Smyth County Jam Blog

We had a good turn out for our Christmas Dinner. Some of the best pickers and singers we’ve ever had were there. Not too mentions the fine assortment of great food. I would like to thank everyone that participated and helped with this dinner and jam. I’m already looking forward to next year.

Ron Brickey (ronsvideokeepers) has been putting some good videos on YouTube of the Smyth County Jam. You can find them by doing a search for videos of the Smyth County Jam. He is doing an excellent job.

Lewis Barton has also put some of the jam videos on YouTube. A lot of them are from the secret jam that takes place in the basement at least once per month. Some of the best finger picking and country music you will ever hear.

I am in the process of putting some of the Jam Cam videos on the website and on YouTube. I think I have about 3 years of the jam on DVD’s. So look for them soon.

Be sure to check out the Bios section; I’m still several Bios behind, but I am working on it.

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This is the first post to the Smyth County Jam Blog. The Smyth County Jam is a music event held every Monday night starting around 6:30 at the Chilhowie Lions Club building in Chilhowie, Virginia. We have musicians that range from beginners to seasoned pros show up on a regular basis along with an ever-growing audience.

There are multiple jam rooms in the back, and a very nice stage and PA system in the front for the “open mic” protion of the jam. This is mostly a Bluegrass Jam, but Old-Time pickers and acousitc pickers are also welcome. On the first Monday of each month, we have a group of “Chet Atkins” / “Merle Travis” style players that do bring their small amps and pick in the basement; this part of the jam is really starting to grow.

On October 10, we will celebrate our forth year at the Chilhowie Lions Club. Prior to that, we spent one year at the Allison Gap Ruritan Club, one year at the Holton Valley Coon Club building, and one year at the Saltville Rescue Squad building (all in Saltville, VA). Due to our phenominal growth and to position the jam for future growth, we made a leap of faith to move the Smyth County Jam to Chilhowie which has turned out to be a blessing in many ways.

We also held our First Annual Smyth County Jam Festival at the Chilhowie Recreation Park on Labor Day Weekend. This was a tremendous success as we had more performers and a much better setup than we had when we held our Labor Day Jam in Saltville the previous 12 years. Our jam was called the Saltville Jam up until this year when we decided to move and change the name to the Smyth County Jam Festival. The Town of Chilhowie welcomed us with open arms and have agreed to let us hold our jam in their park indefinitely. You can find more details and history on our website.

Be sure to check out the new website and especially the Bios section. This is a work in process, so please bare with me while I make adjustments.

Please feel free to join this blog and help us improve the Smyth County Jam.