Madison County is primarily known for its great tradition of ballad singers. In many other areas, ballad singing has disappeared throughout the years. In Madison County, however, its popularity has increased throughout the years. This area boasts a variety of singers traditionally and currently, such as Dellie Norton and Sheila Kay Adams. Madison County is also the home of bluegrass star Red Smiley and bluegrass fiddler Bobby Hicks. Noted collector and promoter of traditional music, Bascom Lamar Lunsford was from Madison and Buncombe Counties and a center holding his vast archives resides at Mars Hill College in Madison County. Many musicians hail from this area, making it a hotbed of ballad singing, old time, and bluegrass music.
Photos from the Madison JAM program:
Madison County JAM is for students aged 5-17 in Madison County and the surrounding areas. It is held at the Madison County Arts Council building in Marshall. The program is offering fiddle, banjo, guitar, mandolin, stringband, and dance to over 50 students this year. Madison JAM meets on Thursdays from 3:45-5:00.
Current teachers:
Jake Owen – banjo
Sarah Owen – lead teacher, fiddle
Kelsey Sutton – clogging
Andrew Norcross – stringband
David Brown – guitar
Ben Nelson – banjo
Emolyn Liden – fiddle
Christina Chandler – guitar
Katie Lillard – fiddle
For more information about the Madison County JAM Program, please contact:
Madison Co. Arts Council
Laura Boosinger
P.O. Box 32
Marshall, NC 28753
828-649-1301
laura@madisoncountyarts.com
Visit the Madison County Arts Council website
