Georgia Bluegrass: Stone Mountain Village

On March 31st, the family took a day trip to the Stone Mountain Village Bluegrass Festival. There is nothing more American, more organic, than bluegrass music. Bluegrass evolved from the music that the Scott-Irish immigrants, who populated the Appalachian mountains, brought with them.

Eventually it would be brought to the mainstream by the likes of Bill Monroe and his Bluegrass Boys. The actual genre of bluegrass derived its name from this group. Of course all sorts of greats like Flatt and Scruggs, The Osborne Brothers, and many of the early pioneers of this musical format was influenced or were members of Bill Monroe's band.

Just before the Stone Mountain Festival kicked off, one of the all time greats of bluegrass -- Earl Scruggs passed away in Nashville. Scruggs brought the three-finger picking style of the banjo to the forefront while performing with Bill Monroe in the mid-1940s. That moment was broadcast live on the radio during the Grand Ole Opry. It was a musical moment akin to Elvis shaking his hips on live television -- but well received. Generations of banjo players would imitate Scruggs style of picking, which allowed the banjo to be played faster than the typical claw-hammer style that was prevalent before hand.

At the festival, many of the banjo pickers played one or both styles. There was a main stage set up for the headliner bands, and then assorted groups would gather along the main drag of the event breaking into impromptu jam sessions. It was pure heaven for a bluegrass lover. Of course the thing I love most about bluegrass is that one can go from singing about corn whiskey into a gospel song that is more theologically sound than most preachers I've heard.

Now I know there are those reading this blog that will poo poo bluegrass as being unrefined and hillbilly. But to disrespect this genre is akin to burning the American Flag in my humble opinion. For there is nothing more Americana than bluegrass -- it is America's music. Brought here by immigrants and refined into what it is today by their offspring. And that my friend is essentially American.