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Welcome to Meta Folk!
This is a loose repository of songs, tunes and other resources used for collaboration among traditional and folk musicians in and around Decatur, GA. Still (or more appropriately always) under construction, we've been looking for you to use, share and contribute as you work and play with other musicians.

Use the song and tune articles in the left sidebar Share what you know by Here's an Editing FAQ to help you get started with editing or creating new articles and song pages.
 * to reference lyrics and chords,
 * to see and hear samples of different versions, and
 * to find the history and extra info on a melody.
 * creating new articles on song and tunes,
 * updating existing articles with what you know and love,
 * adding new set lists, events and local expertise.

Opportunities to Sing and/or Jam
[Update 9/20/2020: Due to COVID-19 a bunch of these activities are on hold or intermittent at best. There is usually an email address to contact a responsible person that might be able to give you the latest status.]

Thursdays - Toco Hill Jam
There's an ongoing jam of musicians and singers doing old time, Irish, folk and other styles of music in the plaza at Toco Hills shopping center when the weather is nice. When the weather is not so nice, they often get together at a local player's house. They get started around 7:00 and go until 9:00ish. Bring a chair (and a music stand if you're a slacker :-). Reach out to [mailto:mfnicholson2@gmail.com Maura Nicholson] for details.

Fourth Sundays - Song Swap
This is the monthly get together of a open circle of singers socializing and sharing their craft in living rooms in and around Decatur. Usually there's a pot luck at 6:00 and the singing starts at 7:00. Contact [mailto:canoe4ever@gmail.com John Miller] for details.

April 15, 2023 - Old Time Barn Dance - Workshop @ 5:30; Dance @ 6:00; Old Dairy Barn, Legacy Park
Come to a Barn Dance!

An old time barn dance for friends, families & neighbors of all ages -- both beginning and experienced dancers. Old time string band, Max and Maggie and the Drivin’ Wheels will be the getting everyone on their feet in the first of a monthly series of dances. Veteran caller, Scott Russell, will host a workshop for beginners at 5:30 and then call the easy circles, squares and reels for everyone at 6:00.

Experienced and brand new dancers come join the fun of whooping it up and stomping your feet to this month's raucous Appalachian fiddle tunes.

Various Dates - Frank Hamilton Players
Founders, teachers and students periodically play and sing at festivals, farmers markets and other events around town. Contact [mailto:wclarkbrown@gmail.com Clark Brown] to find out what's coming up.

Mondays, Tuesdays & Wednesdays - classes and "Second Half" at Frank Hamilton School
Some of the most talented local musicians/instructors are leading classes in traditional and folk music for various instruments and voice at the Frank Hamilton School. Each evening class starts with an hour of small group instruction, and then all the classes come together to sing and play in a jam called the "Second Half". It's a powerful double shot to build your skills in the small intimate setting and then let out your jam in the larger session. The relatively inexpensive eight week sessions make it easy to jump into a new instrument or polish your skills on an existing one.

Resources Here

 * Songs by Title
 * Tunes by Title
 * Songs and Tunes by Key
 * Songs and Tunes by Genre
 * Songs and Tunes by Rhythm
 * Local Sessions and Jams
 * Set Lists
 * Learning Materials and References
 * Local Schools

Hey, we need your help with Song and Tune Requests.

Song Crushes
Here's a list of song crushes one or more of us want to share. Please add a link to a song that you're obsessing about, one that wakes you in the morning playing in your head. Let's constrain it to traditionalish vocals. Give a hat tip to someone if they turned you onto it:


 * April 1, 2019 - Keg of Brandy is a song from the 1700s that Liz Hanley sings in A. We've been playing around with it in D. John Miller confesses, "This song quickly embeds into your head and remains, repeatedly reappearing, unannounced."


 * July 12, 2017 - Angelina is a modern song from Ghana, It sounds like an old song, and yet the lyrics tickle your heart with their 21st century sensibilities. AB Crentsil and the band Sweet Talks created this infectious gem.


 * July 1, 2017 - I've only heard spiritual versions of Climbing High Mountains, but here's a bluesy version by Blind Willie McTell with Curley Weaver singing harmony called Trying to Get Home. Weaver’s harmony is very chromatic, using a lot of half steps as he walks down the scale.


 * June 29, 2018 - Wondrous Love is an old shape note song performed by Blue Highway. It has a wondrous gospel build that we will steal when singing the Ballad of Captain Kidd. This seems only fair, since Wondrous Love stole the melody from Captain Kidd back in the mid 1800s. [H/T Caroline Anderson]


 * June 26, 2017 - Dan Boner had an awesome live video on Facebook. It's called 'Professor Dan’s quick singing tips for "old school" southern/mountain bluegrass style.' [H/T Barbara Panter]