This “reprint” is for those who have not been following the news of the upcoming Clash of the Titans through the HCH’s publication, The Horn Book. The three articles are presented below in chronological order, so you can appreciate the suspense and intrigue of this contest.  You will notice the date “smack down” has changed, but it is here and it is final. We will be reporting of the outcome! -Bill Carter JM

Roland Cadle, Founder and Master Horner.

Billy Griner, Freeman and Past Guildmaster.

Clash of the Titans to Occur March 4-5, 2011  at the HCH Annual Meeting! (now at Dixon’s 2011) From the December 2010 Issue of The Horn Book

The investigative department of The Horn Book uncovered a major conflict within the Guild and we thought it only appropriate to keep the membership informed. Rumor has it that Billy Griner mentioned to Roland Cadle that he had the prettiest little green horn and was going to make a North Carolina Banded Horn with it.  Roland responded that he too had a nice little horn and he was going to make one as well and that his would be more historically accurate down to the most minute detail.  Billy responded that he doubted that anyone who has hardly ever left the great state of Pennsylvania could even begin to understand basic southern colonial culture that inspired such a “unique accoutrement!” -Whoa!!!  The gauntlet has been thrown down; it’s Roland Cadle (160 lbs) vs Billy Griner (275 lbs) in the great North Carolina Banded Horn smack-down to take place March 4-5, 2011, at the Guild’s Annual Meeting! -Each is to bring their completed banded horns for judgment.  Guild members in attendance can cast their vote at the registration desk as to which horn they like best, with the winner being announced at Saturday night’s supper. A benefactor, who wishes to remain anonymous, has offered a $100 prize to be awarded to the winner with the stipulation that should a tie occur, the winner will be determined by the Guildmaster – wait, he’s from Pennsylvania so that’s not fair!  OK, the Awards Committee Chief – he’s from Pennsylvania too!  OK then the Treasurer – Pennsylvania again!  How about the Secretary – ditto!  Hell, just pick one! As I see it, Billy has three problems: #1- too many tie breaking judges from Pennsylvania, #2- his opponent is a preacher man, and #3- everyone can’t help but look at this event as a David vs Goliath moment!!  And Billy ain’t David!! This is one annual meeting I don’t want to miss; it should prove quite interesting, as with the personalities involved, it shall indeed be a battle of biblical proportions! Expect to see a full blown article on this clash of egos in the January 2011 issue of The Horn Book!

Battle of the Titans From the Winter 2011 Issue of The Horn Book

It is with great sadness, but my duty, to report that the greatly anticipated Battle of the Titans (aka Roland Cadle vs Billy Griner) has been postponed till Dixon ’s.  Why are these two gladiators disappointing the crowds who planned on gathering in the coliseum to witness this clash of warriors!  The much anticipated Smackdown of Smackdowns has turned out to be a Naptime of Naptimes!  A real yawner!  But fear not, this intrepid reporter will stay on the story and keep you posted and up to date on all the behind the scene maneuverings.  Not only will another follow-up story appear in the May issue, but there are already a few tidbits of information you need to be made aware of regarding recent developments of this ongoing saga!  I embellish, …er report, you decide!

-Last October four Guild members (Billy Griner, Rick Sheets, Jeff Bottiger and Ed McDilda) attended an event at the Museum of Appalachia in Norris , TN to demonstrate and promote horn work.  All was fine till Ed started asking Billy a lot of questions about the design and architecture of his horn that would be competing against Roland’s.  After 3 days Billy got suspicious when he found out that Ed was from Pennsylvania , just like Roland.  So is it true that Roland sent a spy to Tennessee with specific instructions to gain information from Billy on his horn?  Why did Ed McDilda undertake such a dangerous mission?  When the two were contacted, Roland said this whole episode was a figment of Griner’s imagination and Ed said, “What’s a figment?”

-Is it true that Billy threatened this reporter with bodily harm if an immediate cessation of verbiage didn’t occur?

-Is it true that Billy wants to square off with Bowie Knives and a Silk Scarf to work this whole “banded horn” thing out?

-And finally, is it true that Bill Scurlock, Publisher of Muzzleloader Magazine has doubled the prize money to be awarded, bringing the total to $250!!

STAY TUNED!  MORE TO FOLLOW!

Clash of the Titans From the Summer 2011 Issue of The Horn Book

–Update: Suspense, intrigue, illicit spying, verbal sparing, threats, hints of violent acts, confrontations postponed, media meddling, mysterious benefactors feeding the frenzy with promises of monetary gain! – Yes Guild members, this is what it has all boiled down to.  No Guild members I am not talking about the sorry state of affairs in our nation’s capital, I’m talking about the “Smackdown of Smackdowns,” the “David vs Goliath,” the “Northern Confederacy vs the Southern Cabal” or the more popular description – the “CLASH OF THE TITANS!!” Yes Guild members, the time has come to poney up, belly up to the bar, put up or shut up, show me the money, and walk the walk.  In just a few weeks this saga of sagas will enter its final phase!  Will the rhetoric exceed the artisanship?  Will the light shine down on the “Preacher Man?” Will he have to summon help from on high?  Will the “Pride of the Southern Colonies” land a knockout punch?  Will it once again take Southern stamina, fortitude, dedication and perseverance to show northern colonialists how to finish a fight they started, as occurred back in the Revolutionary War? These and other questions will finally be put to rest during the Guild’s summer gathering at Dixon ’s.  Specifically, on Friday evening at the Jacobsburg Historical Society when the Guild has its annual summer cookout, the “Feasts of Feasts!” All Guild members and guests are invited and following the supper, the winner of the “North Carolina Banded Horn Competition” will be announced!  Finally! When you sign in at the site, two horns will be on display: Horn “A” and Horn “B.” Each person will be given a ballot which you’ll sign and circle your choice of which horn you think best represents those qualities of a North Carolina Banded Horn.  Votes will be counted and the winner announced after the supper.  Tom Ames, who has been in charge of the Accouterments Judging Panel at Dixon’s for the past 27 years, will oversee the voting to insure adherence to the highest standards of conduct and judiciously take action should any illicit acts occur or are attempted!  You must be present to vote and no proxy votes are allowed! The winner will walk away with bragging rights and a $250 cash prize thanks to the kind donation of Bill Scurlock’s “Muzzleloader Magazine” and an anonymous benefactor within the Guild. So please come on out to an evening of food and fun and support your Guild, I promise this will be one event everyone will talk about for months to come!