The Denisonian

Issue date: 2/9/10 Section: Arts & Entertainment

Media Credit: Ruiya Huang Ensemble instructor Casey Cook and associate professor of music Andy Carlson further celebrated bluegrass this past weekend by performing at the Bluegrass Festival in Swasey Chapel.

A larger than usual crowd gathered in the Slayter Pit this past Wednesday morning for the infamous bluegrass jam band. The whole place was bouncing to the beat of the standing bass, the steady strum of the guitar, the whirling fiddle melody, the rapidly plucking banjo and the tight harmonies.

"It's not just music, but these people are real, good people. No back biting, or this, that, the other thing - just good friendship," said Orville Jarrell, a long time fan. Most participants are from Licking County, but some such as Jarrell come from Columbus to Granville on Sunday mornings. "Usually you'll see half a dozen ladies dancing," said Jarrell. "They just enjoy it."

People sitting at the tables outside the circle of instruments paused their chatter to chime in and sing the chorus - "Over in the glory land!" - and filled up the pit with hoots and clapping.

Although the majority of the crowd was comprised of senior citizens, quite a few youngsters contribute regularly to the music. Hayes Griffin, a senior music performance in guitar major, has been playing guitar or banjo with the group on occasion for 14 years.

"I will say that they have had a large hand in my musical career. Troy Herdman, Gaylord Johnson, Oscar Ball and many other pickers are some of the first people I ever heard play bluegrass," Griffin said. "They have always been supportive and willing to show me anything that could help. I owe a lot to all of them."

Eight-year-old Addy Hiltner is a new addition to the company. She has been playing fiddle and violin for the past seventeen months. Her older brother Justin also plays banjo for the ensemble. "They welcome youngsters here. They want to see the heritage of bluegrass go on," said Rory Hiltner, mother of Justin and Addy.

Nellie Schrantz, from Denison's class of 2008, jammed with the bluegrass folks on a regular basis for four years. Her return to Texas was an emotional goodbye. The band named a song after her, said Jarrell. "They say 'hey guys, let's play Nellie's Waltz.' They still give her a buzz from time to time."

"Yeah Bob, you're up!" shouted one member of the ensemble, and after a few laughs, Bob Kunkle proceeded to play a sweet and slow melody on the fiddle filled with catchy embellishments. Kunkle is a founding member of the group who has been involved for over 20 years. Troy Herdman, an "old master," according to Jarrell, has also been jamming for over 20 years.

The group plays every Wednesday morning from 9 a.m. until noon. If you want a mid-week morning pick-me-up, listen to the jammers for more than the waiting time in the Jazzman's coffee line, and head to the pit for a head-boppin', toe-tappin' time.

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