Tennessee Crossroads
Tennessee Crossroads 2829
Season 28 Episode 1 | 27m 48sVideo has Closed Captions
Abraham Lincoln Library & Museum, Nick's Italian Deli, Birdsong Harp Center, Emily Allison
This week on NPT's Tennessee Crossroads we visit: Emily Allison Studios, Birdsong Harp Center, Nick's Italian Deli, Abraham Lincoln Library and Museum. Join Joe Elmore as he hits the road to Primm Springs, Holladay, Franklin, Harrogate.
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Tennessee Crossroads is a local public television program presented by WNPT
Tennessee Crossroads
Tennessee Crossroads 2829
Season 28 Episode 1 | 27m 48sVideo has Closed Captions
This week on NPT's Tennessee Crossroads we visit: Emily Allison Studios, Birdsong Harp Center, Nick's Italian Deli, Abraham Lincoln Library and Museum. Join Joe Elmore as he hits the road to Primm Springs, Holladay, Franklin, Harrogate.
Problems playing video? | Closed Captioning Feedback
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Learn Moreabout PBS online sponsorship>> HOST THIS TIME ON TENNESSEE CROSSROADS, WE TAKE YOU TO HARROGATE, HOME OF THE ABRAHAM LINCOLN LIBRARY AND MUSEUM.
THEN DOWN TO FRANKLIN AND A BROOKLYN STYLE ITALIAN DELI WHERE THE FOOD AND ACCENTS ARE THE REAL DEAL.
THEN TO THE BANKS OF THE RIVER WITH KEN WILSHIRE WHERE THE OLDEST INSTRUMENTS IN THE WORLD ARE MADE.
FINALLY ROB WILDS TRAVELS TO PRIMM SPRINGS WHERE AN ARTIST GETS REAL CREATIVE WITH COOKIE TINS.
THAT'S IN STORE FOR YOU THIS TIME ON TENNESSEE CROSSROADS.
I'M JOE ELMORE AND AS ALWAYS, GREAT TO HAVE YOU WITH US.
♪ ♪ ♪ ABRAHAM LINCOLN WAS PERHAPS THE MOST POPULAR PRESIDENT IN U.S. HISTORY HOWEVER HE NEVER SET FOOT IN THE STATE OF TENNESSEE.
SO IT MAY COME AS A SURPRISE TO YOU THAT ONE OF THE LARGEST COLLECTIONS OF LINCOLN HISTORY RESIDES UP IN HARROGATE IN THE EASTERN PART OF THE STATE.
GRETCHEN BATES TAKES US TO EXPLORE A MUSEUM YOU PROBABLY NEVER HEARD OF, AT A UNIVERSITY CAMPUS YOU HAVE NEVER HEARD OF EITHER.
♪ ♪ ♪ >> GRETCHEN>> IT MIGHT SURPRISE TO YOU LEARN THAT ONE OF OUR COUNTRY'S LARGEST AND MOST DIVERSE LINCOLN COLLECTIONS IS LOCATED ON THE CAMPUS OF LINCOLN MEMORIAL UNIVERSITY IN HARROGATE, TENNESSEE.
>>THOMAS>> IT'S ONE OF THE BEST KEPT SECRETS IN TENNESSEE.
>>GRETCHEN>> THOMAS MACKEY IS THE DIRECTOR FOR THE ABRAHAM LINCOLN LIBRARY AND MUSEUM.
>>THOMAS>> THE MUSEUM HAS BEEN PART OF THE LINCOLN MEMORIAL UNIVERSITY REALLY FROM THE BEGINNING YEARS IN 1897.
GENERAL OLIVER OTIS HOWARD WHO WAS ONE OF THE FOUNDING TRUSTEES OF THE UNIVERSITY HAD INSISTED THAT A LINCOLN COLLECTION BE ESTABLISHED AS PART OF THE UNIVERSITY'S OVERALL EDUCATION AND RESEARCH PROGRAMS.
>>GUIDE>> WELCOME TO THE ABRAHAM LINCOLN LIBRARY MUSEUM AND THESE ARE THE THINGS YOU'D CARRY AROUND IF YOU WERE A SOLDIER IN THE CIVIL WAR.
>>THOMAS >> THERE ARE THREE MAJOR LINCOLN GALLERIES DEALING WITH HIS LIFE.
HIS YOUNG LIFE PRIOR TO THE CIVIL WAR, THE CIVIL WAR ITSELF AND THEN WE CALL THE LEGACY GALLERY WHICH LOOKS AT THE ASSASSINATION ISSUES, BUT ALSO HOW LINCOLN'S MEMORY IS USED PARTICULARLY IN ART SO THE EARLY YEARS WE LOOK AT HIS FAMILY, HIS BACKGROUND, AND THEN WHAT MADE HIM INTO A POLITICIAN.
THE LAST GALLERY WHICH DEALS VERY HEAVILY WITH HIS MEMORIES AND WHAT THAT MEMORY MEANS TO AMERICANS AFTERWARDS.
