Nonprofit keeps tomorrow’s musicians
in perfect harmony

March 12, 2007

By BOBBY HARRELL
Index-Journal staff writer

Logan Schlageter, 8, is getting frustrated while trying to get right his finger placement on the guitar.
At one moment, he’s right in the thick of the opening riff to “Secret Agent Man” by Johnny Rivers, then he breaks into a sharp and harsh strumming across the strings.
Ian Morris takes a moment from teaching Lizzy Coyle, 11, the same intro in Homemade Genius’ studio in the Federal Building and calmly asks him to focus.
Logan’s problem is that he’s holding down the strings on the neck of the guitar with too much pressure.
An exact touch is important in guitar playing, said Morris, founder and executive director of Homemade Genius, who’s been giving music lessons with his wife Sarah and friends for a while now.
He displays the same touch with teaching music education, which is a big part of Homemade Genius, a nonprofit organization that started in February 2006 and is committed to developing the musical abilities and artistic talent of people in Greenwood.
Homemade Genius developed out of Ian Morris’ desire to have a place of music and art for younger people in Greenwood.
After learning about booking bands and setting up concerts while at a performing arts school in Interlochen, Mich., he came back to Greenwood and had the first Homemade Genius show in Uptown Greenwood with $900 of his and friend Kendric Anderson’s money.
Homemade Genius has put on a total of 18 art and music events in the Greenwood community and has brought over 3,000 people through Uptown Greenwood. It is funded by personal and business sponsorships, and events are scheduled only as funding allows.
The program’s mainly known for throwing concerts and art shows in the area, but Ian Morris said that’s just the program’s front end. In the back is music education — one of Homemade Genius’ priorities.
Putting on quality concerts is part of getting people more interested in music and then inspiring them to create it themselves, Ian Morris said.
The program’s music education program, now numbering 22 students, started out with violins and cellos taught by Sarah Morris, before working up to guitars taught by Ian Morris and, in the future, lessons on turntables and mixing for DJs.
Ian and Sarah Morris try to incorporate a wide variety of musical genres in their teaching methods, including everything from oldies rock, classical, Celtic fiddle, folk and more. They also pull some of their own methods in song-writing and improvisation into their lessons, subjects that aren’t usually covered in traditional music classes.
Part of being a Homemade Genius student is having the incentive to perform in front of family, friends and the community.
Homemade Genius’ string ensemble, complete with cello and violin players, is performing with the Morris’ band, Y/Our Sparkle Heart, Saturday at a Homemade Genius event at the Federal Building, Ian Morris said.
“The students are really excited about playing the show with our band,” Sarah Morris said.
Their students run the gamut, from Logan and Lizzy to Suzie Holloway, a 68-year-old woman.
Holloway said she thinks Ian and Sarah Morris are doing a great thing and hope they continue making an artistic difference in the community.
Parents who want their children to join the program often want to know how the students will benefit from the program in ways other than musically, Ian Morris said. He said music students become more creative thinkers who can use that skill in any job in life.
Logan’s mom Julie Schlageter said she hopes Logan will make guitar-playing a hobby for life.
Homemade Genius also wants its students to aim for more than an appreciaiton of their favorite bands’ music, Ian Morris said.
“What we’re ultimately working for is to make all the kids that are looking up to these other bands — we want to make those kids into those bands,” Ian Morris said.

Obituaries

J.N. Dobbins Jr.

Joseph Newton “Newt” Dobbins Jr., 78, of Utopia Acres Drive, widower of Betty Jean Dodgen Dobbins, passed away on Saturday, March 10, 2007 at Hospice House.
Born in Greenwood, he was a son of the late Joseph Newton and Bessie Mae Hodges Dobbins. Mr. Dobbins retired from Greenwood Mills, Mathews Plant, where he was a member of the Quarter Century Club. He was a member of Fraser Presbyterian Church.
He was preceded in death by two sisters, Annie Mae Dobbins and Alene Bishop and three brothers, Marvin Dobbins, Furman Dobbins and Sid Dobbins.
Surviving is his daughter, Vicky Bartless and her husband, Bobby, of Greenwood; a brother, Buddy Dobbins of Cross Hill; three grandchildren, Robby Bartless of Rock Hill, Kelly Sherrill of Lancaster and Scotty Bartless of Greenwood; and a great-grandchild Connor Bartless of Greenwood.
Funeral services will be at 4 p.m. on Tuesday at the Harley Funeral Home Chapel with the Rev. Shauna Kelly officiating. Burial will follow in Greenwood Memorial Gardens.
Pallbearers will be Donnie Harrison, Morris Dorn, Clifton Medlock, Bud Eakin, Scotty Bartless and Eric McHugh.
The family will receive friends at the funeral home on Monday from 6 until 8 p.m.
The family is at the home of his daughter and son-in-law, Vicky and Bobby Bartless, 312 East Scotch Cross Road, Greenwood.
The family has requested that flowers be omitted and memorials be made to Hospice House, 408 West Alexander Ave., Greenwood, S.C. 29646.
Online condolences may be sent to the Dobbins family by visiting www.harleyfuneralhome.com.

