The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1918-04-21
j. pos.,,r ARMIsrEAD HIGGINS

Montgomery. April 90 Especially
yhe newest innovation in MontgoH-
orv for both civilians and soldiers IS
the Community sings when are pc
ing held each Sunday afternoon at the
city auditorium. At the Sing last
Sunday afternoon over 1000 persons
were present and the auditorium rang
with music for two hours in the early
afternoon. Mr. Ross Slower of Camp
sheridan is the enthusiastic leader
and is a musician of unusual ability.
with a magnetic personality. Harry L.
Allen. director of camp activities. was
in charge of the sing" while the ex-
cellent band of the 14Sth infantry fur
nished the music. A trio. praise fe,
was sung by Mr.. Hogart. tenor; Miss
cawthon, soprano. and Mr.. Slower,
baritone. Mr.. Slower then carried the
meeting into community singing. The
old southern melodies were featured
and included Listen to the MocSing
Bird" "Old Black joe" Maryland, Ny
Maryland" and Dixie"
The singing of these brought forth
a number Of Confederate veterans in
their uniforms of gray and they
Joined in heartily. This Sunday after
noon old home songs of the states,
the songs of the pioneers will be fea-
tured. In addition to the hundreds OF
Montgomerians who attend, the sins"
Is very popular with the soldiers from
Camp Sheridan.
Ross Slower, the able director OF
the community sings, left Wednesday
afternoon with General Zimmernsan's
brigade for Taylor field, where they
hay gone on five days hike. Mr.
stover's purpose in accompanying the
troops was to teach them to sing as
they marched and the latest war
songs were used. Commanders of
camps are realizing more and more
the necessity of teaching the soldiers
to sing. for music keeps up their
shirts Recently at southern canton
ment where the troops were thought
to be most efficient from military
standpoint, 1t was found that the men
could not sing, so several expert mu-
sic teachers were imported Immediate
" and songs were practiced every
night. so that the soldiers might leaI n
to sing before going overseas. Music
not only makes the men more cheer
full, but it makes the marching cas-.
Ter. and singing also takes their minds
off their burdens.
The old fiddlers' convention OF Ala
bama. to take place in Montgomery
at the city auditorium. on April 20
and 26, and at the Coliseum at Camp
Sheridan on April ~. is causing no
little interest and competition
throughout the state. There are al
ready a number enrolled and each mail
brings inquiries and requests to De
listed among the participants
One hundred dollars in prizes will
be given away to the winners and ais,
merchandise prizes. There will he Til
dlers, mouth harp accordion. banjo,
guitar players. bone rattlers, pigeon
wing and buck dancers and melodies
of bygone days will be played and
sung and danced by. There will be
tunes and dances 100 years old and
special selections on home made in
struments." @.s--
"Short Jim Christian from the Old
Soldiers Home at Mountain Creek. has
been booked for the contest. During the
war between the states he was shot in
the arm and this caused one arm to be
Despite this fact. he can draw bow
with the best Of them, and all the old
soldiers at the home are evincing great
IDEAL OF interest and excitement In the
contest.
i. b. Eddins Of Luverne says he will
rag ON few old tunes" This Is the
first time that he has ever fiddled In a
contest. and he says that he 10 looking