The second choice, The Bluegrass Blog is not quite so apparent. But I link to it as a general all purpose "what's happening in Bluegrass Music." This is important to me because one of the activities I have undertaken at my school is the creation of student bluegrass bands. I am the faculty co-sponsor with Kim Mattis our Media Center Director of the WPHS Bluegrass Club and bands.
I started this club and these bands to make our students aware of our Appalachian music culture, and because I see Bluegrass as an incredibly honest music, that has very strong thematic underpinnings in the very areas of Amerian culture which current pop culture ridicules: family, faith and community. It is these very areas where bluegrass music provides a teachable moment in just about every song. The idea of games teaching bluegrass music, or involving the themes of bluegrass music is something which intrigues me, and which I hope to further develop as I delve deeper into the particulars of game design.
I have done quilting projects in my classes before to help keep West Virginia heritage. I have a lot of respect for those who want to keep those skills alive. Good luck this year in Game Design!
ReplyDeleteHey Bob! Great post!
ReplyDelete"I see Bluegrass as an incredibly honest music, that has very strong thematic underpinnings in the very areas of Amerian culture which current pop culture ridicules: family, faith and community."
I agree in full. American music (folk music globally) is rooted in these values exactly. I'm a gospel fan for this reason. Have you heard of the "Soul Stirrers"? They're the best gospel act in American history as far as I'm concerned. You should check them out out! Here's a link to a short info-doc about them: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qK-7z64f4D8
Even though I'm Jewish, I think this faith/community-based tradition in American music is so important.
One thing, you've added your blogroll to the bottom of the screen! When you go into your Customize section (from your dashboard), and you click on Layout. Click "Add Gadget" from one of the squares lined up vertically along the right side. Add you links there, so your readers can find them!
Thanks for the post!
I love the idea of bluegrass games. Maybe down the line there will be a Rock Band Bluegrass for the Wii. I would so be there playing the saw.
ReplyDeleteBob,
ReplyDeleteGreat job. I am going to add the AGD blog to my sight.
Bob,
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for the bluegrass ideas. How have you collaborated with Pat Garrett to work your talents into the music department at Park?
Pat has a steel band and believe it or not, there are so many parallels between steel drum music (and it's roots), and bluegrass. Both are relatively "new" styles of music - Bill Monroe just recently passed away, and Ellie Mannette, the inventor of the modern steel drum is still alive and building drums in Morgantown, WV. Both styles are traditionally taught by ear. Both are highly syncopated. And both are music of the people. From a globaloria/international standpoint, I have been intrigued for a while about how we can fuse these styles and/or get some collaboration between musicians of both idioms.
Pat is a great resource for you in Wheeling, but I too have a steel band, and would be excited to talk to you about this idea more!
Great to have you in Globaloria!