It will be a coming home of sorts when Rich In Tradition takes the stage at the Patrick County Music Association’s May 19 show.
“We play there every year,” said Jay Adams, banjo player with the group.
Although he lives in Pine Hall, N.C., Adams said he visits Stuart “at least once a week. We’ve got a lot of friends and fans in Stuart. It’s hard not to make a lot of musical acquaintances” in Patrick County, considering the amount of talent here, he said.
Adams’ earliest influences in bluegrass music were pioneers in the field, and included the likes of Flatt and Scruggs, Bill Monroe, Reno & Smiley.
Adams started playing the banjo when he was about 16, and after joining into the US Marine Corps, used his enlistment bonus to buy his first Gibson Mastertone.
Adams performed played part-time with several groups through the years. He also wrote gospel songs and helped found Rich In Tradition in 2006.
The band is “a product of one of the most fertile grounds of traditional bluegrass, gospel and old-time music in the world; the Mt. Airy – Galax areas of northwest North Carolina and southwest Virginia,” according to online information.
In addition to Adams, other members include Greg Jones, Ronnie Edwards, Jake Harbour and Sidney Watson.
Jones, who plays the mandolin and also is a vocalist, was among the group’s founders. He grew up in a family of musicians and singers, and started learning to play an instrument when he was 15-years-old. Influenced by his Uncle “Smoke,” Jones started learning everything from Bill Monroe to David Grisman and Ricky Skaggs on his mandolin.
Edwards, on guitar and vocals, brought his more than 40 years of talent to band, becoming a member in 2012. Edwards’ father showed him his first chords on a guitar, and Edwards grew up playing the fiddlers convention circuit.
Harbour, a teacher, also joined the band in 2012 as the bass player. He started honing his skills at age 13. In addition to mastering bass, banjo, and guitar, Harbour enjoys writing songs and singing both lead and harmony vocals.
Watson has filled in as the group’s fiddle player since the beginning. He was 13 when he started playing the banjo with early influences like Flatt & Scruggs and The Stanley Brothers.
“These guys cut their musical teeth playing with some of the best the area had to offer,” according to online information. The group “combines a century of rich bluegrass and gospel music experience to make available some of the best picking and singing around.”
Their repertoire includes gospel, traditional and contemporary bluegrass, as well as original songs, and Adams said their May 19 performance will run the gamut, and likely include their older and newer songs.
The show will be held in Rotary Building, on Woodland Drive in Stuart.
Fresh hand-dipped ice cream also will be available now through October, by the Patrick County Shooting Team.
Food is available for sale.
Donations are requested for admission.
Doors open at 4:30 p.m.
An open jam session slated to begin at 4:45 p.m.
Harrison Ridge is set to take the stage at 6 p.m., followed by Rich in Tradition at 7 p.m.
“We always look forward to coming and playing,” Adams said. “It’s always a fun time, usually a good crowd, and the PCMA does a really good job,” he added.
