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Search For Related NewsMontgomery County News
Local musicians migrate to Songbird Restaurant during the cool monthsSeveral members of the musically artistic community met at the Songbird Restaurant on Saturday to enjoy a weekly jam session.
Songbird Restaurant owner Lee Elder and her staff, host the Front Porch Jam session every Saturday during the winter months starting at 1:00 p.m. until around 4:30.
The Saturday Front Porch jams at Songbird is a continuation from the Front Porch stage held weekly on the square during the summer months in Mount Ida.
According to Mike Adams, the group was looking for a home during the winter months for local musicians to continue playing when Elder offered the Songbird Restaurant.
“We just felt so welcome here,” said Adams of the Songbird Cafe and crew.
Musicians from the area attend and visitors from as far as Japan and Israel have participated.
The most recent Saturday Jam Session brought out several local talents including Clyde and Dorothy Chafin playing guitar, Pete Whatley on guitar, Terry Norris on mandolin, Mike Adams on banjo, GW Johnson on guitar, Bill Jones behind the bass and visitor Carol from Star City, playing fiddle. Many of these musicians play several instruments.
The jammers sit in a circle in the east dining room of the cafe. Each person takes a turn choosing a song and times passes too quickly as each song is performed.
Anyone and everyone is welcome to participate. Visitors to the area often bring their instruments and are welcome to pull up a chair and play. Spectators are treated to a day of toe-tapping talent as a wide range of music is played and improvised by the present musicians, ranging from gospel, bluegrass, country western and a variety of personal styles.
A first time visitor to the Saturday jam was heard saying, “This area is turning much like Mountain Home.” Mountain Home, Arkansas is increasingly becoming known nationwide as a home for musical talent and arts and crafts, also nestled in a beautiful mountain setting. Both Mount Ida and Mountain Home are surrounded by national forest, creating a tourist trade for those longing to revisit a time when things were a bit simpler.