>>GUIDE >> WHAT YOU'RE LOOKING AT IS A BIT OF TECHNOLOGY FROM THE 19TH CENTURY.
THIS IS A MICHAEL CANNON THREE INCH.
SOMETHING LIKE THIS ALMOST WAS LIKE THREADING A NEEDLE IT WAS THAT ACCURATE.
>> ALL OF THE PIECES ON DISPLAY AT THE MUSEUM RELAY MEMORIES FROM AMERICA'S PAST.
MUCH OF THE COLLECTION CONSISTS OF PERSONAL ITEMS THAT BELONGED TO LINCOLN AND HIS FAMILY.
>> THOMAS >> THE FIRST ONE REALLY I LIKED WAS THE CORNER CUPBOARD MADE BY LINCOLN'S FATHER THOMAS.
BY THE DATING OF THE CUPBOARD AND THE PROVINANCE BEHIND THE OBJECT IT LOOKS TO BE THE ONE AT LEAST WHEN HE WAS LIVING IN KNOB CREEK.
KENTUCKY.
THIS CUPBOARD HE WOULD HAVE HAD HIS HANDS ON IT.
THE LINCOLN CHINA OR PORCELAIN SET FROM ENGLAND IT'S MADE BY THE ROYAL PRODUCERS OF CHINA FROM ENGLAND FOR QUEEN VICTORIA.
IT TELLS ME THAT IN 1858 BEFORE MOST PEOPLE KNEW, LINCOLN WAS RUNNING FOR PRESIDENT.
>> GRETCHEN >>PERHAPS THE MOST DRAMATIC PIECE OF THE LINCOLN COLLECTION IS THE WALKING CANE THAT LINCOLN CARRIED WITH HIM ON THAT FATEFUL NIGHT.
THE CANE IS KNOWN AS THE ASSASSINATION CANE.
>> THOMAS >> IT IS A EBONY SILVER CANE WITH LINCOLN'S ENGRAVING ON IT.
IT WAS CARRIED THE NIGHT HE WENT TO THE FORD THEATER.
THE NIGHT HE WAS SHOT THE CANE WOULD HAVE FALLEN BEHIND THE CHAIR AND IT WAS PICKED UP BY AN ACTOR THAT NIGHT AND SAVED AS AN HEIRLOOM.
AFTER AWHILE, BEING OUT OF WORK, HE SOLD IT FOR $40 TO A GROCER AND THEN THAT GROCER'S FAMILY DONATED IT TO LMU BACK IN 1928.
TO HAVE OBJECTS THAT NOT ONLY THEY TOUCHED AND USED BUT THAT HAVE A POINT IN HISTORY, FOR AN INTERPRETER, IT MAKES A VERY STRONG IMAGE THAT THIS ITEM SAW ONE OF THOSE HISTORIC MOMENTS THAT CHANGED THE WAY WE ARE AS AMERICANS.
>> GRETCHEN >> ALSO UNIQUE TO THE COLLECTION ARE DIORAMAS BUILT BETWEEN 1938 AND 1939.
>> THOMAS >> THERE ARE FIVE DIORAMAS IN THE COLLECTION.
THE ORIGINAL FROM THE CHICAGO HISTORICAL SOCIETY.
COLONEL SANDERS, OUR TRUSTEE AT THE TIME, OUR TRUSTEE, AT LMU AND ONE OF THE ADMINISTRATORS WITH CONNECTIONS TO CHICAGO AND WERE ABLE TO SECURE FIVE OF THE ORIGINAL REALLY IMPRESSIVE DIORAMAS.
>>GUIDE >> NOW LET ME ASK YOU A QUESTION.
HOW MANY OF YOU THINK WOMEN FOUGHT IN THE CIVIL WAR IN UNIFORM.
RAISE YOUR HAND.
WELL, ACTUALLY 400 THAT WE KNOW OF.
>> GRETCHEN >> THERE'S A LOT MORE TO THE MUSEUM THAN MEETS THE EYE.
IT ALSO HOUSES A VAST COLLECTION OF HISTORICAL DOCUMENTS AND RARE BOOKS.
>> THOMAS >> MOST MUSEUMS HAVE A FRONT AND THE BACK ROOM.
THE GALLERIES, GIFT SHOP, THE PUBLIC AREAS CALLED THE FRONT ROOM AND MOST PEOPLE JUST SEE THOSE THE BACK ROOM SINCE WE'RE ACTUALLY A UNIVERSITY MUSEUM AND ARCHIVES, RESEARCH LIBRARY, WE HAVE A VERY LARGE BACK ROOM.
MOST OF THE SPACE IS WHERE WE HOUSE BOOKS.
>>GRETCHEN >> THE MUSEUM AND LIBRARY ATTRACTS A VARIETY OF VISITORS FROM HISTORIANS TO STUDENTS AND TEACHERS, TOURISTS AND THE OCCASIONAL DIGNITARY.
>> ABE >> REALLY?
>> GRETCHEN >> HONEST.
ABE.
