Fiddle&Pick, Scarlet Kings and Being A Music Fan in Nashville
Current mood: artistic
Category: thinking about Music

 There are distinct benefits in chasing musicians around. Gretchen Priest-May and Tim May are absolutely beneficial all around music in Nashville. Okay, in middle Tennessee, as they host the home of the Musical Heritage Center of Middle Tennessee.

Gretchen and Tim have restored a near-condemned historic post on Highway 70S in Pegram, just a couple of hawk circles outside of Music Row and the big city.  Pegram is a place for families to grow, and now they will musically, thanks to the May's efforts at the Musical Heritage Center and the Fiddle & Pick.

What would take most restoration projects years, these folks have  accomplished in less than six months. A September closing date on the property and an April gala opening. Whew!

The building, an active fixture in local history, Sears House, was built all over again, from the inside out, with music in mind. Aesthetically speaking, students are given the best of the best to absorb, from the carefully chosen flooring to the eight practice rooms meant for sound. The ample floorspace for larger performances keeps the feel homey and really, really good acoustics tell you this isn't a living room. 

Gretchen is a wonderkind of some sort. You might be able to figure out what she's best at if she set still long enough, but don't count on it. Just go with the flow and watch the magic happen. Be ready!

The Scarlet Kings performed for the first ever Teen Night held at the Fiddle & Pick last month, another component of the May's musical maze. Warming up before and after the set with the other musicians, Scarlet Kings members jammed with, well, anyone. Ahhh, the point of the Center.

SK fiddler Mark Evitts is one of many multi-talented instructors available through the Center. That's how kellybeez ended up here. In a lovely twist of Nashville life, everyone got to play together, learn together, share together and hug each other on the way out.

"Advanced Instrumental Study" is featured, and expectations of a non-competitive environment provide both burgeoning prodigies and prodigious ears a place to flourish. Can't play an instrument? There are vocal education opportunities. Dancing? You bet.

In some of the best camaraderie ever, musicians and music lovers are encouraged to leave their egos at the front door, bringing in imaginations and the belief that anything is possible. Anything is possible.

Musical Heritage Center of Middle Tennessee

Music School and Performance Hall

Call if you have questions 615-812-2192

http://fiddleandpick.ning.com/

http://musicheritagetn.org

Check out one of Gretchen and Tim's other projects, PlaidGrass

http://www.plaidgrass.net/

http://www.myspace.com/plaidgrass

And why isn't Tim in the group photos? Um, the man had to go fishing. Priorities. Stop on in another time, when he's not anglin' and compliment him on his handiwork – on and off the strings.  Tim is also on the Moody Bluegrass cd I wrangled off of David Harvey.  Take a closer listen.

ALSO: Catch the Scarlet Kings at the Cadillac Ranch in Nashville Friday and Saturday...it's great to be a fan 

peace

Currently listening : Moody Bluegrass: A Nashville Tribute to the Moody Blues By Various Artists Release date: By 2004-09-28

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