Winter 2016
Fifth2014
Annual Winter Bluegrass Jubilee
scheduled for January 23rd
A Full Indoor Festival!
Entertainment for Everyone!
Performances, Workshops, Jamming, Vendors, Concessions
Stage
Schedule
10:30 - 10:50
Preshow / Slide Show
10:50 - 11:00
Opening Remarks &
National Anthem
11:00 - 11:40
Last Road
11:40 - 12:00
Sweet Potato Pie Kids
12:00 - 1:50
The Young Appalachian
Musician Students
1:50 - 2:30
Left Lane
2:30 - 3:20
West End String Band
3:30 - 3:50
BSUGrass
4:00 - 4:50
ETSU Pride Band
5:00 - 5:50
Hinson Girls
5:50 - 6:00
Announcements
6:00 - 7:30
Lonesome River Band
Employee Spotlight
Pauline Blackston
I might be considered an unlikely person to be involved
in the Yams Program! The only musical instrument
I’ve ever played is the piano, and that was only for a
few years of lessons during my childhood. I never
broadened my horizons to the point of being able to
play proficiently, or to add those wonderful sounding
notes that individuals who learned to play by ear are
able to do.
However, in another light, maybe I am a likely person to
be involved in the Program. A large portion of my life
has been directly, or indirectly related to influencing
children. I began my career in the legal profession,
which I loved, working first as a clerk to the Probate
Judge, and later as a secretary to a local attorney. I then
became a stay-at-home mom until my youngest started
school. It was around that time that I decided to enroll
as a substitute teacher, which I also loved and carried
out for 11 years, because it gave me the opportunity to
learn many things from numerous excellent teachers
throughout the county, to observe many classroom
settings, but also more importantly to have direct
contact with children, and to learn and interact with
them. It was during these years that I met Betty
McDaniel, who was then and still is, the most energetic
and creative person I know! She not only taught
reading and media skills, but also classes after school
in photography and clogging, and swimming lessons
during the summer. My children begged to enroll (and
did) in all her classes!
After those years, for the past 21 years, I have worn
several “hats” throughout the school district, ranging
from kindergarten assistant, primary grades teacher
assistant, “fill-in” secretary, data entry clerk, secretary to
Lakes and Mountains School for the Arts, instructional
assistant through three afterschool grant programs,
and afterschool paraprofessional. For the past 11 years
I have served as a Team Captain for the March of Dimes,
in an attempt to improve the health of babies, knowing
firsthand the effects prematurity can wield, since my
own twin grandchildren were born 7 weeks prematurely.
In addition, I have been Team Captain for the United Way
Campaign for the past six years, believing that we must
help the child and the entire family if we are to help
him/her achieve his/her full potential. Along that same
line of thought, I am also affiliated with NAMI (National
Alliance on Mental Illness) and believe there needs to be
a deeper understanding of the mental health problems
our children face in order to serve the whole child. I
was fortunate to be able to bring the first educational
program to our school system to educate teachers to
recognize the warning signs of mental illness.
Three years ago, I was presented with the good fortune
to be asked by Betty McDaniel to consider taking on the
YAMS Program Director role at my school, as the present
director had gone into retirement. I didn’t know very
much about YAMS at all, except that it was an excellent
program, the students at our school enjoyed it, and had
progressed to the point of doing public performances.
I consented, and thought how nice it would be to have
one of those cute blue shirts with the little instrument
players outlined in white on the front. The first year I
took the position over was also the first year our school
was no longer assisted by grant money. We had a small
enrollment, but the students were very enthusiastic,
evidenced by the fact that one of our students qualified
to become a member of the prestigious Sweet Potato
Pie Kids. The next year, our enrollment doubled, and
this year, our enrollment is even higher! We have been
fortunate to have the most talented instructors! I can’t
say enough about the wonderful job they do, and how
they have accomplished teaching their students to play
in just a few short lessons! It’s nothing short of a miracle!
This year, Betty McDaniel presented another wonderful
opportunity to me – to become her Administrative
Assistant, and to follow her lead in some of the intricate
workings of the YAMS fine system. I don’t have to tell
you what an entertaining person she is! Each phase has
been a most exciting adventure, and I have met and
re-united with some of the very finest individuals, all
connected to YAMS, on the face of this earth!
