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Appalachian Music FestivalSaturday, March 29
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"Two Gun" Terry
Two Gun – The Movie
Harrisonburg musician Wilbur “Two Gun” Terry was recently nominated by his community to the prestigious National Endowment for the Arts National Heritage Fellowship. This 8 minute video Two Gun Terry Movie was produced in support of the nomination and recently won an award for JMU Professor John Woody who produced it.
Two Gun’s Place in Local Music History
Around America, there are pockets of culture that are unique to certain geographical areas, traditions that somehow manage to stay vital over many years. One such tradition is the old time string music of the beautiful and historic Shenandoah Valley surrounding Harrisonburg, Virginia. And, the most consistent force in spreading and carrying on this tradition is the long time musician and music teacher, Wilbur “Two Gun” Terry.
Terry, a lifelong resident of the Shenandoah Valley, grew up in a musical family where he learned the traditional “country” and “hillbilly” music of the region as a child. As he grew into an adult, Terry soon realized that he had a gift that went hand in hand with his own musical talent, and that was his innate ability to teach others how to play the Shenandoah Valley style. Here is the reason why his contributions are singularly unique – over the last 30 years he has taught over 500 students how to play the fiddle, guitar, mandolin, bass and clawhammer banjo. His progeny will carry this tradition far into the future.
The Shenandoah Valley repertoire draws from traditional Appalachian old-time music and minstrel shows, as well as parlor music that can be traced back to the turn of the 20th century and earlier. Students have long come to Two Gun to learn the Shenandoah Valley-style versions of songs such as “Red River Valley,” “Hard Times Come Again No More, “Darling Nelly Gray,” and “The Girl I Left Behind.” He estimates that he teaches a catalog of 250-300 songs on paper. But, when working by ear, his repertoire stretches to over 600 songs.
“Just like grinding cane, “ explains Terry. “Or butchering hogs, or stirring apple butter, it’s a tradition. The younger people can see what went on in days gone by.”
While Terry is known by reputation outside of the Shenandoah Valley, he continues to be the driving force behind this wonderful music tradition. For the several decades he has hosted a student reunion at his home. These less formal gatherings are another important way that the oral tradition of the music is passed down. Last year upwards of 65 former students and guests attended the reunion, ranging in age from 7 to 70 years old.
After 30-plus years, Terry is still the preeminent teacher of Appalachian string-band music in the central Shenandoah Valley. His unique legacy is worthy of this award.
About Wilbur “Two Gun” Terry
Wilbur “Two Gun” Terry is a native of the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia. Born in Lacey Springs in northern Rockingham County, he graduated from Broadway High School. He is married, and his wife Elsie is a renowned quilter. For 30 years he drove a truck for a living until he quit that job to focus on music instruction. Soon after, the small building by his house was turned into the music room where he continues to teach his students.
Terry began to teach himself how to play the fiddle at eight years of age. When I asked him about that process he replied, “I had the ability to hear tunes by ear, I reckon. Started out on one string. You get a tune (learned) on one string, then I found out the next highest string you need..….(it was) trial and error.”
Fortunately, Terry grew up around relatives that were musicians. “There was a lot of music in the family,” remembers Terry. “On the ‘Terry’ side, I had uncles and granddaddies that was musical...They played what we would consider old-time.”
Terry also played the tuba as a student at Broadway High School. He continued to play the instrument after high school in the Harrisonburg-Rockingham County Band, which is a continuation of another Shenandoah Valley musical tradition, the brass band.
At the age of 30, Terry decided to take his musical knowledge to a new level by studying music theory under the tutelage of Mary Jane Harmon of the Harmon School of Music.
As Terry’s abilities on fiddle grew, he would compete in regional fiddler’s conventions including the world famous events held in Mt. Airy, North Carolina and Galax, Virginia. “ (I) won third place one time at Galax,” remembers Terry. “Old-time fiddle. That was right noteworthy, I thought. I was third out of about 315 fiddle players.”
Then, about 30 years ago, Terry began teaching music to students of all ages. He estimates that he has taught approximately 500 students over the years, and currently instructs 10 students, the youngest being 13 years old. After a year and a half of lessons, this young lady already plays at least 100 fiddle tunes. This ‘Two Gun dispora’ has not only spread the music of the Shenandoah Valley all over the Appalachians and beyond, but has become an integral part of preserving the unique Shenandoah Valley style of music for generations to come.
- Written by Michelle Crotteau, Steve Parks, and Derek Halsey, in support of Two Gun Terry’s nomination to the National Endowment for the Arts National Heritage Fellowship.