Fiddle & Pick

Home of the Musical Heritage Center of Middle Tennessee // 615-646-9131

Welcome to the Fiddle & Pick website!

Welcome to the new website for Fiddle & Pick. The Fiddle & Pick is home of the Musical Heritage Center of Middle Tennessee at 456 Highway 70 in Pegram, TN at (615) 646-9131). Founded by music educator and Pegram resident Gretchen Priest-May, it is a place where people old and young can come to discover the joy found in making traditional music - mainly, but not limited to, music played on fiddles, banjos, mandolins, guitars and similar instruments - and in particular, music played in the Middle Tennessee region throughout its history. In addition to affordable private and group lessons, the Fiddle & Pick will feature workshops in advanced instrumental study.

This network page will keep you informed on the latest news and events at the center. Feel free to join and network with others, whether you are a current student or not.


Location and Directions

The Fiddle & Pick building is located at 456 Highway 70 by Harpeth Clock & Quilt in Pegram, TN. See Mapquest for more detailed directions.

Directions: The Musical Heritage Center at the Fiddle & Pick is located 22 minutes west of downtown Nashville. Directions from downtown Nashville: It is at 456 Hwy 70 on the corner of Hwy 70 and Hannah Ford Drive. Go I40 West and take the second Bellevue exit; It is exit 196 which says, Bellevue /Newsom Station. Be sure to go Right after taking that exit (which is Hwy 70s in Bellevue). You come to a "T" in the road (a land mark is a "Narrows of the Harpeth sign" and also a newly built one room white steeple church which is in of you when you are at the "T". Be sure to go Left at the "T" (which is also Hwy 70 but going west. Then the first stop light (Hannah Ford Drive) you come to, you are there.

Parking Policy: As we welcome our next door neighbor, the Mud Puddle Art Center, we have implemented a new parking policy. Park in front of or in the back parking lot of the Fiddle & Pick, or park in the train station parking lot, which is huge, across the street. Parents with small children and seniors or other people that shouldn't have to park across the street can use the Mud Puddle lot if all of the Fiddle & Pick parking is full. Never block the passage that goes to the back parking lot. Never, never block the drive that goes to a residence behind the next door building. Please help us be good neighbors by taking this parking request seriously! Thank you!

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Upcoming Events

 

More Events


 Casting Auditions for The Mockingbird Sings at the Fiddle & Pick:

An original play with music based around the birth of Country Music and the Bristol Sessions in 1927 will be presented at the Musical Heritage Center in Pegram at The Fiddle & Pick Saturday July 28.* Future performances TBD. Casting for main characters THIS Sat, May 19, 7:30 p.m. & Sun. May 20, 1:00 p.m.-5:00 p.m. Open call, cold readings. Eddie age 25 sings & plays guitar, Martha (non-musical) role, 25, Carters, Jimmie Rodgers, Blind Alfred Reed, are musically req; there are a few speaking roles w/banjo & fiddle playing.  Singing Porter (Black, 40's)Ralph Peer (40's), Mrs Peer, Old Codger (singing role), radio announcer Troy (50's) & narrator (a la Will Rogers type) Questions: email terryharkleroad@gmail.com


The play on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Mockingbird-Sings-Play/354751221254610

Synopsis of Play:

Eddie Snow is a budding country singer with a lot of heart and short of prospects in 1927, before American Country Music was known outside a handful of mountain folk and coal-miners that made up the Appalachian mountains of Tennessee, Virginia and Kentucky. 
Ralph Peer, a music historian and free-thinking businessman endeavors to capture a revolutionary idea: that is, to broadcast on live radio and simultaneously record the rich and soulful sounds of America's voice of common people, who could never imagine they'd be heard alongside the slick and composed popular music manufactured out of the big cities.
Eddie finds himself by geographical luck to be in the heart of this event. Marrying the sounds he grew up on brought to America by his forefathers in Scotland and Ireland with the soulful gospel melodies he heard from railway workers, he mirrored a unique folksy style that went straight to the heart with little production and the conventional "studio" arrangement.
So in 1927, long before the well-known and oft credited as "the beginning" of country music in Nashville "Grand Ol Opry," Eddie records his first song at the Bristol sessions in Bristol, Tennessee alongside Jimmy Rodgers and The Carter Family. This became what is commonly held as THE BIRTH OF COUNTRY MUSIC.
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More Fliers

 

In Memory of Bill Whittington

A Memorial service honoring the life of Bill Whittington will be held and the Fiddle and Pick on Thursday, September 1st.

We will begin to gather at 6pm, music for the service will begin around 6:30 and will be performed by members of the Fiddle and Pick staff.

All friends, family, and members of the Fiddle and Pick community are welcome to attend and celebrate Bill’s life.

After the service has concluded, the banjo students and slow Jammers will play a few songs together in honor of Bill. Other members of the Fiddle and Pick community, who would like to participate, are invited to attend.

A food table will be set up to share after the service. Please feel free to bring a snack or dish to share. Drinks will be provided by the Fiddle and Pick.




Many of you knew Bill, even without knowing his name. He was a tall, slender, bearded man wearing a dark hat and warm smile. He spent many hours at the Fiddle and Pick as a volunteer. His usual post was as a greeter by the front door. He was likely the first to greet you, hold open the door, and help carry your instrument. Recently he spent the whole day volunteering at our Pickin’ for Pegram Station event. Being so very dedicated to helping with our events, he rarely missed one.

