Doin' the Olde Curley Maple Shuffle

David Blackmon Does Double Duty

originally published May 14, 2008

Soft-spoken fiddler David Blackmon has become a familiar presence on Athens stages through his friendship with, and occasional membership in, groups like Widespread Panic, Blueground Undergrass and acoustic bluegrass ensemble 16 Tons. After spending several years primarily as an accompanist, Blackmon’s latest project, Curley Maple, finds him at the lead of something he’s been preparing for since his earliest days as a fiddler. Those were hours spent competing in fiddle competitions and soaking up old songs and stories spun by veteran folk/bluegrass musicians, as well as members of his own family.

“This is really something I’ve been wanting to put together for a real long time,” says Blackmon of the new band. “I’d toured for a good bit with Blueground Undergrass, but, because of family reasons, I needed to be around home more than I was. I had the idea in my head of doing old Appalachian tunes, Irish tunes, old-time folk songs and things like that. I come from a bluegrass and improvisational background, but I started out playing these old-timey songs in fiddle competitions and forums like that. The timing just felt right to do something like this, and give it our full attention.”

Named for both a tone wood familiar to stringed instrument buffs and an Appalachian Trail hiking shelter, the strictly acoustic Curley Maple is the kind of group that doesn’t need an elaborate stage setup, mammoth amps or even electricity to sizzle. According to David, he and wife/group multi-instrumentalist Noel Blackmon share a similar yen for old-time reels, waltzes, ballads and other such pieces currently comprising the Curley Maple repertoire.

Noel, herself, has become a musical fixture around town with such projects as Calliope Fair and the folk-music potluck group Short Road Home. The string band-style rhythm section of mandolinist/vocalist Christian Lopez and bassist Chris Enghauser (Sara Evans, Roy “Futureman” Wooten) rounds out Curley Maple’s cast of players.

“My wife and I are on a similar wavelength as she has a very keen interest in this type of music, as well,” confirms Blackmon. “Christian Lopez is a great picker who’s basically a walking encyclopedia of old folk songs and that kind of thing. I got to know Chris Enghauser through playing alongside a mutual friend, Seth Hendershot, in Blueground Undergrass. Everybody is this band is real easy to work with. There’s no big egos or anything like that here.”

At present time, Curley Maple is compiling a stock of home recordings, some of which may very well turn up on the group’s upcoming first release that should arrive sometime this summer, according to David. Songs that are making the rounds include driving instrumentals like “The Coo-Coo’s Nest” and the steady ballad “Shawneetown,” two that, finally, allow an uncluttered, acoustic forum for David’s fiddle smarts and the group’s knack for hair-raising vocal harmonies. Blackmon isn’t kidding when he says he’s virtually spent a lifetime up to now preparing for a project like this. Aside from other assorted accolades, Blackmon was a champion stringband fiddler during his teenage years, spent in the then-sleepy North Georgia town of Ellijay - also the childhood home of Athens’ feisty Redneck Greece and area singer/songwriter Eric Sales.

“Before I even started playing that much, I learned a lot from (Ellijay-area) musicians like the Hoyle Family,” Blackmon remembers. “I was in an award-winning stringband with Al Hoyle, who is now the mayor up there, and learned a lot from him, his brother, Eddie, sister, Lisa, and their father, Max, who is another virtual encyclopedia of Appalachian and old-timey music. Man, I soaked up a lot from those people. They’re all incredibly talented players who made a big impression on me back then.”

While David confirms that Curley Maple is his primary focus right now, he’s also glad to see more performances on the schedule from 16 Tons. The multimember pickin’ group, also featuring bassist Rich Mullinax, banjo player Andy Martin, guitarist Caitlin Jones, mandolinist Bryan Varin, guitarist John Evans and vocalist/harp player Brian Connell has been on a recent hiatus, due to members’ commitments to other bands and careers. However, the assembled Tonnage will be returning to the familiar confines of the Melting Point to share a double bill with Curley Maple Friday night. Blackmon will be pulling double duty that evening, as will likely several other members of the immediate Curley Maple family.

“It’s a lot of fun to get together with those guys,” says Blackmon of 16 Tons. “Rich, who plays bass, is one of my closest friends, and that group is just full of talented people. I’m looking forward to this show; I think the two groups are a good fit. I’m not full time with them (16 Tons), these days, though. I want to see where Curley Maple goes since it’s something I’ve been planning and wanting to set in motion for some time. I’m just thankful it’s finally coming to fruition.”

Mike Andrews

WHO: 16 Tons, Curley Maple
WHERE: The Melting Point
WHEN: Friday, May 16
HOW MUCH: $10