RiddleFest 2012 A Success

RiddleFest 2012, sponsored by the Traditional Voices Group in association with the North Carolina Humanities Council, was a great success. The afternoon seminars with presentations by Scott Ainslie, Kathy Bullock, and Barry O'Connor had the audience spellbound.

Dr. Barry O’Connell, a history professor at Amherst College and author of a biographical essay about Lesley Riddle, gave background information about the musician’s life.

Dr. Kathy Bullock, director of the Music Department at Berea College, presented a history of music from songs originating in West Africa, to work songs sung by slaves, to more modern African-American spirituals.

Scott Ainslie, who has done extensive research and published a book about blues legend Robert Johnson, demonstrated various styles of blues. In the course of the seminar he played a variety of instruments, including a one-string cigar box guitar, a five-string gourd banjo, and a 1931 steel guitar.

The RiddleFest 2012 concert opened with several Leslie Riddle songs performed by the "RiddleFest Revue." The Revue was led by Roberta Whiteside on keyboard, and included the Griffith Chapel Choir, Ron and Minnie Powell, Anthony Hensley, Terry McKinney, and Sergio Cassanego.

The performances by Kathy Bullock and Scott Ainslie were incredible. Kathy's vocal range and the emotion and power of her voice left the audience in awe. Scott displayed his talent as a guitarist and vocalist, with stories that gave insight into the songs he performed.

Thanks to the performers, as well as the volunteers who worked behind the scenes, to make this RiddleFest an overwhelming success. The Traditional Voices Group would like to thank all the sponsors, merchants and individuals who donated items for the auction. The funds raised will help support the efforts of the TVG to preserve our heritage, "One Story at a Time."

The North Carolina Humanities Council is a statewide nonprofit and affiliate of the National Endowment for the Humanities. The Humanities Council supports through grants and public humanities programs vital conversations that nurture the cultures and heritage of North Carolina. To learn more about the North Carolina Humanities Council, visit http://www.nchumanities.org.