The Latimers - Person Sheet
The Latimers - Person Sheet
NamePENDER, Nicholas Anderson Jr. 
Birth Date25 Sep 1941
Birth PlaceDothan, Houston County, Alabama
OccupationCPA And Musician
Death Date8 Aug 2004 Age: 62
Death PlaceDahlonega, Lumpkin County, Georgia
Misc. Notes
Nick Pender: Appalachia in his heart
Posted on November 16, 2011
By Glenda Neel Pender
My late husband, Nick Pender, actually became physically rooted in Appalachia when we moved to Dahlonega in 1983. But I know he was always grounded here in his soul. He grew up in the deep south in a small town in the Florida panhandle, where the cultural ethos is Appalachian-like in so many ways. There, in the 1940s and 50s, he was steeped in the music of the south via radio and live performance — gospel quartets, blues, bluegrass, soul, and rock and roll (and his mother played piano and organ in the local church). He was introduced to The Stanley Brothers and Bill Monroe. He was hooked for life and his love for this music led him directly to the Appalachian region of North Georgia.
So – once he got here, he plunged right in, jamming and performing with a vengeance. He played bass and had a voice with a mountain ache in it. He was often compared to Ralph Stanley. He was a founding member in 1984 of The Shoal Creek Band (and later of the Gold Rush Band). Not only did he want to perform, it was a mission of his to pass the music on to others, particularly the next generation. He organized jamming on the public square, and he and I started a music program in the local schools and later, along with others, taught at Woody Gap School in Suches. He was a founder of the Bear on the Square Mountain Festival and helped shape its commitment to the authentic music of the Southern Appalachians. He and I designed the festival’s music program, which I continue to chair. Nick was also a member of the original cast of the Mountain Music and Medicine Show, developing the character of Mr. Nix, local merchant and keeper of folk traditions.
Nick Pender achieved another long-held dream — to record a CD in Nashville. He and I did that in 2002-2003, holding our CD Release Concert in March of 2003 at The Folkways Center of the Georgia Mountains to a standing-room-only crowd. He was so pleased — both with the accomplishment of a dream and with the loving support of friends and family.
Nick died in 2004, leaving us with many gentle reminders about following our dreams and listening to that calling in our hearts. He was called to Appalachia in his heart, not just as a place but as a symbol of so much that mattered to him. He heeded that call. He was loved by many and continues to inspire us.
Author’s bio: Glenda Pender is on the board of directors of the Georgia Pick and Bow Traditional Music School and the president and music chair of the Bear on the Square Mountain Festival in Dahlonega.
Posted on November 16, 2011
By Glenda Neel Pender
My late husband, Nick Pender, actually became physically rooted in Appalachia when we moved to Dahlonega in 1983. But I know he was always grounded here in his soul. He grew up in the deep south in a small town in the Florida panhandle, where the cultural ethos is Appalachian-like in so many ways. There, in the 1940s and 50s, he was steeped in the music of the south via radio and live performance — gospel quartets, blues, bluegrass, soul, and rock and roll (and his mother played piano and organ in the local church). He was introduced to The Stanley Brothers and Bill Monroe. He was hooked for life and his love for this music led him directly to the Appalachian region of North Georgia.
So – once he got here, he plunged right in, jamming and performing with a vengeance. He played bass and had a voice with a mountain ache in it. He was often compared to Ralph Stanley. He was a founding member in 1984 of The Shoal Creek Band (and later of the Gold Rush Band). Not only did he want to perform, it was a mission of his to pass the music on to others, particularly the next generation. He organized jamming on the public square, and he and I started a music program in the local schools and later, along with others, taught at Woody Gap School in Suches. He was a founder of the Bear on the Square Mountain Festival and helped shape its commitment to the authentic music of the Southern Appalachians. He and I designed the festival’s music program, which I continue to chair. Nick was also a member of the original cast of the Mountain Music and Medicine Show, developing the character of Mr. Nix, local merchant and keeper of folk traditions.
Nick Pender achieved another long-held dream — to record a CD in Nashville. He and I did that in 2002-2003, holding our CD Release Concert in March of 2003 at The Folkways Center of the Georgia Mountains to a standing-room-only crowd. He was so pleased — both with the accomplishment of a dream and with the loving support of friends and family.
Nick died in 2004, leaving us with many gentle reminders about following our dreams and listening to that calling in our hearts. He was called to Appalachia in his heart, not just as a place but as a symbol of so much that mattered to him. He heeded that call. He was loved by many and continues to inspire us.
Author’s bio: Glenda Pender is on the board of directors of the Georgia Pick and Bow Traditional Music School and the president and music chair of the Bear on the Square Mountain Festival in Dahlonega.
