Jamie Wilson, a mother who was in search of something to do besides change diapers and feed babies, decided to do something different with her life. She decided to learn how to play music to distract her from the everyday doldrums that many new parents succumb to when they have young children—and Jamie had four under five years old at the time!
Under the watchful eye of Aaron Gdovicak of the Blue Plantation Band, she quickly fell in love with bluegrass. The first song she learned, “Clinch Mountain Backstep,” sent her to the woods of Wilkesboro, NC, to participate in a jam camp that preceded a popular annual music festival called Merlefest.
While at camp, Jamie attended a session that discussed how and where to find fellow band members to jam with at home. Thus, in 2002, the idea for Folly Beach Bluegrass Society was born. Jamie hooked up with the Pelican Bar (now Loggerheads) to originate this amalgamation of diverse bluegrass musicians that performed at many popular spots on the island.
What Wilson established in 2002 endures today, and a group of talented artists continue to collaborate and contribute their eclectic styles and groovy tunes to the bluegrass mix.
The society now plays under the moniker Bluegrass Buddies Acoustic Jam, and performs bluegrass jam sessions Thursday nights at The Crab Shack on Center Street.
Fans of the bluegrass jams, both new and old, are quick to tell you how much fun it is to be a part of the experience.
For more information and to see photos from recent shows, visit their Facebook page Bluegrass Buddies Acoustic Jam.