>> ABE >> IN AND AROUND A SMALL LITTLE PENNSYLVANIA TOWN CALLED GETTYSBURG, WAS FOUGHT ONE OF THE BLOODIEST BATTLES EVER TO TAKE PLACE ON THE AMERICAN CONTINENT.
>> GRETCHEN >> MEET ABRAHAM LINCOLN IMPERSONATOR DENNIS BOGGS.
>> ABE >> I'M A STORY TELLER.
I DON'T THINK I'M A HISTORIAN, I'M CERTAINLY NOT A SCHOLAR ALTHOUGH I HAVE BEEN READING LINCOLN AND HIS TIME FOR ABOUT 22 YEARS BUT I'M JUST A STORY TELLER AND I, I TRY TO MAKE SURE THAT I USE LINCOLN'S WORDS, IF I DO THAT, THERE'S NO ROOM FOR ARGUMENT, BUT IT CAN NEVER FORGET WHAT THEY DID HERE.
I FELL INTO THIS MUSEUM YOU KNOW JUST LIKE A LOT OF PEOPLE, BY ACCIDENT.
I WAS ON MY WAY BACK FROM JOHNSON CITY AND I TOLD MY WIFE I SAID WE NEED TO GO CHECK THIS ABRAHAM LINCOLN MUSEUM OUT AND SO I HAVE BEEN COMING HERE FOR QUITE A FEW YEARS NOW.
>> GRETCHEN >> THESE DAYS WHEN DENNIS VISITS THE MUSEUM HE COMES IN CHARACTER.
THE MUSEUM HOSTS A VARIETY OF EVENTS THROUGHOUT THE YEAR FROM LECTURES IN THE SPRING TO SHORT SHOWS AND MUSIC IN THE SUMMER.
>> THOMAS >> IN THE FALL WE DO LINCOLN AT GETTYSBURG AND CHRISTMAS AT LINCOLN'S WHICH IS OFTEN A MUSIC SHOW.
SO THOSE ARE THE BIG ONES WE HAVE HERE.
>> GRETCHEN >> AND THE BIG STAR AT MANY OF THE SHOWS IS NONE OTHER THAN, YOU GUESSED IT, ABE LINCOLN.
>> ABE >> FOURSCORE AND SEVEN YEARS AGO, OUR FATHERS BROUGHT FORTH ON THIS CONTINENT A NEW NATION, CONCEIVED IN LIBERTY, AND DEDICATED TO THE PROPOSITION THAT ALL MEN ARE CREATED EQUAL.
GUIDE >> TENNESSEE HAS ABOUT THE FOURTH OR FIFTH LARGEST COLLECTION OF LINCOLN ARTIFACTS ANYWHERE IN THE COUNTRY AND RIGHT HERE IN OUR OWN HOME STATE OF TENNESSEE, SO I ENCOURAGE PEOPLE TO COME TO LMU.
AND THEN SPEND TIME HERE AT THIS MUSEUM NOT ONLY LOOKING AT THE ARTIFACTS BUT BY ASKING TO GO INTO THE ARCHIVES EPARTMENT AND SEE THE TREMENDOUS TREASURE OF WRITTEN MATERIALS THE UNIVERSITY HAS ON HAND.
IT'S A GREAT PLACE TO SPEND THE DAY AND GET TO KNOW A PRETTY SPECIAL MAN.
THAT THIS NATION UNDER GOD SHALL HAVE A NEW BIRTH OF FREEDOM AND THE GOVERNMENT OF THE PEOPLE, BY THE PEOPLE, FOR THE PEOPLE, SHALL NOT PERISH FROM THE EARTH.
>> HOST >> QUITE A FASCINATING PLACE.
THANKS A LOT GRETCHEN.
NOW WE TRAVEL TO FRANKLIN TO AN EATERY AND WHEN YOU WALK INTO THE DOOR OF THIS PLACE, WELL YOUR SENSES MAY TELL YOU, YOU ARRIVED AT AN ITALIAN DELI IN NEW YORK.
WELL, THERE'S GOOD REASONS FOR THAT AND MANY MORE TO VISIT A PLACE CALLED NICK'S.
♪ ♪ ♪ >> NICK >>WE GOOD?
ALL RIGHT.
BECAUSE I'LL GIVE YOU A FRESH ONE IF YOU AINT.
KEEP THEM COMING.
KEEP THEM COMING.
>> I REALLY WANTED TO GO INTO THE FOOD BUSINESS BECAUSE I DIDN'T LIKE SCHOOL THAT MUCH.
>> JOE >> THAT'S A GOOD REASON.
>> NICK >> I DIDN'T ENJOY SCHOOL SO MY DAD SAID WELL IF YOU'RE NOT GOING TO GO TO SCHOOL YOU'RE GOING TO GO TO WORK EVERY DAY SO I WORKED SEVEN DAYS A WEEK SINCE I WAS 12 YEARS OLD.
LET'S DO HALF PEPPERONI AND HALF SAUSAGE.
>> JOE >> HARD WORK HAS PAID OFF FOR NICK DIPOLIMIS.