I sincerely believe in the YAMS Program because I
have seen it work! In fact, I encouraged my own
granddaughter to enroll for the past two years in the
TAM YAM Camp, and to begin lessons in the Evening
Music Program with instructor, Mr. Herman Towles.
The YAMS program offers an excellent opportunity for
growth in our children, and a lifetime of enjoyment that
will follow them into their retirement years and beyond!
What a wonderful thing it is to Preserve Our Southern
Appalachian Music!
Mark Your Calendars
Join us as 10 non-profits host the Gathering on
Appalachian Life on Saturday, February 27th, 8:30 am
- 4:30 pm. Based at Hagood Community Center (aka,
Pickens Senior Center), this festival/mini-conference
includes an opening session, four 1-hour-long workshop
sessions/tours, an Appalachian lunch and vendor/info
tables. Sessions include topics such as moonshining,
genealogy, Appalachian music and dance, storytelling,
making bobbin lace, hearthside cooking, hewing logs,
the Pickens Railroad, and From Pickens to Pumpkintown
(old roads). Tickets before February 1st are $15 and after
the 1st are $20. For more information and to register, go
to cityofpickens.com/pra.
January 11
YAM classes start back this week
January 23
Winter Bluegrass Jubilee
February 1
Evening Music Program lessons start this week
February 27
Gathering on Appalachian Life
8:30 am - 4:30 pm based at Hagood Community Center (cityofpickens.com/pra)
SPPK to perform
March 19 KidsFest at Hagood Mill
10:00 am - 4:00 pm
March 21
Last week of YAMs
April 23
Springtime YAM JAM (Concert Fundraiser with Edgar Loudermilk and Heather & Shannon Slaughter)
Aunt Sue’s - Pickens SC
April 23 Sweet Potato Pie Kids perform at
the Central Railroad Festival
May 13
Sweet Potato Pie Kids perform at Clemson Farmer’s Market
1st and 3rd Fridays at Oolenoy in February, March until April
1st--YAM schools/programs featured
Oolenoy Friday Night Jam Sessions
agreed to do something special to encourage our YAMs
to try jamming. For five Friday nights we will feature
certain schools or programs. The YAMs from the featured
schools/programs will have a chance to entertain
starting around 7:00 and then to take part in the jam
session afterwards. Of course, all YAMs are invited every
jam session!
Following is the schedule and we hope you’ll come pick
and grin with us:
Over 20 years ago Norma Hendricks (of “Dan and
Norma”) started a jam session at the old Oolenoy
Schoolhouse where the Pumpkin Festival is held every
year…and it’s still going strong. It now meets every 1st
and 3rd Friday nights from 7-10 PM. Oolenoy has been,
and continues to be, a big part of many of our YAMs’
lives. We have found that the kids who are part of the
Oolenoy jam session, or something similar, are the ones
who progress the fastest. The Oolenoy volunteer team-Dave Catlin, Jeff Lathe, Karen and Alan Schneider--have
Friday, 2/5
Sweet Potato Pie Kids and
Holly Springs Elementary
(the “original” YAM school)
Friday, 2/19
Hagood Elementary, Pickens Middle,
YLA, Ambler Elementary
Friday, 3/4
AR Lewis Elementary,
Pickens Elementary, Liberty Elementary
Friday, 3/18
Dacusville Middle and Elementary,
Six Mile Elementary
Friday, 4/1
Evening Music Programs
Each One, Teach One
This month we are featuring our ten YAM alumni
instructors. Each of these young people has come
through the YAM program—After-school or Evening
Music Program-- and most have been part of the Sweet
Potato Pie Kids band. Our youngest instructor is Andrew
Dennis who is 13 and our oldest YAM alumni instructor
is Lillie Rogers who is a freshman in college. Many
wonderful reports have come back about the job these
“kids” are doing, giving credit not only to their instructors
but also to lots of practice and lessons well-learned.
Ivy Bryan is 14 years old and is in the ninth grade at
Pickens High School. The mandolin is her instrument of
choice but she enjoys playing other instruments as well.
She began taking YAM classes at Ambler Elementary
when she was in the third grade. Lewis Crowe and
Herman Towles were her first teachers. She attended
YAM camp for 6 years and was an assistant this year. She
now teaches mandolin at Holly Springs Elementary and
started last year.
“My favorite musical experience was when
Sweet Potato Pie Kids traveled to Myrtle Beach
to play for a teacher’s convention and at the
Carolina Opry.”
