How WONDERFULLY BEAUTIFUL! I absolutely LOVE THIS MUSIC and THEIR DANCE! Please keep passing down your Family's INCREDIBLE Talents! That's the BEST thing you can do for your children, your children's children, and let them understand the importance of your Family History and how important it is to keep that going!
This was shot in 1964...he was 83 at the time of filming...that guy at the beginning was born in 1881. Wonder how much longer he lived after this was filmed. If he made it another 16 years (to age 99) He would have seen so much change happen in the world.
I absolutely ADORE the little "a better guitar for her" negotiation scene mid-way through. It is everything that represents to me better days and times gone-by, simpler times. A more caring attitude between folks, the types of traits I would look up to my grandparents as a child and admire.
thank you. I completely agree with your assessment of how spectacular these southern mountain people were, and many of them, still are. David Hoffman-filmmaker
I'm from northern WV and lived in southeast KY (and am Scot-English). This video made me cry. That style of music and dance is central to my life and heritage. Thanks for posting it.
That's my feelings exactly. And then some people complain it's not HD. No it's not. It's very high quality film- the way it used to be, A brilliant piece of historic cinematography. Thank you Mr Hoffman.
Bill McIlree at 76 years old is amazingly agile and a smoker at that. Just imagine how he could dance in his younger days. This dancing is very similar to 'sean nos' (old style) Irish dancing. Great to see, thanks for posting.
Yes he was my papaw and he was a champion buck dancer! Miss him but this video is priceless. My mom now 75 can still cut a rug like her daddy Bill Mcelreath!
Thanks for putting this up, David. These people are long gone, like D Ray, and it makes me ponder time, the passage of it, and life. When we're living it, it seems like it's permanent. Then what? This guy Bill was special while he was with us though. Guy could dance, guy could play, and he lived out in the sticks. So Americana.
i'm from croatia and this reminds me of how my people cherish their cultural and musical heritage. making and posting such films is the best way of reminding people, especialy young, of the legacy they have to guard from being pushed aside by cheap thrills of modern age and low quality instant entertainment.
thank you for the compliment but I can't say there was no anger, no sex, and no violence, in the North Carolina mountains while I was there. It's just that didn't interest me. Still doesn't. I care about the sweet culture of those people and paid no attention to other aspects of the culture that were a bit on the rough side. My choice as a filmmaker. David Hoffman-filmmaker
Bluegrass, dirt roads, moonshine, four-wheeling and flat-footin' are alive and well, where "lovin' is easy, life is good and the sunshine is still piped in through the southern mountains of "Almost Heaven, West-by-God, Virginia! 💙🇺🇸💙🇺🇸💙🇺🇸💙🇺🇸💙🇺🇸💙
Hey you my mother hauled water from a creek. No bathroom as I remember. She was a proud southerner who joined the Marine Corps at 18. So you be quiet about these people. She was buried with full military honors.
moonrunner303 well put. What can we do though. I know its killing me almost literally. This video is the rason im am alive right now. Those dislikes kind of make me hate being alive. I just keep drinking it away... What can our future pssibly hold. Its hard to look forward. Especially when it this great looking back
Thank you David for capturing these priceless people that were the backbone of our country. My dad, a Panther, is from Hanging Dog Creek N. Carolina and came to WA state in the early 1900's. Only his sister Maggie is alive at 98, and although we have doctors and lawyers and researchers in my generation, when we have a family reunion we break out the banjo's, mandolins, guitars, and fiddle and sing gospel music, bluegrass, and hymns. My cousin, Bob Asbury, even cut 2 bluegrass albums. There is something unique about these people and their culture that is great to be a part of and which the digital age sorely lacks.
Thank you Mark for your comment. If your resources allow, I would sure appreciate your using the THANKS button under any of my videos including the one you have commented on. It is something new that TH-cam is beta testing and would mean a great deal for my continuing efforts. David Hoffman filmmaker
What I love about these vids are the comments from the descendants of the people depicted and the fact many of them are musical. This's American Culture at it's finest and the passing down of knowledge is how a society both lives but also grows .
Man he says Bill is 76 and he can do it like a young man. Bill steps up looking like a 50 year old with a smoke in his mouth and dances like Gene Kelly. These people have got some good genes!!
My wife is a Sutton and her family is from this area in NC. Beautiful part of the country and I love to hear the stories her dad and uncle tell. Thanks for posting this!
