The History of Bluegrass in North Georgia
North Georgia Bluegrass
Two local places that my kind of jamming are supported are the Snowhill
jam, held the first Saturday night of each month, except for December just
outside of Cleveland, TN and The Red Barn in Jasper, GA. The
Volunteer Fire Department sponsors the Snowhill jam each month. The
event is held in an old school building, there is a stage area, yummy
concessions, and numerous rooms for musicians to gather in. The
Volunteers take up donations from participants, the money is used to
sponsor their Christmas for Kids program in December. Another jam I
enjoy attending is in Jasper at ‘The Red Barn’. Brothers Joe and Gerald
Free along with their families, gather each Saturday afternoon. There is a
seating area for listeners with a small stage, home cooked food, and room
out back for the jammers to cluster together until the late hours of the
night. I enjoy attending each of these jams. Each event is family oriented,
no alcohol on the premises, free to attend, and support the local bluegrass
music in our area. I am proud to see the number of young musicians that
attend each event; it reassures me to know that the tradition of bluegrass
will continue for years to come.
jam, held the first Saturday night of each month, except for December just
outside of Cleveland, TN and The Red Barn in Jasper, GA. The
Volunteer Fire Department sponsors the Snowhill jam each month. The
event is held in an old school building, there is a stage area, yummy
concessions, and numerous rooms for musicians to gather in. The
Volunteers take up donations from participants, the money is used to
sponsor their Christmas for Kids program in December. Another jam I
enjoy attending is in Jasper at ‘The Red Barn’. Brothers Joe and Gerald
Free along with their families, gather each Saturday afternoon. There is a
seating area for listeners with a small stage, home cooked food, and room
out back for the jammers to cluster together until the late hours of the
night. I enjoy attending each of these jams. Each event is family oriented,
no alcohol on the premises, free to attend, and support the local bluegrass
music in our area. I am proud to see the number of young musicians that
attend each event; it reassures me to know that the tradition of bluegrass
will continue for years to come.
The story of Greg Brooks amazing 40-year career continues (below)
The key to mastering an instrument is time in hand. Even a pet can learn
to tolerate your practicing an instrument. My Dotson mix, Snoop, is about
eleven. He will sit at my feet or with his head in my lap as I fiddle.
Eventually he will have his fill and return to Snoops bed. As a father I
enjoyed practicing on Saturday mornings and learned that fiddling is
guaranteed to wake up the lazy teenagers when there are chores to do.
You can turn off an alarm clock but ole dad is gonna fiddle until he has help
to do chores, worked every time!
to tolerate your practicing an instrument. My Dotson mix, Snoop, is about
eleven. He will sit at my feet or with his head in my lap as I fiddle.
Eventually he will have his fill and return to Snoops bed. As a father I
enjoyed practicing on Saturday mornings and learned that fiddling is
guaranteed to wake up the lazy teenagers when there are chores to do.
You can turn off an alarm clock but ole dad is gonna fiddle until he has help
to do chores, worked every time!
Being part of a band, as I am, Blue Ridge Grass is a pleasure. We work
together as a band unit and just when we think we have mastered a song or
tune, one of us will think of a way to make it better. Being part of a regular
group helps to keep you in practice on a level that you are comfortable
playing. But we do not limit ourselves to playing within the band, I am
notorious for making appearances at any jam that I have the opportunity to
participate in … and love it …you never know who will be at a jam or what
they might be able to share with you that is not a part of your repertoire.
Blue Ridge Grass was formed out of a jam session on the Hiawassee River
in Benton, Tennessee in the early 1980’s. Over the years, some of the
faces in the band have changed. We were never a professional band, but
played as friends that enjoyed picking together. As work schedules and
obligations would arise, some members would step down. The band
regrouped about eight years ago. Josh played banjo until he left the group
to go on the road with Honi Deaton & Dream. That’s when Jamie Mason
became our banjo man.
together as a band unit and just when we think we have mastered a song or
tune, one of us will think of a way to make it better. Being part of a regular
group helps to keep you in practice on a level that you are comfortable
playing. But we do not limit ourselves to playing within the band, I am
notorious for making appearances at any jam that I have the opportunity to
participate in … and love it …you never know who will be at a jam or what
they might be able to share with you that is not a part of your repertoire.
