Posted in: Musicouching by Ann Carole on April 16, 2007 | 0 Comments
A short article about a man playing an auto harp at a local restaurant.
Where, but in Wilkes County, North Carolina can you go to a home-cooking restaurant on a Friday night, see good friends, have good food and listen to good music.
That was the scene this Friday night at Harold’s Restaurant (Harold Call, owner) on Highway 115. Harold’s is famous for their chicken and dumplings on Tuesday nights and they line up at the door for Saturday morning breakfasts, but on this night Harold’s food shared the limelight with James Smith, the auto harp Man from Al-la-Bam. The singing went from a concert to almost a revival feel with toe tapping, and sing-alongs with rich basses and alto’s joining James’ mellow tenor.
James was in town to do the home town Opry on Friday morning at Minton Pawn and then headed over to Harold’s to entertain the local diners during their evening meal. James began singing when he was seven years old for a chapel service at the Shelby County Penal Farm near Memphis, Tennessee. As he grew older he received vocal training and has sung in musicals and choral concerts. While in graduate school he made extra money playing a Martin 12 string at the Coach & Six on Peachtree in Atlanta.
James is a member of Huntsville Traditional Music Association. He and other members host a monthly jam and Summer Concert Series. James is well known for interpretations of traditional Irish, Scottish and Welsh folk songs. He has five CD’s consisting of gospel, blues, old-time traditional, and original compositions.
You can visit AutoHarpMan.com.