“YAM introduced me to my passion—
bluegrass music. Because of YAM I have had
some amazing experiences and met some wonderful people.
Becoming a musician has been a fun adventure that I
wouldn’t trade for anything.”
Andrew Dennis is 13 years old and is in 8th grade
at YLA. Andrew enjoys playing guitar, banjo, mandolin,
and bass. He started YAM classes at Pickens Elementary
when he was in the third grade. Steve McGaha, Joe
Padgett, and Susan Ware-Snow were his first teachers. He
attended YAM Camp for 4 years. He now teaches guitar at
AR Lewis and started this year.
“My favorite musical experience was when I
went to Oolenoy for the first time and played
in the circle up at the front. It made me feel
like a real musician.”
“The YAM program has made a huge impact
in my life. YAM has taught me responsibility,
patience, and dedication. It has also given
me a passion for music that I love to share with others. I
have been able to do this through teaching and through
the Sweet Potato Pie Kids. I have made wonderful friends
and have been fortunate enough to have great mentors like
Susan Ware-Snow and Dan Hendricks. I love being part of
the YAMs; it has been an amazing experience!”
Isaac Ferrell is 18 years old and in twelfth grade
at Pickens High School. The banjo is his instrument of
choice. He started YAM classes at Pickens Middle School
when he was in the sixth grade. Al Osteen and Charles
Wood were his first instructors. He started teaching for
YAM in 2012 at Pickens Middle. He attended YAM Camp
for 7 years and assisted/taught/counseled for 4 years.
He now teaches banjo at Pickens Elementary, Dacusville
Elementary/Middle School, Six Mile Evening Program and
YAM Band at Dacusville Schools.
“My best music experience has been traveling
to France to play at the La Roche Bluegrass
Festival.”
“YAM has introduced me to bluegrass banjo
which I wouldn’t have learned otherwise.”
Kaitlyn Holder is 14 years old and in the ninth
grade. She plays fiddle and some guitar. She started
taking YAM classes at AR Lewis when she was in the
third grade. Herman Towles was her first instructor.
She attended YAM Camp for 4 years and has been an
assistant for one year. She now teaches fiddle at Pickens
Elementary and Six Mile Elementary and started this year.
“My favorite music experience was when I got
a chance to perform at the Carolina Opry on
my birthday.”
“YAM has made a difference in my life by
giving me musical knowledge to work and
grow with throughout my musical career.”
Abby Keller is 16 years old and is in the eleventh
grade at Pickens High School. She plays guitar and some
bass and mandolin. She started taking YAM classes at
Holly Springs when she was in the third grade. Dan and
Norma Hendricks, Susan Ware-Snow, Steve McGaha, and
Marshall Goers were her first instructors. She attended
YAM camp and was an assistant for one year. She now
teaches beginner/advanced beginner guitar at Pickens
Middle, Dacusville, and Six Mile Elementary Schools.
“My favorite music experience(s) were the
nights I spent at Oolenoy Community Center
jamming and singing and goofing off with the
Sweet Potato Pie Kids band.”
“The YAM program has given me an
opportunity to give back to my community
through the Arts and our town’s heritage.
Through giving back, our heritage and music tradition will
be preserved and passed on through the generations.”
Andrew Lathe is 18 years old and in the twelfth
grade at Pickens High School. He plays guitar, dobro, and
bass. He started taking YAM classes at Pickens Middle
when he was in the seventh grade. Steve McGaha and
Oregon Lawton were his first instructors. He attended
YAM camp for 5 years and was an assistant/counselor for
4 years. He now teaches guitar in the Six Mile Evening
Program and started last year.
“My favorite musical experience has been
playing on stage with Blue Highway.”
“YAM has made a difference in my life by
introducing me to bluegrass which is a huge
part of my life now.”
Samantha Morgan is 18 years old and in the
twelfth grade at Pickens High School. She plays the banjo.
She started taking YAM classes at Holly Springs when she
was in the fourth grade. Al Osteen and Kristen S. Benson
were her first instructors. She attended YAM Camp and
was an assistant there for 2 years. She now teaches banjo
at Hagood Elementary and been teaching three years
ago.
“My favorite musical experience was being part
of BooGrass in Anderson this past fall.”
