark

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