APRIL 15-21
2024
Greenleaf State Park
Braggs, Oklahoma
About
We are a group of musicians who love Old Time American fiddle and dance tunes; arguably amongst the oldest of American music. We have formed the Greenleaf Old Time Music Association (GLOTMA.org) in Oklahoma, to introduce and foster the love of playing this music to the younger generation, thus keeping it alive for all to enjoy for many years to come in this region of the country.
By creating this festival, we seek to create a welcoming environment for people to gather together, make new friends, jam and trade tunes. This is a laid-back environment by design. We have no formal stages or rigid schedules. We place a high priority on jams whether planned or spontaneous (organic), in any size of group from two to a dozen or more. Jamming with others helps form the bond of a music in common for people who may have nothing else in common. Whether you have been playing your whole life, or just learning, there is always opportunity to learn a new tune, a new technique or a new instrument in the old-time genre.
We bring in internationally known artists to teach workshops in the craft of playing old time music. Unlike many other workshops that teach you just one tune, our workshops give you the tools, hands-on practice, and understanding to play many tunes either by yourself or with others. Besides the workshops, our artists will also be “on the ground” playing right beside you in impromptu jams. Some workshops offered include old time backup guitar, fiddle chording, and old time banjo. Attend any or all, and workshops are FREE!
As an added bonus, yes, of course, our guest artists will provide a concert “in the round” in the evening around supper time.
Yes! this is a free festival! Anyone is welcome!
Will you help share this great experience?
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info@glotma.org
Featured
2024 artist lineup
The Canote Brothers
Greg and Jere Canote are identical twins whose music is all about having a good time. They do, and you will too! It’s steeped in vintage Americana — forgotten fiddle tunes, swing classics, and quirky novelty songs — but with their own twists (and a few of their brilliant original takes on the world around us). They’re fabulous musicians, moving effortlessly among fiddle, guitar, banjo, ukulele, and various hybrids, and their genetically-matched voices recall brother duets from the Blue Sky Boys to the Everly’s. Learn more about the Canotes by visiting their website.
David Bragger and Susan Platz
We are thrilled to have this duo back a second year!
Susan Platz, originally from Illinois, has been singing and playing the violin all her life. She holds a degree in music from Lawrence University, and became a permanent member of the old-time band Sausage Grinder after years of studying fiddle with David Bragger. Her bowing rhythms and harmonies fit hand in glove with David’s fiddle and banjo. Susan serves as the Director’s Assistant in the UCLA Old-Time String Band Ensemble, and is a two-time winner of the Santa Barbara Old Time Fiddlers’ Convention. She is also a powerful singer known to yodel on occasion. Susan and David collaborated to release the first-ever old-time fiddle duet album, King’s Lament. Having forged a powerhouse old-time duo with David, she has been invited to teach and perform fiddle duets across the US and abroad. Visit David’s Website
David Bragger has become a ubiquitous figure in traditional American folk music. He is a musician, documentarian, UCLA ensemble director, 78rpm record collector, musical festival director and co-founder of the independent folk label Tiki Parlour Recordings. Having learned the “old-time” art of fiddling directly from two generations of traditional masters, David has been passing down these archaic musical secrets and sounds to fiddlers and banjo players worldwide. His critically-acclaimed debut CD Big Fancy instantly put him on the traditional music map and paved the way for his groundbreaking sophomore release.
BONUS ADDITION!
OFFICE HOURS by spencer & rains
Tricia Spencer and Howard Rains will be holding “Office Hours” during the Greenleaf Old Time Music Festival. This is your opportunity to have either Tricia or Howard (or both!) for an hour of instruction during the festival. It can be for an individual or for a group of two or more.
The instruction can be for fiddle, guitar, mandolin, bass, or ukulele. It can be on bowing, technique, tunes, practice tips, jamming how-tos, or anything else old time related that comes to mind. Maybe you’d like advice on playing with a music partner or a band?
Office Hours are from 10:00am to 5:00pm with a break for lunch. The cost is $50 per hour of instruction. Just sign up on the whiteboard, walk-ins welcome (if they aren’t already teaching).
If you’d like to reserve your space before the festival, just send Tricia and Howard an email at spencerandrains@gmail.com and they will send you a choice of times and payment instructions.
