Today we drove up and down little hills and took back roads again to get to where we were going in the southwest corner of Virginia. We passed many, many little churches and many, many large ones. We FINALLY arrived at our campground in Ferrum, Virginia. It is extremely wooded and quite a bit cooler here and less humid than what we have been experiencing lately.
That evening we went to the tiny burg of Floyd, where the weekly Friday night jamboree is held at the Floyd Country Store. Hardware cases are pushed aside and folding chairs set out and at 7:00 the music and dancing start. Floyd’s was a real kick. It seems like the entire population comes out for the jamboree – all ages. The first hour was gospel. Then the bluegrass started and the dance floor was packed with everyone doing the two step.
Outside in the streets there were probably six different groups of pickers playing with crowds of listeners milling all around. We had a great time enjoying this part of Americana.
This southwest corner of Virginia is one of the main taproots of American music; traditional bluegrass and gospel songs have been passed down nearly unchanged through generations,. They are still played in jam sessions in out-of-the way venues along the back roads of the Appalachians. Once considered “hillbilly music,” these songs and their players are now a recognized cultural treasure. Eight different sites spanning 250 miles comprise what is known as “The Crooked Road – Virginia’s Heritage Music Trail”.
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