THE OFF THE ROAD ITALIAN DELI IS THE REAL DEAL AND MAGNET FOR FOOD LOVERS WHO'VE DISCOVERED THIS GEM.
AND WHAT THEY DISCOVER IS AN UNPRETENTIOUS LINEUP OF DELICACIES FRESHLY MADE FROM FRESH INGREDIENTS.
THE STORY BEHIND THE DELI GOES BACK TO ITALY WHERE NICK'S PARENTS LIVED BEFORE MIGRATING TO BROOKLYN, NEW YORK.
>> NICK >> EVERY OTHER BLOCK YOU HAD AN ITALIAN DELI IN BROOKLYN.
EVERY OTHER BLOCK YOU HAD A PIZZERIA, DELI, BAKERY, WHATEVER YOU NEEDED WAS RIGHT IN FRONT OF YOUR HOUSE.
YOU DIDN'T NEED A CAR.
MY MOM STILL DON'T KNOW HOW TO DRIVE.
MY SISTER ORIGINALLY MOVED DOWN HERE LIKE A MONTH OR TWO BEFORE ME.
SHE WANTED ME TO COME AND VISIT HER.
CAME TO VISIT HER AND I JUST FELL IN LOVE WITH NASHVILLE.
I SAID TO MY WIFE, I SAID GINA, WE'RE GOING BACK TO NASHVILLE AND OPEN UP A RESTAURANT.
SHE WAS LIKE WHAT?
>> GINA >> I WAS ACTUALLY EXCITED.
I WAS LIKE LET'S GO YOU KNOW?
>> JOE >> NICK OPENED HIS FIRST DELI IN DOWNTOWN NASHVILLE BACK IN 1989.
HE HAD A SECOND LOCATION IN COOL SPRINGS BEFORE SETTLING HERE JUST OFF COLUMBIA AVENUE IN FRANKLIN, CLOSER TO HOME.
>> GUEST >> IT'S OFF THE BEATEN PATH IN FRANKLIN BUT PEOPLE COME FROM ALL OVER.
>> REMEMBER THAT AGE OLD QUESTION ABOUT LOCATION BEING VITAL TO A RESTAURANT'S SUCCESS?
WELL, THE ANSWERS ON THIS SIDE IN BROOKLINESE, OF COURSE.
>> NICK >>FORGET ABOUT IT, I DON'T CARE HOW MUCH YOU ADVERTISE, IF YOUR FOOD AIN'T GOOD, NOBODY IS COMING.
IT'S JUST SIMPLE AS THAT.
YOU KNOW IF YOU HAVE GOOD FOOD PEOPLE WILL FIND YOU.
EVERY MORNING WE MAKE THE FRESH MOZZARELLA CHEESE, OLD SCHOOL.
FATHER >> I WANT A PIECE TO TAKE TO MOMMY.
NICK >> ALRIGHT YOU GOT IT.
I HAVE BEEN MAKING THIS SINCE I WAS NINE YEARS OLD THIS FRESH MOZZARELLA CHEESE.
>> JOE >> NICK USES THAT FRESH MOZZARELLA IN EVERYTHING FROM BAKED SANDWICH ROLLS TO HIS AMAZING PIZZA.
>> NICK >> ALL RIGHT.
EVERYBODY THAT SEES IT, WHEN YOU LOOK AT ME IT LOOKS EASY YOU KNOW?
BUT IF SOMEBODY TRIES TO DO IT, THEY CAN'T EVEN HOLD THE DOUGH.
THAT'S HOW IT IS.
>> JOE >> ANOTHER QUALITY OF A REAL ITALIAN DELI IS THE MARINARA SAUCE.
IT TOO MUST BE MADE FROM SCRATCH AND IT'S GOT TO BE ORIGINAL.
>> NICK >> EVERY PART OF ITALY YOU GO TO IT'S DIFFERENT.
THE WAY I MAKE IT IS WHAT I LIKE.
IT HASN'T BEEN CHANGED.
IT'S NOT EVEN WRITTEN DOWN.
ITS ALL BY EYE.
ME AND MY WIFE ARE THE ONLY ONES THAT TOUCH THE SAUCE.
>> JOE >> THE MENU IS MASSIVE SO AS YOU GO DOWN THE LINE WITH YOUR TRAY YOUR CHALLENGE IS TO NARROW DOWN THE CHOICES.
THE PRICES ARE REASONABLE, YOU ALSO GET A FREE SERVING OF BROOKLYN ACCENT THROWN IN.
>> NICK >> YOU READY?
JUST SIT THERE THEN, IT'S ALL RIGHT.
I KNOW YOU LIKE HANGING OUT WITH ME.
>> JOE >> ALONG WITH NICK'S IRREPRESSIVE PERSONALITY.
>> NICK >> ALL RIGHT.
GINA >> I MEAN WE'RE TOGETHER LIKE 24 HOURS A DAY BASICALLY.
>> NICK >> GIVE IT TO ME, GO.
YOU'RE TOO SLOW.