You can also donate to the Office Hours Youth Fund. This will be used to encourage and teach young folks who might not have the funds to cover a lesson. We highly encourage young people to stop by! We want to keep this music alive.
Payment can be made by cash or check (made out to Tricia Spencer) or electronically at PAYPAL or VENMO
Connectivity at the festival may be difficult so cash or check are encouraged.
GLOTMA has worked together with Spencer and Rains to make this happen, however, Spencer and Rains are not paid artists. Please support them for being here!
free!!
concert in the campgrounds
Based on your feedback from 2023 we have moved the concerts to a more favorable setting for the audience. Our artists will provide a concert “in the round” down by the pavilion in the Playside campground, with guest seating up the incline from the pavilion. We have no formal stage; instead, we feel it is more engaging to have a performance right in the campgrounds. We invite you to bring a chair and your own food and enjoy an early evening concert around supper time.
Thursday April 18, 2024
UNLESS OTHERWISE NOTED,
ALL EVENTS ARE AT THE “VALMET” CORPORATE SPONSORED MAIN TENT AT THE NORTH SIDE OF THE CAMPGROUNDS
10:00 AM – Banjo Workshop – Joe McNally
Our pancake making friend from Wisconsin will present tips and tricks to playing old time banjo.
1:00pm – Fiddle Workshop-David Bragger
Old Time Fiddle Tunes of Mel Durham
David Bragger will teach some extremely fun jam tunes from the repertoire of Mel Durham (1914-2008), one of David’s early fiddle mentors. As with all of David’s fiddle workshops, the bowing will be clearly illustrated and broken down for the workshop attendees. (David will also teach the same tunes for the corresponding claw hammer banjo workshop so fiddlers can sync up their repertoire with their banjo buddies)
2:30pm – Banjo Workshop-David Bragger
Clawhammer Tunes of Mel Durham
David Bragger will teach some extremely exciting jam tunes from the repertoire of Mel Durham (1914-2008), one of David’s early mentors. As with all of David’s banjo workshops, there will be an emphasis on rhythm and variations. Every phrase will be broken down with great clarity. (David will also teach the same tunes for the corresponding old-time fiddle workshop so musicians can sync up their repertoire with their fiddlin’ friends!)
7pm – The Very First Greenleaf Square Dance-Reunion Center (down by the marina store) – alternate location- Pavilion in Playside Campground
So….the masses have spoken that they want a square dance…thank you to volunteers Kate Kerr, Tory Neu, Pat Danscen and Michael Fraser for setting this up. If it works for one night, we might try it a second or third time!
Friday April 19, 2024
UNLESS OTHERWISE NOTED,
ALL EVENTS ARE AT THE “VALMET” CORPORATE SPONSORED MAIN TENT AT THE NORTH SIDE OF THE CAMPGROUNDS
8:00 AM – PANCAKES – by Joe McNally
This has no musical content whatsoever..but…Joe McNally likes to make pancakes for everyone at festivals he goes to. Meet at Joe’s camper, just two campsites west of the big tent. Real Wisconsin maple syrup will be provided!!
10:00 AM – SPENCER & RAINS Office Hours Begin – look for a nearby shady spot!
10:00 AM – SLOW JAM – David Bragger
David will lead some tunes in a slow jam. And….if you were in the fiddle or banjo workshop, plan on trying out those Mel Durham tunes!
1:00pm – Guitar Workshop– Jere Canote (with Greg Canote)
Boomchuck and Beyond
How to make good bass note and chord choices and connecting it all with bass runs!
2:30pm – Yodeling Workshop– Susan Platz BACK BY POPULAR DEMAND!
Jimmie Rodgers Style Yodeling – Beginners Welcome!
Join us again for some “low-down, high-up vocal trickery!” Susan Platz will gently guide you into the world of yodeling by learning some classic songs from Jimmie Rodgers. This workshop is for beginners – no yodeling experience is necessary! It’s the perfect opportunity to release your inner yodeler in a fun, supportive class. Hope to see you there!
6:00pm – Door Prize Drawings-Concert Space by Pavilion
We will draw names and give away half of the door prizes, except for the grand prizes, which will be Sat night. Buy your tickets early!!! Must be present to win!
7pm – Concert, David Bragger & Susan Platz-Concert Space by Pavilion. Bring a chair!
