The Laurel will host a fundraiser with proceeds go to Smoky Mountain JAM and Hancock County JAM. Bring cash for silent auction and purchasing items for sale.
Sarah Pirkle and Jeff Barbra have been married for 26 years, and make their home in Walland, Tennessee in the foothills of the Great Smoky Mountains national park. They are 1st place winners of the Chris Austin Songwriting Contest at MerleFest. Their duo album, The Barb Hollow Sessions was released on January 1, 2004. The album debuted at # 6 on the Roots Music Report National Bluegrass Airplay Charts. The single, “Bury Me In The Red Clay” peaked at # 12 on the Bluegrass Unlimited National Bluegrass Chart for November 2004. They released a gospel album, Family Singing in 2012. Their latest album Sweet Creation was recorded in 2018. In 2021 Sarah received a South Arts Folk & Traditional Arts Master Artist Fellowship.
The Gladson family resides in Hancock County Tennessee and they have played in an old-time family string band for over 10 years. The family of five performs at community events, such as festivals, historical reenactments, and church events. They are proud to be able to serve the community by working with JAM to teach the youth traditional Southern Appalachian music. Todd Gladson the patriarch of the family, is a multi instrumentalist who has taught music for 20+ years. He has played music throughout the United States and abroad. His wife, Juliet plays the guitar and sings with the family. The children have grown up playing multiple instruments. Harlen,17 years old, focuses on the banjo Lindy 15 years old most often plays the fiddle and Lemuel 13 years old, picks the mandolin. All three harmony sing. The Gladson family through the Hancock JAM program will be able to pass on the traditional music of the region to the youth.