Music

Ashe County is very proud of its musical heritage. The traditional mountain music was born of the melding of the Scots, Irish, and English, the primary settlers of the region in the 1700’s. This musical heritage is celebrated and honored in many ways. Ashe County is host to the Junior Appalachian Musicians Project (JAM), a significant Arts Council-sponsored program that impacts Ashe County’s young people. JAM focuses on the traditional musical roots and the preservation of the musical heritage by teaching the next generation to play guitar, fiddle, and banjo. What better way to preserve the past than to pass the traditions along to the future?

Opportunities to experience the musical heritage of the County are found all year long in Ashe.

The Christmas in July street festival is held in West Jefferson every year. Featuring local musicians, dance performers, vendors in a street fair atmosphere the event also includes a juried exhibit of local art and craft.

The life of Ola Belle Reed, known as the mother of bluegrass, is celebrated during the Ola Belle Reed Festival in August. Held in Lansing, the festival brings together musicians from all over the country to celebrate her significant contribution to bluegrass music.

Merlefest takes place in neighboring Wilkes County, where, every spring, the musical talents of the Grammy-winning composer and performer Doc Watson are showcased. Doc is one of many who perform at Merlefest during a three-day celebration named after the late Merle Watson, Doc’s only son. Musicians from all over the world arrive to celebrate traditional bluegrass music.

Local music venues allow visitors to not only enjoy the music, but participate as well. Visitors are encouraged to bring their instruments and experience the true culture of the music by participating in one of the many local jam sessions held throughout the county.

Enjoy the concert series held monthly in the summer months. The West Jefferson Community Partnership sponsors concerts in the BackStreet Park in Downtown West Jefferson.

The New River Blues Festival takes place every year on the banks of the historic New River. Blues at its best!

The Jeffersons Rotary Club sponsors the Ashe County Bluegrass and Old Time Fiddlers Convention every summer and is another opportunity to experience old time music.

2010 marks the 16th anniversary of the Todd New River Festival in Todd featuring local crafts, mountain music, food and fun for all.

Local Live Music

If you’re looking for the authentic musical roots of Ashe County, look no further than a local barn or outbuilding on a Friday night just about year-round! There are many opportunities to hear the old fashioned pickin’ and grinnin’ – just the way it has been for a hundred years or more­—where local and regional musicians drag up a chair or stool and join in a musical bluegrass or gospel or Celtic music “jam.” 

Here are a few places that are known to have music on Friday nights. Best to call first, especially in winter, but in summer, these are pretty good bets.

Todd General Store. This general store features an old fashioned deli, drinks in glass bottles, crafts, antiques, and ice cream in addition to musicians gathered in a circle around an old pot-bellied stove. In addition, there is Tuesday story-telling beginning at 6 p.m. May to October. Bluegrass is on Fridays with dinner starting at 6 p.m. and music starting around 7 p.m. Directions: From West Jefferson, take Hwy. 221 S. to  Hwy. 194 S. to Railroad Grade Road just at the county line. 336-877-1067.

Phipps Country Store. The Phipps Store has reopened after 55 years of sitting idle. They sell mountain handmade crafts and art from northwest North Carolina and Virginia. The store has been in the family for four generations and is home to the traditional Friday Night Music Jam. Local mountain music is played every Friday from 7-10 p.m. and is open to all skill levels and ages. Admission is free with donations welcome for upkeep. Directions: From Jefferson, take Old Hwy. 16 (North Main St.) to North Fork New River Road to 2425 Silas Creek Road. 336-384-2382.

Mountain Music Jamboree. This is a Saturday night opportunity and there is a small admission charge, but it is unique and totally worth it! Featuring top-ranked local and regional bands, owner Arvill Scott opens the doors of his music “barn” for a dinner buffet at 6 p.m. and music at 7 p.m. on Saturdays. With a large dance floor, there is opportunity for line dancing, square dancing, round dancing, contra dancing – any kind you can imagine is encouraged. And as Arvill says, “You can sit and grin or you can join right in!” From West Jefferson, take Hwy. 163 to 16 North and look for Mountain Music Jamboree on the right in Glendale Springs. 800-803-4079.