Blue Ridge JAM serves the Southern Jackson Co., NC area. Students are welcome from across the Cashiers plateau region. The program meets on Monday afternoons, offering lessons for students in grades 3-12 in guitar, banjo, fiddle and mandolin. Students also have opportunities to try autoharp, dulcimer and upright bass. Everyone also takes part in “Prime Time” which includes games, dance, crafts, stories, guest speakers and guest performers. Tuition is $75 per semester but many students participate tuition-free thanks to generous donors. Blue Ridge JAM is a 501c3 charitable organization.
Advisory Board
Debbie Lassiter, chairperson
Bill Jacobs, treasurer
Wanda Crisp
Jennifer McKee
Ellen Turner
David Wansley
Stephanie Wilson
Tim Womick
For more information, please contact:
Carter Giegerich, Director
PO Box 681
Cashiers, NC 28717
410-218-4596
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The musical roots of Jackson County run deep into the wellspring of traditional Appalachian music. One of the most famous early musicians in Jackson County was Samantha Biddix Bumgarner who, in 1924, was the first woman to record “hillbilly” music. Her accompanist on the recording was Eva Smathers Davis of Sylva, NC. Samantha’s father, Has Biddix, was also a fiddler of some reknown. Today, there are still many musicians of high caliber in Jackson County like the notable Queen Family, The Fiddlin’ Dills Sisters, Darren Nicholson (award winning mandolin player with Balsam Range), Rye Holler Boys and the up and coming bluegrass/gospel band Mountain Faith. Click here for more information on the musical heritage of Jackson County.