Tryon Fine Arts Center (TFAC) will host a concert, instrument exhibit and silent auction to benefit the new Pacolet JAM program on Thursday, July 24 at 7 p.m. Pacolet JAM, a program sponsored by TFAC Arts in Education, will begin classes in guitar, fiddle, bluegrass banjo and singing for rising fourth, fifth and sixth graders in September 2014.
Affiliated with Junior Appalachian Musicians, Inc. in Independence, Va., TFAC’s Pacolet JAM seeks to preserve mountain music heritage by offering instruction with local, professional musicians and teachers.
Proceeds from the July 24 benefit concert will support a scholarship program for students to attend the Pacolet JAM classes.
Headlining the July 24 concert will be Virginia Luthiers Gerald Anderson and Spencer Strickland, who will be in Tryon teaching a guitar-building workshop at Tryon Arts and Crafts.
Gerald Anderson, who worked for 25 years in Wayne Henderson’s shop, is well known for his great guitar playing and well as the guitars and mandolins that he builds. Before setting up his own shop, Spencer worked in Gerald’s shop as an intern and partner. Spencer is a talented mandolinist, a former member of the Kenny and Amanda Smith Band, and currently plays with up and coming Americana artists The Church Sisters. Gerald and Spencer also perform with the Virginia Luthiers, which includes Wayne Henderson and Jimmy Edmonds. Gerald and Spencer recently completed and presented a commissioned guitar to Dolly Parton.
Also appearing at TFAC on July 24 are:
Bob and Amy Buckingham, old time duet from Greer, S.C.
New 5 Cents, a bluegrass band that includes Richard Jolly (Forest City) on guitar, Brett Setzer (Morganton) on banjo, and Russ and Billie Jordan (Green Creek), on mandolin and upright bass.
Sweet Potato Pie Kids—participants in the YAM Program in Pickens County, S.C.
Doors will open at 6:30 p.m. Instruments built by Gerald Anderson and Spencer Strickland will be on display and visitors can meet the luthiers. The concert begins at 7 p.m., and admission is by donation with all proceeds to benefit Pacolet JAM. Tryon Fine Arts Center provides opportunities and facilities for the entire Carolina Foothills community in order to advance experience and participation in the arts. Call 828-859-8322, email pacjam@tryonarts.org or visit www.tryonarts.org for more information.

– article submitted
by Marianne Carruth