Blue Ridge JAM serves the Southern Jackson Co., NC area. Students are welcome from across the Cashiers-Highlands plateau. The program meets at the Blue Ridge School in Cashiers, NC on Monday afternoons from 3:30 to 5:30, with additional String Band “fun jams” on Friday afternoons from 3:30-4:30. Lessons are offered for students in grades three through twelve in fiddle, banjo, guitar, mandolin, bass, and singing. The program serves grades 3 – 12.
Monday meetings also include a “Prime Time” session, which may offer Appalachian games, dance, crafts, stories, guest speakers, and guest musicians. Tuition is $75 per semester but many students participate tuition-free, thanks to generous donors. Instruments can be rented for $20 per semester. Blue Ridge JAM is a 501c3 charitable organization.
Blue Ridge JAM
Blue Ridge JAM (self-incorporated)
Jennifer McKee, Program Director
Location: Blue Ridge School
95 Bobcat Dr.
Cashiers, NC 28717
704-245-2302 or 828-421-4409
[email protected]
Current Instructors:
Lisa Hoxit – Guitar
Will Starnes – Advanced Guitar and Bass
Brittany Schiele – Guitar and mandolin (Fill-in)
Stephanie Wilson – Mandolin
Jerry Lanford – Banjo
Tim Fisher – Fiddle
Board of directors:
Bill Jacobs, Co-Chair & Treasurer
Julie Barlow, Co-Chair and Secretary
Kheri Cowan; Kurt Pusch; Nathan Trivers; Rob Hunter
Additional Links:
For more information, please contact:
Jennifer McKee, Program Director
PO Box 681
Cashiers, NC 28717
828-421-4409
[email protected] or [email protected]
Jackson County – Musical Heritage
The musical roots of Jackson County run deep into the wellspring of traditional Appalachian music. Jackson County was home to multiple authentic, old time musicians, including Samantha Biddix Bumgarner who, in 1924, was the first woman to record “hillbilly” music, along with several family members. Today, there are many high caliber traditional musicians in Jackson County, like the notable Queen Family, The Fiddlin’ Dills Sisters, Darren Nicholson (award winning mandolin player, formerly with Balsam Range), Rye Holler Boys, and the bluegrass/gospel band, Mountain Faith. Just down the mountain in Brevard are the award-winning the Steep Canyon Rangers and Woody Platt. We’re lucky to be surrounded by so much vibrant, authentic talent.