Life in the Key of G
12/02/25 07:20
February 12, 2025 (Vol. 19 No. 8) - I will never be confused with Glen Campbell, Ricky Staggs, Roy Clark or Jimmy Reed. But I love to play guitar and prefer acoustic music. It was in that context that I attended the Bluegrass Unlimited Workshop this past weekend at the Bluegrass Music Hall of Fame and Museum in Owensboro, Kentucky. To be honest, I have only passing knowledge of Bluegrass music. I first became aware of it when I moved to Western Kentucky in 1974 to work at a country music radio station. I married a Kentucky woman and, thus, married into the Bluegrass culture. In recent years, my sister-in-law has been the director of development at the Hall of Fame and Museum. It was she who convinced me to attend the workshop. I went to Owensboro with some trepidation. After all, I am a self-taught guitarist who was joining far more accomplished musicians in playing a gendre of music mostly unfamiliar to me. However, any fears I had proved unfounded. That's because I found the Bluegrass community to be one that is very supportive and willing to embrace newcomers. Another attractive aspect of the Bluegrass culture is how it encourages collaboration. After two or more Bluegrass musicians get together, it doesn't take long before a jam follows. And because the most popular Bluegrass songs are found in the keys of G, C or D, it is relatively easy to pick up the tune and lyrics and to join in. On several occasions this past weekend, I witnessed and participated in these jams. I even played and sang Gentle on My Mind in public - something this self-conscious musical novice would have never imagined. Then, to top it off, I joined other students and the instructors at the end of a concert to perform Will the Circle Be Unbroken, pictured above. I still tend to be a folk-rock kind of guy. But, I left this experience with a deeper understanding and admiration for Kentucky and the music it has blessed us with. That's it for now. Fear the Turtle.