I love seeing him dancing with that cigarette dangling from his mouth; it's so real. If people did more pickin' and dancin' on the porch today like they did back then there would be a lot less sadness in the world.
..pretty girl you are.The closest I've known to this was living in the middle of Maine 5 years of my youth.Mostly I've lived outside Boston and its becoming too much for me,too detached socially.I miss the outdoor life I had in Maine and the people who still relied on hunting and gardening to get by.
This brings real joy to an Ulster Scot heart with roots and soul alive across the Atlantic - rythms that resonate deep every time I watch it - keep it alive please for future generations who need to know where they have been in order to step forward -
Truely excellent. Real instruments, real music and most of all real people. Thanks for posting this video it cheered me up no end. Regards from the UK. Steve
I really enjoyed this video, showcasing their talent from 50 years ago. It's typical of the region, where they sing fast and talk slow (opposite of what we do "up north"). I was quite impressed with the audio pick-up, with no visible microphones, that we can hear them speak like we're standing next to them. That still doesn't change the fact that we can't really understand the song lyrics, seemingly in another language, but still yet, it's a great piece of Americana! Thank you!
Outstanding... musical heroes and a main reason there exists today such a tradition of music and dance in the Asheville, NC area today. Thanks Bascom and Freda.
This is a wonderful video. My Dad, from Meadows of Dan, Va, used to sing East Va. Blues all the time. He could clog, too. He's been gone sixteen years now, we didn't agree on a lot of things, but I always enjoyed the music and dance. Thank you for that.
What a treat to see this performance. I had the pleasure of visiting the southern US in the mid-90's and went to a BBQ shack that had long rows of picnic tables, a huge wooden plank dance floor, a fired-up local bluegrass band and the best BBQ pork, deep fried catfish and collard greens. Some of the folks got up and did the most amazing clog dancing and I fell in love with it. Had the best time. Bought me some jingle taps when I got back to Canada and took clogging lessons!
76??? Wow! He dances like a young man and even got on his knees dancing and right up. Those are working men to be that fit. Love everything about this even how they are dressed.
So many thing about the old days that have happy memories for ppl. But just like you love the dancing we native ppl danced quick footed as your ancestors. But wasnt taken as joyfulness and we paid the price. I enjoyed watchn your uncles, grandmas, and aunties enjoyn themselves. Good to see women in dresses and pearls.
My mother is from NE PA and tried to teach me how to clog before I even knew what it was. It has nothing to do with what has been posted, but the roots of the music and the folks for whom this was the best entertainment. Remember that most of the Appalachian corridor from NY on down to GA was settled by those of Celtic ancestry....
Bascom Lamar Lunsford, his wife, and Bill McElreath. Had the pleasure of meeting them in 1968.
How lovely. Where are they now? Probably dancing on a cloud, no doubt.
John R:
How could anyone have named their beautiful baby boy Bascom Lamar...
Just kidding.
@@crossman20 Those are Surnames, the one being English, the one possibly French of some origin, undoubtedly for some of his more distant relatives
I am so glad someone took the time to make this video. Bascom is my great great uncle! Very cool!
Awesome
“You can just keep them picks if you want” melted my heart for some reason. This is the content TH-cam was meant for
Ohhhhh yeah thats about right thats real joy
6:22
Thats my wonderfully missed grandfather we still practice. Dancing like this with my dad oh how he misses he'd dad. He looks just like grandpa
A beautiful sentiment. Thank you.
David Hoffman - filmmaker
How WONDERFULLY BEAUTIFUL! I absolutely LOVE THIS MUSIC and THEIR DANCE! Please keep passing down your Family's INCREDIBLE Talents! That's the BEST thing you can do for your children, your children's children, and let them understand the importance of your Family History and how important it is to keep that going!
No way
What a wonderful heritage
How wonderful that you have this priceless filmed recording of your grandfather. YT is fortunate that David Hoffman shared it here
Everything about this video is amazing! Cheers from New Zealand..
83 and no sign of slowing down thanks to music and dancing!
This was shot in 1964...he was 83 at the time of filming...that guy at the beginning was born in 1881. Wonder how much longer he lived after this was filmed. If he made it another 16 years (to age 99) He would have seen so much change happen in the world.
@@olli_k yea..makes u wonder, life is so strange an beautiful🌏🌎🌍
I absolutely ADORE the little "a better guitar for her" negotiation scene mid-way through. It is everything that represents to me better days and times gone-by, simpler times. A more caring attitude between folks, the types of traits I would look up to my grandparents as a child and admire.