E.L. Fagan

Eulis Littleton “E.L.” Fagan Jr., 88, resident of 224 Kingston Road, husband of Gene Hamilton Fagan, died March 10, 2007 at Self Regional Medical Center.
Born in Elberton, Ga., Dec. 31, 1918, he was a son of the late Eulis L. and Bertha Lovern Fagan. He was a U.S. Navy veteran of WWII and retired in textile supervision from Abney Mills, Grendel Plant after 47 years of service with the company.
Mr. Fagan enjoyed fishing and hunting and was an avid golfer. He attended First Baptist Church.
Surviving in addition to his wife of the home are a son, Patrick L. and wife Pamela Fagan of the home; three grandchildren, Keeley Fagan, Connor Fagan and Ian Fagan, all of the home; a brother, Marvin T. Fagan of Edgefield and his wife, Dorothy O. Fagan of Greenwood.
Funeral services will be conducted at 10 a.m. Tuesday from the Blyth Funeral Home Chapel with Dr. Tony Hopkins and Rev. Christopher Leonard officiating.
Burial will be in Greenwood Memorial Gardens.
Pallbearers will be Russell Johnson, Joey Johnson, Mike Stetz, Jeff Dysart, Dan Peecher and Bill Tinsley.
Honorary escort will be Gales McClintock, Arch Booker, Melvin Poole, Curtis Clark and Smiley Bryant.
The family is at the home on Kingston Road and will receive friends at the funeral home from 5:30-7:30 Monday evening.
In lieu of flowers the family requests that memorials be made to the Alzheimer’s Association Upstate SC Chapter, P.O. Box 658, Greenwood, S.C. 29648.
For additional information and online condolences please visit www.blythfuneralhome.com.
Blyth Funeral Home & Cremation Services is assisting the Fagan family.

Gene Fox

NINETY SIX — Freddie Eugene “Gene” Fox, 74, of 7105 Highway 246 South, husband of Erma Davis Fox, died Sunday, March 11, 2007, at Self Regional Medical Center.
Services will be announced by Harley Funeral Home and Crematory.

Edna Richey Hill

HODGES — Edna Richey Hill, 92, affectionately known to her grandchildren as “Tomama,” widow of William Henry “Bill” Hill, died Saturday, March 10, 2007 at Self Regional Medical Center. She was born in Abbeville County, a daughter of the late James Washington and Effie Marie Jones Richey. She was a member of Walnut Grove Baptist Church.
Surviving are one son, Kenneth R. Hill, Atlanta, Ga.; one brother, Robert Earl Richey, Honea Path; one sister, Alice Hendrix, Spartanburg; and grandchildren, Lynn Walker and husband, Billy, Ware Shoals, Kevin Hill of Miami, Fla., Lara Dempsey and husband, Patrick of Ojai, Calif., and Leah Hill, Atlanta, Ga.
Great-grandchildren, Amy Peeler and husband, David, Ware Shoals, Tara Childress and husband, Brad, Ware Shoals, Isabella Betances, Atlanta, Ga., Liam Dempsey, Ojai, Calif., and Olivia Hill, Miami, Fla.; and great-great-grandchildren, Seth Childress, Will Peeler and Graham Peeler, all of Ware Shoals.
Mrs. Hill was predeceased by a daughter, Wilma Hill Burden; a son, William Cary Hill; a sister, Mabel Crawford; and a brother, Oren Richey.
Funeral services will be conducted Tuesday, 11 a.m. at Walnut Grove Baptist Church with Rev. Jim Warren and Rev. Bennie Ridlehoover officiating. Burial will follow in Greenwood Memorial Gardens.
Memorials may be made to Walnut Grove Baptist Church, 230 Morgan Road, Hodges, S.C. 29653.
The family will receive friends Monday, 6 to 8 p.m. at Parker-White Funeral Home.

