Tuesday, December 09, 2014

Another Metamorphosis! Work on a New Album! (And a Brief History of Molasses Creek)

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Molasses Creek at the final performance of 2014, Mountain Spirit Coffeehouse in Asheville, NC.

2014 has been an exciting and dramatic year in many ways for Molasses Creek; lots of fun concerts around the country from Ocracoke Island to Pittsburgh and Hershey PA, Albany NY, Connecticut, New York City, Kansas City, Chicago, Richmond and Washington VA, Stillwater OK, Charlotte, Wilmington, Black Mountain, Asheville, Chapel Hill, Yadkinville, Winston Salem, Southern Pines, Raleigh, Hatteras, and Swan Quarter, NC! 

For the second year in a row we had an album in the top 5 on the national folk charts, the biggest crowds ever at our Ocrafolk Festival, and even a hurricane on the 4th of July! After all this excitement, we end the year on a wistful note. Marcy and Lou have decided to leave Molasses Creek to make time to pursue other interests that had been put on the back burner for the past few years.  We've made some wonderful music together and we'll miss them, but certainly wish them well!

David and Gary have already begun work on a new CD coming out in the spring of 2015 with new songs including David's poignant ~"House on the Lane", Tommy Edward's tribute to NC barbecue ~"Holy Smoke", and Catesby Jones' beautiful ~"Weeping Willow Blues". We'll keep you posted as things develop!

And Now, a Look Back at 22 Years of Molasses Creek History

Gary and his wife Kitty began this journey in the early nineties performing as a duet at restaurants and bars on the island. Stefen Howard (Fiddler Dave's future brother-in-law) began to join Kitty and Gary at some gigs and suggested they call the trio "Molasses Creek" after one of the streams up the island. Meanwhile, Fiddler Dave, an Oklahoma native, was in college at Davidson in 1993 when he and Gary were both hired by director Cynthia Mitchell to provide musical accompaniment for a production of "Spoon River Anthology" in Goldsboro, NC.  The two hit it off, and Gary invited Dave to spend a summer at Ocracoke playing music together (the lure of beautiful bikini-clad women was also mentioned), and the young fiddler said ...."OK!" 
Molasses Creek from the first summer (Fiddler Dave & Gary sans facial hair!) photo by Ann Ehringhaus
After Stefen went on to follow love to the mountains of NC, Gary, Kitty and David performed together in the summer of 1993 and recorded their first album entitled "Ocracoke Island" including 7 of Gary's original songs, an original fiddle tune and song by Dave, and a couple of traditional tunes.
The following summer, the trio was joined by Wes Lassiter on banjo and mandolin and another album of mostly original songs, "Ocracoke Island II (the Sequel)" was released.  
In 1994 David was the recipient of a prestigious Watson Fellowship, and in late summer left for a year-long worldwide study of celtic fiddling styles. During David's absence Molasses Creek was joined by exceptional old-time fiddler Bill Hicks (of Red Clay Ramblers fame) and continued to perform regionally. After Dave's year abroad in Scotland, Ireland, the Shetland Islands and Cape Breton, he returned to Ocracoke Island and resumed his musical shenanigans with Gary, Kitty and Wes.

Photo by Ann Ehringhaus
Photo by Ann Ehringhaus
1996 brought a new album "Wildheart" (recorded in the Ocracoke Community Center) with special guests Martin Garrish, Libby Hicks, and Eric Booth.

Also that year the band's home base, Deepwater Theater, was born from an open-air aviary and rusted out single-wide trailer as a venue for cabaret theater, the Ocrafolk Opry, and Molasses Creek. From 1997 through 2000, David, Gary and Kitty were joined in concert off island by long time friends and college bandmates Louis Allen on mandolin and vocals and Stan Brown on banjo. This was a very exciting time for Molasses Creek with an appearance on Garrison Keillor's "A Prairie Home Companion" at the Town Hall Theater in NYC, and a new album "Citybound" recorded in Nashville with special guests Vassar Clements, David Grier, and Gene Wooten.
http://www.molassescreek.com/citybound
This album was released internationally and reached #1 on the European Country Music charts!
Molasses Creek on the set of A Prairie Home Companion in NYC Town Hall
Molasses Creek with Garrison Keillor after the show (Stan Brown pictured on the right)


The year 2000 saw the realization of Gary's vision for an acoustic music festival on Ocracoke Island with the birth of the Ocrafolk Festival. It began as a small, ticketed one-day event held on the grounds of the Berkley Manor, and has grown to become the most in-demand weekend of the year for visitors to Ocracoke Island!

In contrast to this artistic birthing, the year 2000 also brought a dramatic health scare to Gary's family. After months of recurrent fevers and a 40 lb. weight loss, Gary was finally diagnosed with a heart valve infection (a result of wisdom tooth extraction) which triggered a brain aneurism requiring brain surgery. After multiple stroke symptoms and partial paralysis, he made a full recovery and was able to play guitar and sing again by Christmas of that year. (Thank you and bless you, wonderful doctors and nurses!)


