By Stephen Smoot
As Main Street Franklin prepared for Christmas cheer, a nearly full house gathered Saturday to enjoy an afternoon of music from two Pendleton County favorites.
After the seats filled with attendees, the first act settled into place onstage. The famous “Pendleton County Hot Mess” delivered cool, precise, and cleanly performed Christmas favorites of both faith and fun.
Within the section of the show entitled “Prelude” came favorites such as “Gloria In Excelsis Deo,” “Silent Night, Holy Night,” “What Child Is This?” and much more. Each tune came in the elegantly simple Appalachian acoustic style, soft in tone, but rich as the melodies filled the room with music and memories made at the moment, but also remembered from the past.
Bruce Holderman played guitar for the Hot Mess, accompanied by Bob Davis on the mandolin. Kim Bassell joined on bass, while Susan Ide worked the fiddle.
Jennifer Taylor-Ide, who performed with the hammer dulcimer, shared that “Christmas is all about beautiful music and gentle lights – a time for quiet reflection and family and community bonds.”
The Hot Mess fulfilled that function with the same spirit as lit candles, fragrant mulled cider, and the aromas from a kitchen full of old-time experts crafting a Christmas meal.
“Nothing builds community like making music together,” explained Taylor-Ide, who remarked on “what a privilege” it is to share that art and experience with others.
After they concluded, the Hot Mess raced off to their next gig. They hustled off to the other side of town to set up on Walnut Street and regale shoppers and vendors enjoying the afternoon there. Taylor-Ide shared, “We about froze, but it was fun and helped to set the celebrative tone.”
The Hot Mess cleaned up and cleared out, allowing the Pendleton County Community Choir to take center stage and present the main show.
First, they majestically performed “Beautiful Star of Bethlehem,” an arrangement that combined less well known lyrics with traditional words and music for a lovely and novel effect.
From the light and joyful tune in the opening, the choir next featured the powerful tenor of John Windett as he delivered a rich and deep version of “Joseph’s Lullaby,” a two-decade-old composition by the Christian band MercyMe. Windett’s solo soared to the rafters and sublimely gave the emotional tenor of that night that changed humanity forever.
Corrie Wagoner directed the group and provided accompaniment. Katelyn Gatian played percussion while Ray Lambert worked bass instrumentation.
The singers included soprano performers Nancy Kimble, Kayla Harper, Mahala Alt, Jodie Gardner, Kim Kline, LeAnn Ruddle, Stefanie Aumann, Lindsey Propst, and Darlene Bokelman.
Altos included Kim Bissell, Jayne Germain, Katelyn Gatian, Rebecca Lough, Carmen Rexrode, Angela Lambert, Holly Hubbs, and Sheila Ruddle.
John Windett, Paul Shafer, Wesley Alexander, and Gary Price sang tenor while Rich Gardner, Dwight Sponaugle, and Scott Rightsell sang bass.