Kathleen James

HODGES — Kathleen Ann Putnam James, 33, of 106 Brittany Court, wife of Donald “Don” James, died Saturday, March 10, 2007 at her home.
Born in Kite, Ga., she was the daughter of Larry and Susan Putnam. Mrs. James was a homemaker and a member of Northside Baptist Church where she was in the Women’s Bible Study Group.
Surviving in addition to her husband of the home and her parents of Laurens are: grandparents, Brooks and Kathleen Patterson; three stepsons, Allen James, David James and Lee James, all of Greenwood; a stepdaughter, Hope James of Greenwood; a sister, Amanda Putnam of Laurens; and four step-grandchildren.
Funeral services will be 2 p.m. Tuesday at Harley Funeral Home Chapel with the Rev. Jeff Lethco officiating. Burial will be in Greenwood Memorial Gardens.
Pallbearers will be Chris Saxon, Mike Meredith, Steve Smith, Steve Hanke, Mike Morris, Kevin Irwin, Chris Cameron and Jay Sanders.
The family will receive friends at the funeral home on Monday from 6 until 8 p.m.
The family is at the home of her stepdaughter, Hope James, 237 Dry Branch Court, Greenwood.
Memorials may be made to Women’s Faith Home, PO Box 39 Greenwood, S.C. 29648.
Online condolences may be sent to the family by visiting www.harleyfuneralhome.com.

Geraldine ‘Pig’ McDuffie

Geraldine Holloway “Pig” McDuffie, 59, of 909 Taggart Ave., wife of Benjamin McDuffie, died Saturday, March 10, 2007 at Self Regional Medical Center.
The family is at the home.
Robinson & Son Mortuary Inc. is in charge of arrangements.

Jaydin Keitrevious Palmore

GREENVILLE — Baby Jaydin Keitrevious Palmore, 20 months, of 100 Shemwood Lane, Greenville, died March 9, 2007 at Greenville Memorial Hospital. Born in Greenwood, he was the son of John Palmore and Christian Lomax. In addition to his parents, he is survived by a twin brother, Jaylin Kentrevious Palmore; two sisters, Tyisha and Tomika Palmore; a grandmother, Sarah Lomax; grandfathers, Andrew Ford and George Lomax. Services are 11 a.m. Tuesday in the chapel of Parks Funeral Home, with burial in Calvary Grove Baptist Church cemetery. Officiating minister, Rev. Wilbert Simpkins. Parks Funeral Home is servicing the family.

John E. Smith

ATLANTA — John E. Smith, 85, son of the late Ernest Rudolph and Lula Belle Williams Smith, died on Friday, March 9, 2007, at Vista Care, a hospice unit in Atlanta, Ga., after an extended illness.
John was born in Abbeville County, on Nov. 12, 1921. He joined Mars Hill Baptist Church at a very early age. Some years later John joined the U.S. Army and received the rank of sergeant and military police. After his discharge he worked in South Carolina for several years before moving to Richmond, Va., and Washington, D.C., where he worked relentlessly as an auto mechanic. He returned to Richmond years later continuing his trade. As his health declined, in 1998 he moved to Atlanta where he remained until his demise.
Surviving is one sister, Ruth Smith Myers, of Atlanta, Ga., formerly of Richmond, Va.; one sister-in-law, Mrs. Carrie Mae Smith, of Hodges, a devoted niece of the home, Ms. Sylvia Brown-Turner, and a host of nieces, nephews, relatives and friends.
Services will be 1 p.m. on Tuesday at Mars Hill Baptist Church on Dixie Drive, Hodges, Rev. Tommy L. Stanford, pastor and Rev. Michael Butler, officiating. Burial will be in the church cemetery.
Pallbearers will be nephews. Flower bearers will be nieces. The body will be placed in the church at noon on Tuesday. The family is at the home of Vallery Smith, a niece, 3533 Cokesbury Road, Hodges.
Parks Funeral Home of Greenwood is in charge of local arrangements.

Claude Voiselle

NINETY SIX — Claude A. “Diz” Voiselle, 82, resident of 103 Cothran Street, husband of Margaret Johnson Voiselle, died March 11, 2007 at Self Regional Medical Center.
Born in Greenwood County, Aug. 24, 1924, he was a son of the late Claude Albert and Della Duncan Voiselle. He attended the Ninety Six schools and was a US Marine veteran of World War II. After his time in the military, he played baseball in the Central Carolina Leagues and was formerly employed in the textile industry.
A member of Cambridge United Methodist Church and the Men’s Sunday School Class of the church, he was also a former member of American Legion Post # 103.
Surviving in addition to his wife of the home is a daughter, Annelle V. and Larry Jones of Ninety Six. Mr. Voiselle was the last member of his immediate family.
Funeral services will be conducted at 2 p.m. Tuesday from the Blyth Funeral Home Chapel with Rev. Gayle M. Summey and Rev. Louie Murray officiating.
Burial will be in Elmwood Cemetery.
The family is at the home on Cothran Street and will receive friends at the funeral home from 7 to 9 Monday evening.
Memorials may be made to Cambridge United Methodist Church, 201 Kitson Street, Ninety Six, S.C. 29666.
Online condolences may be sent to the family by visiting www.blythfuneralhome.com.
Blyth Funeral Home & Cremation Services is assisting the Voiselle family.

