Music of Old
by Jessica Crabill
Bill and Shirley Young, owners of Young’s Mountain Music, have preserved local culture for over 16 years by providing a space for performance, dance, and community.
Somehow by the grace of whatever or whomever, I ended up here and I look out
my window every single morning and I pinch myself and I tell myself this is real.
my window every single morning and I pinch myself and I tell myself this is real.
She'll grow up like one of us. She'll be a tomboy, she'll have to be.
When you don't have any brothers and sisters you've got
to have a friend. Dad was my best friend, and he still is.
to have a friend. Dad was my best friend, and he still is.
It's actually hard for me to stay in the kitchen because I like being out
where I can talk to the people. It's just like sayin' hello to them everyday.
where I can talk to the people. It's just like sayin' hello to them everyday.
A horse will never lie to you. If they have an issue they're gonna let you know, in a hurry.
Once music gets in your soul it’s there ‘till you’re gone; there’s no stoppin’ it
I am often asked if Crossnore children and youth are orphans
and I always answer absolutely yes, they are society's orphans.
and I always answer absolutely yes, they are society's orphans.
From the congregation, to the man out here on a bike that’s never
heard about salvation. Whos willing to listen, I’ll tell em about it.
heard about salvation. Whos willing to listen, I’ll tell em about it.
There is something mystical about it. It sucks you back.
There’s nobody alive today that can remember there not
being a Woody’s Chair Shop. There’s always been one.
being a Woody’s Chair Shop. There’s always been one.
It's a dual struggle. I'm an immigrant and the mother of a disabled son.
They really want me to quit because I'm getting older. But if I quit it just
seems like I give everything up. I do it, I love it, and it's been my dream.
seems like I give everything up. I do it, I love it, and it's been my dream.
What I enjoy about it is making it, selling it, delivering it, meeting people, seeing that it's got a good home.
These are like my children, you know. They're not just something that's thrown out there and left to the wind.
These are like my children, you know. They're not just something that's thrown out there and left to the wind.
Sometimes I would get overloaded with the everyday things and I would come to
the mountains and look over the mountains, and suddenly, it was so small.
the mountains and look over the mountains, and suddenly, it was so small.
Just watching that old waterwheel turn, you can sense that something important went on here.
Becoming a glass maker has helped connect me to my family.
We call it saving the good stuff...there should be a few places where the beauty of the place and the values
of the old communities that have been here before can be identified and preserved to the extent possible.
of the old communities that have been here before can be identified and preserved to the extent possible.
As madre, they can trust me to negotiate whatever the problem may be.
I’m not always successful, and it’s not about success. It’s about being there.
I’m not always successful, and it’s not about success. It’s about being there.
I think it's a lot to do with the south, and then it's here in the
mountains too, we take a lot of pride in ... our loaferin' time.
mountains too, we take a lot of pride in ... our loaferin' time.
9 Comments
Dearest Jessica, what a wonderful piece of photojournalism. I especially loved all the different angles you shot from, very solid camera work. Your material was presented in an interesting way as you captured the many personalities of your subjects. You have an impressive talent for sharing a story. God will surely open wide a door for you to continue your passionate work.
Love you!
Beautiful work, Jessica! It’s edited so well that there’s no need for voice over or text anywhere. You tell the entire story in the voices of your subjects. Impressive indeed. Thanks for sharing it with me.
I am so proud of you.I always knew you could do it and boy have you ever–thanks so very much for sharing this with me. There is a lot more great work waiting to be produced by you-can’t wait to see it
I’m genuinely impressed. Nice Job!
My darling daughter, what an honor to be your mother and see the great gifts God has given you manifested so beautifully.
To our dear Jessica C. Your art is almost as beautiful as you, and it would be if art could be stunning. Keep expressing yourself. You are a star.
“Ma and Pa” Betty and Mike Young
Jess this is great. You’ve come a long way since cribs
Jess, I am so proud of you for your commitment to go to school and work and produce videos and photos like this that are amazingly good. As a graphic designer I admire your work and would encourage you to keep going and working hard to push yourself….when you love what you do it never seems like work!
Keep in touch
Love ya. Mr. B.
Special thanks to my coaches, Chris Carmichael and Justin Cook. You two were invaluable!