>> GINA >> AFTER 25 YEARS YOU HAVE TO REALLY REALLY LOVE HIM.
>> NICK >> I DON'T CARE WHO PAYS AS LONG AS I GET PAID.
>> JOE >> YOU KNOW I DO HAVE ONE COMPLAINT ABOUT THIS PLACE.
YOU GO THROUGH THAT LINE AND THEY ALL LOOK SO GOOD YOU WANT ONE OF EVERYTHING SO I HAD TO PARE IT DOWN THIS TIME TO SOME ZITI, EGGPLANT PARMESEAN, OH, AND ONE OF THESE, A RICE BALL IN MARINARA SAUCE.
IT'S DELICIOUS.
I WOULD HAVE GOTTEN MORE, HOWEVER I WANT TO SAVE ROOM FOR DESSERT.
YES, THEY MAKE THOSE HERE TOO.
>> WE FIRST CAME DURING THE SATURDAY LUNCH PERIOD WHICH WAS PRETTY BUSY BUT CALM COMPARED TO NICK'S AT NIGHT FOR DINNER.
THAT'S WHEN THE OWNER GOES FULL THROTTLE LIKE AN ITALIAN DELI DRILL SERGEANT WHO NEVER SLOWS DOWN.
>> NICK >> HALF SAUSAGE HALF PEPPERONI.
TOO FRESH.
DON'T ARGUE.
WE GOT ANY PEPPERS ON THIS ONE?
WELL DONE PEPPERONI.
COME ON, DON'T DIE ON ME NOW.
WELL DONE PEPPERONI.
>> JOE >> NICK'S MAIN MISSION IS TO KEEP THE FOOD COMING AND KEEP HIS LOYAL CUSTOMERS HAPPY.
>> NICK >> I HAVE CUSTOMERS OF MINE THAT BEEN WITH ME SINCE DAY ONE.
THEY COME TWO OR THREE TIMES A WEEK ALL THE TIME.
THEY'RE HERE.
I GUESS I'M DOING SOMETHING RIGHT.
THERE YOU GO, HONEY, WHAT ARE YOU GOING TO HAVE, BABE?
>> JOE >> IT'S SAFE TO SAY A LOT OF HUNGRY PEOPLE LOVE WHAT NICK DOES TOO.
NICK AND GINA NEVER LOOKED BACK AFTER LEAVING BROOKLYN.
THEY'RE WAY TOO BUSY WORKING HARD AND LIVING OUT A DREAM THEY BROUGHT FROM NEW YORK TO MIDDLE TENNESSEE.
>> NICK >> I AIN'T GOING TO GET RICH BUT I'LL JUST BE HAPPY PLEASING PEOPLE, TALKING TO PEOPLE.
I MEAN THAT'S WHAT I LOVE TO DO.
DID YOU SEE ON THE CAMERA IF I LOOKED GOOD?
>>GINA >> HOW?
>> NICK >> ON THE CAMERA, YOU DIDN'T SEE THE PICTURE?
WHY?
>> HOST >> HISTORIANS TELL US THE HARP WAS PROBABLY THE WORLD'S FIRST MUSICAL INSTRUMENT.
IT HAS A UNIQUE SOUND THAT WE USUALLY ASSOCIATE WITH SYMPHONIC OR CLASSICAL MUSIC.
KEN WILSHIRE MET A COUPLE ON THE BANKS OF THE TENNESSEE RIVER WHO LOVE TO MAKE MUSIC TOGETHER AS WELL AS THE INSTRUMENT FOR MAKING IT.
>> KEN >> YOU KNOW WHEN YOU GO FOR A WALK IN THESE WOODS, MUSIC COMES TO MIND.
IT'S USUALLY COUNTRY OR BLUEGRASS OR GOSPEL AND IT'S USUALLY PLAYED WITH TRADITIONAL INSTRUMENTS LIKE THE BANJO, GUITAR OR FIDDLE.
IF YOU LISTEN CLOSELY IN THESE WOODS YOU MIGHT HEAR PRETTY NON-TRADITIONAL MUSIC PLAYED WITH NON-TRADITIONAL INSTRUMENTS.
♪ ♪ ♪ >> BEAUTIFUL, BEAUTIFUL SOUND.
>> KEN >> YES, IT IS A BEAUTIFUL SOUND, ESPECIALLY IN THE HANDS OF AN ACCOMPLISHED MUSICIAN AND TEACHER LIKE SHEILA MITCHEL OF HOLIDAY, TENNESSEE.
♪ ♪ ♪ THIS IS AN EXAMPLE OF THOSE FOUND IN BIBLICAL TIMES BUT THIS ONE IS ALSO THE INSPIRATION OF SHEILA AND THE CREATION OF HER HUSBAND DANNY.
>> DANNY >> THE PSALTERY BEHIND THIS, I BUILT SULTRY THAT MADE ME THINK OF THE SULTRY BEHIND US IS OUR DESIGN TOO.
IT'S MENTIONED IN THE BIBLE.
PSALTERY, IT'S P-S-A-L-T-E-R-Y.
