Who was that Girl?

[EasyEd]

Hey All,

Been sittin here for about an hour watchin "The Road to Nashville" an waitin for some sore rototillin muscles to quit achin. The movie is something else! About every late 50s early 60s act out there doin spots for over two hours. A partial list Lefty Frizzell, Hank Snow, Kitty Wells, Faron Young, Porter Waggoner, Carter family an Johnny, Marty Robbins, etc - early 60s formula all the way.

Then on comes this "family" band all dressed in orange - Banjo, Harmonica, Bass, Guitar an a pretty blonde playin what pretty blondes often play - Tamborine! I'm thinkin nice job on the harp 2nd position bluesy riffs backin the melody nicely when the song ends an the blonde picks up a mandolin! They start playin Cripple Creek an she can flat rip on the mando. Then she starts dancin - sort of a mix of cloggin and step dancin - ala Natalie MacMaster all the while still rippin on the mando - an she's playin it holdin it high like the bass side is almost touchin her chin. Now I confess I've never seen Big Mon do that much less wear bright orange an could he even play the tamborine?

Who were those people an who was that girl?

I'm sure somebody will know.

Take Care!~ -Ed-

PS - Nobody plays that early 60s country electric guitar anymore do they. Unmistakable sound.

[mandofiddle]

I just looked it up on Amazon, and a reviewer had this to say...

"A personal fave is the Stoneman Family with the blonde babe who seems to think this country music wigout is an audition for "Shindig" dancers...God bless her!!"

And this page says "Donna" is her name...

http://www.fmp.com/orthey/stoneman.html

[Moose]

Ah!!! - Donna Stoneman.. an excellent mandolinist.., still around.., and still a beauty. Thanks for the "heads-up" "The Roampin',Stopmin', Stonemans"... http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/mandosmiley.gif

[Paul Kotapish]

Here's a nice little intro to the Stonemans:

http://www.fmp.com/orthey/stoneman.html

I seem to recall seeing Donna blow away the crowd at a bluegrass festival at Watermelon Park in Virginia back in the early '70s by performing a superfast breakdown on the mandolin--wearing gloves.

I think she is currently working as a minister in Nashville.

[Salty Dog]

In the early 1960s, I used to go to see the Stoneman Family perform in a DC joint (I think it was the "Alamo"). #Pop Stoneman was still performing with the family. #Seeing Donna prance around with a short cowgirl skirt and high cowgirl boots was enough to make a young sailor's heart purr - sorry, I mean chop. #She was also a fine mandolin player.

[EasyEd]

Hey All,

I avoided mentionin her dancin an prancin this bein a mando board an all but I must admit - I liked it - as outta place as it was in the movie - I liked it. I like people who do something different as I been accused of it myself a time or two.

Paul I believe you. I was really impressed with her speed - and it was totally clean! My impression was that in her prime she could give Thile speed lessons an dance at the same time! I just wonder - how many more gems are there out there that never (or rarely) get mentioned - like Donna?

An to me a lover of CW music all my life - I wonder what the story is that denied the Stoneman's the title of the grand ol family of CW music. From what I've read (on the web) they had as good if not better a claim to it as the Carters. I'm always fascinated by history - that I have no doubt exists - that is never (or rarely) told.

Take Care! -Ed-

[Moose]

Hey Easy Ed... : This is "off-thread" but I just have to "expand" on your post ; most folks consider History as "static"(i.e. it's done! - it happened.., etc.) - but history is never "static" ; it CHANGES - and can/is re-written/re-interpreted when/as NEW "facts" are discovered/come-to-light or "declassified" (as in political/military history) - "History is written by the victors"(source: forgotten, sorry!##). Now back to our regular programming... hee.. hee.. Moose. http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/mandosmiley.gif

[Willie]

Easy Ed....I grew up right around the corner from the stonemans and they all played some kind of instrument and Pop made some of them, just like he built their house, out of old junked lumber and orange crates, they were something to behold....They had two bands since there were so many kids, The Stonemans and The Bluegrass Champs....A friend of mine that used to play and record with them and Patsy Klien says Donna is into church going ons and might even be an ordained minister, don`t know for sure, he says she is still a beauty....Brings back good memories, good post...`til later....Willie http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/coffee.gif

[Salty Dog]

Willie, now I have doubts - was it the "Alamo" or the "Famous Bar" where the Stonemans appeared regularly? #I went to both regularly to hear great bluegrass and country music. #I somehow think that I probably saw the Country Gentlemen at the Famous (or Alamo) but of course wasn't paying careful attention as young sailors sometimes get distracted. #I just remember that there was great music at both and lots of other things to notice as well.

[Willie]

Salty Dog...I have to be honest I never been to The Alamo but have spent some time at The Famous, most of the local bands played at The Famous at one time or another in cluding the Stonemans...I was there the night that a young lady named Patsy Cline made her debut in D.C., thats a night I`ll never forget.....Good memories...Willie