Blue Ridge Grass was formed out of a jam session on the Hiawassee River
in Benton, Tennessee in the early 1980’s. Over the years, some of the
faces in the band have changed. We were never a professional band, but
played as friends that enjoyed picking together. As work schedules and
obligations would arise, some members would step down. The band
regrouped about eight years ago. Josh played banjo until he left the group
to go on the road with Honi Deaton & Dream. That’s when Jamie Mason
became our banjo man.
When Ray had to take a leave from the band for a few months, I thought we
were done until his return. Ray does the lead vocals, scheduling, web site,
and most importantly lead guitar. That’s when Jamie introduced his little
buddy, Josh Early, to the band. Ray attended the first practice that Josh
came to. Immediately we knew that Josh had the voice and spunk that we
had desired to be a part of the band. We did not realize that we would be
gaining an upside down left handed guitar picker…but hey…it works. Josh’
s unique style captivates the attention of an audience and encourages
other left handed musicians that anyone can play an instrument.
Blue Ridge Grass was titled as the first place State Champion Blue Grass
Band at the Hiawassee Fiddling Convention, an award that an older version
of the Blue Ridge Grass had received in years past. As a band, we do
not compete in many competitions. We pick together because we are
friends and enjoy playing together, and strive to be the best that we can be
as a band unit. The spirit of the music and the friendships shared within
the band are rewarding each time we get together.
were done until his return. Ray does the lead vocals, scheduling, web site,
and most importantly lead guitar. That’s when Jamie introduced his little
buddy, Josh Early, to the band. Ray attended the first practice that Josh
came to. Immediately we knew that Josh had the voice and spunk that we
had desired to be a part of the band. We did not realize that we would be
gaining an upside down left handed guitar picker…but hey…it works. Josh’
s unique style captivates the attention of an audience and encourages
other left handed musicians that anyone can play an instrument.
Blue Ridge Grass was titled as the first place State Champion Blue Grass
Band at the Hiawassee Fiddling Convention, an award that an older version
of the Blue Ridge Grass had received in years past. As a band, we do
not compete in many competitions. We pick together because we are
friends and enjoy playing together, and strive to be the best that we can be
as a band unit. The spirit of the music and the friendships shared within
the band are rewarding each time we get together.
At this point, I would like to say thank you to my friend, Billy Shields. Billy
and I played together, many years ago, in the Hot House Country Band. In
the late 1990’s, when I was working as a lineman for the local power
company, I had an accident. I had to climb a trailer pole, needless to say,
the pole was rotten and I was to far up to get back down safely. The pole
broke and I landed on my wrist. My wrist and shoulder both required
surgery and in the process I lost my turn radius to be able to work the notes
on my fiddle. It was Billy who came to my house, for hours on end, and
encouraged me to pick up my fiddle and learn how to play it again with my
handicap. Life as I know it today would be much different had Billy not
taken the time to help me overcome what I thought was the impossible.
That’s a true friend, and one that I have because our music brought us
together as friends many years ago.
and I played together, many years ago, in the Hot House Country Band. In
the late 1990’s, when I was working as a lineman for the local power
company, I had an accident. I had to climb a trailer pole, needless to say,
the pole was rotten and I was to far up to get back down safely. The pole
broke and I landed on my wrist. My wrist and shoulder both required
surgery and in the process I lost my turn radius to be able to work the notes
on my fiddle. It was Billy who came to my house, for hours on end, and
encouraged me to pick up my fiddle and learn how to play it again with my
handicap. Life as I know it today would be much different had Billy not
taken the time to help me overcome what I thought was the impossible.
That’s a true friend, and one that I have because our music brought us
together as friends many years ago.
If I died today, I would want the world to know that I had a blast. Life has
been full of the blessings of friendship and music. Many thanks my family,
friends, and people whose name I may not remember but won’t forget when
and what we had the opportunity to pick together. It is important to carry on
the tradition of music, remember where it came from, and pass it on to
generations to come.
