Last night I attended the weekly jam session at the music store where I occasionally help out. This is really fun and popular. Usually 20 to 30 people just doing what they can do. No one is left out, everyone gets to play his music or can just listen and learn.

This is the music that has been here in the Blue Ridge since time out of mind. In my early years when company came to make music, we pushed the furniture against the wall and let her fly. The music was and is joyful and joyous, sad and happy, religous and some almost blasphemy.

Among the performers,a young man who is partially retarded and does not learn easily. He loves to sing his gospel songs and gets plenty of help from these fine people.

An old man with Parkinsons desease. Plays great harmonica. He says his shaking hands help him keep time.

An old man in his 80's playing his autoharp.The high lonesome songs of his youth. Priceless.

The Jewish guitar picking singer who played and sang a song in Hebrew.This crowd of Protestants loved it.

This goes on and on. Everyone sings and plays to their hearts content. Lessons are given and hot licks learned. Instruments are compared and discussed.

I love this music and the people.I could attend a pickin every nite of the week in folks houses, community centers or churches. This has been going on for generations and I hope always will.

Old time mountain music was born and raised around here and is as much a part of the culture as slow southern talking or corn bread.

Just something I wanted to say, Jeep