WE DESIGNED OUR OWN.
SHE PLAYS THAT ALSO.
AND HAS STUDENTS.
BUILT A BUNCH OF PSALTRYS.
♪ ♪ ♪ >> KEN >> AND IT IS EASY TO FORGET ABOUT HIS HANDCRAFTED PSALTRYS AND DULCIMERS WHEN YOU SEE AND HEAR HIS PRIDE AND JOY, THE HARP.
YOU MIGHT SAY THESE ALLURING INSTRUMENTS ARE THE RESULT OF A VERY HAPPY MARRIAGE.
>> DANNY >> WE GOT TOGETHER, WITH MY WOODWORKING SKILLS AND HER MUSICAL ABILITY AND PLAYING HARPS.
WE DECIDED TO START MAKING HARPS.
SHE COULDN'T BUY HARPS TO SUIT HER.
SO WE BUILT HER HARPS.
SHE TELLS ME WHAT SHE WANTS AND I DRAW IT AND BUILD IT.
THEN WE TWEAK IT UNTIL IT GETS RIGHT.
>> KEN >> DANNY WAS BORN INTO A MUSICAL FAMILY WHERE IT WAS COUNTRY, BLUEGRASS AND GOSPEL BUT IT WAS HIS FATHER WHO INFLUENCED HIM MOST WITH HIS WOODWORKING SKILLS.
>> DANNY >> HIS WHOLE FAMILY WERE WOODWORKERS.
I CAN REMEMBER SWEEPING THE SHOP FLOOR WHEN I WAS PROBABLY SIX YEARS OLD.
I HAVE DONE OTHER THINGS FOR A LIVING BUT I HAVE ALWAYS DONE A LITTLE WOODWORKING AS A HOBBY.
>> KEN >> WELL, IT'S FAR MORE THAN A HOBBY NOW.
DANNY'S MASTER CRAFTSMANSHIP AND THE CREATION OF THESE CELTIC HARPS IS EXQUISITE AND THE SOUNDS ARE MAGICAL.
>> SHEILA >> WE WANT SOMETHING THAT IS MORE LIGHTLY STRUNG THAN A PEDAL HARP FOR FOLK MUSIC AND WE WANT A REALLY CLEAR SOUND.
AND SO THAT IS SORT OF OUR OBJECTIVE WHEN WE START, PLAYABILITY AND A NICE CLEAR RINGING SOUND.
WE HAVE TWO DIFFERENT STRING SPACINGS, CONCERT SPACING FOR MOST PEOPLE AND A CLOSER SPACING FOR SOMEONE WITH SMALLER FINGERS, A CHILD, STRING TENSION IS VERY IMPORTANT SO THAT YOU HAVE ENOUGH TENSION TO MAKE A GOOD SOUND BUT NOT SO MUCH THAT IT IS HARD TO PLAY.
SIZE OF THE HARP IS PRETTY STANDARD, 34 STRING IS STANDARD FOR CELTIC HARP.
>> DANNY >> I DON'T USE ANY KITS OR PLANS FROM ANYBODY ELSE.
OURS ARE ALL ORIGINAL FROM SCRATCH.
AND I DRAW THEM UP ON THE DINING TABLE.
ON A PIECE OF WHITE BOARD AND DRAW ALL OF MY PATTERNS AND PLANS MYSELF TO SUIT HER.
THE STRINGS FACING AND ALL OF THAT IS UNIQUE TO OUR HARPS AND I JUST STARTED WORKING ON IT, CUTTING OUT THE PARTS, USE A LOT OF GLUE TO GLUE IT TOGETHER.
SOUND BOX AND THE SOUND BOARD, OF COURSE I WORK IN THE VACUUM PRESS.
THE SOUND BOX ON THE ROUND BACKS, IT'S MADE OF, IT'S ACTUALLY FIVE PLYS.
IT COMES ABOUT WHEN I GET IT ALL APART AND PUT TOGETHER, IT WILL BE A HARP AND IT STILL AMAZES ME HOW I CAN TAKE ROUGH ONE OR TWO INCH LUMBER AND COME UP WITH SOMETHING WITH SUCH A BEAUTIFUL SOUND.
>> SHEILA >> IT'S A PURE SOUND.
YOU KNOW IF YOU THINK ABOUT IT I CAN'T THINK OF ANOTHER INSTRUMENT WHERE YOU PLUCK THE STRING AND THE SOUND PRODUCES FROM THE SINGLE PLUCK.
IF YOU THINK ABOUT GUITAR OR THE FIDDLE YOU PRESS YOUR FINGER ON A FRET OR A FRET BOARD AND YOU USE A PICK OR A BOW OR SOMETHING TO PRODUCE THE SOUND BUT WITH A HARP YOU ACTUALLY PLUCK THE STRING AND THERE IT IS.
>> DANNY >> WELL, IT'S KIND OF PEACEFUL AND SOOTHING.
