Experiencing Traditions at the Big Muddy Folk Festival

Mound City Slickers at the Big Muddy Folk Festival

Written by Emmi Weiner - Photography by Peter Esherick

Boone County and the surrounding areas have a rich tradition of folk and old-time music. The Big Muddy Folk Festival truly showcased that tradition and is helping continue it. The festival itself was two days of concerts and a series of workshops. I had every intention to go to as many parts as possible. The lineup was diverse and varied, ranging from Celtic musicians from Texas (The Here and Now) to Cajun/Creole/Zydeco Fiddling (Cedric Watson). However, a sick dog prevented that. 

I did manage to make two sets on Friday night Mound City Slickers and Artemisia. Arriving late (and breaking the rules of always seeing the opener), I snuck into the back row of Thespian Hall out in Booneville. I was immediately struck by the sheer number of people, all silently enthralled with the old-time stylings of Mound City Slickers. The men on stage seamlessly ran through tune after tune sharing the origins of some as they went.

Folk Musician and Festival Organizer Dave Para

Up next was Artemisia. I had looked them up before and knew they were an all-women acapella group. I wasn’t sure what to expect but was immediately enthralled and pulled in with their exquisite and evocative harmonies. The trio displayed their talent and range, singing folk tunes from Georgia, original pieces, Appalachian ballads and even a silly German song about a cactus.

At this point, I had to get home to check on my sick dog but was hopeful about the next day. A day of workshops including Songs of Social Justice (by Ellie Grace), Bullwhip Cracking (by Cedric Watson), and Slide Guitar (by Mike Kearney) capping off with a traditional dance called by Jim Thaxter.

The next day I woke up, dropped my dog off at the vet, and headed out to Booneville. My roommate and I attended the Group Singing with Artemisia. She and I have been getting into folk music: learning instruments, reading books, and listening to historical recordings. Artemisia had promised to share the Appalachian ballad from West Virginia called “Moonshiner,” which seems to be the woman’s take on a ballad of the same name popularized by Bob Dylan. The opportunity to participate in the tradition of this song was not to be missed. 

The workshop was in the chapel of the church across the street from Thespian Hall. The crowd filled less than half the room but once we all got to singing together, it did not feel empty at all. Diana Lawrence, Alexandra Olsavsky, and Kaitlin Foley led us through warm-ups and taught us the vocal arrangements of two pieces: “Mothers and Daughters” and "Moonshiner.”

Cedric Watson at The Big Muddy Folk Festival

It felt natural and sounded great with everyone participating. It felt like being let in on a secret that is slowly being lost. Learning a traditional song in such a format was moving. It made me wonder how much longer these traditions will go on. Me and my roommate were the youngest people in the room, I fear my generational cohort will miss out on these traditions that hold communities together. 

After this we walked across the street to see some of the Missouri Fiddle Tune workshop shared by Sean, Lindell, and Chris. The group of fiddle player, accompanied by a piano and a guitar, shared old time fiddle songs in a traditional format where anyone was allowed to join in. It was a lovely moment where some old fiddle players were swapping stories and tunes. One would call a song out and start playing and those who knew it joined in. The transformative nature of old time music was fully on display as one player called and played a song only for another player to comment “Well i know that tune, but by this name.”

Unfortunately, I was called away before this session ended to get back to Columbia and move my sweet pup from one vet to another. 

I wish I had been able to experience more of the fest, it felt like a secret event that I was privileged enough to know about. I hope to attend next year with my full attention. I intend on looking more into these long running traditional festivals in small towns and I am eager to digest and share what I find along the way.