This is a copy of an article appearing in the HARRISON DAILY TIMES, Harrison Arkansas August 21, 1998 Jimmy Joe Sasser>Arthur Sasser> Joseph Sasser> Adin Sasser. %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% Lifetime Musiciany Friends Sing at Bluegrass Festival By DWAIN LAIR Editor YELLVILLE -Jimmy Joe Sasser still hears the sounds of music echoing back from his childhood, notes that shaped his life, songs identified with camp meetings, brush arbors and singing conventions. When family and neighbors stopped to visit in the Arthur and Neva Sasser home in the Tomahawk community of Marion County while he was growing up in the 1940s, the "first thing you knew we were all sitting around on the front porch singing." "Brothers, sisters, aunts, uncles, whoever stopped by" joined in the music. Always interested in music, Sasser said everyone in his family enjoyed singing. His dad led music at old-time gospel sings and taught neighbors to read notes at rural music schools. Each week, Sasser's family gathering with neighbors to blend their voices in song at Pea Ridge in Marion County, usually on Sunday evenings. Years later, Sasser. stayed true singing high to his upbringing, singing high tenor lines in a recording group in d 19600s and 1970s. And last night, Joe Sasser and Friends was the lead act for the start of the 27th annual Bluegrass Music Festival. Staged in the arena Northwest Arkansas District Fairgrounds, this weekend's Arkansas Bluegrass Northwest Association sponsored event is the oldest three day festival in Arkansas Why is Sasser's name used in the group's title? "People would call me. I guess it was easier to get in contact with me, and they would ask me to bring some friends. "When they announced us they would say 'Joe Sasser and Friends." Sasser plays guitar and sings tenor or lead. The other members of the band are Drew Pierce, banjo and vocal; Shawn Beaver mandolin and guitar; Gerald Richardson, guitar, lead and tenor, and Ovetia Davenport, bass and alto harmony. Sasser said the ensemble doesn't follow a set program, although favorites include such gospel classics as "I Saw the Master This Morning," "They're Holding Up the Ladder" and "Who Will Sing for Me. " "From there, we don't know." The group's trademark sound is "old style, traditional bluegrass and gospel," Sasser stated. "That's not to say others don't play that kind of music, but that's the only kind we can do. We really sound like old-time folks. If you were blind or couldn’t see, you would say ’that’s some old timers.’ Born in 1935, Sasser’s first memories of music date to late in World War II. "A lot of young men were off at war, and I remember singing songs written in 1942-1942, somewhere along there." Sasser said he can sing anything but bass but is most comfortable singing tenor parts. Music remained important to Sasser through high school and college, then he returned to the hills to teach at Bruno. In the mid-1960s, Sasser answered a call from Terry Pillow to join his recording group. A pianist, shoe repairman and registered locksmith, Pillow wrote songs and played piano for his recording group "Terry Pillow & The Ozarkadians. " Sasser merged his high tenor voice with Rex Cooper at lead, Rue Stokes at bass and R.A. Young at baritone. And Pillow accompanied them "about everywhere." "We made every church in the country," Sasser smiled, plus "Potlucks, meetings, funerals and high school graduations, back when they had great, long ceremonies." "I enjoyed that a lot," Sasser recalled of his almost 15 years with Terry Pillow and The Ozarkadians. "We did some recordings and some are still in existence, but out of print." Sasser often honors Pillow by singing one of his songs during performances. Later, Sasser sang music With the Celestials, then bluegrass music called. But his bluegrass sound is flavored with a strong mix of gospel. Sasser held the position of elementary principal at Bruno-Pyatt when he retired from education in 1987 "I don't know being retired, I just switched jobs." Married in 1990, Sasser and his wife, Gaynell operate a farm. "That requires a little time. We cut wood, do a lot of singing and do a lot of volunteer work." "I'm very happily married" Sasser exclaimed. "We have a good time . . . a lot in common. She not only plays piano and sings but has a ukulele band." "She doesn't usually perform with my bunch of singers," Sasser added. "Her band does it differently. She's pretty bad to go by the book. We don't necessarily." But Sasser still follows many traditions ingrained in his personality during 60 years of singing. Last week, he was called to sing at a funeral at Yellville. "I still sing at a lot of funerals where they have live music," he explained. Live music isn't as "common as it used to be, but it seems we have more funerals" And singing carries Sasser back to the slower times of his youth. "Music is an inexpensive of way of expressing yourself and getting together with your friends. "Ever since I was a youngster, I've traveled around and sung. I've met a lot of very interesting folks from all walks of life. "I enjoy the relaxation it brings . . . a time to getaway from the real world for a while."