Me too, all that.
@susandrydenhenderson6234 🥰
just wonderful! And look at that beautiful stone house!
Yes that they built by hand.
The houses were solid back then. Today's houses are splitters waiting for a disaster
That is my papaw. And he built the house himself with the rocks he and my mom and uncle helped carry off the mountain behind the house.
thank you. I completely agree with your assessment of how spectacular these southern mountain people were, and many of them, still are.
David Hoffman-filmmaker
I'm from northern WV and lived in southeast KY (and am Scot-English). This video made me cry. That style of music and dance is central to my life and heritage. Thanks for posting it.
Funny you should say that, James....it makes me cry, too, and I have absolutely no connection to this type of history.
Thank the lord someone captured that
That's my feelings exactly. And then some people complain it's not HD. No it's not. It's very high quality film- the way it used to be, A brilliant piece of historic cinematography. Thank you Mr Hoffman.
As much as I love bluegrass and clogging,I can't take my eyes off that magnificent stone house!
I feel the same way, I'm sure he built that and I bet it's still there solid hopefully occupied by his desendants.
They put on such a nice spontaneous show for you! I love this and the bigger film you took it from. Thanks so much!
My blues and woes were gone while watching this. These people are wonderful!
Bill McIlree at 76 years old is amazingly agile and a smoker at that. Just imagine how he could dance in his younger days. This dancing is very similar to 'sean nos' (old style) Irish dancing. Great to see, thanks for posting.
Yes he was my papaw and he was a champion buck dancer! Miss him but this video is priceless. My mom now 75 can still cut a rug like her daddy Bill Mcelreath!
Jonathan, you are so lucky to these people in your family
Love all this dancing and good bluegrass music! So glad you were able to preserve it for us and for future generations. 😊
I love the dance of my people .. to all the negative comments.. sending you love and light .respect and appreciation of CULTURE says a lot
Love to my American sisters and brothers from Scotland!
I'm watching this video because I can't get enough of it. Love to you.
Ignore the nay sayers this, is awesome.
Thanks for putting this up, David. These people are long gone, like D Ray, and it makes me ponder time, the passage of it, and life. When we're living it, it seems like it's permanent. Then what? This guy Bill was special while he was with us though. Guy could dance, guy could play, and he lived out in the sticks. So Americana.
i'm from croatia and this reminds me of how my people cherish their cultural and musical heritage. making and posting such films is the best way of reminding people, especialy young, of the legacy they have to guard from being pushed aside by cheap thrills of modern age and low quality instant entertainment.
I remember seeing this film, mesmerizing, love Americana ❤, bless American music and culture
I 💖 simpler times. Hard work and simple pleasures. Family traditions.
No anger, no sex, no violence! Where has America gone? Thank you so much Mr.Hoffman!🙏🙏🙏
thank you for the compliment but I can't say there was no anger, no sex, and no violence, in the North Carolina mountains while I was there. It's just that didn't interest me. Still doesn't. I care about the sweet culture of those people and paid no attention to other aspects of the culture that were a bit on the rough side. My choice as a filmmaker.
David Hoffman-filmmaker
Magnificent. I hope this clip will be preserved as World Cultural Heritage
Not likely because unfortunately everybody in the world thinks Americans have no culture
love watching these old timers!!!!
robert eichenlaub b
Look at that beautiful stone house.
Great stuff, thanks David :)
I am mesmerized by these folks and their music. The dancing is incredible.
It just doesn't get much better than this.
Besides the great dancing, I'm impressed by the woman playing the guitar -- wow!
She's amazing!
She's not even using a pick. She is fabulous.
These people are far stronger and healthier (and probably happier) than most city folks.
Realize it is the blessing of the LORD you folks were born in the beautiful countryside. Give the the LORD Thanksgiving and praise !
WORDS CANNOT EXPRESS HOW BEAUTIFUL THIS VIDEO IS. OLD OR YOUNG YOU CANT BUT APPRECIATE A VIDEO LIKE THIS.
Beautiful, who knew how beautiful this dance is.
Wow.....best video I've seen on You Tube in years!
Bluegrass, dirt roads, moonshine, four-wheeling and flat-footin' are alive and well, where "lovin' is easy, life is good and the sunshine is still piped in through the southern mountains of "Almost Heaven, West-by-God, Virginia!
