|
By David Stephens
HOMETOWN NEWS
The first bluegrass jam held at Blvd Music in Boiling Springs on April 17 was just the first of what organizer Gilbert Nelson hopes will be many more to follow. Nelson is a music teacher and also the leader of the bluegrass band High Cotton Sky. Nelson has been playing bluegrass for 24 years and related how he came to love that music.
Nelson said, “When I was eight - years - old my dad took me to a folk music and bluegrass festival at the Chicago School of Music. I got to mingle with all the great musicians like Don Reno and Mike Seeger and listen to their music. I suppose I was just overwhelmed by it and have loved bluegrass ever since.”
Gilbert Nelson’s wife, Leigh, also plays in the High Cotton Sky band and said, “My love of music comes from Nelson. We were coming back from a gig somewhere one day and passed a music store. I said ‘stop, I want to get a bass.’ I have been playing with the band ever since.”
Leigh Nelson continued, “This jam is a great opportunity for all ages to come together and share their love of bluegrass.”
There were about a dozen musicians at the jam. One of them, mandolin player Dan Alexander, said, “I started playing musical instruments in high school and now I have been playing for at least 50 years. I have played all types of music, but old country and bluegrass are my favorites. I have had music in my life for so long I don’t remember it not being there.”
Jam organizer Gilbert Nelson said, “We hope to attract a younger crowd along with everyone else to the jam sessions. The younger crowd can really help us spread the joy of bluegrass while learning to perform and play in a social context as well. We hope to make these jam sessions a regular thing.”
Watch the Boiling Springs Community Calendar for the date of the next Blvd Bluegrass Jam.
 Email This Post
|
