Carroll County News: Miscellaneous: Pickin', but not quite grinnin' -- yet (07/06/12)

Showing up to the first "Anything Goes" music jam group in Holiday Island Friday were, from left, Wilma Welch, Marie Sathrum and Carol McGowen. The group will meet the second and fourth Friday of every month. Everyone is welcome.

HOLIDAY ISLAND -- The first meeting of the unofficially titled "Anything Goes Jam Group" was held Friday morning at the home of Music Guild Coordinator Marie Sathrum. While attendance was small, the meeting got off to a good start with a piano, a fiddle, two dulcimers and a ukelele.

The idea for a music jamming group came about when Holiday Island Association of the Arts Secretary Carol McGowen asked Sathrum if she thought anyone might be interested in getting together casually to play music. Sathrum said, "Let's find out" and scheduled the first meeting at her house.

Sathrum played piano, McGowen played ukelele and mountain dulcimer, Wilma Welch played mountain dulcimer and this reporter played fiddle (or tried to). Gospel, folk, show tunes and popular pieces were tried, some successfully and others still needing practice.

But this is not a "professional" group and is intended to be open to anyone at any skill level who wants to play along, try new things and have fun.

The group will continue to meet on the second and fourth Fridays at 10 a.m. at Sathrum's home at 73 Bluewater Drive in Holiday Island. Next meeting is July 13.

Everyone is welcome and encouraged to come. You do not have to read music; "by ear" players will fit right in. And once everyone gets a little more comfortable with the pickin,' no doubt the grinnin' will start.

For more information, call Carol at 479-253-8330 or email her at ckmcg@cox.net.