The Sound of YAMs

I’ve been bitten by the bluegrass bug. Late last summer, I blindly ventured out to a regular Friday night jam in Pumpkintown – a weekly gathering of bluegrass aficionados.

I walked in not knowing a soul and walked out four hours later with a bundle of new friends. Guess that’s the power of music.

I was surprised by the quality of musicians, but more surprised by the number of kids sitting in the “circle” with seasoned musicians. The best thing was that these seasoned veterans were carefully encouraging the youngsters and mentoring them in the soulful sound of mountain music.

Later I found out that Betty McDaniel, a teacher at Holly Springs School in Pickens, started a new program for students interested in learning about bluegrass. The Young Appalachian Musicians program or YAMs as it is fondly referred to, was born with the help of numerous volunteer musicians–some of the same ones sitting in that circle of music I witnessed in Pumpkintown. The YAM after-school program teaches guitar, mandolin, fiddle, and banjo to schoolchildren.

We’ve kept in touch since my introduction to bluegrass jams and YAMs. This is a wonderful program, and I’m pleased to offer any support to help this program grow. Next week on Saturday, March 28, Willow Creek Ranch in Dacusville, SC, will echo the sounds of some of the best bluegrass music in the Southern Appalachian Mountains. The inaugural Papa John Foster Memorial Music Festival will feature the traditional sounds of Curtis Blackwell and the Dixie Bluegrass Boys, Northern Border, and the gospel voices of Heaven’s Echoes. Also appearing are some of the most exciting groups in the Upstate like City Limits and Mountain View, along with banjo virtuoso Al Osteen and others. And, of course, the YAMs will perform from 12:40-2 p.m. and throughout the day with these various musicians.

The festival is a benefit for the YAMs as well as a memorial to John Derrill Foster who passed away last June. He was affectionately known as “Papa John” to the bluegrass community.

Tickets are $8 for adults and $4 for children under 12 if purchased in advance from Horizon Records in Greenville, Music Maker in Easley, Jimmy Rogers House of Music in Seneca and Phil’s Music in Greer, or call (864) 878-4257. Tickets will also be available at the gate for $10 and $5. Gates will open at 10 a.m. and performances begin at 11 a.m. Willow Creek Ranch is approximately 10 miles north of Easley. More information about the very popular YAM program may be found at www.freewebs.com/hollyspringyams/index.htm

That’s my “G” pick for the week. Hope to see you there.