The Dreamer in the Ozarks

Sigh!! Sometimes when I see someone doing something neat, it only ends up depressing me because I did not have the sense to do what they are actually doing, that I had dreamed about so long ago. My "practical" side has often steered me away from doing what my heart would love to do. After all, I had to be "realistic" didn't I?

After years of struggle and work I look back during this deep recession and feel betrayed by my "realistic" judgement calls in search for a better life. A better life was out there beckoning the whole time. A simpler, noble independent life. It was there before me and I left for the big city and a much less simple life.

A couple years ago I stumbled across a young man living in the Ozarks attempting to build a life in the country with the goal of self reliance in as much as he could. He would take up the old ways. He would garden, raise chickens, try to produce something for sale, make his way his way. Raise a family. Build a life.

Somewhere along the way he picked up a fiddle and learned to play from a former student of Bob Holt. He actually lives not all that far from Holt country. He has taken up the mantle of Ozarkian fiddle playing in the manner of Bob Holt and others and his playing continues to improve.

I am talking about Jeremy Myers




This is a tune from his second CD. This latest CD is called Johnny in the Briar Patch


With the real old timey fiddlers all passing from this world and nearly all gone now, Jeremy is what the future looks like for the next crop of future old timey fiddlers who one day will also be lamented for their passing too!

He is right on track to carry that torch and do right well at it too! Fiddling is alive and well in the Ozarks by God!


Jeremy has two websites you should see. The first one was his first attempt at a website in the form of a blog. He no longer posts there but lots of songs and videos remain and you need to see them.
http://oldtime-smith.blogspot.com/search/label/Oldtime%20Fiddle%20Music


His more recent site is to be found here. After viewing the first one go on to this one

http://myerstownfarm.com/

His new CD was recently reviewed by The Old Time Herald.

Jeremy can be found at the McClurg Mo jam which Bob Holt used to attend when he was still living.

If you read his first blog, Jeremy talks at length about his dream. It appears he is on the way to living it. But, we Ozarkers know that this is all hard work and sweat salted with frustration and failure mixed in the joy of success. Too often the gravy is thin and the scratchin is poor. It's not easy making a living in the Ozark hills. I think he has a chance to pull it off. He has some good ideas and he has the gumption.

Anyway, check out his many videos. I personally enjoy his fiddle work. He is progressing very well and I predict that someday we will be talking about him when we want to talk about living Ozark fiddlers you need to hear.

Not to forget, Brandy is the name of his lovely wife who quite recently gave birth to a child. I am betting these two fine young folks are going to do just fine in God's country down there in southwest Missouri