💙🇺🇸💙🇺🇸💙🇺🇸💙🇺🇸💙🇺🇸💙
I love our rich American heritage. Simply beautiful music, dancing, and PEOPLE!
Why would people bother taking the time to dislike this?! The system is creating idiots.
I agree. This is a priceless recording of our American heritage and culture.
Hey you my mother hauled water from a creek. No bathroom as I remember. She was a proud southerner who joined the Marine Corps at 18. So you be quiet about these people. She was buried with full military honors.
moonrunner303 well put. What can we do though. I know its killing me almost literally. This video is the rason im am alive right now. Those dislikes kind of make me hate being alive. I just keep drinking it away... What can our future pssibly hold. Its hard to look forward. Especially when it this great looking back
you are the idiot
they dislike it because its white people with rhythm.
I would've enjoyed another hour or two of this. Loved it!
Just like my Grandmother dancing it brought tears to my eyes.
Thank you David for capturing these priceless people that were the backbone of our country. My dad, a Panther, is from Hanging Dog Creek N. Carolina and came to WA state in the early 1900's. Only his sister Maggie is alive at 98, and although we have doctors and lawyers and researchers in my generation, when we have a family reunion we break out the banjo's, mandolins, guitars, and fiddle and sing gospel music, bluegrass, and hymns. My cousin, Bob Asbury, even cut 2 bluegrass albums. There is something unique about these people and their culture that is great to be a part of and which the digital age sorely lacks.
Wunderbar ! Bitte mehr solche Raritäten zeigen ❤
Amazing! Your videos captured the essence of Appalachian culture. Thank you so much for the memories.
Thank you Mark for your comment. If your resources allow, I would sure appreciate your using the THANKS button under any of my videos including the one you have commented on. It is something new that TH-cam is beta testing and would mean a great deal for my continuing efforts.
David Hoffman filmmaker
What I love about these vids are the comments from the descendants of the people depicted and the fact many of them are musical. This's American Culture at it's finest and the passing down of knowledge is how a society both lives but also grows .
I just liked your comment; and from here you gotta go here : Best Bluegrass Clog Dancing Video Ever Made th-cam.com/video/cs2j8f7H2WY/w-d-xo.html
That’s how they entertained at home - if somebody didn’t play an instrument, it would have made for long nights. The amount of talent is outstanding.
Yea Bill Mcelreath was my papaw and I still play that same guitar almost every day. Love all the comments also. Thank you!
Appreciating life b4 TV and FB took over our lives. When people hugged each other LIVE in person. SO cool!
Real simple, real life, real Appalachia. We are happy in our lives no matter how hard. There's a simple honesty in our music and our mountains.
Man he says Bill is 76 and he can do it like a young man. Bill steps up looking like a 50 year old with a smoke in his mouth and dances like Gene Kelly. These people have got some good genes!!
This is my Grandpa so talented.
@@danb4620 he is awesome.
He was also a stonemason he built that house with rocks off of his property. My uncle still lives in it to this day.
My wife is a Sutton and her family is from this area in NC. Beautiful part of the country and I love to hear the stories her dad and uncle tell. Thanks for posting this!
Amazing! Just pure, raw, natural talent not only the dancers, but the musicians as well!
This is the best. Old time music and dance. So glad it's on film. ❤️
Ой, ну как классно! Спасибо, что поделились этим чудесным видео!😊💖👏👏👏
simply beatiful, im from Mexico and this dance doesnt exist, but is very beatiful, congratulations.
I am not a country girl but I appreciate a good dance, and the 76 year old dancing like that is awsome 😊👍
I love seeing him dancing with that cigarette dangling from his mouth; it's so real.
If people did more pickin' and dancin' on the porch today like they did back then there would be a lot less sadness in the world.
That was 55 years ago and it still makes my feet want to dance.
Beautiful. Just a treasure.❤
amazing. i love my Appalachian heritage
..pretty girl you are.The closest I've known to this was living in the middle of Maine 5 years of my youth.Mostly I've lived outside Boston and its becoming too much for me,too detached socially.I miss the outdoor life I had in Maine and the people who still relied on hunting and gardening to get by.
This brings real joy to an Ulster Scot heart with roots and soul alive across the Atlantic - rythms that resonate deep every time I watch it - keep it alive please for future generations who need to know where they have been in order to step forward -
Genuine piece of Americana!!!!
