Open Band Web Page — nashville country dancers

Fifth Friday Contra Dance Open Band - this is an occasional event. Please sign up on this google form if you want to be notified of future Open Band dances. The next Open Band is Friday May 30th.

Have you ever wished you were up on stage playing your heart out while dancers move to your music?

Now is your chance to try it!

Here’s how it works.

There will be two lead musicians; one on melody and one on rhythm. On May 30th, I (Emma Rushton) will play fiddle. Rhythm player TBA.

There will be room for up to eight guest musicians to join us. If more than eight want to play, we will work out a system of taking turns. While you wait, go and dance!

I have started a list of tunes that I think are common repertoire in these parts (see below). I’m happy to take suggestions for tunes you believe most people know. Just email me at emma.rushton@vanderbilt.edu.

I’ll select tunes from this list for the Open Band night, and will post them in the order we’ll play them. That way you can decide whether or not to play for any given dance.

The rhythm player will set the tempo and play the lead-in (4 potatoes). The melody player will announce any tune-changes, and signal the last time through. Please be sure to watch the leaders for cues. Remember, it’s important to keep a steady tempo. Listen to the rhythm player and take your cue from them.Try not to speed up or slow down.

Please fill out this google form so I can get some idea of how many people are interested and what instruments y’all play.

Set list for May 30th 2025 (subject to change)

I have done my best to find recordings, notes and chords for each tune. For some, I could not find a version I liked.

Please note that due to Folk Process, the tune versions linked to here may be slightly different from how we play them locally. Keep your ears and minds open when on stage, and adapt as needed!

If you find more representative versions of any tunes, I’d be glad to get links and update this page.

Over the Waterfall - D / Mississippi Sawyer - D

Angeline the Baker - D / Liberty - D

Chinkapin Hunting - D / Soldier's Joy - D

Julianne Johnson Notes Chords - D / Arkansas Traveller - D

Seneca Square Dance (aka Waiting For The Federals) - G / Old Yellow Dog Notes Chords - G

Possum Up a Gum Stump - G / Nail That Catfish - G

Girl I Left Behind Me - G / Redwing - G

Goodbye Liza Jane Notes Chords - A / Golden Slippers Notes Chords - A

Grub Springs Recording Notes Chords - A / Shenandoah Falls Notes Chords - A

Squirrel Hunters Notes Chords - A modal / Kitchen Girl - A modal

Cold and Frosty Morning Notes Chords - A modal / Abe’s Retreat Notes Chords - A modal