The High Country Bluegrass Jam
Tuesday Evenings In Boone Are Made For Bluegrass

The weekends aren't the only times that one can find
some great bluegrass music for their listening
pleasure and participation. Tuesday nights are highly anticipated by folks that have had the pleasure of attending the High Country Jam, which is held at the High Country Home Builders Association on the 105 Bypass in Boone. This event begins on Tuesdays at 7 p.m. and goes until 9:30 p.m. There is no charge for attendance, although a donation jar is sent around the room (more on that later in the article).

After moving from its previous location just over a year ago, "The Jam" has flourished in its new location. According to Cliff and Joyce Waters, organizers and sponsors of the jam, the numbers average 115 weekly, with a large percentage of this number being folks that just come to listen to the music.

A bluegrass jam session is an event in which musicians from that genre of music get together and pick instrumentals and sing bluegrass songs that are common denominators in the bluegrass arena (and not songs that are fairly unknown to the "general" bluegrass field in which most folks don't know the chord progression or melodies). According to Gary Trivette, a regular at the High Country Jam, it's all about including everyone that wants to try their hand at taking a break on a song or singing. "A jam is for everyone, and there's no competition. It's not about individual effort or showcase; it's about everyone having fun and getting a chance to play or sing," says Trivette. Cliff Waters states that Gary is very "instrumental" in keeping the jam going and keeping it interesting. Gary feels that encouraging others to come to the mic and sing or pick is an important role for him, because including everyone that wants a part is helpful to the jam. Rusty Waters agrees. "The jam is about having fun and giving musicians something to do." Rusty, son of Cliff and Joyce Waters, is a regular, as well. He enjoys being able to get up and sing and play guitar and be around other musicians that are fun to pick with.

Cliff Waters states that he feels that the goal of the jam is to "give especially young people a venue to learn to perform before an audience" and to give the older folks a place to come and play and show their talents, as well. Musicians at the jam range from different performance levels, experience levels, and playing levels. At any time, there will be someone there that has performed for years right along with someone that is just learning an instrument. Since most bluegrass musicians play "by ear" (in other words, they don't use sheet music), learning comes from watching and listening to other players. This also applies to learning to sing lead and harmony parts.
Gary Trivette, banjo player with Southern Accent, states that he feels that there are not enough new pickers coming to the jam and encourages them to come and participate. "It's important to interject new ones into the jam, and everyone is invited," states Trivette. He also states that at the jam you get to "pick with others that you don't normally have the opportunity to play music with" and is a great learning opportunity for pickers of all levels.
Every Tuesday, a donation jar is passed around to go toward the weekly rental. All donations are greatly appreciated and this writer encourages everyone to give a little something. If everyone that attended the jam gave $1.00 a week, the rent could almost be covered. While the donation jar is being passed around, door prize tickets are handed out, as well. There is about a 15-minute break in the music to give out door prizes that include baked goods handmade by Joyce Waters and donations of other prizes from jam attendees. Most of the time, almost everyone goes home with a door prize. A dance floor is available for those who enjoy dancing to the bluegrass music and a table is set up in the foyer which displays local artists' music for sale.

For the listeners, the High Country Jam is the perfect place for clean entertainment and a chance to fellowship with others. According to Gary Trivette, "We all have Cliff and Joyce Waters to thank for that. There wouldn't be a jam without them. Their enthusiasm and dedication is what makes it happen. They found the new location, they sponsor it (pay the rent), they help make the sound available, they make the door prizes available." Also, the listeners "enjoy a high-quality level of music," says Gary.

Mr. Waters wishes to give other folks credit where credit is due. These folks, according to Cliff, are very important because of the time that they donate towards the jam: his wife, Joyce; his son, Rusty; Lee and Lisa Hodges; Gary Trivette; and Bobby Norris.

The High Country Jam has become one of the most well-attended weekly events in our area thanks to Cliff and Joyce Waters, the musicians, and listeners who spend their Tuesday evenings at the High Country Home Builder's Association building on the 105 Bypass in Boone, NC. For more information, directions, or questions, you may contact Cliff Waters at (828) 264-3882.