Someone once told me that Rockwood, TN had live bluegrass music every Friday night in a place called Yonder Holler. Last night a friend and I decided to take a 40 minute drive from Knoxville down I-40 to see for ourselves. What we found were music lovers, on and off the stage, enjoying an authentic Friday night on the town.
When we got out of the car, we noticed one of those "welcome to the Academy Awards" search lights in front of a former mercantile building lighting up the Roane County sky. Music playing through a sound system on the side walk was inviting us to enter this aged building.
Inside, we discovered old time pickin' and grinnin' on a stage surrounded by antique radios. Three of the "locals" were literally dancing a circle around the audience seated in chairs of every shape and color. Most of the people were retired, however one young attorney stopped by in his shirt and tie to get his bluegrass "fix."The owner of the building not only runs the sound, but also walks around with a video camera, projecting close up shots of the players and the audience to on the screens behind the stage.
One of people we sat next to said that one of the fiddle players also made instruments for so pretty well-known musicians. He also pointed out another gentleman in the audience who, he said, had played on the Grand Ole Opry.All musicians are invited to bring their instruments and participate in one of the many "jam sessions" going on in other rooms throughout the building. That Friday, some of the musicians who normally came to play, must have gone to a ball game. They say that they have as many as eight groups there, and while one group is on stage, others are warming, hoping for invite to perform.
There's no smoking or alcohol allowed, but you can get a piece of homemade pie, hot dog or popcorn to go with your coffee or soda. There is no charge for admission, however a one-time donation is requested each evening.