“Being with YAMs has given me the
opportunity to meet some amazing people,
some that hold a very special place in my
heart. I have also been extremely blessed to
be an instructor with YAM. Teaching these
children to play banjo has been a wonderful gift for me and
it has been an experience that I wouldn’t trade for the world.
God sure has blessed me.”
Logan Redding is 15 years old and is in the ninth
grade at Pickens High School. He plays banjo, guitar, and
bass. He started taking YAM classes at Ambler Elementary
when he was in the fifth grade. Charles Wood and Isaac
Ferrell were his first instructors. He attended YAM Camp
for 4 years and assisted last year. He now teaches banjo
at AR Lewis and Six Mile Elementary schools and started
teaching last year.
“My favorite musical experience would
probably be when I played at Brookwood
Church. We played for a huge audience for two
morning services. It’s by far, the best crowd I’ve
ever played for. The congregation clapped and
sang along and everyone had a great time.”
“If I hadn’t taken my first banjo lesson at YAMs camp in
2011, who knows what I would be up to. It has given me the
opportunity to go to many great places and meet many great
people and musicians. Because of YAMs, I have developed a
tremendous love for music.”
Lillie Rogers is 19 years old and a freshman in
college. She plays fiddle. She started YAM in seventh grade
at the Walhalla Evening Program. Her first instructors were
Josh Johnson and Andy Brooks. She attended YAM Camp
and has been assistant/counselor for 4 years. She now
teaches fiddle in the Salem Evening Program and started
teaching last year.
“My best musical experience has been TAM
YAM Camp”
“YAM has made a difference in my life by giving
me a musical family”
Danielle Yother is 16 years old
and in the eleventh grade at Pickens High School. She
plays guitar, mandolin, and bass. She started taking YAM
classes at Holly Springs when she was in the third grade.
Her first instructors were Dan and Norma Hendricks and
Steve McGaha. She attended YAM Camp for 7 years and
assisted/counseled for 5 years. She now teaches guitar
and mandolin at Six Mile Elementary and started teaching
last year.
“My best music experience is jamming with really good
friends and musicians.”
“ If it hadn’t been for YAM, I probably wouldn’t have even
picked up a guitar. I’ve met many good friends and had some
great times! YAM has opened up so many
doors for me.”
Support the Young Appalachian
Musicians Program By Joining
YESIYAM 2016
Evening Program
Would you like to learn how to play the guitar, banjo,
fiddle or mandolin? We are accepting new students.
Enrollment is now underway for the next session of the
Appalachian Evening Music Program. The next session
will begin the week of February 1st.
This program is open to ages, third grade through adults.
It is designed to teach students to play Appalachian
music with the guitar, mandolin, fiddle and banjo.
The cost is $60 for a six-week session and if needed,
instrument rental is available for $25 for the six-week
session.
The enrollment period is through February 4th. Anyone
interested in signing up should visit www.YAMupstate.
com for information on all locations or call/email Betty at
(864) 878-4257/[email protected].
YESIYAM is a booster club dedicated to
promoting community interest and cultivating
support for the Young Appalachian Musicians
program. At a time when many school systems
are cutting programs, YAM is reconnecting
children with their musical heritage by teaching
them to play in the traditional way of the
Southern Appalachians, by ear. The program
has experienced phenomenal growth and your
contribution will help ensure the continuity of
the excellent instruction the children have come
to expect.
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Individual/Family Membership $50
Business Membership $125
Instrument Donor $250
Benefactor $1000
Corporate Sponsor $1000 (and above)
Depending on contribution level, benefits
include special recognition in POSAM event
programs, the YAM Newsletter and other
privileges. Application forms and additional
details are available from Betty McDaniel at
(864) 878-4257 or by emailing
[email protected].
792 Holly Springs School Road
Pickens, SC 29671
This newsletter dedicated to supporting the Young Appalachian Musicians program is provided at no charge to all YESIYAM members.
The letter is published through volunteer efforts and the support of Preserving Our Southern Appalachian Music, Inc. and other sponsors.
Editor and Designer: Jennifer Bryan
The Young Appalachian Musicians program is sponsored by Preserving Our Southern Appalachian Music, Inc. (POSAM) a charitable non-profit organization and all contributions
are tax deductible. To join the booster club, YESIYAM, or otherwise contribute to the program, donations may be sent to: POSAM, c/o Betty McDaniel, 792 Holly Springs School
Road, Pickens, SC 29671. For further information call (864) 878-4257 or e-mail [email protected].