Molasses Creek (w/Gerald Hampton) plays at the First in Flight Centennial Celebration in Kitty Hawk, NC


The early 2000s saw more changes as long-time friend and mandolin whiz Gerald Hampton began to join David, Kitty and Gary for shows. A "Best of Molasses Creek" CD was released in 2001,
the crazy "A Very Silly Travel Companion" in 2002,
and daughter Katy Mitchell joined in with many guest appearances and a song on the band's 10th anniversary CD "Deepwater" in 2003.
Mark Schimick's mandolin was an exciting addition to the summer shows in 2004, and in 2006 Lou Castro (dobro and guitar) began to lend his considerable talents to Molasses Creek shows at the newly renovated Deepwater Theater.   
Molasses Creek lineup with  Lou Castro and Gerald Hampton (photo Katy Wharton)
Lou and Jubal Creech (on percussion) joined Gary, Kitty, Dave and Gerald for the band's 8th album "Strangest Dream". 
http://www.molassescreek.com/strangest


There are some serious Bottled Water Tears going on here!

The lineup for the Ocrafolk Opry with Coyote (Lou & Marcy), Molasses Creek, and Gary & Kitty's daughter Katy
Molasses Creek got to open for Garrison Keillor again in Greenville, NC

2008 was a significant turning point for the band, with Kitty's decision that trying to teach public school full-time and play with Molasses Creek was just too much, so after 15 years she retired from the band (she now has a little more time for painting, which is her first love). 
Molasses Creek in concert at Tyro school NC
 In early 2009, Marcy Brenner (Lou's wife) joined Molasses Creek, bringing a variety of instrumental talents and songwriting skills. A new album "Follow the Heron Home" was released,
http://www.molassescreek.com/heron
followed by "More Better Molasses Creek" (2010),
http://www.molassescreek.com/more-better
"An Island Out of Time" (2012),
http://www.molassescreek.com/an-island-out-of-time
and "Something Worth Having" (2014).
http://www.molassescreek.com/something-worth-having

We've sure been blessed with many dear friends and lots of incredible music over the past 20+ years, and are very excited about the new adventures yet to come! Thanks so much to all of our wonderful bandmates, fans and friends for taking this ride with us.
Caricature of Molasses Creek by artist Lee Sauer

Sunday, September 07, 2014

Molasses Creek rounding out Ocracoke Island concerts at Deepwater Theater . . . looking forward to concerts around NC & VA in the fall!


Shrimp boats at night in Ocracoke's Silver Lake Harbor
Hello Molasses Creek friends,

Summertime has come to a close and kids are back in school.  The hot and humid weather continues on Ocracoke Island, making a dip in the warm Atlantic Ocean even more inviting!
http://www.molassescreek.com/deepwater-theater
Our weekly shows at Deepwater Theater run through the end of September, except for Thursday, September 18 when we will be driving across the state for a Friday residency and concert in Yadkinville with the Yadkin Arts Council.  Join us on Wednesday nights presenting the Ocrafolk Opry and Thursday nights for a full Molasses Creek concert if you are coming to the island.
Fiddler Dave's father-in-law (Philip Howard-70 years) and son (Lachlan-10 years) celebrate their shared birthday on August 2nd.
The fall brings a bit of travel all over North Carolina and beyond, so we hope to see you out on the road these next couple of months.
The first annual Ocracoke Fig Festival was a great success!
For a special treat we have attached one of Fiddler Dave's commercials for the Pneumatic Fig Picker from this year's Ocrafolk Opry show. Enjoy!

Here is where we will be for the rest of the year! All the best!

Molasses Creek
Gary, Fiddler Dave, Marcy, Lou, & Gerald

September 19, 7:30 PM (Friday) ~ Yadkin Arts Council presents Molasses Creek. Willingham Theater, 226 E. Main Street, Yadkinville, NC. For tickets visit http://www.yadkinarts.org/explore/event-ticket-marketplace/

September 20, 11:30 & 2:30 (Saturday) ~ Apple Festival in Historic Bethabara Park, Winston-Salem, NC - for times and details visit:  http://www.cityofws.org/departments/recreation-parks/historic-bethabara/hbp-events-listing/apple-fest

September 21, 1 PM (Sunday) ~ Rooster's Wife @ the Poplar Knight Spot, Aberdeen, NC. 114 Knight St, Aberdeen, NC.  The Rooster's Wife is a non-profit association organized to celebrate the performing arts in Aberdeen, North Carolina. They produce events year round, rain or shine. This is a listening house, folks. Absolutely no crowing during the shows. Concert hotline: (910) 944-7502, or email theroosterswife@ yahoo.com