Bill was a very generous, helpful, cheerful, and big hearted man. He was a weekly banjo student of Alan O’Bryant, and loved to play. Bill’s determination to play the banjo was a great encouragement to other students who played with him. He loved music. Whether he had his banjo in his lap, or was volunteering at a show or jam, if there was music, Bill was wearing a smile. He will be greatly missed.

Please help encourage and comfort Bill’s wife Patricia, his family, and each other.

 

 

Blog Posts

May 2012 Calendar

Posted by Gretchen Priest-May on April 28, 2012 at 4:08am 0 Comments

May 2012 Calendar & News

“Fiddle and Pick”, Home of The Musical Heritage Center of Middle Tennessee

located at

456 Hwy 70, Pegram, TN 37143 Phone: 615-646-9131



Announcements: The Irish dust has not yet settled from our 4th annual Irish Workshop Weekend Event

and already folks are asking us what the date is in 2013 so they may attend again next year! We have made a

decision. We are going to have it every year on the first full weekend in April (as long as that…

Continue

April 2012 Calendar

Posted by Gretchen Priest-May on March 31, 2012 at 1:29am 0 Comments

April 2012 Calendar & News

“Fiddle and Pick”, Home of The Musical Heritage Center of Middle Tennessee

located at

456 Hwy 70, Pegram, TN 37143 Phone: 615-646-9131



Announcements: It is not too late to sign up for the Irish Workshop Weekend Event, Family packages

available. See flyer brochure with detailed class descriptions, schedule and instructors. You can customize

your schedule to maximize your Irish Arts experience! “Sponsor a Kid” on the registration form…

Continue

Events

 
 
 

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Latest Activity

Dave Nauman posted a video

Windy and Warm

A great John Loudermilk tune.
Wednesday
Richard Shames joined Gretchen Priest-May's group
May 10
Rick Cunningham updated their profile
May 3
e.g. posted a status
"July 14 the Spontaneous Mountain Boys will return to F&P.. old time standard bluegrass tunes...some originals...lots of chit chat silliness."
Apr 30
Terry McSorley is now a member of Fiddle & Pick
Apr 29
Samm dICKENS joined Gretchen Priest-May's group
Apr 28
Samm dICKENS replied to Warren Bone's discussion What guitar strings do you like? in the group Guitarists
"Warren, I like all six of 'em.  They's mighty fine strings and they has served me well all these many years except my B string what broke during an excited rendition of "Man Come Into Egypt" back in March of '07. …"
Apr 28
Profile IconDavid W. Linden, Tom "Tree" Reynolds and Adam Lamar Buchanan joined Fiddle & Pick
Apr 28
Gretchen Priest-May's blog post was featured

May 2012 Calendar

May 2012 Calendar & News“Fiddle and Pick”, Home of The Musical Heritage Center of Middle Tennesseelocated at456 Hwy 70, Pegram, TN 37143 Phone: 615-646-9131Announcements: The Irish dust has not yet settled from our 4th annual Irish Workshop Weekend Eventand already folks are asking us what the date is in 2013 so they may attend again next year! We have made adecision. We are going to have it every year on the first full weekend in April (as long as that is not Easterweekend). So then, mark…See More
Apr 28
Gretchen Priest-May posted a blog post

May 2012 Calendar

May 2012 Calendar & News“Fiddle and Pick”, Home of The Musical Heritage Center of Middle Tennesseelocated at456 Hwy 70, Pegram, TN 37143 Phone: 615-646-9131Announcements: The Irish dust has not yet settled from our 4th annual Irish Workshop Weekend Eventand already folks are asking us what the date is in 2013 so they may attend again next year! We have made adecision. We are going to have it every year on the first full weekend in April (as long as that is not Easterweekend). So then, mark…See More
Apr 28
Bobby Owen joined Erin Harris's group
Thumbnail

Slow Jammers

This group brings together players of all traditional instruments who are just learning to jam in a safe and supportive environment for learning the musical and cultural ways of Old Time and Bluegrass jams in Middle Tennessee.
Apr 27
Bobby Owen and Richard Shames are now friends
Apr 27
Richard Shames left a comment for Bobby Owen
"Hi Bobby, Thanks for the information. Hope to make it tonight.  If not I'll be there on Sunday May 6th for the writers night show.  Do you go to that too?  "m into acoustic and taking lessons from a country…"
Apr 26
Bobby Owen updated their profile
Apr 26
Richard Shames posted a status
"What music will be used for the slow jam tonight? I'm an intermediate guitar player and not sure if I fit in. Thanks, Rich Shames"
Apr 26
Michael Willey commented on Gretchen Priest-May's group Mountain Dulcimer Jammers
"Don't miss the 14th Annual Grand Old Dulcimer Day, Sunday May 20th from noon until 5 pm.  The festival is FREE as always.  This year it is being held at the Buchanan Log House, 2190 Elm Hill Pike in Nashville.  Please check out…"
Apr 24
Michael Willey joined Gretchen Priest-May's group
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Mountain Dulcimer Jammers

Beginners to Advanced, please join me at the Fiddle & Pick on the first Wednesday of each month from 7 to 9 PM and on the third Saturday of each month from 9 to 11 AM. Please join the site AND the group Mountain Dulcimer Jammers to receive updateSee More
Apr 24
Profile IconDan Westerberg and Michael Willey joined Fiddle & Pick
Apr 20
Nicki Christianson posted a status
"Julee Glaub and Mark Weems concert this Sunday, April 22 at THE FIDDLE HOUSE (in conjunction w/ the F&P). www.thefiddlehouse.com"
Apr 18
Mike Rogers posted a photo
Apr 16

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