Dunn State Park Bluegrass Jam
I was a regular attendee at a monthly Bluegrass Jam held at the visitors center at Dunn State Park in Gardner, MA. This is a collection photos that I took at a jam that took place ten years ago (as of this posting). What is bittersweet about the photos is that several of the people are no longer with us. It was a wonderful venue, the visitor center had plenty of parking, seating, a view of the lake. In winter there was a fire in the fireplace. Most importantly there was the music.
The late John Williams was a regular at all the jams. He had a tremendous repertoire of fiddle tunes and bad jokes.
I don’t know the name of the banjo player, but standing behind him is the late Fred Fowler a gifted musician who would often shift instruments in the middle of song, going from fiddle to mandolin to guitar. The late Lew Wilson (on right) knew every country tune you could imagine. He also had many stories about his time in a country band.
Well meet again on some bright highway
I miss Fred Fowler, Lew Wilson, Betty Wilson, John Williams and Stan Long who was also at this jam. I take some solace in the words of Steve Earle who wrote Pilgrim, the song that Heidi sings at these jams, that we’ll meet again and there will be songs to sing and stories to tell.
I am just a pilgrim on this road, boys
I am just a pilgrim on this road, boys
I am just a pilgrim on this road, boys
This ain’t never been my homeSometimes the road was rocky long the way, boys
Sometimes the road was rocky long the way, boys
Sometimes the road was rocky long the way, boys
But I was never traveling aloneWell meet again on some bright highway
The Mountain – Steve Earle. Del McCoury
Songs to sing and tales to tell
But I am just a pilgrim on this road, boys
Until I see you fare thee well
Hey John, Really nice post. I remember those days. A really nice venue. Too bad it didn’t continue. The Massachusetts Park Ranger, who’s name I don’t remember was instrumental, (no pun intended), in getting that jam off the ground. Once he got transferred to another park, it kind of fell apart. BTW the banjo player’s name was Kim Harris. He lived in Metrowest MA. Banjo Pam I think knew him well. You might ask her about him.
I don’t think it was Kim Harris, she plays fiddle at the jams. I need to ask Pam.
I remember that day well! Thanks for bringing back the memories, John!