Dr. Ann Ortiz plays Bentonville

     Johnston County was recently the site of the re-enactment of the biggest Civil War battle fought in North Carolina, the battle of Bentonville. The event attracted thousands of re-enactors, dressed in Confederate grey and Union blue, to re-create the notorious battle. The real battle of Bentonville, led by Confederate General Joseph Johnston and Union General William Sherman, took place on March 19, 1865, and is commemorated annually in Johnston County. Among those celebrating the historical event was Campbell University Spanish professor, Dr. Ann Ortiz, who played civil war tunes with her band, “The Huckleberry Brothers.”
      Mrs. Ortiz discovered her love of music at the young age of six, when her father taught her to play “Oh! Susanna” on the piano. She went on to major in Piano at East Carolina University, where she enjoyed the coffee house and folk music scenes. She then earned a master’s degree in Latin American studies from the University of Arizona and a Ph.D. in Spanish American literature from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
      Ortiz is currently a foreign language professor at Campbell University. Off the clock however, she enjoys playing with her band, “The Huckleberry Brothers.” The band mostly plays old time music, taking inspiration from the songs and work of the classic artist, Steven Foster. These are primarily folk songs from the 1800’s, including “Bonnie Blue Flag” and “Soldier’s Joy,” a song which describes the life of a civil war soldier. Effectively, the patriotic songs capture the history of the civil war times, giving a vivid snapshot of nineteenth century life.
     Learning the history of the songs as well as enjoying the fellowship of the band is what drives Ortiz’s passion for music. The band assembled last March at the Averasboro historical re-enactment. The folksy, old time music is played with a diverse and eclectic variety of instruments. Band members include Bryant Henderson, playing the penny whistle and bones, Dr. Ed Little Jr. and his father Ed. Senior on the Minstrel banjo and the harmonica, Kurt Cole on the mandolin, Mike Parker and Troy Parker playing the fiddle, and the lady of the band, Mrs. Ann Ortiz, playing the Minstrel banjo and fiddle.
 

Bulletin 0077-3/28/05