WE HAVE PEOPLE WHEN WE GO VARIOUS PLACES THAT WILL BRING TEARS TO THEIR EYES AND THEY'LL TELL HER, HOW THEY ENJOY IT AND HOW IT RELAXED AND BLESSED THEM WITH THE MUSIC, SO IT'S DIFFERENT.
HARP MUSIC IS VERY DIFFERENT.
>> KEN >> DANNY AND SHEILA DO LEAD MORE TRADITIONAL LIVES.
HE HAD HAS A FULL TIME BUSINESS THAT KEEPS HIM OCCUPIED.
SHE TEACHES HARP, PIANO, VOICE AND MORE, BUT IT'S THE HARP MAKING AND PLAYING THAT GENTLY TUGS ON THEIR HEARTSTRINGS, WHILE CREATING HARMONY IN THEIR MARRIAGE FROM THE MUSIC OF THEIR HARP STRINGS.
♪ ♪ ♪ >> HOST >> THANKS, KEN.
WELL, FINALLY HOW MANY OF YOU GOT A TIN FULL OF COOKIES OR POPCORN FOR CHRISTMAS?
NEXT QUESTION IS, WHAT DID YOU DO WITH THE TIN AFTER IT WAS EMPTY?
THROW IT AWAY?
WELL, IF SO, ROB WILDS KNOWS AN ARTIST AT PRIMM SPRINGS WHO WOULD DECLARE YOU THREW AWAY THE MAKINGS OF A PIECE OF ART.
>> ROB >> SO IT WAS A GOOD DAY IN THE MAIL TODAY BECAUSE YOU GOT A PACKAGE WITH A TIN FULL OF COOKIES FROM YOUR AUNT MARY.
NOW, YOU KNOW THAT THE REAL WORK OF ART IS INSIDE FROM AUNT MARY'S KITCHEN BUT WHAT ABOUT THE TIN THAT CAME IN?
IF YOU'RE LIKE ME IT'S JUST A COOKIE TIN BUT NOW IF YOU'RE EMILY ALLISON, YOU SEE A WORK OF ART, WAITING TO BE CUT FREE.
♪ ♪ ♪ EMILY ALLISON LOVES TO GATHER THINGS.
THINGS OTHER PEOPLE OVERLOOK OR DISCARD.
>> EMILY >> I HAVE ALWAYS BEEN A LITTLE BIT OF A COLLECTOR I SUPPOSE, YOU KNOW.
IT MAKES IT A LOT EASIER IF YOU ACTUALLY USE THE THINGS, TO JUSTIFY COLLECTING MORE THINGS, IF THINGS ARE GOING OUT.
I JUST LIKE THINGS.
WHEN YOU'RE A MIXED MEDIA ARTIST USING FOUND OBJECTS THERE ARE REALLY NO RULES.
THERE IS NO THIS IS WHAT YOU NEED TO DO AND THIS IS HOW YOU PUT IT TOGETHER.
IT'S KIND OF MAKING IT UP AS YOU GO AND I LIKE THAT.
IT'S ALWAYS A BIT OF DISCOVERY AND YOU KNOW THE SERENDIPITY OF FINDING THINGS THAT GO WITH THE PIECE YOUR WORKING ON, THAT'S ALWAYS FUN.
>> ROB >> SO EMILY IS NOT REALLY A COLLECTOR SINCE SHE SENDS THE THINGS SHE GATHERS BACK OUT INTO THE WORLD, TRANSFORMED.
>>EMILY >> NOW MY JUNK STORE SHOPPING IS MY ENTERTAINMENT AND THEN I CAN DRAG HOME WHATEVER I WANT.
YOU KNOW AND ITS KIND OF GUILT FREE BECAUSE I'M GONNA MAKE SOMETHING WITH IT AND THEN AND SELL IT.
YOU KNOW I'M PERFECTLY HAPPY WITH SENDING IT BACK OUT AGAIN.
I DON'T HAVE TO KEEP IT, YOU KNOW?
I LIKE TRANSFORMING IT AND DOING SOMETHING DIFFERENT AND I LIKE PEOPLE SAYING I KNOW WHAT IT IS, I HAVE ONE OF THOSE YOU KNOW.
HAVE ONE JUST LIKE IT.
>> ROB >> THESE DAYS EMILY'S ARTISTIC EYE IS FOCUSED ON THE CANS.
SHE LIKES A GOOD CAN.
>>EMILY >> COOKIE, CHRISTMAS, POPCORN TINS, OLD CANISTERS.
IF I LET MY TIN SNIPS DO IT IT'S FAIR GAME ACTUALLY.
SO ANYTHING UP TO MAYBE A 5 GALLON CAN THOSE GET A LITTLE BIT TOUGH TO CUT WITH TIN SNIPS BUT JUST ABOUT ANYTHING.
ANY KIND OF PACKAGING.
IT'S STEEL ACTUALLY.
YOU KNOW I DO USE ALUMINUM CANS SOME BUT MOSTLY IT'S STEEL.
