October 17th Front Porch Picking

Our July , August, and September Front Porch Pickings were held at the Watkins Community Center Auditorium in Honea Path, SC. This recently rennovated venue easily holds 250 guests and offers a beautiful hardwood dance floor, nice stage setting, a snack bar, and climate controlled. . . . and has become our TCMA Upstate Front Porch Picking Home. These pickings have seen more and more upstate families attending as they learn about this monthly event where, at no charge, all come to enjoy traditional country music and learn about it's roots through the performers who share their stories.

An invitation has gone out for all traditional country musicians / singers, who would like to participate to contact us by e-mailing TCMAUpstate@aol.com or calling 864-940-6555 to get on the schedule. And many have done just that! The past few months have seen those who have their roots deep in traditional country music take the stage and share their talent and their stories about this music and those who made their mark through it. Even more exciting are the young people who have been joining us. Last month we had an amazing 5th grader from Anderson County who joined the Rowdy Friends guitarist - Jesse Brown, on stage and shared several songs he has learned to play. While his interest has been in rock . . . that afternoon he learned more about traditional country and how his gift can help tell stories that can live forever.

This coming event - October 17th, will see another day packed full of performers, including a young college student who writes and performs her own material. She will be introduced and join the other performers taking to the stage to educate and entertain. Those confirmed to date are Nashville's Ron Campbell, Mayberry, Tn Mayberry Porch Players, Greenwood's own Tina Haralson, and JD Brown and the Rowdy Friends. Several other groups are currently checking their schedules and hope to join us. The music begins at 2 p.m. and goes to 6 p.m., with the Rowdy Friends taking the stage at 6:30 p.m for a 2 hour traditional country music concert with a huge dance floor just waiting to be filled.

Please mark your calendar and plan to join us . . . and let others know about this FREE event. There will be all ages there . . . from toddlers to seniors - often spanning 4 generations, all brought together through traditional country music.

Please join us in Honea Path on the 17th to enjoy the day from 2 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. There will be a snack bar open and TCMA Upstate front porch picking t-shirts available.