In light of the state's restriction on gatherings of 10 or more people, the Arkansas Highlands Folk Project has postponed its third concert until a later date, but in the meantime, organizer Charlie Moore has created a virtual version of the show in the form of a curated list of songs.
Over the course of the first two concerts, Moore said he "accumulated 150 to 175" emails of people who attended the shows and sent them a list of links to music videos. For the virtual concert, Moore said he chose a number of performances that show a variety of examples of the "old-time" music the concerts were highlighting.
He said he has compiled "good examples of traditional" and modern takes on the music for the list, which will serve as a substitute for the third concert.
Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson signed a proclamation restricting gatherings of 10 or more people on March 26, 15 days after declaring a public-health emergency in the state due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Moore told The Sentinel-Record the virtual show has already gotten positive feedback, noting, "This morning I got several" emails back that had "suggestions for if we do another virtual concert."
"We've gotten enough feedback" that "I feel we aren't wasting our time," he said.
In addition to the video links, Moore said the list includes links to places to purchase the music of the performers in the videos.
"These professionals are pretty much out of work," he said, noting people can "download a song or an album. I know anything like that will be appreciated."
"As soon as we get the go-ahead," Moore said a live third concert will be performed. He said an old-time band was scheduled for Arts & the Park, and the band is "willing to reschedule as soon as we have dates."
A spinoff of the project has been old-time lessons at the YMCA, which have also been halted due to the outbreak of COVID-19. Moore said they were going well, and while they were only able to meet three times, they "had two new guitar players, a new fiddle player and a mandoline player" join in for the last session.
"The new fiddle player went out to get a fiddle," Moore said, after she had attended one of the concerts. He said the concert made her "want to play."
To join the email list, and to receive a list of YouTube links to "The First Ever Coronavirus Stay-At-Home Virtual Old Time Concert," send an email to [email protected].
Local on 04/05/2020