9pm – Square Dance???-Reunion Center (down by the marina store) – alternate location- Pavilion in Playside Campground
Ad hoc—if folks want to dance again, then we will have a dance!
SATURDAY April 20, 2024
UNLESS OTHERWISE NOTED,
ALL EVENTS ARE AT THE “VALMET” CORPORATE SPONSORED MAIN TENT AT THE NORTH SIDE OF THE CAMPGROUNDS
10:00 AM – Kid’s Jam/Workshop – Gretchen Priest-May
All ages from toddler to adult!
Join Ms. Gretchen all the way from Nashville, as she will make music fun and rhythm easy for all ages. START ’em YOUNG!
1:00pm – Fiddle Workshop-David Bragger
Old-Time Fiddle Bowing Rhythms and Bow Rocking
In this workshop, David Bragger will cover bowing techniques used by classic old-time fiddlers including Earl Collins (OK), Tommy Jarrell (NC), Melvin Wine (WV), Uncle Bunt Stephens (TN), John Salyer (KY), and many others. This workshop is highly beneficial for all levels
2:30pm – Fiddle Workshop – Greg Canote (with Jere Canote)
Favorites from the Tune Mines!
We’ll do a survey of some tasty tunes and even pick a couple to learn! Bring your milking machines!
6:00pm – Grand Prize Drawing – need not be present to win–Concert Space by Pavilion
7pm – Concert, Canote Brother-Concert Space by Pavilion. Bring a chair!
9pm – Square Dance???-Reunion Center (down by the marina store) – alternate location- Pavilion in Playside Campground
Ad hoc—if folks want to dance again, then we will have a dance!
Festival quilt and door prizes
Our “crafty” artists have been hard at work to come up with some great items.
Be sure to buy tickets for our nightly door prizes when you get to the festival. We will have drawings Thursday, Friday & Saturday! There will be CD’s, music books, handmade items, & a special Greenleaf necklace! The grand prize quilt will be given away Saturday! All proceeds go to GLOTMA!
This would make a fine mandolin for a person wanting American made and good sound and playability. These go for around $500 used in this condition.
full size fiddle and bow (silent auction)
full size fiddle and bow (silent auction)
4/4 Strobel ML85, a fine starter for someone that’s in great shape (one small ding). Inexpensive Glasser fiberglass bow and (old) case included. They sell new for about $800. Used ones sell for about $350 online.
2 guitar stands. (one at each end) 2 banjo stands in the middle Left 2 stands are oak, right 2 stands are cherry
Hand made instrument stands from our own greg jones of wisconsin (silent auction)
original paintings by greg canote
silent auction
greenleaf old time music fest t-shirts
Our old time banjo playing graphic artist Morgan Carnes has been hard at work alongside our committee to come up with a new T-shirt design for 2024!
T SHIRT FRONT
T SHIRT back
Talls in S,M,L,XL,2X,3X also $60
S,M,L,XL: $35
2X $37
3X $39
S,M,L,XL: $35
2X $37
3X $39
S,M,L,XL: $40
2X $42
3X $44
S,M,L,XL: $37
2X $39
3X $41
S,M,L,XL: $42
2X $44
3X $46
Place your t-shirt order here
T-shirts must be ordered by March 20!
Shirts will be available to pick up at the festival.
We will not have a selection of shirts at the festival
A second round of shirts will be run after the
festival and mailed at a cost of $10
Your info will be sent to Shirley Adams and she will get back to you with your payment info.
If you have any other T-shirt questions, email Shirley at shirley@glotma.org
why don't we charge for the festival?
What's the catch??
Yes, we know….you are wondering this, as are many others. Well, it is simple, really; we have some very committed people who already see what we have been able to do, such as the jams we hold and the methods we go about to pass the music on. They all embrace that there need to be no barriers to anyone to come and find out about old time music in Oklahoma, Arkansas, Missouri and Kansas and other surrounding states in the central US. They also saw last year how great it was to meet new people, and start new friendships in music. So they donated money to help us out.
We also want to enjoy the fest and not be employed by a fest. In other words, none of our volunteers want to stand at a gate and enforce wrist bands and things like that. We just want to meet YOU, play tunes with YOU and learn from our musical guests and enjoy the one thing together that certainly holds us in common; music. Start charging for the fest, and things get a lot more complicated.
