Old Time Music Jam to begin 2019 sessions Sunday

Gathered in a circle, one person starts with a few notes, three, maybe four. Then, another person joins in with their own addition, and then another. Soon, everyone in the circle is playing together, creating their own music just like their ancestors before them.

After having to cancel January’s session, musician Art Lang said they will be bringing back their Old Time Music Jam event Sunday, Feb. 24.

Lang said the event is more than a decade old, though it has changed location several times before.

“I and another friend started doing it about 11 to 12 years ago,” he said. “We came up here to do our jam sessions about five years ago.”

Since they started, Lang said they perform a wide variety of “traditional” style music, including string band, Celtic, gospel, folk music and more.

He said the event is not a teaching session. Rather, it is meant to be a place where people can share their love of music with one another, either by performing along with them or by simply listening.

“Everybody is welcome,” he said. “Anyone who wants to play can play.”

He said normally, everyone gathers in a circle. Lang will start by playing a few notes, and then the next person can play based off of those notes. This continues around the circle until everyone is creating music together.

Though Lang said he prefers old-time music, he said most kinds of music is acceptable in the group.

“If someone wants to play bluegrass, they can,” he said. “No one ever complains about the music people end up playing.”

The only restrictions the group places on the music are those against music that is overly political or has excessive swearing in it.

He said the overall goal of the monthly event is to get people involved with music and what the musicians do, as opposed to what they might hear from other sources.

“Most people are only familiar with what they hear on the radio,” Lang said.

He said no one in the group is a professional musician of any sort. Rather, Lang said the group of between six and 10 people gather simply for their love of music.

The Old Time Music Jam will take place from 1:30 to 4 p.m. on Sunday at the Sycamore Shoals State Park.

“Feel free to bring a recording device for learning later,” Lang said. “We can play music that is listenable. We normally play music in the major scales.”

SportsPlus

Local news

Milligan Christmas concert to air on WJHL Dec. 24 & 25

Community

12-12-12; How could you forget that anniversary date?

Local news

Credit unions host grocery giveaway

Local news

City of Elizabethton announces Christmas holiday closures, adjusted garbage collection schedule

Local news

School board OKs hiring community partnership coordinator

Community

Senior Center closed week of Dec. 23-27

Local news

ETSU presents 2024 Alumni Awards

BREAKING NEWS

Update: Hazardous Weather Outlook issued for East Tennessee, Southwest Virginia, and Southwest North Carolina

Local news

TN launches statewide initiative to offer native trees for all residents

Local news

Elizabethton cheerleaders earn bid to Nationals in Orlando

Local news

Citizens Bank $50k donation to Hampton tech students offers hope

Church News

Church Briefs

Local news

Salvation Army will distribute holiday gift cards to hurricane-affected households in Carter County

Local news

CCSO increases impaired-driving enforcement during holiday season

Local news

VFW presents award to West Side educator

Local news

Gap Creek Bridge expected to re-open this week

Church News

How can I glorify God? (Part 2 of 3)

Community

Marilyn Boeker honored by local Democrats

Community

Old Christmas will be celebrated Jan. 4 & 5 at Fort Watauga

Local news

Blackburn demands accountability on Mountain Home VA scandal

Local news

Santa expects to be busy next week visiting with children at Speedway In Lights

Local news

Winter begins; stay safe and warm with TN fire marshal’s winter safety tips

Local news

What will winter bring to Southern Appalachia? ETSU experts: ‘Wait and See’ winter

BREAKING NEWS

Carter County EMA Director terminated; deputy director named interim leader