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National Shape Note Gathering

Ozark Folk Center, Mt. View, Arkansas

July 10-12, 2008

Thursday, July 10

The 5th annual Shape Note Gathering began on Thursday evening with leaders from the Sacred Harp, 1991 Revision, Cooper Book (CB), Alabama-Christian Harmony (AL-CH), North Carolina-Christian Harmony (NC-CH), Black Mississippi Shape Note (B-M), Cayce-The Good Old Songs (GOS), and Missouri Harmony (MH).

Gaylon Powell called the class together leading 511t (CB). Dennis George offered the opening prayer.

Charley Sandage appointed Gaylon Powell to moderate the Shape Note Gathering. Tammy Powell was appointed as Secretary.

Leaders: Gaylon Powell 511b (CB); Hugh McGraw 37t, 31b; Cassie Allen 261 (AL-CH), 31t (AL-CH); Charlie Sandage 253 (GOS), 156 (GOS); Dan Brittain 16 (MH), 109 (MH); Holly Gale 258 (NC-CH), 117 (NC-CH); Connie Stanton 171 (CB), 276 (CB); Tammy Powell 168t (CB), 558 (CB); Dennis George 171 (AL-CH), 19 (AL-CH); Sonny Erwin 505 (CB); 336t (CB); Emily Creel 51 (AL-CH), 85b (AL-CH); Jarrod George 109 (AL-CH), 559 (CB); Eddie Huckaby 232 (GOS), 339 (GOS); Mark Tew 59, 239 (CB).

Gaylon Powell led 46 as the closing song. Hugh McGraw offered the closing prayer.

Friday, July 11

Morning—Featured Leaders: Dan Brittain, Laura Boosinger, and Charlie Sandage. Dan Brittain talked about the history of the Missouri Harmony and led 6, 22, 23, 26, 30 (t? b?), 34 (t? b?), 48 (t? b?), 113, 130, 160 (t? b?), and 172 (MH). Laura Boosinger talked about the traditions of the North Carolina Christian Harmony and led 58b, 88 (t? b?), 258 (?), 360, 341, 208b, 214, and 117 (NC-CH). Charley Sandage talked about the traditions of the Cayce book aka “The Good Old Songs” and led 555 (?), 352, 155, 388, 277, and 106 (GOS).

LUNCH

Afternoon—Featured Leaders: Hugh McGraw, Cassie Allen, Chiquita Walls, and Gaylon Powell. Hugh McGraw talked about the traditions of the Denson Book and led 155, 569b, and 73b (SH). Cassie Allen went over the traditions and the 7 shapes used in Alabama Christian Harmony and led 149, 189, 64, 180, 338b, 354t, and 255 (AL-CH). Chiquita Walls talked about the traditions of the Black Mississippi Shape Note singing. Gaylon Powell and Benny Walls led “Just Over in the Glory Land”, “He Is The Song I Love To Sing”, “I’ll Have A New Life”, and “Heaven’s Jubilee” (B-M). Gaylon Powell went over the traditions of the Cooper book and led 519b (?), 53, 559 (?), 511t, 518, 408, and 239 (CB).

Gaylon Powell closed the session by leading 95b (CB). Andrew Albers offered the closing prayer.

Saturday, July 12

Gaylon Powell called the class together leading 484b (CB). Hugh McGraw offered the opening prayer.

Leaders: Gaylon Powell 558 (CB), Hugh McGraw 416t (CB), Cassie Allen 82 (AL-CH), Laura Boosinger 35b (NC-CH), 339 (NC-CH); Holly Gale 109 (AL-CH), 463 (CB); Connie Stanton 569b, 559 (CB); Charlene Wallace 220; Tammy Powell 322 (AL-CH), 19 (AL-CH); Jarrod George 155; Eddie Huckaby 235 (GOS), “Victory in Jesus” (B-M).

RECESS

Gaylon Powell called the class back together leading 109 (MH) and 30 (MH). Leaders: Emily Creel 54 (AL-CH), 326 (AL-CH); Mark Tew 203 (CB), “To Canaan’s Land I’m on My Way” (B-M); Lonnie Holland 336t (CB), 158 (GOS); Sonny Erwin 488b (CB), 511t (CB); Dennis George 177 (MH), 180 (AL-CH); Charley Sandage 155 (GOS), 282 (GOS); Chiquita Walls “I’m Moving on Home” (B-M), “I Want to Take Time” (B-M); Benny Walls “John Knew” (B-M).

LUNCH

Gaylon Powell called the class back to order leading 80 (AL-CH). Leaders: Hugh McGraw 87, Cassie Allen 59b (AL-CH), 316 (AL-CH); Mark Tew 47t, 73t; Charlene Wallace 46; Sonny Erwin 49b, 59; Charlie Sandage 463 (GOS), 541 (GOS); Connie Stanton 412, 393t (CB); Eddie Huckaby 341 (NC-CH), 129b (NC-CH); Laura Boosinger 128 (NC-CH), 335 (NC-CH).

Announcements were made. Leaders: Jarrod George 37b, 149 (Al-CH); Emily Creel 85 (AL-CH); Chiquita Walls 289b (NC-CH), 35 (GOS); Ann Grigsby 47b; Dennis George “Lil Liza Jane” (B-M); Benny Walls “I’ve Got To Cross That Lonely River” (B-M), “I’ll Have a New Life” (B-M), “Heaven’s Jubilee” (B-M).

Gaylon Powell, Cassie Allen, Laura Boosinger, Hugh McGraw, Holly Gale, Chiquita Walls, and Charles Sandage led 563 (CB) for the closing song, and those who wished took the parting hand. Charlie Sandage offered the closing prayer.