BTW, to be fully transparent, our budget for 2024 is around $10,000.
Now, having said all that…maybe down the road we have to charge, but for now…it is free. For anyone and everyone. No strings attached!
So if there is a catch, it IS that:
(1) We have to charge for camping. We have a contract with the State of Oklahoma, and we pay them for sites whether we fill them or not. That is the risk we take, so our camping fees have to cover that contract.
This also means that camping fees are non-refundable.
(2) We nicely ask you for donations, if you so choose. The more we get, the more we can add.
GreenLeaf Old Time Music Association (GLOTMA) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit. Your donations are tax deductible.
As stated above, we are fully funded for the 2023 artists, but there are a few more things we would love to add if we have a bit more money.
If you would like to donate, you can Venmo to @GLOTMA or Paypal to donate@glotma.org or if you want to send a check or cash then simply email to the same address
(3) We ask everyone to put their best foot forward and help, if not financially, then by helping others, encouraging new players, keeping jams “open”, and taking the time to build a great environment for all.
Instead of just eating the honey, be part of the hive that makes the honey!
CAMPING
Greenleaf Old Time Music Association works together with Greenleaf DIY LLC to obtain a contract for all of the campgrounds for both the old time music in Deer Run as well as the Bluegrass music on Gobbler Ridge. We pay one price for all of these amenities, which also allows us to set guidelines in the individual campgrounds. For example, quiet time enforced by the park is waived. General park rules such as animals on leashes, no golf carts on road and drug/alcohol usage are still enforced by the park.
Campsites are assigned by the festival.
If you are part of the bluegrass event in Gobbler Ridge, then you are in the wrong place.
Please see Greenleaf DIY or email GreenleafDIYLLC@gmail.com
-Cell Service is rather unpredictable in the festival campground area. If you go up to the park office you get good cell service and also the park office has wifi that works in the parking lot. There is also a cell repeater set up near the main tent.
-Generators are not allowed. All of the RV sites have 20A, 30A and some have 20/30/50A plugs.
-No “quiet time” is enforced in the festival camp areas.
-For a quieter experience in an RV, farther from the main festival site, the Cypress Row or Eagle’s Nest campground is suggested.
Note that if you prefer more isolated tent camping away from the festival site, there are many sites. In this case, book through the travelok.com site We suggest the “trailhead” tent ground to the south and west of Deer Run (across the road).
Take a look at the map below and have a location in mind.
Returning festival goers have been given the option to claim the previous year’s site.
As folks commit, this map is updated.
CAMPING FEES ARE NON-REFUNDABLE
Camping is as follows:
Tents and anything on wheels and not an RV consuming resources in rough camping are $17/night.
Those sleeping in your car or under a table will be charged for a tent.
Formal RV Sites in Deer Run, Playside, Cyprus Row, and Eagle’s Nest:
Five nights required, April 16-20, 2024
Deer Run: $175 for five days
Playside, Cyprus Row, Eagle’s Nest and Lakeview: $150 for five days
People returning from 2023 get first rights to claim last year’s RV spot.
Note that if you book a prime RV site and then leave early or no-show, you lose the right to claim the same spot for next year.
Someone else who will use the site the entire time obviously will appreciate that site more.
There are some that have expressed an interest in arriving earlier. We will coordinate all early arrivals, April 13-17. It is imperative that we know ASAP so we can assign the extra days though the Parks where you don’t have to move on 4/16.
Many of us will arrive on Monday April 15 and immediately start jamming!
For additional questions email camp@glotma.org
Venmo @DIYMusicFoundation2023
CASH App $diymusicfoundation
PayPal: we prefer not to use due to high transaction fees (3.5-4%)
DIY Music Foundation
3225 S. Norwood Ave, Suite 200
Tulsa, OK 74135
food and provisions
Festival goers are encouraged to plan ahead with some provisions for meals.
There is a café in the park at the lake marina that is open from 9-7 serving breakfast (eggs, bacon, pancakes, toast, etc.), and lunch and dinner (burgers, hot dogs, fries, etc.). If there are customers at closing, the café will stay open later than 7:00 pm.
The marina also has a store that carries many supplies and camping needs, including ice and firewood. Store hours are 8:00 am to 6:00 pm.