IT'S A VERY STURDY MATERIAL AND YET IT'S JUST PACKAGING AND THERE ARE SOME GRAPHIC ARTISTS SPENT A LOT OF TIME ON SOME OF THESE AND SOME ARE REALLY GREAT ART AND SOME AREN'T.
YOU CAN CUT OUT THE BAD SPOTS AND THROW IT AWAY BUT YOU KNOW IT'S AMAZING WHAT YOU CAN DO WITH IT.
>> ROB >> FOR INSTANCE, A CAN TOPPED WITH GALLOPING COWBOYS MIGHT SUGGEST SOMETHING COMPLETELY DIFFERENT TO EMILY.
>>EMILY >> I FOUND THIS SMALL TIN.
AGAIN I HAVE NO IDEA WHAT WAS IN IT.
SECONDHAND STORE.
WITH COWBOYS.
WHICH OF COURSE LOOKED LIKE A WESTERN TO ME, SO IT BECAME THE SCREEN YOU KNOW THE MOVIE SCREEN AT A DRIVE IN THEATER YOU KNOW WHICH YOU KNOW, THE INSIDE THEATER WOULD BE THE BACK OF PEOPLE'S HEADS, NOT QUITE AS INTERESTING TO ME BUT I MIGHT DO THAT ONE OF THESE DAYS, YOU NEVER CAN TELL.
AND SO I HAVE SEVERAL CARS AND TWO COUPLES, CONVERTIBLE SO WE HAVE DATE NIGHT.
>> ROB >>ONE TIN MIGHT MAKE AN APPEARANCE IN SEVERAL OF EMILY'S WORKS.
>> EMILY >> I FOUND A TIN AT A SECOND HAND STORE THAT WAS PIZZA.
I MEAN IT HAD EMBOSSED CRUST AND PEPPERONIS.
I MEAN IT WAS A PIZZA.
I HAVE NO IDEA WHAT WAS IN IT ORIGINALLY BUT I SLICED THE PIZZA AND MADE PIECES YOU KNOW, MADE SOMETHING LIKE WHEN THE MOON HITS YOUR EYE LIKE A BIG PIZZA PIE.
>> ROB >> EMILY MIGHT START OUT DOWN THE CREATION TRAIL KNOWING EXACTLY WHERE SHE'S HEADED, BUT MORE OFTEN SHE HASN'T GOT A CLUE.
>> EMILY >> I RARELY KNOW THE WHOLE PIECE FROM START TO FINISH WHEN I START.
I'M MORE OF A, LET'S FIND OUT AND I LIKE IT WHEN IT ALL COMES TOGETHER AND I KIND OF GET THE LITTLE KICK, THE LITTLE SERENDIPITY.
THAT'S WHAT I REALLY LIKE.
IT ALL COMES TOGETHER AND IT JUST FITS JUST PERFECTLY.
♪ ♪ ♪ >> ROB >> IT'S PRETTY EASY TO TELL THAT EMILY IS NOT ONLY AN ARTIST, BUT A STORYTELLING ARTIST.
>> EMILY >> I LIKE PUNS, I LIKE VISUAL PUNS AND WORD PUNS.
THERE'S NO SUCH THING AS A BAD PUN.
>> ROB >> REALLY?
>> EMILY >> REALLY.
YES, I KNOW, SOMETIMES I LIKE TO THINK I GO RIGHT UP TO THE EDGE OF KITCH BEFORE I FALL OFF BUT I'M SURE PEOPLE THINK I THROW MYSELF OVER THE CLIFF WHOLEHEARTEDLY.
>> ROB >> SO YOU MIGHT SAY THAT EMILY IS A "CAN DO" KIND OF PERSON.
YOU MIGHT BUT YOU KNOW I THINK I WON'T.
I'LL SAY THAT A CAN IS NOT A CAN, IT'S A WILL, IT WILL TURN INTO SOMETHING EXCITING, FUNNY, ARTISTIC, FROM EMILY ALLISON OF PRIMM SPRINGS.
♪ ♪ ♪ >> HOST >> WELL THAT ABOUT BRINGS US TO GOODBYE TIME HERE ON TENNESSEE CROSSROADS, NOT BEFORE THOUGH I MENTION OUR WEBSITE, TENNESSEECROSSROADS.ORG WHERE YOU CAN SEE ALL KINDS OF PAST TENNESSEE CROSSROADS STORIES.
OR FOLLOW US ON FACEBOOK.
HERE IS WHAT IS ON NEXT TIME.
KEN WILSHIRE TAKES US TO THE GREAT SMOKEY MOUNTAINS HERITAGE CENTER.
ROB WILDS TAKES US TO A POPULAR DINING ATTRACTION OVER IN MURFREESBORO.
I'LL TAKE YOU TO RURAL WEST TENNESSEE TO MEET MINIATURE ARTIST SIMON JACKSON AND GRETCHEN BATES MEETS A BRENTWOOD COLLECTOR OF JUST ABOUT EVERYTHING ABOUT BEER.
CHEERS TO YOU AND WE'LL SEE YOU NEXT TIME HERE ON TENNESSEE CROSSROADS.
♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪
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