Junior Appalachian Musicians, Inc

09/25/2026

🪕 Artist Spotlight: Jeremy Stephens

It was a pleasure to have Jeremy Stephens as part of the Night of The Living Banjo at JAM Summit 2026. Born and raised in Southside Virginia, Jeremy Stephens began playing banjo at age five and recorded his debut solo album, Scarlet Banjo, for Rebel Records at just 16. A co-founder and leader of the award-winning traditional bluegrass group High Fidelity, Jeremy is renowned for his mastery of Don Reno’s classic single-string 3-finger banjo style and performed on the Grand Ole Opry alongside Jesse McReynolds.

📍 Night of The Living Banjo | 2026 JAM Summit

🔗: jeremystephensmusic.com

09/21/2026

🪕 Artist Spotlight: Carl Johnson

Growing up near Roanoke, Virginia, banjoist and singer Carl Johnson has spent decades performing, preserving and celebrating traditional mountain music. As a prominent African-American 5-string banjo picker, Carl plays a key role in honoring the deep historic African-American roots of Appalachian string band traditions.

From performing at the landmark Black Banjo Gathering in Boone, NC, to sharing the stage at IBMA’s World of Bluegrass, Carl brings soulful picking, rich lead vocals, and mountain heritage wherever he plays. A long-time collaborator with guitarist Jim Lloyd and a featured artist for Junior Appalachian Musicians (JAM), Carl continues to inspire audiences and pass down classic folk standards to the next generation.

📍 2026 JAM Summit Featured Artist

🔗 https://www.africanbluegrass.com/content/bluegrass-string-music-deeply-rooted-african-american-tradition

09/21/2026

🎙️ Meet Your Emcee: Dale Morris

An essential voice in Southwest Virginia old-time and bluegrass music, Elk Creek musician Dale Morris serves as our host for Night of The Living Banjo! A founding member and banjo/guitar player for the acclaimed Wolfe Brothers String Band, Dale trained in instrument contest emceeing under legendary Galax Old Fiddler’s Convention host Harold Mitchell as part of the Virginia Folklife Program. His deep knowledge of regional players and warm stage presence make him the ideal guide for the night.

📍 Night of The Living Banjo | 2026 JAM Summit

🔗 https://www.virginiafolklife.org/sights-sounds/harold-mitchell-and-dale-morris/

09/20/2026

🪕 Artist Spotlight: Lincoln Hensley

Representing the high-octane drive of three-finger Scruggs-style banjo, Lincoln Hensley is one of bluegrass music’s bright young stars. A direct protégé of Grand Ole Opry legend Sonny Osborne, Lincoln spent years studying under Osborne and co-founded KRAKO Banjos with him. Today, Lincoln picks banjo for The Tennessee Bluegrass Band and frequently steps onto the Grand Ole Opry stage.

📍 Night of The Living Banjo | 2026 JAM Summit
🔗 https://www.tennesseebgb.com/lincoln-hensley.html

09/18/2026

🪕 Artist Spotlight: Marsha Todd

Growing up in Mount Airy, North Carolina as the daughter of fiddler Richard Bowman, Marsha Todd has been performing on stage since age nine. Known as the long-time banjo player for the legendary Slate Mountain Ramblers, Marsha developed her own distinct rhythm and right-hand technique across both old-time clawhammer and bluegrass picking. She is also a former Galax Fiddlers’ Convention first-place flatfoot dancer.

📍 Night of The Living Banjo | 2026 JAM Summit

https://www.blueridgeheritage.com/artist/marsha-todd/

09/17/2026

🪕 Artist Spotlight: Tyler Hughes

Multi-instrumentalist, singer, educator, and Executive Director of The Crooked Road: Virginia’s Heritage Music Trail, Tyler Hughes grew up in Big Stone Gap, Virginia, where he began playing traditional music at age 12. An alumnus of East Tennessee State University’s Bluegrass, Old Time, and Country Music Studies program, Tyler co-directs the Mountain Music School and performs with the Empty Bottle String Band. His leadership with The Crooked Road, JAM, and as a square dance caller makes him an active champion of Southwest Virginia’s living heritage.

📍 Night of The Living Banjo | 2026 JAM Summit

09/17/2026

🎻 Panelist Feature: Richard Bowman

A true pillar of Blue Ridge old-time music and a 2023 North Carolina Heritage Award recipient, Richard Bowman has spent over 50 years mastering, sharing, and preserving mountain fiddling. Born in Ararat, Virginia, and residing in Mount Airy, North Carolina, Richard was inspired to teach himself to play after hearing legendary fiddler Tommy Jarrell on WPAQ’s famed Merry-Go-Round radio show.

As the driving fiddler for the renowned Slate Mountain Ramblers family band, Richard has spent decades playing for square dances, winning blue ribbons at regional fiddlers’ conventions, and passing down traditional tunes to generations of younger pickers. Join us for an inspiring session as Richard shares his deep knowledge, personal stories, and wisdom from a lifetime dedicated to mountain music culture.

📍 Event: “Lifetime of Learning” Panel | 2026 JAM Summit
🗓️ Date: Wednesday, September 23, 2026
⏰ Time: 7:00 PM

📍 Location: Wild Acres Retreat Center

09/16/2026

🪕 Artist Spotlight: Rex McGee

Widely regarded as one of the most innovative and technically gifted 5-string banjo players alive, Stokes County, NC native Rex McGee bridges the gap between traditional mountain picking, jazz, classical, and Celtic music. Known for tuning his banjo in fourths and creating mind-bending original arrangements on his landmark solo album 24 Creations For Solo Banjo, Rex’s groundbreaking approach has influenced a generation of modern picking virtuosos.

📍 Night of The Living Banjo | 2026 JAM Summit

https://www.deeringbanjos.com/blogs/deering-live/rex-mcgee-deering-live-ep-97

09/15/2026

🪕 Artist Spotlight: Joey Burris

Hailing from Hillsville, Virginia, Joey Burris is one of Southwest Virginia’s premier proponents of the rhythmic, thumb-heavy Round Peak clawhammer style. The grandson of legendary Elk Creek fiddler Otis Burris, Joey carries forward a deep family heritage of mountain music. A past blue-ribbon winner at the Galax Old Fiddler’s Convention, he has shared the stage and recording studio with regional icons like Benton Flippen, Eddie Bond’s New Ballard's Branch Bogtrotters, and fellow Round Peak master Kevin Fore.

📍 Night of The Living Banjo | 2026 JAM Summit Sept 22 @ 7pm

https://clawhammermasters.net/joey-burris/

09/11/2026

This Sunday, September 13th at the Historic Fries Theater!

JOIN THE OTIS BURRIS TRIBUTE on Sunday, September, 13 at 1:00 p.m.
Family, friends and fans will honor this legendary Grayson County fiddler with music from and stories about the Blue Ridge fiddler who fronted old-time favorites like The Mountain Ramblers and The Spring Valley Boys. The event will be led by Otis' grandsons' band, Southern Pride (and friends) and will feature a set by Grayson's legendary picker and luthier, Wayne Henderson.

Held at the historic Fries Theater, it's the grand finale of the Grayson County Ag&Art Adventure, .com/ag-art-adventure, and is free to attend. Open old-time jam with the performers afterwards.

ILLUSTRATION: Joe Burns from a photo by Mark Sanderford.
Grayson County VA Tourism