Returning to Her Roots Through a Bluegrass Jam

Music has always been a part of my life, beginning with my grandparents’ tradition of “bringing out the instruments” at every family gathering, where we all would sing and play through the church hymnal (changing every hymn to the cadence of bluegrass or country, of course !).

Many years ago, I was the rhythm guitarist in a bluegrass Gospel group, where we played out monthly in the New England area. I have been a part of many small groups or ministries, bringing bluegrass Gospel music to area nursing homes, playing as part of church worship teams, at local retreats, weddings, etc.

Then life became busy as life does, and I didn’t play much at all for quite some time. Recently, I joined some others in starting a local bluegrass jam. Though we are playing out a bit, it it no longer my preference, as I now prefer to just be with other musicians, singing and playing bluegrass music, especially Gospel.

I love experiencing the intimate presence of beautiful vocal harmonies and the purity of the acoustic instruments. It brings me back to my roots, and it would seem that, musically, I’m ending up how I began.

I do like to play out at charity events, or at nursing homes, and our jam played at a charity event in June. However, I now mosty just want to play and sing. I’d like to learn the fiddle, no small challenge, but just enough to add some background color to our music at the jam.

There was a time when I considered laying down my guitar and thought I was done with music; so am grateful for the jam and I hope I’ll never be completely done with music…. I hope to be in a heavenly Gospel band some day!

Denise Gerum
Sales and marketing administrator
Hartford, Connecticut