Does anybody here play bluegrass music? I just got a Banjo and i've been playing bluegrass by myself. If anybody wants to jam, please let me know. I think getting a guitar player, a fiddle player, and a banjo player together would be fun.

I know a few people that would be interested in taking fiddle lessons, does anyone know an individual that would be willing to give fiddle lessons?

Landen -
There's a band here in town called Milestown that plays some bluegrass and similar types of tunes. They occassionaly perform at public functions. Those guys sound exactly like what you're looking for!

Not sure who all is involved with this band now as I know at least one member has moved away. Bob Zadow is still around town as far as i know and he is involved with that. Don't know his number, but he's probably in the book - give him a call.

Hey, Landen. I don't play bluegrass yet but I can probably hum a few bars. Give me some songs to practice, then maybe we can play a few bars? I play electric bass, acoustic guitar, and electric guitar and can sing a bit, too.

Shane, i'll bet you could pick up on bluegrass real easy with that acoustic guitar! I dont know any songs to play i just play whatever sounds good. If you want to get together sometime we can easily throw something together and hell, we could even play at the Elks bar if you wanna really get into it haha. I'm only 16 so my music experience isnt champion level but i've been involved in it ever since i was about 10.

Bluegrass is still alive in Miles City! Milestown is still very active despite some transition with its members. Look for them to perform at the Miles City Bluegrass Festival, Music on Wings the third week-end in September. Another group, Wood n Wire is still active and is an offshoot of the old group the Sagegrass Ramblers founded by Banjo Ron Mills who really started the whole Bluegrass movement and was one of the founders of the festival. Also note there is an open mike section of the festival on the Friday evening kick-off. Check out the Miles City Bluegrass Festival web site for a complete rundown of this year's festival.

Glad to see a younger generation of string band musicians taking an interest in this type of music. Hope for a changing of the guard possibly mentored by some of us. Take to heart Tucker's advice about jam sessions and open mike nights. It is very important that nobody at any level be excluded - that was how we all learned and even seasoned performers still have much to gain. Hope to see you all at whatever venue you can establish. Keep on pickin'! Bob

Open mic session, you say? Hmmmm....

Bob, I am with you 100%. It is wonderful to see that there are young people regardless of genre to replace and inspire those that remain. As little regard as I have for bluegrass, I am happy to have been a part of the early movement. I came up with the Music on Wings name when I did the artwork for the first festival.

Ron Mills was passionate about the genre and it is alive and well today as the result of the efforts of a hand full of people. The Festival has prospered and grown in quality and numbers every year. I still don't like the music but still admire and respect the community effort.

My t-shirt from the first year is in tatters. Can I order a new one?

Best of luck to the new people and don't give up.

[This message has been edited by Tucker Bolton (7/26/2013)]

Poor Tucker. I'm sure your idea of purgatory is eons of banjo music! Even though you didn't like the genre, your support was always appreciated.

Haha thank you guys so much. Not many young people are into this kind of music, i'm originally from Washington and i've been trying to get more people into it. As i'm brand new to the banjo, i have been playing bluegrass on the guitar for a long time. I plan on picking up a harmonica to add a little folk style and see what i can come up with. Shane, if you are interested, i'd be happy to meet up with you and we could just jam.

Cool, email me by clicking the ShaneF link by where it says "author" in this post.

I have emailed you, let me know if you havent gotten it.

Hmmm... "bluegrass jam"? I am more of a "Poa preserves" kind of guy and I prefer secunda. (Probably only one other poster here that will "get that", but I thought it was humorous).

As you were....

Richard, you beat me to it. My first thought, when I saw the heading of "Bluegrass Jam," was...Is it good, what does it TASTE like?

Ha! Clever