I just wanted to clarify, the name of that awesome bluegrass band performing with me at RonFest was NO ONE YOU KNOW. They are: Don Anderson from Clarksburg, bass; Buck McCumbers from Parkersburg, mandolin; Lance Gainer from Williamstown, guitar; Ramie Bennett from Elkins, banjo; Bruce Jones from Kingwood, dobro. You may e-mail me at the address posted above for more information about NO ONE YOU KNOW, when and where they are performing and more.

Thanks again for all your kind comments.

Blessings,

Trish Ansley

Thanks again for your kind comments,

Trish

I hardly know what to say; however, thanks are in order. So, thank you!

Please feel free to contact me at:
patriciaansley@aol.com and as soon as I have a CD finished, I will surely let you know.

Again, thank you for all your kind comments.

Trish

Thanks to Patricia Ansley, for creating such an fantastic tribute to Mr. Sowell. Ron Fest was better than any show I have ever seen. It was even better than Mountain Stage. I had no idea she was a singer/songwriter. I thought all she did was help Mr. Sowell with those great Woody Hawley Concerts. It was hard to imagine that she created it all herself. What a surprise! There was such a great variety of entertainment. I can’t wait for her next show.

Patricia is an awesome singer and I loved the band that played with with her. It is too bad she did not get to sing longer. I look forward to seeing her perform again in Charleston. I will be watching the Gazz for notice of her performances. Please put a notice of the release party in the Gazz when her CD comes out. I hope she records it with that great bluegrass band, No Name You Know, so we can all come out to see her and hear her sing with them again. That band was the best bluegrass band I have ever heard in West Virginia, bar none.

Patricia’s songs were very special. I loved the one about the mountain crying her to sleep, it was very special to me because so many mountains I loved as a child are gone now. The one she sang about the hills making her heart dance and sing was great too. It made me recall many fond memories of my childhood. She sounds like a native West Virginian, not a “transplant” like called herself. I lost my program and forgot the names of those songs but I will be watching for her CD to come out.

The show she put together was so good. I loved seeing Steve Hill and Julie Adams, too. I never saw Julie play a harmonica on Mountain Stage. She is very cool, and a great singer, too. She also makes one cool tomato! Bob Noone was very funny, too.

Mr. Sowell’s daughter is lovely and has such a beautiful voice. She should be on Mountain Stage sometime. We go all the time and would love to see her on the show.

It was funny when Larry Groce and Andy Ridenour pulled a fast one on Mr. Sowell in the beginning when they were introducing your friends and family. By the way, Patricia, was a great MC and very funny, too.

What a great night of fun and entertainment.

I will be watching for more shows from Patricia Ansley. What a super talent she is!

Sincerely, Meg

Love, Mrs. Turpentine

But MEGA THANKS to Ron Sowell for all the inspiration over the years. From Appalachian Children’s Choir to helping the homeless “to come home,” Ron has been there for so many of us. It was wonderful to be with so many friends paying tribute to the Musician’s Musician.

Ron’s a giving tree, and those of us blessed to know him have really got it made in the shade.

Additionally, I want to thank Brad Bradley and AFM Local 136 without whom this event would not have been possible. Thanks also to Lakin Cook, Director of Performing Arts for the Clay Center for her ongoing work to help bring our series to the stage. Thanks to Tom Passinetti and Doug Litton for all they do behind the scene to set up the Walker Theatre and our fabulous lighting.

It is important to thank all the artists, friends and family that came from far and wide to insure Ron was given proper recognition. And…thanks to everyone for keeping the secret. Ron was totally clueless right up until the moment of the big reveal. YEAH!!

Thank you, Ron Sowell, for all you are and all you do. You are a blessing to us all.

If I have missed anyone, please forgive me, I am still levitated by the entire event.

Many blessings to all,

Patricia Ansley

It’s a testimony to Ron’s impact that everyone who was asked to participate wanted to do so — so much so that they couldn’t fit everyone onto the bill. Thanks Ron, for everything!