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KELSEYVILLE >> Bert Hutt has been playing guitar since he was a child, more than 50 years. Maya Leonard has been fiddling only about two years. But both musicians shared the stage Sunday at the Ely Stage Stop”s monthly jamboree, featuring fiddlers and other musicians from Lake County and nearby communities.
“I got my first Flatt and Scruggs album when I was 11 years old and I”ve been hooked on bluegrass music ever since,” said Hutt, a guitarist and singer from Lakeport. “I formed an early appreciation for bluegrass music.”
Sunday marked the second time Hutt has played at the Ely Stage Stop, but said he has no problem jamming with other musicians. “Once you get a feel for the songs and music, you can sit in with almost anybody,” he said.
Eight-year-old Leonard of Cobb admitted to being a bit shy and when asked if she liked performing in public, she said, “Kind of.”
Bluegrass, an American original, came out of the music of Appalachia with roots in the traditional music of Ireland, Scotland, Wales and England along with elements of jazz. Typical bluegrass instruments include fiddle, banjo, acoustic guitar, mandolin, upright bass and mouth harp–otherwise known as a harmonica.
Nearly 100 people attended Sunday”s jamboree, including first-timer Nancy Conrad of Kelseyville.
“I came with friends who have been here before,” Conrad said. “Now I”m thinking of other friends to share this with.”
She said the show was “lots of fun” and made her feel like she was a part of the performance even though she admitted to being unfamiliar with bluegrass music.
“I enjoyed it thoroughly,” she said. “The musicians were amazing.”
Musicians included Don Coffin of Clearlake, brothers Raphael Contreras, 11, and Christian Contreras, 9, of Lower Lake, Steve Hendricks of Kelseyville and Mark Hogan of Sebastapol.
The fiddling jamboree, held the first Sunday of each month, has been going on for about a year, according to Ely Stage Stop docent Bonnie Skee.
“It”s been standing room only,” she said. “You never know who the musicians are going to be, whose going to show up and sit in. It”s a different musical experience each month.”
Mark Conrad, husband of Nancy Conrad, of Kelseyville, said he thought the jamboree was a great idea.
“I”m not a musician so I”m envious of people who do that,” he said, adding that he enjoys watching the joy that the music brings to others.
Sunday”s jamboree served as a warm-up for the Old Time Bluegrass Jamboree and old-fashioned country dance Friday and Saturday at the Soper Reese Theatre in Lakeport. The event is a benefit for the Anderson Marsh State Historic Park. Admission is $15 on Friday, $20 on Saturday or $30 for both days. For more information, call the box office at 263-0577 or visit the theater”s website at www.soperreesetheatre,com.
The monthly jamborees are 12-3 p.m. on the first Sunday and are free. They are co-sponsored by the Old Time Fiddlers Association. The Ely Stage Stop is at 9921 Soda Bay Road in Kelseyville.
