Music by Carol Dabney and Rod Ragsdale. We met at a Fall Festival in 2014. Rod was playing music and I was teaching music at St Mark’s Day School. We started paying music together right away. We had both just lost our mom’s to Alzheimer’s and were independently playing music for nursing homes, so we just continued this amazing mission together, b/c singing for the greatest generation of Americans is a blessing to us. Presently we are regularly singing for over 30 different venues of this kind each month, as well as festivals and children’s libraries.
I played the ukulele and Rod plays the guitar and harmonica.
My day school children just love Mr. Rod when he comes to do our annual Veteran’s Day program and he plays his harmonica and shows them some magic tricks. Rod served in the Navy and was in the golf industry for over 35 years. He has one son that works at Disney World as a golf pro. instructor. Now that Rod is retired he can sing with me every day after I come home from school.
I love teaching music at St. Mark’s Episcopal Day School in Little Rock Arkansas. I have five children and nine grandchildren. I lived in Hawaii for 20 years and that’s why I play the ukulele. I have been a radio disc jockey and music resource teacher at many schools and churches. This picture was taken at don Roberts School in Little Rock.
This is where we met. The Plantation Cotton Festival in Scott, Arkansas. That’s Rod getting ready to go on ‘stage’ and sing. He asked me out that day and we have been together ever since. I know what you’re thinking, and Yes! he is as cute as pecan pie. This country singer sitting in front of this amazing cabin was more then I could stand, so I scooped him right up . See, I was raised on a goat farm in Madison county and so this is my cup of tea. I love this cabin and I love the country.
Of course we composed our own wedding song from the book of Ruth… “Where You Go, I will go. Where you live, I will live. Your people will be my people and your God will be my God.” We were recording music at Blue Chair Recording studio in Austin, Arkansas with a talented engineer Darian Stribling. He was helping us record audiobooks and songs for children and presently we are working on a country album. All our music has beautiful violin music played by noted musician Tim Crouch. He makes the arrangements come to life. I wish we could record more, but its costly, so we pay as we go, recording whenever we have extra money in the kitty.
This beautiful picture was taken by Rebekah Schmitz at the school where I teach
- side note here: Both Darian and Tim have been nominated for the Arkansas Country Music awards to be held in Maumelle June 3, 2019. Very excited and proud to know them.
We are having so much fun with music.
- This is at FoxRidge Chenal
We even did a bit of a road trip this year. During Thanksgiving break we sang in Camden Arkansas where Rod went to school. This was sponsored by Woods Catering. We sang for the nursing homes and the library. 140 children turned out to have Christmas stories read to them, sing Christmas songs, and see a bit of Mr. Rod’s magic.
We also traveled to Star city during Spring Break and what a sweet town. We have plans to return several times this summer and fall. Looking forward to that.
Singing Patriotic shows at the Air Force Base in Jacksonville library, and we will return July 11. Patriotic show at Sherwood Elmcroft.
We sang Christmas songs and read a Christmas story for children “Twas The mouse Before Christmas” a Christmas tale I wrote and Rod and I sang. A film producer and writer friend of mine John Elchier captured the storytime and put it on YouTube.
Also Rod became the singing Santa at a Christmas in July program at Andover Place
( that’s why he has shorts on) don’t you love those groovy socks?
sang at a 1950’s sock hop patriotic Veteran’s show in North Little Rock.
- This was a fund raising event for Alzheimer’s at Pleasant Valley.
- Singing in the Antrium at Woodland during a snow shower. April Pollard took this picture.
- Mardi Gras program at Stonehaven.
- A Roaring ’20’s show at Andover with director Donya.
- Singing Christmas carols at the Capital every December is a highlight. Pictured with my sister Cindy and daughter Michelle dancing hula to White Christmas.
Hawaiian shows at Woodland with the staff. Bryant Sr. Center and Elmcroft in Maumelle.
- Composing music for our country album. Picture during Parkstone program.
Blue Chair Recording Studio in Austin Arkansas. We are having a great adventure and excited to see what’s next. I guess we can say, you are never too old to live your dreams. Thanks for stopping in. May God richly bless you with family, friends, and a dream in your heart.
caroldabney 