As for the wives and girlfriends (that don’t play an instrument) of musicians,
they either enjoy the ‘bluegrass’ like we do or they hate it. If they enjoy it,
like Stephanie does, they support the habit. Steph calls herself the
‘Roadie’ of Blue Ridge Grass. She does my driving, picture taking, handles
the directions (can’t always trust John Watson with his GPS), helps with
setting up sound, and choosing where to eat with the guys after a show.
She usually cleans the picking room, picks up a pizza or bakes something
sweet for our Thursday night practice session each week. She does not
sing or dance and all she can pick is the vegetables from the garden, but
that does not keep her from enjoying the music. We have attended
several of Bobby Hicks fiddling classes and met some fine people like
Aubrey Haney and Buddy Spiker who I would only have ‘heard about’ or
‘listened to’ had she not attended the classes with me because I could not
have made to drive alone since my accident that damaged my heels.
been full of the blessings of friendship and music. Many thanks my family,
friends, and people whose name I may not remember but won’t forget when
and what we had the opportunity to pick together. It is important to carry on
the tradition of music, remember where it came from, and pass it on to
generations to come.
As for the wives and girlfriends (that don’t play an instrument) of musicians,
they either enjoy the ‘bluegrass’ like we do or they hate it. If they enjoy it,
like Stephanie does, they support the habit. Steph calls herself the
‘Roadie’ of Blue Ridge Grass. She does my driving, picture taking, handles
the directions (can’t always trust John Watson with his GPS), helps with
setting up sound, and choosing where to eat with the guys after a show.
She usually cleans the picking room, picks up a pizza or bakes something
sweet for our Thursday night practice session each week. She does not
sing or dance and all she can pick is the vegetables from the garden, but
that does not keep her from enjoying the music. We have attended
several of Bobby Hicks fiddling classes and met some fine people like
Aubrey Haney and Buddy Spiker who I would only have ‘heard about’ or
‘listened to’ had she not attended the classes with me because I could not
have made to drive alone since my accident that damaged my heels.
(Editorial comment from wife Stephanie Brooks)
It’s not bad being a ‘Roadie’. I’ve made a lot of friends in the bluegrass
realm. Jams and shows take the band or just me and Greg to places and
events that otherwise I would not get to experience. A lot of venues are
part of a craft festival or located within some good shopping centers.
Recently we traded vehicles so that Greg could put his fiddle and Ray with
his guitar in the back seat and I could use the back cargo area to carry
home my purchases. I have been known to go a little overboard shopping.
Now I don’t have to pack things in the back of Roger’s truck and hope that it
does not rain before we return home. Regardless of how long the drive is
or how hot the event, we enjoy the road trips because we are hanging out
with old friends and making new ones.
It’s not bad being a ‘Roadie’. I’ve made a lot of friends in the bluegrass
realm. Jams and shows take the band or just me and Greg to places and
events that otherwise I would not get to experience. A lot of venues are
part of a craft festival or located within some good shopping centers.
Recently we traded vehicles so that Greg could put his fiddle and Ray with
his guitar in the back seat and I could use the back cargo area to carry
home my purchases. I have been known to go a little overboard shopping.
Now I don’t have to pack things in the back of Roger’s truck and hope that it
does not rain before we return home. Regardless of how long the drive is
or how hot the event, we enjoy the road trips because we are hanging out
with old friends and making new ones.
Buddy Spiker and Greg
Brooks
Brooks
Greg Brooks (L) and
Aubrey Haney (R)
Aubrey Haney (R)
The original members of
Blue Ridge Grass included;
L to R, Greg Brooks (fiddle) ,
Don Miller (banjo), Jim
Ritchie (bass), Ray Ritchie
guitar), Buddy McClary
(mandolin)
Blue Ridge Grass included;
L to R, Greg Brooks (fiddle) ,
Don Miller (banjo), Jim
Ritchie (bass), Ray Ritchie
guitar), Buddy McClary
(mandolin)
Greg Brooks with legend
Bill Monroe
Bill Monroe