Charcoal grills and picnic tables are situated throughout the campgrounds for your convenience.
For additional provisions, the town of Gore is only 8 miles away. You will find Harp’s grocery store to be a well stocked grocery store with a hardware, clothing and bait shop section.
Gore is a small town, but has a few restaurants. Clickable links are provided where possible.
- Gambino’s Pizza (in Gore) is a franchise restaurant and has pizza, pasta, sandwiches and salads (call, delivery to Greenleaf may be possible)
- El Lago Mexican Grill (in Gore)
- Jimbo’s American Restaurant (in Gore) Breakfast, lunch, supper
- Sonic Drive In (in Gore) fast food burgers, chicken, malts & shakes
- Nearby Braggs has an excellent malt shop right on Highway 10.
- Muskogee is a quick 30 minutes away and offers a wide variety of restaurants.
Where to find us
resources
You can get many opinions of what constitutes “Old Time” music so a few brief words about that. Most of the Old Time jams in this part of the country consider the tunes and styles of music played in the 200+ years or so leading up to 1939 to constitute “Old Time”. It is NOT played in the style of bluegrass music (made popular by Bill Monroe in the 1930’s) although some tunes are shared between the two genres.
Every style of music has unique jam etiquette. What is considered polite may vary from one old time jam to another though it is always a good idea to show up on time, have your instrument in tune with other players, be mindful that the same tune might be played differently by different old time gatherings so listen before playing. The tunes are almost always instrumental only, without vocals, and acoustic instruments only without amplification. Most groups are very welcoming and patient. Use an online search engine to learn more about old time jam etiquette online if that helps you feel more comfortable to approach a new jam group.
Here are some open jam opportunities (updated January 2023):
1. Green Country Old Tyme & Contra music jam meets the first and third Thursday of each month in Collinsville OK at the Silver Dollar Café. This group has a page on Facebook by this name that you can join for reminders of upcoming jams or changes in schedule or location.
Some online resources you can check out include:
We keep a collection of tunes that we play in the Tulsa area at www.glotma.org/tunes
A list of those tunes by key is on a Google sheets found here
These two resources are highly reliable, excellent sources of tunes:
TaterJoes – A Collection of Old-Time Fiddle Transcriptions, Banjo Tabs, Recordings, Etc. http://www.taterjoes.com/
Penn State Univ – Old Time Fiddle Tunes: https://www.mne.psu.edu/
Other Sources:
Jere Canote Old Time Guitar Tab & Recordings:
Library of Congress – Fiddle Tunes https://www.loc.gov/item/
North Atlantic Tune List (lots of MP3 downloads): https://natunelist.net/
https://oldtimetikiparlour.
https://dla.acaweb.org/
https://www.slippery-hill.com
Documentary films: www.folkstreams.net
Archive of early and old country music: https://
LEGAL DISCLAIMER FOR THE GREENLEAF OLD TIME MUSIC ASSOC/FESTIVAL
Whereas the Greenleaf Old Time Music Association (a.k.a. GLOTMA) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit limited liability corporation in accordance with the state of Oklahoma:
- No one person or group of persons directly or indirectly part of GLOTMA has any financial gain or interest or ownership in GLOTMA.
- No one person or group of persons are in themselves singularly GLOTMA, rather only the Greenleaf Old Time Music Association, LLC as an entity.
As this is a free festival, in a public state park in Oklahoma, with all campsites and facilities under the control of the state of Oklahoma, attendees or participants of the Greenleaf Old Time Music festival have paid no financial obligation to GLOTMA in order to participate, and are simply camped or attending with a larger group of people. Thus, GLOTMA owes no obligation to any one individual who has simply come to attend.
Campsite assignment/costs are part of an agreement with Greenleaf DIY LLC and the State of Oklahoma and are not considered to be payment to be part of the festival. Clearly, this event has been advertised as free with no strings attached.
If individuals participate at or attend the festival, whether camping onsite or not camping onsite, by their gratis participation in a public place, they do not hold GLOTMA accountable for any liability. They shall consider themselves as guests of the State of Oklahoma, Greenleaf State Park, and abide by any laws, regulations, guidelines and information supplied by the State of Oklahoma or www.travelok.com
Or..in a few words…not responsible for accidents!