Loved it an loved the music so raw ,great sound🇺🇸🎥🎶🎸🎻
@@raulveron4098 🐾😂
Truely excellent. Real instruments, real music and most of all real people. Thanks for posting this video it cheered me up no end. Regards from the UK. Steve
Just wanted to say ,,liked that video better than all I've seen !!! Thanks
The world was a better place back then. The people weren't perfect, but damn sure better than what we got now ✔️
A joy to watch! 🙏
PUTS A SMILE ON MY FACE EVERYTIME I SEE THIS YOUNGSTER DANCE.
Brilliant. Absolutely love this.
Just wonderful, genuine, American music.
My hats off to these folks .. I want to go back.
I’d love to be on that porch with those lovely people.
I LOVE HISTORY!!! Although times were hard, they seem so happy!!!
Simply loving life!!!!
I return to this piece time and time again, its so good and pure. Thanks from Shropshire, England.
I really enjoyed this video, showcasing their talent from 50 years ago. It's typical of the region, where they sing fast and talk slow (opposite of what we do "up north"). I was quite impressed with the audio pick-up, with no visible microphones, that we can hear them speak like we're standing next to them. That still doesn't change the fact that we can't really understand the song lyrics, seemingly in another language, but still yet, it's a great piece of Americana! Thank you!
+mikethetuner i was also impressed by the audio, compared to a typical camcorder recording of today!
I understood every word. Lol 😆
Outstanding... musical heroes and a main reason there exists today such a tradition of music and dance in the Asheville, NC area today. Thanks Bascom and Freda.
This is a wonderful video. My Dad, from Meadows of Dan, Va, used to sing East Va. Blues all the time. He could clog, too. He's been gone sixteen years now, we didn't agree on a lot of things, but I always enjoyed the music and dance. Thank you for that.
A breath of fresh air.Thank you very very very much.
Delightful video.
This was my childhood in Stokes County. I wish I'd appreciated it more.
These videos make my day❤
What a treat to see this performance. I had the pleasure of visiting the southern US in the mid-90's and went to a BBQ shack that had long rows of picnic tables, a huge wooden plank dance floor, a fired-up local bluegrass band and the best BBQ pork, deep fried catfish and collard greens. Some of the folks got up and did the most amazing clog dancing and I fell in love with it. Had the best time. Bought me some jingle taps when I got back to Canada and took clogging lessons!
Sounds like you may have visited Bill Stanley's Bar-B-Que and Bluegrass in Asheville, N.C.
@@carylhoughton4255 Yes! It was in Asheville NC!
Love it!!! Makes me feel good inside. I hope these traditions never die!!!!!
Thank you for sharing and Merry Christmas to you all...
What a beautiful clip, people so obviously in love with their roots.
what a beautiful culture and heritage. When i retire im moving to Appalachia
Absolutely love this
If you keep on dancing you'll never grow old!!!
I love when the church lady cant take no more and gets going...LOVR this video.
That's one solid house. It'll be around for a long time.. Once the stones get hot in the winter the place will sure retain heat.
Salt of the earth people, warms my heart. Reminds me of how my grandmother always loved to sing on christmas eves.
76??? Wow! He dances like a young man and even got on his knees dancing and right up. Those are working men to be that fit. Love everything about this even how they are dressed.
What a gem!
Thank you.
David Hoffman-filmmaker
They are all amazing
So many thing about the old days that have happy memories for ppl. But just like you love the dancing we native ppl danced quick footed as your ancestors. But wasnt taken as joyfulness and we paid the price. I enjoyed watchn your uncles, grandmas, and aunties enjoyn themselves. Good to see women in dresses and pearls.
Nice to see that lady playing the hell out of that 🎸 guitar.
Great stuff!
Quelle chance nous avons ici. Merci. En plus ils sont tous beaux et propres. Quelle classe.
My mother is from NE PA and tried to teach me how to clog before I even knew what it was. It has nothing to do with what has been posted, but the roots of the music and the folks for whom this was the best entertainment. Remember that most of the Appalachian corridor from NY on down to GA was settled by those of Celtic ancestry....
I can't believe it ...that's so cool love this video
I love this stuff
This is awesome. LOVE it!
This is wonderful!
I can't believe he got down and up!! wow!! incredible!! Awesome video!
I'm absolutely gobsmaked by this. Incredible.
This is so precious and beautiful.