With a play on words, the Snow Hill Bluegrass Jamboree will celebrate 101 bluegrass shows on Saturday, July 7. Sponsored by the Highway 58 Volunteer Fire Department, the Snow Hill Bluegrass Jamboree made its debut in June of 2003.
The Chief of the Highway 58 Fire Department, C. R.”Dude” Harris, was approached by a group of local bluegrass pickers to ask if they could use the departments training center to play bluegrass music. The training center was once the Snow Hill Elementary School. Its kitchen, dining area, auditorium, classrooms and stage worked very well for this new endeavor. Little-by-little, the shows began to attract members of the community who came to enjoy local bluegrass music.
Chief Harris and the volunteer fire fighters began selling barbeque plates to help raise money for the department. The crowds began to increase. The hallways and classrooms became very populated with pickers who were enjoying a place to gather and jam.
The role of talent coordinator was assumed by Ronnie Nichols. He fills the 30-minute time slots with bands as well as watching over the sound system. Ronnie also performs some of the humorous songs he has written.
The owners of Bea’s Restaurant began offering a bonus to honor the crowds’ favorite band. Thus, the “Crowds Choice Award” was started.
Jerry Wilson became the emcee after the second show in 2003. For a donation to the fire department, Mr. Wilson produces and reads commercials for local businesses at each show. Monies collected from the ads, food sales and donations, are used to purchase food and toys for area needy families at Christmas.
Featured bands and times of appearance are:
3 p.m. Curtis & the Old Time Strings
3:30 p.m. The Dismembered Tennesseeans
4:15 p.m. K.T. Grass
5 p.m. Southwind
5:45 p.m. Twin River
6:30 p.m. Scenic City Ramblers
7:15 p.m. Lone Mountain Band
8 p.m. 3rd Degree
8:45 p.m. Cherokee Ridge