Tellico Village residents strum their banjos and guitars at Chota Recreation Center as part of Bluegrass Jam, which is held 7-9 p.m. the first and third Wednesday of the month.
Whether the Village resident is a beginner or an accomplished musician, they’re more than welcome to join the group, Andy Hadjian, club president, said.
Hadjian founded Bluegrass Jam three years ago in hopes of bringing Village residents together for the love of bluegrass music. The group plays mainly bluegrass but stretches into gospel and country at times for variety. Instruments brought to the jam often include the banjo, guitar, fiddle, bass mandolin, harmonica and dobro, also known as a resonator guitar.
“Basically, my goal when I started it, and still is, is to have a place where people who like to play bluegrass music, all ability levels can come play, be comfortable, jam, learn from other people,” Hadjian said.
Bluegrass music originated in Ireland and Scotland, Hadjian said. Irish and Scottish ancestors brought over instruments like the fiddle. Many of them were poor, but the name came from the primary area the people settled in, which was Kentucky.
“A lot of them settled in Appalachia, and these were not wealthy people,” Hadjian said. “These were basically people, but what they had, they had their music, their love of music. Because a lot of it was centered around Kentucky, which is the Bluegrass State, it became bluegrass music.”
The key to the group is that everything is done acoustically. No sound system or amplifiers are allowed. Being strictly acoustic sets bluegrass music apart from country and rock genres.
Bluegrass Jam keeps that in mind, but the main focus is on having fun and being comfortable participating regardless of skill level. Hadjian said beginners may participate where they feel most relaxed, whether that be sitting in the back strumming along or getting highly involved in the song being played.
“We’re very patient with people,” Hadjian said. “Sometimes we’ll play songs a couple of times, try it in different keys. We slow things down for people, and it’s just to have a place where people can come and enjoy that music and learn about it, exchange ideas, talk about what’s going on in the bluegrass community.”
Sometimes the group numbers are as low as three people, and sometimes as high as 12 people. Hadjian said some residents just come to listen, which is welcomed as well. The group plays no specific songs. Bluegrass musicians all know anywhere from 30-40 songs by memory, Hadjian said.
While he has always loved bluegrass music, he picked up the banjo seven years ago.
“I have always enjoyed bluegrass music, always enjoyed the sound of the banjo,” Hadjian said. “It’s not an easy instrument, and I’d played guitar prior to that and still play some guitar.”
Some members sing, and some don’t. Hadjian said Bluegrass Jam attendees don’t consider themselves an organized group because different people come at any given time. They rarely play outside of the scheduled meeting times, he said, but he enjoys the company and performing together anyway.
“I like the community spirit,” Hadjian said. “There’s always a community spirit around bluegrass. It’s good Americana wholesome music.”
