This is how it begins.
A person with the knowledge and wherewithal to lead everyone around him dictates the song and key, and they go. If you ain’t ready, that’s fine — get ready and join when you can.
This was the scene at Dupree School in Ashford Friday night — people who love music got together to jam ahead of the Dupree School Bluegrass Revival Festival.
Know this — it ain’t just playing, it’s picking.
I stopped two people riding on a golf cart helping shuttle people between picking sessions, as there were at least three groups in separate places on the grounds holding their own mini-concerts. More good folks with wide smiles and bluegrass hearts came up to offer “Hey, how ya doin’” sentiments as guitars, mandolins and banjos could be heard in the background. You couldn’t get far enough away to not hear music.
One thing was clear: they love Dupree School, and they see it as something so much larger.
“When we started this project, I was so happy to be a part of it, because my father loved this place,” said Penny Hicks, referring to the rehabilitation of the school.
Sammy Hicks — Penny’s cousin — said it was about time the school got the love it deserved.
“We left it here for many years and it deteriorated,” he said. “I remember three years ago what it looked like. It was a disaster.”
For many years, their family used it as a landmark offering directions.
But the labor of love in rehabilitating this place to its original splendor has reinvigorated the community.
“Dupree School was your compass,” said Susan Cameron. “My daddy walked these roads down here, too. Seeing the effort is so rewarding.”
The party endured close to the double-digit hours of the night, as folks bundled up huddled around a heater that only blew one way to play — sorry — pick.
“I can’t stand it, I got to play something,” said one man known affectionately as Tater (Ray Tate) while listening to the others, sinfully without his guitar in hand. He quickly went to his truck to retrieve his guitar and gleefully joined the band, repenting by demonstrating great skill among his peers of folks he’s known for years.
The absolute mastery of any given instrument present was a joy to witness.
We laughed, we shared memories, and we opined on how wonderful the food from yonder food truck smelled.
But sitting there in the dropping temperatures with this group of strangers, I felt so at home.
I let the sweet chords and harmonies take my soul and cradle it like a crying baby.
I selfishly requested “Will the Circle Be Unbroken,” as seen above, and the instant feel of greens and gospel and stars in the sky hit me like a ton of bricks — it nearly brought me to tears.
Guitars, mandolins, an upright bass on a chilly night — these are truly the keys (in G or D, usually) to the soul.
But they speak in chords to a greater sense of community and genuine goodness at Dupree School.
The festivities begin at 11 Saturday morning for a huge festival. Visit Dupree School at 1116 Antioch Church Road to enjoy.
