Bluegrass in Bear Grass: History and haunts highlight benefit concert November 3
Three traditional bluegrass bands will play a November 3 benefit in Martin County, raising funds to support ongoing maintenance of the Bear Grass Primitive Baptist Church building. One of the bands, Screamin’ Bridge, released their debut album this month. The church building itself has a rich history in the community. But add to that the story behind one of the band’s names (and title song from their new album) and you need look no further for a tale to be shared late at night around a campfire.
Described as a “plain, unadorned building,” the church in its current form was constructed in 1877 and was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2005. The original church was organized in 1829.
“One of my ancestors gave the land for the church,” Screamin’ Bridge band member Justin Edwards said. “My great great grandfather, B.S. Cowin, preached there and my grandmother, Vader Hodges, was the last member. My uncle [Phil Hodges] helps maintain the building now.”
These days the church building is occasionally used for weddings or special events, like a revival. Historically, practicing Primitive Baptist worship did not include the use of instruments.
The band name, “Screamin’ Bridge,” just might have a familiar ring to it for Martin County natives.
“Screamin’ Bridge is a bridge located in Farm Life, down the road from where Matthew and Brendan [Screamin’ Bridge band members] grew up,” Edwards explained. “The band name came first, and I decided we ought to have a song by the same name. There is an old folk tale/ghost story about the bridge. “
The story is preserved in “Weird Tales of Martin County,” compiled by “The Skewarkians,” Junior Historian Club, Bear Grass School, Williamston, North Carolina in 1980.
The 18th century tale involved the daughter of a prominent family living in Martin County, who mysteriously drowned in the creek bordering her family homeplace. According to the account written by Daniel Coffield, “There was never any clue to the cause of her death, but on certain moonless nights people crossing the bridge said they could hear the moans and screams from an unseen woman.” He ends the story by adding, “She died with her secret, but maybe you can visit “Screaming Bridge” one night and find out for yourself what really happened to her.”
Edwards used the story as the basis of the title song for the band’s CD. All of the songs on the compilation are original. Edwards wrote 8 and Matthew Manning wrote 7 (including two instrumentals).
“‘Standin’ in the Rain’ is an old song I wrote with Kevin Harris back in 2008 after my grandfather passed away,” Edwards said. “I was out of state and unable to attend the funeral, so I came up with the music and the chorus and asked Kevin to come up with the verses. He used his own experiences to write the verses. ‘Made Up My Mind’ is a love song Matthew wrote for his wife who he met when he was thirteen.”
In addition to Screamin’ Bridge, the bluegrass-gospel event will include performances by John White and Steel Mountain Railroad from Roanoke Rapids and Dymond City and Dry Creek from Martin County.
Capacity at the church, at 6441 E. Bear Grass Road, Bear Grass, is limited.
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Originally published in the Daily Reflector.
