Phlegar Farm Jam

One of the most soul-satisfying joys in life is making music with others, so you can bet many folks had a happy weekend at Phlegar Farm last summer. For nineteen years Tom and Barbara Phlegar have opened their home to all comers for three days in July, solely for the purpose of letting the music spring forth. They have a lovely old farm in the hills of Virginia, a pleasant three-hour drive from Charlotte. Over four hundred people come and go, some local, some traveling hundreds of miles to play music, sing, dance, or just drink it all in.

Tom has the tents ready Friday afternoon as cars roll up and the music gets started. There are multiple jams; some are tight little rings of three or four that play at hot tempos -- great to listen to and to get new melodies from. Other groups are looser, representing a wide range of experience, a welcoming attitude, and lots of ebb and flow as the hours pass. There are guitars, banjos, mandolins, fiddles, basses, spoons, several washtubs and washboards, an accordion, a couple harmonicas, and numerous voices. All acoustic instruments are welcomed.

As things wind down around midnight, some folks pitch tents and others head for local hotels. Before ten o'clock Saturday morning they start trickling back, and new waves of cars arrive. Soon there is music everywhere, mingling with the chatter of old friends.

Last year there were a lot of new faces, and even more who came just to listen. Because there are numerous buildings and hedgerows, it wasn't clear how many people were there until about ten minutes to six, when the supper line started forming. Yowza! It was around the house! Even though there were almost 250 people, it never felt crowded. The Phlegars served up wonderful barbecue, supplemented by many dozens of delicious potluck contributions -- a bounteous buffet.

By the time the last diners were tucking into their suppers, several front-of-the-liners were noodling around on their instruments again. Dancers soon created rhythms on the plywood floor in the side yard. More jams formed, some under tents, some wherever they could find a comfortable place not too close to the next group. By nightfall there were at least nine. Players new to their instruments hunkered down at the outermost edges of the larger groups, but they were soon encouraged to move in closer. All styles of music were shared -- bluegrass, old-time, a little Dixieland, blues, a bit of pop here and there, some novelty songs (thanks to Tom, mostly!), Cajun, country, and swing. It was all wonderful.

If you have the opportunity to go this year, don't miss it. It doesn't matter whether you are a beginner or a hotshot player you will fit in and be comfortable. And if you don't play or sing, you'll probably enjoy listening. There are quite a few topnotch musicians who go every year and they happily share what they know. It's a wonderfully supportive atmosphere - friendly, cheerful, talented, welcoming, and flat-out fun. It's a huge amount of work for the Phlegars, but they do it with joy and generosity.

The 20th anniversary of the CFS Old-Time Music Jam Weekend is July 25-27. Call Tom or Barbara at 704-535-2154 by July 13th to let them know you're going and to get directions. Plan to take chairs, something to share at Saturday supper, and a donation to help with expenses. The weekend is a family event, so the Phlegars ask you to leave distilled spirits at home and limit the malted beverages. See you there!

Directions from Charlotte and points in North Carolina and South Carolina:

Take I-77 North to I-81 (in Virginia); about 134 miles from Charlotte.

I-81 North to Exit 98 (Route 100); about 25 miles.

Route 100 North to Pearisburg, Virginia; about 20 miles. Go to first stop light. Turn right on Route 460 East. (Note: motels are one-half mile farther North on Route 100, past stoplight; Holiday Motor Lodge, 540-921-1551, and Plaza Motel, 540-921-2591.)

Route 460 East will become four lanes at edge of town. Go past Wal-Mart on left and cemetery on right; about 3 miles.

Bear right continuing on 460 East over a bridge which crosses the New River.

After bridge, go up the hill. Turn left on State Route 635. You will see a sign that reads "White Rock Recreation Area" about 1.5 miles.

At the bottom of a long hill and before starting back up another hill, turn right on State Route 626 (dirt), which is now called Dry Branch Road; about 1 mile.

After traveling on this dirt road through heavy woods, you will open up into cleared fields. Partial remains of an old barn will be on the right. The gate and driveway to the house and gathering place are beside the barn. Look for a sign.