Hancock County is nestled in the mountains of East Tennessee in an area of rich farmland. Hancock County JAM program is preserving the local traditions of Gospel, Bluegrass and mountain music by offering instruction in singing, guitar, mandolin, fiddle, banjo, bass, mountain dulcimer, dobro, and playing music together, led by the Gladson Family. Musical history of the region also includes Sneedville, the county seat, being renowned as the home of bluegrass star Jimmy Martin.
The Gladson family resides in Hancock County Tennessee and they have played in an old-time family string band for over 10 years. The family of five performs at community events, such as festivals, historical reenactments, and church events. They are proud to be able to serve the community by working with JAM to teach the youth traditional Southern Appalachian music. Todd Gladson, the patriarch of the family, is a multi instrumentalist who has taught music for 20+ years. He has played music throughout the United States and abroad. His wife, Juliet, has decades of experience in family wellness and education, and music has been an integral part of her life. She plays the guitar and sings with the family. The children have grown up playing multiple instruments. Harlen,17 years old, focuses on the banjo; Lindy, 15 years old, most often plays the fiddle, and Lemuel, 13 years old, picks the mandolin. All three harmony sing. The Gladson family, through the JAM program, will be able to pass on the traditional music of the region to the youth.
The program is offered in 10-week sessions in Fall, Spring and Summer, beginning in October 2024 at Elm Springs Baptist Church Fellowship hall on Tuesday afternoons in Elm Springs, TN. The program is open to all area children, regardless of an ability to pay. Lessons are $10/week with partial and full scholarships available, as well as instruments on loan.
For more information, please contact:
Juliet Gladson, Program Director
[email protected]
865-235-9562
This program is supported by In These Mountains, a special project collaboration between South Arts and Junior Appalachian Musicians, Inc.