Doris Worthington

WATERLOO — Doris Worthington, 70, of 875 Relax St., wife of Charles L. Worthington, died Sunday, March 11, 2007 at Self Regional Medical Center.
Services will be announced by Harley Funeral Home and Crematory.

Marshall Plan

Winthrop coach heads to NCAA tournament this week

March 11, 2007

By JIM JOYCE
Special projects editor

Gregg Marshall, since his days as a resident of Greenwood, has traveled thousands of miles and continues to reach milestones in his coaching career.
Athletics has played a big part in his life, and probably was a big part in his decision to become a basketball coach. His father, Walter, attended Presbytrian College on a track scholarship and his grandfather, Walt, was a baseball umpire and directed the local Parks and Recreation Department activities for many years.
Marshall moved to Greenwood at age 3 and spent nine years here. Since that time, he has gone to Randolph Macon, Belmont Abbey, College of Charleston and Marshall University before moving to Winthrop University, where he has been head coach nine years.
Success has been almost like a middle name as his Eagles are entering this year’s NCAA national tournament — seventh in the last nine years for Winthrop.
Much of that success he credits to two coaches with whom he spent time as an assistant — the late Hall of Famer Al Nunnally at Randolph Macon and John Kresse, many years the head coach at College of Charleston.
Having spent more time as an assistant than head coach, Marshall said, “Moving (to the head coach) was a very big change. You are in charge of having to make decisions — the buck stops here.
“Eighteen inches in one chair is a monumental leap in terms of responsibility,” he said. “That 18 inches is from one side to the other in the chair and that’s a big responsibility.”
In the previous trips to the NCAA tournament, Winthrop has faced big-name teams such as Duke, Oklahoma and Auburn. The Eagles met Tennessee last year and lost in the last second.
“The last couple of years we’ve had a chance to advance,” Marshall said. “We led Gonzaga two years ago and lost in the last second last year.
“We have veteran players who have tasted bitter defeat,” Marshall said of the Eagles, who will know tonight who they face in the first round that starts Thursday.
“We’ve lost some very close games, so this year, we want to face a different side of the NCAA experience. All we want to do is go and play. We feel like we’re in good position for a good seed.”
As the Eagles go, so will three players Marshall said has been noticed by the National Basketball Association.
They are 6-5 guard Terrell Martin, of Columbia, 6-10 forward/center Craig Bradshaw, of Wellington, New Zealand, and 6-3 junior guard Michael Jenkins, of Kinston, N.C. All average in double figures.
“We play a moderate tempo and try to defend every position,” Marshall said. “We put a lot of emphasis on defense and we a very good rebounding team. For the most part, we just try to be sound on fundamentals.”
Marshall, who has been named District III Coach of the Year by the United States Basketball Writers Association, added, “I’m excited that our team has good chemistry and great size. The key for us is to play well and get a good seed.”
Winthrop is 28-4 and has won 18 games in a row since a loss to Texas A&M on the road.

Opinion

‘Outrageous’ attorney fees won’t convince taxpayers

March 12, 2007

Several days ago State Comptroller General Richard Eckstrom expressed concern about a huge fee a judge awarded attorneys in a high profile case. The judge’s order issued in the Layman v. South Carolina Retirement System case (the TERI lawsuit), granted attorney fees to the plaintiffs’ attorneys, what Eckstrom called the stunning amount of $8.6+ million.
Eckstrom said this high award should “shock the conscience” of every taxpayer in South Carolina. He called it a “stunning” and “ourageous” amount.
Stunning indeed. Outrageous, at least to taxpayers. It was calculated that the award amounted to $6,000 an hour.
This is yet another example of the unimaginable awards to attorneys in tobacco, asbestos and other class action suits.
Pay for legal work, as in anything else, should be reasonable and fair. Trouble is, many taxpayers see these huge sums as gouging by the legal system. How can that not hurt the very credibility of that system, not to mention individuals? There may be, to be sure, extenuating circumstances that satisfactorily explain the big paydays. Looks, though, mean a lot and taxpayers can be forgiven if they seem unconvinced.