Sharing A Love Of Bluegrass

Friday, December 7th 2007, 5:14 pm

By: News On 6

Bluegrass music is part of America's musical history. On Friday, a bluegrass group presented a program at an elementary school in Skiatook designed to educate and entertain. The News On 6â€™s Rick Wells reports the musicians are trying to teach bluegrass to a new generation.

The Zoo Grass Boys visited Skiatook Intermediate Elementary to present the first of what they hope to be a series of programs in schools to promote the music they love. Many of the students in the assembly were not familiar with bluegrass. So, the musicians talked about their instruments: guitar, bass, mandolin, banjo, and fiddle. There was also a history lesson about the origins of mountain music and how it fits into the musical landscape.

â€œOnce they connect with the sound of it, you watch. They'll go nuts," said musician Larry Nunley.

Based on the clapping and toe tapping, it appeared the students liked what they were hearing. At one point in the program they played an old Bill Monroe song called "Get Up John,â€ and several boys did, especially Jonathon Ford from Mrs. Carey's third grade class.

The program is free to the school. The money to pay for it is raised at the annual bluegrass festival in Skiatook. The Skiatook Bluegrass Festival that funds the education program is set for next summer on June 26th, 27th and 28th.

Watch the video: Picking And Grinning With Students