September 27, 7:30 PM (Saturday) ~ Heathwood House Concert, Raleigh, NC. For information or a reservation for this very special evening in Raleigh, please contact Terry and Brenda Winebrenner at heathwoodhouseconcerts@ gmail.com

October 10, Time TBA (Friday) ~ Hatterasity Festival, Hatteras Civic Center, Buxton, NC. Molasses Creek will perform a two set concert on Friday evening at the festival. Details at http://www.hatterasitybluegrass.com

October 18, 11 AM (Saturday) ~ Outer Banks Seafood Festival, Nags Head, NC. Our third year returning to one of the most delicious events on the Outer Banks of North Carolina, celebrating great local seafood and culture! http://www.outerbanksseafoodfestival.org/

October 25, 1-3 PM (Saturday) ~ Bear Grass Chicken Mull Festival, Bear Grass, NC.  This is the first annual Chicken Mull Festival in Bear Grass! For more information on what Chicken Mull and such visit their website at http://www.chickenmullfestival.com/

November 1, 8 PM (Saturday) ~ The Theatre at Washington, VA, 291 Gay Street. For information visit: www.theatre-washington-va.com or call 540.675.1253

November 6, 7:30 PM (Thursday) ~ Craven Community College, New Bern, NC "Explorations in The ARTS" Series. For details visit http://cravencc.edu/llc/performing-arts-series/.

November 9, 7:00 PM (Sunday) ~ Mountain Spirit Coffeehouse Series, Asheville, NC. Unitarian Universalist Church, 1 Edwin Place Asheville NC. One of the best listening rooms we have played at!  Come on out! http://uuasheville.org/mountain-spirit-coffeehouse/



Wednesday, July 09, 2014

Summertime is here on Ocracoke Island, in spite of Hurricane Arthur!



Hello Molasses Creek friends,
Fiddler Dave's son Lachlan, with a tree downed from Hurricane Arthur on the Back Rd of Ocracoke
Summer has arrived on Ocracoke Island and we have jumped into our weekly shows at Deepwater Theater.  On Wednesdays, Molasses Creek presents the Ocrafolk Opry and on Thursdays we feature an all Molasses Creek concert. If you are planning on coming to a show while visiting this summer, we do recommend making reservations online at our Deepwater Theater page at www.molassescreek.com/deepwater-theater, or by putting your name on the Will Call list by calling Fiddler Dave at 252-921-0260.  June shows were almost completely sold out!

We had a most unusual 4th of July this year. Hurricane Arthur roared through on Friday morning, July 4th. Unfortunately, it drove away visitors, took down some trees, and snapped the boom in half of Ocracoke Alive's Skipjack Wilma Lee tore up the mainsail. Ocracoke Alive is currently having an Indiegogo Campaign to help raise funds for repairs.  There are some great Ocracoke rewards if you want to pitch in and lend a hand. Fortunately, the damage to the rest of the village was fairly minimal with little flooding. The village chipper is making its way around the island and tourists have returned. Time to come and see what shells the storm dredged up!

Howard St on Ocracoke after the storm

This year's Ocrafolk Festival, June 6-8, was a great success and we experienced some of the most perfect weather in festival history.

Molasses Creek and the Ocrafolk Festival were featured in the June edition of Our State magazine in an article on summer festivals. Read all about it by clicking here!
   
We loved seeing all our friends from years past, including the MacDonald Sisters, Caravan of Thieves, Jef the Mime, John Golden (this list could go on quite a while), and meeting some new folks like Mipso and the South Carolina Broadcasters.

This spring Molasses Creek toured out west and also to the North. We would like to extend a heartfelt thanks to all of the presenters, hosts, and worker bees who help us along the way!  Here are some pictures from our travels.

Winfield, Kansas, home of a fabulous festival!
Fiddler Dave's hometown of Stillwater, Oklahoma, next to the famed Eskimo Joes
Conway, Arkansas, home of Toad Suck Park!
At the beautiful First Unitarian Church of Pittsburgh
With Kris Rust and students from Franklin Regional School
Hershey Area Playhouse in PA
Gerald tries on a new backstage persona under the guidance of our host and friend, Mark Cuddy
A visit to the Hershey School

Lou's quest for great tasting Ketchup is successful!

Of course, a visit to the original Martin Guitar Factory
On air with Wanda Fischer, host of WAMC's Hudson Valley Sampler out of Albany

On to New York City for a concert at the Holyrood Episcopal Church with the Hudson Cliffhangers!
Gary, Dave & Gerald visit the Cloisters, NYC
An afternoon concert and visit to the The Filomen M. D'Agostino Greenberg Music School, with director Dalia Sakas.
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Finishing out with a jam session with Neal Vorus and friends in Washington Heights.
Marcy and Gary onstage at the Tosco Music Party in Charlotte, NC
Stiltwalkers at the Lake Eden Arts Festival, Black Mountain, NC
Gary Mitchell peers out the Barn Stage window at the LEAF festival


Feasting at the lake at the LEAF Festival