NORMAN & NANCY BLAKE

2010 Uncle Dave Macon Days
 Heritage Award Winner




Norman & Nancy Blake

The 2010 Uncle Dave Macon Days Heritage Award winners are Norman and Nancy Blake. This honor is given to individuals who have dedicated themselves to the preservation and promotion of old-time music. It will be presented, Saturday, July 10 at 5 p.m.

With 37 recordings and countless collaborations which include 7 Grammy nominations, Norman and Nancy Blake continue to show us that old songs and old musical values have a great deal to teach us about our contemporary lives.

The talented couple started touring together, and was married, in the mid-1970s. For more than 30 years, they have lived in the same farm house in Norman’s native North Georgia. Between them, the Blakes play a multitude of instruments, but it is Nancy’s cello, and Norman’s guitar work, that has captivated audiences for more than thirty years.

Recently, Norman Blake is best-known for the multiplatinum album, “O Brother Where Art Thou” which won the 2002 album of the year Grammy. Also, the Blakes also added their talents to T-Bone Burnett’s film soundtracks, Cold Mountain and Walk the Line.

Burnett has called Norman, “a true hero. He’s one of a handful of the best acoustic guitar players in the world. He’s learned hundreds of country songs, including rags, instrumental tunes, and fiddle numbers, knowing the influences and nuance of every one. He should be an absolutely revered musician.”

In 1969, Blake became a part of the Johnny Cash television show house band which led to a life-time friendship between the Blakes and the Cash families. Norman’s talents can be heard on John Hartford’s Aereo Plain recording. Also, he was a part of the 1973 Will the Circle Be Unbroken release featuring the Nitty Gritty Dirty Band.

In the 1990s, the Blakes joined with renowned fiddler, James Bryan and formed the Rising Fawn String Ensemble, a highly regarded, old-time music group. The duo have recorded the acclaimed albums, Back Home in Sulphur Springs, Morning Glory Ramblers and Rising Fawn Gathering.

Although they have traveled the word, they enjoy carrying their music back to their home and front porch. “I enjoy playing music with Nancy. When we can do something good that’s an accomplishment to me,” said Norman”