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Bluegrass Jamboree raises about $5,000 for AMR
WARM SPRINGS - The recent Bath Bluegrass Jamboree raised approximately $5,000 for non-profit Allegheny Mountain Radio. According to WCHG station coordinator Bonnie Gills, final figures were still being tabulated this week.
"We had about a full house," she said of the March 29 event, noting it was probably one of the best bluegrass jams they've had since the performances were started six years ago. The four participating bands were: High Ground, Locust Mountain Boys, 220 South, and the Wright Kids.
"It was a great evening of bluegrass," said volunteer DJ Willie Smith of Warm Springs, who searches out bands for the event and also performs with 220 South. This year, he brought the Locust Mountain Boys and High Ground to town and said, "It was their first time (here), and they enjoyed themselves."
For popularity, though, the Wright Kids band couldn't be beat. "The Wright Kids performed here two years ago and everyone was so taken with them. People probably wanted to hear them again," said Gills. "They are amazing."
Smith recalled that he found the children performing at a fiddle fest in Roanoke about four years ago. "I said, this is something. The little girl wasn't even six years old," he said. "The youngsters know their songs really well. And Mason (today) could sit in with just any bluegrass band."
Mason is 19. His sister, Sage, is 11, and brothers Baruch and Levi are ages 9 and 7 respectively. They are the children of Barry and Suzie Wright and live in Rocky Mount, a half hour's drive from Roanoke.
Barry Wright said as part of raising their youngsters responsibly, he and his wife decided their education should include music. The children are home schooled and take music lessons in Roanoke. "The kids are still immersed in classical music; we went the route with traditional music," he said. "But my wife and I grew up listening to bluegrass; the kids just started picking it up by ear. We have a lot of fun with that and started the performances about seven years ago." The homegrown bluegrass band was formed with Mason on fiddle, Sage on violin and fiddle (now on mandolin), and Baruch on guitar and base. The youngest, Levi, has joined them to play the upright base.
"We have a lot of fun at events such as in Bath County; the kids enjoy performing there," Wright said. And do Mom and Dad play musical instruments? No. "And right now, we're too busy to learn!" said Wright, laughing, referring to the family's crazy schedule with music lessons for their four children. He's keeping the option open of learning to play the guitar in the future.
Volunteers support station
Smith has been a volunteer DJ at the station's Monterey location, WVLS 89.7 FM, since 2000, and for the past six years he's helped organize the jamboree. "I kind of look for the bands throughout the year; I shop around and try to get a couple of new ones to keep things interesting," he said. "For some local people, this may be their only chance to hear bluegrass. Usually by the end of December I have the bands and start planning in January, and looking for sponsorship."
He added, "We couldn't do it without that. It gives us an affordable (ticket) price for the jamboree. We had over 20 sponsors." Jamboree sponsors this year included Homestead Preserve, Garth Newel Music Center, Bath County Arts Association, Dominion Generation, Westvaco, Barking Dog Productions, and Helmick Well & Pump.
Allegheny Mountain Radio is supported by donations, which pay for operating expenses. The DJs are all volunteers and also include Norris Long at WVMR-AM West Virginia Mountain Radio, who participated at the jamboree with Smith.
"We exist primarily for community service, news and information," she said. The station plays every genre of music, from country and bluegrass to jazz, alternative and an overnight classical selection. Staff includes VISTA (Volunteer in Service to America) volunteer Elaine Brown, who is finishing the first year of her two-year assignment.
"The event was great. We're all very tired, but we're very happy," Gills said on Monday after the event. "And we had the most fantastic help from the school custodian on duty that night, Jody Shifflett.We thank everyone who came and for the support they give the radio station, and all the volunteers who helped to put this on, about 25 volunteers."
The station will hold an open house this Saturday, April 12, from 2-5 p.m., to recognize that community support and help with the building addition and renovation to the facility located behind Bath County High School.
- Gina Hamilton
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